Bound To Love

Philip bent and pressed his kiss to her sweet mouth.  “I love you,” he breathed upon her parted lips, before he gathered her close to him again, securing her to his desire of only her. 

            “What you ask of me in this moment I am unable to do,” fresh tears spilled down her cheeks, yet voraciously she returned his embrace.  Clinging to him she longed for there to be another way to be his wife, other than the way he now presented.

            Another heated kiss cleaved his existence to her very being, and in the breathless moment they withdrew, she knew she had to trust his plan for them.

            “Philip,” her voice was tense with emotion as she turned from him to face the two slumbering children on the thin mattress across the small room.  “How am I to abandon-“ her hand covered her mouth in distress, unable to finish her plea.

            Philip grasped her shoulders, and pulled her tenderly back against him, “Is this the life you would cultivate for you, Stephen and Daeyl?”  Gently he prodded her to face the truth of their existence in this simple home, the austerity of the single room was stifling.

            “But to leave them alone in this,” she argued weakly, facing him squarely.

            “Would you leave yourself to befall the fate of Stephen’s mother?  She took her own life to escape what Lloyd put her through.  He holds you here because of Stephen and your young daughter.  But if you travel to the new world with me and my family, the voyage is long and dangerous, but when we have settled, we will send for them.”

            “Why do you trust your family will allow you to marry one such as me?  I have naught to offer, milord.”

            Philip smiled reassuring, taking her face in his hands.  “The very beauty of you will interest them.  Your engaging speech will tell them of your sincere heart, and the care you show me will enable them to accept you.” He brushed a kiss across her lips, and vowed, “We will marry, and we will send for these children.  You offer me a strong, loving, beautiful wife.  ‘Tis all I have sought, my love, and all any who love me have prayed I would find.”

            “I have lived a life that does not honor that which you should have.” She shook her head, sadly refusing to believe his words.

            Huskily he spoke upon her ear, “I have tasted of your love, and I choose it as my fare for the remainder of my life,” he again parted her lips in a kiss.  “You could never be happy without these children.  I will do all possible to reunite the three of you as soon as travel is possible.”

            She sighed resignedly, believing this to be the best way to save them all from this futile existence.

            At her concession, Philip joyfully swept her from her feet.  Fervently he covered her face with kisses, holding her full against him.  The words they shared were promises sealing their lives as one.

            Settling her carefully to the rough wood of the floor, Philip released her to go to the sleeping figures.  She knelt first beside Stephen, rousing him gently by stroking his dark hair from his brow.  His lids fluttered open and he sat upright, startled. In the lamplight he saw she had been crying.  She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.  Stephen was immobile, for he knew since he had first viewed the way Philip stood beside this woman he so dearly loved, that one day this moment would be brought upon his life.

            Looking into the troubled aquamarine of his young eyes, she couldn’t speak.

            Philip rushed to her and helped her to stand.  He guided her to the other child, and returned to Stephen.  He knelt where she had been.  Philip held Stephen’s gaze.  “We will send for you both, Stephen.” Philip assured him.  “The voyage we embark upon is too dangerous for children.  We will make a home and bring you to us.”

            Stephen’s eyes dropped to his hands as he sat upright.  He clenched his fists against the blow he knew he was about to be dealt.

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Softcover

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