Proserpina
Beatrice waddled in with a pot of weak tea and dry biscuits, fussing around me and the children drifted away.
‘I need to talk to your mother,’ rasped Lucien and the children melted away. Piers came to me and kissed my cheek fondly.
‘Get better soon, Mumma,’ he said, my handsome child-man,’ I want to have that delicious Indian naan and curry before I leave tomorrow.’
I dimpled up at him as Lucien frowned. Claude winked and waved. He was not given much to hugs and he said,
‘Mumma, I gotta practice. Got a big fight lined up for this weekend.’
Dom piped up excitedly, ‘Is it against Reefer Joe?’ The youngsters were avid fans of the sport and boisterous fans of their big brother, and with a sinking heart, I knew that my younger sons would also , most probably follow in their father’s footsteps and take to boxing.
Claude glanced at his father; the flippant look disappearing as he nodded when he saw that his father’s laser-grey eyes were trained on him.
‘Have you been practising, boy?’ growled Lucien and Claude stood up a little straighter and answered stiffly,
‘ Yes. Pappa.’
Lucien rocked on his heels, eyes narrowed, trained on my unfortunate son and said in a low rumble, ‘I shall come tomorrow to watch you.’
I knew that look. It could unnerve anyone and I knew Claude’s palms were sweating although the room was chilly.
The young man looked pole axed. The look of total shock and consternation on my son’s face was almost comical. “Ye…yes Sir,’ he stuttered and vanished from the room.
The younger boys, Dom and Lou huddled in the doorway and finally said, almost n a chorus,
‘Get better soon, Mumma.’ Plump Dom, who was still soft-hearted enough to care for a hug, came to me in a run and I pulled him into my arms.
‘Mumma, you always smell of vanilla,’ he chuckled as he wriggled out of my arms and scooted away after plastering my cheek with a kiss.
*
Turning to my lover, my husband, I patted the bed and motioned for Lucien to sit but he continued to stand, narrow eyes, staring at me and I pouted crossly.
“What is it now?’ I asked finally, exasperated.
‘Woman, I … I don’t like the fact that you are having a baby now… I …’ he said and stopped at the mutinous look on my face.
I opened my mouth to retort angrily but he dropped down beside me, drawing me into his arms and kissing me. I remained stiff and annoyed, keeping my mouth firmly closed, till he raised his head and said, gruffly,
‘ Don’t misunderstand me, woman, ‘ he sighed tiredly and went on, his voice hoarse with emotion,
“You look tired. I want you to be …Happy. Not bringing up another child, not now.’ His eyes flickered across my face, dropping to my full heaving breasts and I felt myself go warm at the look of possession, of desire in his grey eyes that were darkening with passion as they swept over me.
He trailed a finger down my cheek, rubbing his thick thumb over my lips till I parted my lips and sucked his thumb and suddenly, bit him hard, dimpling mischievously as his slate grey eyes narrowed with the unexpected reaction.
“Vixen,’ he growled, shifting closer to me, ‘I should punish you for that.’
I giggled, happiness bursting through me as he pulled me into his arms and I inhaled the rich spicy citrus of his cologne and the fragrance of my man, the musk male scent of his big body. He bit my lower lip tenderly and I felt myself become soft, wet, under his touch.
I loved this man and all I wanted was to have him here with me, beside me, I thought as I circled his powerful shoulders with my arms, trying to hold him to me forever.
He went on, his voice a hoarse growl,
‘I want you to be… relaxed. Like we were when we went to Portugal.’
I laughed out loud at that and he moved back to study me, eyes crinkling in amusement as I held him, my hands clutching his shirt front as I dimpled.
‘Lucien Delano, you got me pregnant then! That’s what relaxing does to us!!!’
Grunting in compliance, he continued to look at me and shook his head.
“Woman,’ he growled and with one hand, he roughly jerked the sheet covering my breasts off, exposing them to his hot hungry gaze. I felt my nipples hardening obediently in response to his heated look.
‘When I see your large, soft tits bouncing.. .’ he said hoarsely, a large hand going up to cup and fondle my thrusting breasts and I quickly pulled the sheet back, covering myself, blushing, breathing unevenly.
“The children…,’ I began just as we heard the outer door opening. Ria’s quick steps sounded and he rose to his feet in one fluid movement while I adjusted my nightshirt hastily, hands trembling with a familiar desire.
*
Our eldest daughter emerged and stood uncertainly in the doorway, looking from one to another of us. She seemed to realise that she had interrupted a tender moment between us, noting the flush in my cheeks and the dark look of passion on her father’s face.
But she seemed distracted and I sat up straighter, dread uncoiling in the pit of my stomach.
“What is it…?’ I cried and Lucien moved swiftly and he gripped my shoulder, moving to stand beside me so that I was leaning against his strong thighs.
‘Tara…’ she began and bit her lip again.
‘What about her?’ I asked, my voice rising in panic.
Lucien
He gripped his wife who was looking alarmed.
‘Calm down, woman,’ he said and she turned to him, in concern, brown eyes molten with anxiety.
‘Lucien…’ she said and he pulled her into his arms.
Over her head, he met his eldest daughter’s eyes. She looked worried and that was unusual for her.
‘She has a fever is all, Mumma. ‘ said Ria soothingly but Lucien sensed that there was more to it. He gave her a curt nod and she slipped away.
Dr. Shah appeared in the doorway at the same time, looking harassed but one look at Proserpina’s white face and his beetling brows rose.
“What is wrong, Mrs Delano?’ said the old man as he walked forward, his old black bag swinging in his hands.
‘Did I not tell you that you have to look after yourself?’ he scolded her but his eyes when he looked at Lucien, were pinpricks of annoyance.
Philippe hovered in the doorway and as Lucien met his eyes, an unspoken order in his eyes, the young man left.