Dark Passions

27.

"Derek, there is something else I must tell you," Marcus said again, once the waiter had departed, leaving them with replenished glasses. It was getting late in the evening, but conversation still hummed around them, the clink of glasses and the slap of cards against the tables with the occasional shout of triumph at a winning hand. Derek looked at him quizzically, lacing his fingers together across his chest, as he waited for Marcus to continue his tale. "I was with Addison just a few days ago, after her return from your estate. She was in a high state of anger, ranting about your new betrothed, seething that she herself should be the next Duchess of Gracewood."

Derek sighed heavily. "Believe me, Marcus, I am already aware of her ravings. She did her best to come between Meredith and I- even going so far as to bribe a footman to tell her how to get into my bed and wait for me. Thankfully, her plan failed. I do believe she is losing her sense of reality. I made it very clear, and so did my mother, that there is no possible chance of my changing my mind about her."

Marcus shook his head. "No, there is more, I am afraid, my old friend. She asked me to try to find out about Miss Grey's past. She is sure there is something there that would make it impossible for you to wed the girl."

Derek took a deep drink of his whiskey, the alcohol burning down his throat, as he listened to Marcus. "And did you?"

"No, I agreed with her plan at the time, but I have not done anything about it. I felt bad enough about the rift between us over Addison, without adding fuel to the fire. Please believe me, Derek, I wish no harm to you and your relationship with Miss Grey. Would I be telling you, otherwise?" He shook his head in self-disgust at his weaknesses, and threw the rest of his drink back in one swallow.

Derek was silent for a moment, contemplating this news. "I believe you. Meredith is a very sweet, loving young woman - there is no possible way there could be anything in her past that would turn me against her. I love her with all my heart, Marcus. I do not care about her past, only her future with me."

Marcus nodded. "So what do we do about Addison?"

"Let me think on that, my friend," Derek said, finishing his own drink, and standing up. He held his hand out, and Marcus took it, shaking hands. "Thank you for telling me. I will be in touch with you."

"You're welcome, Derek. I've missed our friendship, you know, and if there is anything else I can do to make things right, just ask."

Derek smiled briefly. "Of course. Good night." He turned and walked away, leaving Marcus to his own thoughts. The smile disappeared from his face as he considered Addison's actions. There had to be some way to be finished with her once and for all.

Marcus watched Derek leave, and called for another drink, feeling better to have told the truth about his involvement with Addison, and hoping for the best. Derek deserved to be happy with Miss Grey, and he was determined to do whatever it took to help him.

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Meredith woke again to find the sun streaming through the windows, and she smiled to herself, remembering the wonderful dream she had. It was almost as if he had been here, well, not just as good, she giggled to herself. But she felt a little happier this morning than she had since Derek had left. She could hardly wait to tell him about that when he got home - maybe he could enact it with her, pretend he was taking her virginity. She shivered deliciously at the thought, as she sat at the edge of bed, reaching for her dressing gown. A little wave of dizziness shook her as she stood up, and she sat down again with a surprised little moan. She put her hand to her forehead, as the feeling passed, and she was able to stand up. Thinking she must have just gotten up too quickly, she went to ring for Rose to bring some breakfast.

As she waited, she went to look outside, admiring as always the beautiful flowers and the tranquility of the gardens. She could easily understand why Derek hated to leave here. She laid her forehead against the cool glass, thinking about him, hoping he was faring well in London, and that all was going as planned. For a moment, she worried that he might see Addison while he was there, but she pushed the thought to the back of her mind. Even if he did, there was nothing for her to worry about. Derek made it very clear to her, with both his words, and his actions, that he loved her, and she had no doubts at all about his fidelity. And she hoped he was patching things up with Marcus - it sounded as if they had been good friends once. Just so long as Derek returned home soon. But despite missing him terribly, it would be so much the sweeter when he returned, she told herself, smiling.

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Derek drank his morning coffee, pacing in the dining room of his townhouse. Marcus's words rang in his ears, reminding him of just how devious Addison had become. His anger with her simmered again, but he was at a loss as how to deal with it. Perhaps it was time to pay her father a visit, he mused, raking a hand through his hair in frustration. The man should be able to do something with her - maybe send her away to Paris, find some French lovers to torment.

And to make his day even worse, he had not slept well the night before, tossing and turning, missing the comforting soft curves of Meredith's body snuggled next to him. He was already addicted to her, he admitted to himself, as he stopped to look out the windows facing the formal gardens at the back of the house. Maybe should just concentrate on thinking of her, and forget about Addison for now.

He wondered what Meredith was up to right now. He closed his eyes, picturing her in the bed, her hair tumbling around her shoulders, the adorable sated look of satisfaction on her pretty face. Picturing the white sheets against her creamy skin, the pink tips of her nipples peeking out at him, just enough to tempt him to put his tongue there. His body tightened, as images flooded his mind - her luscious body pinned beneath his, her sweet pussy welcoming his cock as he slid into her tight heat. Her soft green eyes, full of love and desire, matching his own expression, watching him as he made love to her over and over, claiming her as his.

From nowhere, he had a sudden clear vision of her, laying in bed as the sunlight washed over her, pregnant and large with his child. Naked, her hand resting on the swell of her belly, her slender fingers bare except for an amethyst ring winking in the bright light. Her beautiful face fuller, a happy smile on her lips, as she beckoned him to join her. His breath caught, it was such a real image - when he opened his eyes, he was shocked to find himself still in his dining room.

God, he wanted to do so much for her - he wanted to spoil her, give her everything she wanted and more, to make up for what likely had been a less than ideal life growing up. He set his coffee cup down forcefully, and strode out of the dining room, calling the butler to get the coach sent around. He would deal with Addison later - right now the thought in his mind was buying gifts for his betrothed. He could hardly wait to see the look on her face when he returned home. Home - as Derek headed out the door, the thought struck him that for the first time, he would be returning to his home at Gracewood and to the woman he loved, not just home to an empty bed. Much as he loved the land and the manor, it didn't compare to how he felt for Meredith.