His American Fling (39 page)

“In my bed?”

He nodded. “Your mate, Holly, let me in. She fed me. I took a shower and then I climbed in bed. I was knackered. I woke up when you I heard you walk in.”

I got the top over my head finally and then took off my pants. “But, what are you doing here,”

“Because you forgot something.” He reached under the pillow. “First I want you naked and in bed with me.”

The guy had flown across a continent to get to me and now he was naked in my bed. I kept expecting cameras from a reality show. “I don’t want to get completely naked,” I said, “I’m fat.”

“You look beautiful from where I’m standing.”

“Idiot, you’re not standing. You’re lying down in my bed.”

Eye roll. “Get your arse over here.”

“Why can’t you British say, ass? What is it with arse?”

“
Ass
,” he said with a flat American drawl. “Get that
ass
over here—now!”

I walked over and cautiously sat on the bed noting that my stomach was rolling up from my extra pounds. I put a hand over my middle. He pulled it away and yanked me into bed with him, wrapping an arm around me to keep me from trying to get away—as if.

“Now, I’ve got you in bed. Are you going to take off your bra and panties?”

“I don’t know. Why are you here? To have sex?”

He narrowed those cobalt blue eyes at me. “I can have sex in England. I can’t have you. I came here for you. The hand came up from under the pillow and he placed the red and gold box on my stomach. I opened it and saw diamond ring that was absolutely perfect. It was an emerald shaped two carat diamond set in platinum.

“I would have gotten you a bigger diamond but Fiona said that you had small
hands and anything larger would look tacky. So I got you this to match.” Another larger red and gold box appeared and inside was a matching necklace with what appeared to be a diamond twice as big with several small ones on the side.

“I don’t understand. Are you buying me jewelry or is this an engagement ring?”

He smiled. “I bought them in Paris when I was had a few hours off from meetings. When you left, I put them away. The idea of letting them go never crossed my mind. I guess I always hoped that I would be able to finally give them to you. I was a fool for not chaining you down in the wine cellar and keeping you prisoner until I got back from Europe. I refuse to let you get away again. Please, marry me.”

I realized that I hadn’t taken a breath in what seemed to be a long time.
I opened my mouth and let the air rush into my lungs. “Campbell, I love you so much, but I’m not sure I’m countess material. Your mom seems so regal. Even Fiona has an air to her that lets everyone not to mess with her. You don’t need me, you need someone like Gemma.”

“
Bullocks. I need you. You keep me from taking myself too seriously. I need someone in my life that makes me laugh at myself. And you, my love, are the only woman that can do that. I need you as much as I need the air I breathe. Please marry me.”

“Oh, God, Campbell. I can’t imagine not having you in my life. I’ve tried these last seven months and I feel like a zombie just going through the steps.”

He kissed me with such joy and energy that I was suddenly infused with life. We kissed like teenagers, our mouths groping along with our tongues. It finally became so desperate that we started laughing.

“God, I just want to eat you up,” he said.

I wiggled an eyebrow, “That can be arranged.”

He used his tongue in a more useful place, teasing my clit until my prone body danced with so much pleasure that I got dizzy. I cried out Campbell’s name over and over as the tingling flooded my groin, my thighs,
and my breasts.

He wasted no time climbing up, pushing my legs apart and taking me. Our lovemaking was so ferocious
; it was as if we were both trying to absorb the other into our souls. My body came up to meet his as he slammed down, filling me completely. The passion was so intense that when he came the sound out of his mouth was fierce, warrior-like. If I hadn’t felt so safe with Campbell, I might have been frightened.

His body dropped
down onto me. I was bearing the full weight of his collapsed body.

I laughed and pushed him to get his weight off of her.

“Sorry.” He rolled back to his original position. “Let’s get married today.”

“What?
No, I’m too tired. Can’t you wait until tomorrow?”

He shrugged. “I guess.”

And then I thought to myself,
Are you crazy, the Earl of Falkirk wants to marry you and you want to go to sleep?

“Don’t I have to sign some document saying that I promise
not to rob you blind?”

“Darling, the way the estate is set up, you couldn’t get much if you divorced me. Most of it is set up in an estate for the trust. You could probably rob me of my doctor’s salary, assuming I’m practicing when you decide to leave me for a Duke or Prince.”

“You trust me not to take you for every penny when I catch you in bed with the chamber maid?”

“No, but I trust that with you in my bed I won’t be needing any maids,” he smiled.

“Campbell, this kinda scares me. You know I love you so much, I don’t think I’m thinking straight.”

“Well, when you’re the Right Honorable Countes
s of Falkirk, everything will be scary, not just me.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“When you have a hundred charities chasing you down to be their sponsor, you’ll be running for the hills. You might want to think this through before you become a Countess.”

“I find jumping off cliffs is more my style. In fact, get your hairy ass up, we’re getting married.”

“Really? You’re ready to marry me?”

“Let’s go.”

“Do you have a dress?”

“I have dresses, but none that scream, “
Wedding dress.” But I can wear one of my work dresses.”

“Let’s go buy you a dress and then we’ll get married tomorrow. I want you to feel special…r
eally special when you marry me….for the first time that is.”

“First time?”

“We’ll be doing this back in ol’ Blighty, too.”

“We will?”

“Oh, yes, I have to give my tenants and friends a big wedding or they’ll think I’m cheap.”

“So let’s wait and do it there.”

He shook his head, the dark, wavy, locks softly swaying across his forehead. “Darling, you are no longer just a fling. I want Gemma to have to address you as Lady Falkirk when we get back.”

I shook my head. “You and
your titles.”

“No, just a little bit of retribution.” He gave me a sweet kiss on my lips and then smiled. “The truth is that I just don’t want you to get away. I love you and frankly, do not want another day to pass without you as my wife.”

We didn’t make it to the next day. I didn’t bother buying a new dress. I jumped out of bed, put on a cream suit that I usually wore to court and, after two hours at the county recorder and clerk’s office, I am now Lady Falkirk in England. But, here in California, to my friends, I’m just Maggie McGee, wife to Campbell Adair.

I’m lying down next to my husband
who is asleep, and I can’t believe that this God is joined to me. Campbell is flying back in a few days and I’m going to join him as soon as I can settle things here in the States.

I think I feel a hand moving up my thigh. It seems as if the God has awakened and desires another round of carnal knowledge. Dang, life is good.

Not only was I a lawyer, but I was now a legal resident in the United Kingdom and living at Falkirk Manor. Unfortunately, the Dowager Countess and I were not exactly having tea parties. Campbell had left for business in Europe expecting that I would sit on my ass eating bon-bons waiting for the Twelfth Earl of Falkirk to make his appearance on Earth. That’s
right; I was in my 38
th
week of my pregnancy with two more weeks to go.

My mother-in-law had been tolerant while Campbell was in town, but as soon as he drove off in the Town car, the looks I received made it very clear that my husband had married so many levels below his stature that she couldn’t count them all. Despite my efforts to take over the running of Robscott Manor, she undermined me every step of the way.

I wasn’t going to roll over, but I
didn’t want the stress of dealing with her while I was so close to giving birth. Right now, my mother-in-law and I were like two bull moose rutting over control of a rather intimidating staff and estate. I felt about as welcome as Barack Obama at a Tea Party Convention. I needed to be somewhere that I felt comfortable. I decided to move closer to Addenbrookes and the maternity hospital,
The Rosie.

I packed several bags and rang for the staff. They took them for me and, after I showered and dressed, I went downstairs.

“Are my bags loaded?”

The two young women, dressed in white shirts and black skirts nodded at me. The older one spoke, “Yes, Ma’am.”

Walker walked in from the front, “Madam, we’ve brought you the Jaguar for your use.”

“Jaguar? Isn’t there something less flashy?  Where’s the Camry?”

The servants all looked at each other.  Walker asked, “Would you prefer the Camry, Ma’am?”

“Yes, if I’m in an accident at least I...”  I looked around and it was obvious that there was something they weren’t telling me.  “Walker, what’s wrong with the Camry?”
              “Nothing Ma’am.”

The younger maid spoke up, “But Ma’am, Lord Falkirk gave the car to Mr. Walker.  He
took it down this afternoon to register it.”

“Enough
, Janice.” Walker snipped, “It’s alright Ma’am.  If you feel more comfortable in the Camry—“

I shook my head vigorously.
“No, the Jaguar is fine. Thank you, Walker. Where are the keys to the Cambridge townhome?”

“I put them on the Jaguar key
-ring Ma’am.”

“Thank you, Walker.”

“Ma’am, have we done something to cause you to feel uncomfortable here?”  Walker sounded and acted more concerned than my mother-in-law.

I didn’t want to deal
with my feelings or his worries. “No, I want to stay close to The Rosie and my doctors. I may be back on the weekend, I’m not sure. Thank you Walker, please call me if I’m needed for anything.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

I left and, after fiddling with the mirror and seat, took off. It took me quite a while to get used to driving on the wrong side again, but by the time I hit the Cambridge traffic, I was more comfortable with driving. I pulled up outside the front of the townhome, having scored a prime parking spot. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get all four suitcases into the house without breaking my back, so I pulled out the two smallest and made my way up the steps. A stranger took pity and helped me with them. Unlocking the door, I pulled the suitcases inside and immediately noticed the smell of something cooking.

A smile crossed my lips.
“Campbell?  Campbell? Are you here darling?” I started down the steps, eager to see him when Gemma’s face popped into the stairwell from the kitchen. I gasped. “Gemma? What are you doing here?”

“Me?  Where did you come from?”
Her face, her tone, her stance all said that she was very annoyed.

“I just happen to live here.
This is our home,” I said as I made my way into the kitchen.

Her lips went fl
at and her eyes narrowed. “Well, it just so happens that we’ve been living here for the last three months while we finish the last of the renovations of White Owl Manor. Campbell never said anything about you moving in.”

“That’s because he doesn’t know. Look, I want to be close to the Rosie and my doctors, so I’ve decided to move to Cambridge. When will your house be ready?”

“Two weeks.”

I heard the garage door close in the back of the garden.

“Well, I guess you can stay until it’s finished.”

“Well, that’s just lovely of you to be so generous!” she said it with more vitriol than my
mother-in-law on a good day.

The door opened and Peter walked down the stairs from the garden and into the kitchen, “Maggie!  It’s so good to see you.  Did you just get into town?”

“Yes.  I was just telling Gemma that I want to move back to Cambridge so that I can be close to the Rosie.”

He put his briefcase down and kissed my cheek, then went over and kissed Gemma, “That makes sense.”

“Of course you can stay until your house is finished.” I added.

He smiled at me without any guile and nodded, which made me wonder why Peter was so in love with Gemma, “That’s quite generous Maggie. Gem, we need to move our things out of the master bedroom.”

I shook my head, “No, you don’t have to move out of the master bedroom.”

“Heaven’s no, Maggie, you’re pregnant, you need a room with a bathroom and the only other room with a bathroom is on the third floor. That’s too far up in your condition.  By the way, when are you due?”
Peter asked.

“Two and a half weeks.”

“I tell you what; you have dinner while we move our things to the guest room.”  He patted my shoulder as he went upstairs.

Gemma gave me a look of pure frustration and sighed,
grumbling as she left, “There’s quiche in the oven and a bowl of fruit in the refrigerator, help yourself.”

“Thank you.”  I tried to smile. 

As she walked up the stairs, I attacked the quiche in the oven, taking a fourth of it and grabbing a couple of large spoonful’s of fruit and putting it on my plate.  I had to admit the food was delicious, Gemma could cook—quiche.

I could hear some arguing, but
frankly I didn’t care. They had lived in the house off and on over the last ten months without paying and had promised Campbell that they would be out my now. I was pleased that Peter understood that I needed the master bedroom.  After an hour of feet pounding, drawers opening and doors slamming, Peter came down with a smile and grabbed my suitcases.

“Is this all of it Mags?”

“No, I’m afraid the two large ones are still in the Jag out front.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get them.”

True to his word, I was unpacking my smaller bags when Peter brought me the two large ones.  After I was done, I showered and climbed in bed, wishing that Campbell was there to snuggle up to.  It hit me that I hadn’t called him to let him know where I was. I was reaching for my cell phone when it rang. I could tell from the caller I.D. that it was him.

“Hi Honey,” I answered.

“Where the hell are you? I called the Manor and my mother said you left with your bags.”

“Oh, she noticed? I’m surprised. She ba
rely acknowledged my presence. I’m in Cambridge. I can’t face Robscott—I can’t face your mother—without you, at least not for now. I feel comfortable and safe here, plus I’m close to the Rosie.”

“You’re with Gemma?”

“Yes, she and Peter are here. I didn’t know that they were still staying here. I thought they’d be out of the house by now.”

I could hear a deep sig
h on the other end of the phone. “Living with Gemma can’t be good for you darling.  Why don’t you go back to the manor? I’ll have a talk with my mother and sister.”

“No, you won’t. I can fight my own battles. Really, I want to be in Cambridge, more to do here and I’m close to the Rosie.  Besides, Peter seems to have Gemma under control. He even made her move out of our room.”

He chuckled, “Oh, I bet that went down well.”

“Yeah, like a lead balloon. When are you coming home?”

“The case is under consideration by the judge as we speak. I think he may hand down a ruling any day now.”

“Oh, good. Will you be able to come home after he rules?”

“Maybe, if the Paris case goes away after that.”

“Why don’t I come over there?”

“You’re through with flying. You are carrying precious cargo and no sense taking chances with it.”

“Cam, you
don’t know how much I miss you,” I whined.

“I think I can imagine. I miss you too darling, but it won’t be long now. Now get some sleep, you must be knackered.”

“I am. I love you honey.”

“I love you too.”
He started to laugh.

“Why are you laughing?” I asked.

“I’m just trying to picture you living with Gemma.” There was another roll of laughter.

*************
********

When I finally hung up
I rolled over and fell asleep, sleeping for twelve hours before finally getting up. The house was empty so I started snooping in Cam’s stuff.  After all, it was now our house and
our stuff
. I found photo albums, so I crawled up on the couch and spent most of the day going through them. At five p.m.  I went down and made dinner for the three of us, receiving a genuine and hearty thank you from a very tired Gemma when she arrived home.

“I heard the judge should be giving a ruling soon. What do you think our chances are?”  I asked as I finished the final touches for the meal.

“Peter and I both think the estate should do well. In fact, I think Campbell’s award include not only his lost profit but his attorneys fees and interest on the amount he would have made without their interference in the deal.”

“That’s good right?”

Peter chuckled as he uncorked a bottle of Pinot Noir. “The interest alone will be just over a million pounds and the attorney’s fees another half million.”

“Oh my God! I didn’t realize the stakes were that high.”

Peter nodded. “Campbell’s father had put everything they had into the deal.”

“Cam was telling the truth when he said if this lawsuit was lost he’d be a doctor with a big house he couldn’t afford.”

They both smiled at me. Gemma took a drink and then cocked her head at me. “Campbell still has his Grandmother’s inheritance. That’s probably worth over several million by now.”

I was
floored; Campbell had never mentioned receiving anything from his grandmother. “Really, that much?”  I pretended that I knew about it, just not the amount.

“Well, it was
1.4 million pounds when he received it five years ago.”

“I see.” 

We sat down and ate and I admit, for the first time, I was able to see why Campbell had fallen in love with Gemma. Now that things were settled between her and me, she actually spoke to me without venom dripping from every word. We weren’t buddies, but I did find her funny, entertaining and quite intelligent. Peter was bright, but not as bright as Gemma or Cam. He was also very kind and generous, making us both laugh at his own expense. I couldn’t help but like him and notice that he had a gentle, but firm reign over his wife.  I wondered if they thought the same about Campbell and me.

The next morning I went to Addenbrookes to set up an account with NHS.  Because Campbell worked for the National Health Service, he refused to pay for private
care, once telling me that NHS care was adequate. I had my doubts from what I had seen, but there was no doubt that the prenatal and obstetric care was excellent. It took several hours to set up my medical records and appointments. I was assigned a midwife who was to come out and see me the next afternoon. In addition, I had been assigned to Professor Douglas in obstetrics.  My appointment with him was for the day after next in light of my advanced pregnancy. I wasn’t too worried about the baby since I had just had a check-up a week ago and everything was fine.

When I arrived home the house was quiet so I took the opportunity to make a cup of tea and sit down to watch a movie. The Braxton-Hicks contractions had increased over the last few weeks, so nothing I did made me comfortable. Nonetheless, I was so tired I fe
ll asleep on my favorite couch waking around six when I heard the front door close. It was Gemma, her tan trench coat and Burberry’s umbrella dripping.

“It’s pissing down outside.”  She looked over at me and knit
ted her sculptured eyebrow. “Maggie, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just have really bad heartburn and the Braxton Hicks contractions are giving me hell. I’ve been peeing every five minutes. 
At least I don’t feel so congested, I can breathe now.”

She hung the coat in the ante-room, “I told Peter to bring home Chinese so he should be here soon.”

“Thanks, I just didn’t have enough energy to make dinner.”

“Are you all settled at the Rosie?”