Under The Moon And Stars

Chapter 16

Evie couldn't believe the way her life had changed in less than a day. She'd been a woman deeply in love with her husband and believing that he loved her just as much. She'd always said her life felt like a dream. When she thought about it she concluded that it had been a dream, but unfortunately like with all dreams, it wasn't real and she had woken up. Her husband had fallen in love with another woman before meeting her. If he had just told her the truth when they'd met, she would have set him free. Her father never would have forced her to marry a man who already had a mistress and child, no matter who that man's father was.

Alexander was probably the most selfish man she had ever met. He'd had Sarah and their baby. He'd promised Sarah marriage but upon seeing Evie he'd decided he wanted her too. So he broke his promise to Sarah, and he broke his marriage vows to Evie. Now they were both stuck. Evie had no idea how Sarah felt about this situation, but she knew how she felt, which was disgusted.

Evie kept replaying memories in her mind. When she had met Alexander, when he'd proposed and shown her the ring he'd picked for her. When he'd told her he loved her. When they'd married and the countless times he'd made love to her. Were any of the things he'd said to her true? Was any of it real? He'd always been so good to her. Had he meant it or was it just to keep her from ever being suspicious of him? So he could run to Sarah and have the same life with her? Was anything about Alexander real, or was everything a façade? She would likely never know. So now what to do?

Evie knew divorce was out of the question. Infidelity alone wasn't enough for a woman to divorce her husband. And she could never put her children through that even if it was an option. All she had power over was how she wanted to respond and live her life going forward. She needed time to think, and she knew she couldn't do it with Alexander around. After coming to a decision she left her room and walked into her husband's chamber where she found him reading by the window. His face lit up when he saw her and she found herself getting angry. But she needed to keep it at bay. Screaming at him, although giving her some inner satisfaction, would not help anything. All it would do is give the servants something to gossip about and she didn't want her children to know anything about this.

"Alexander, I can't even begin to express how hurt and confused I am right now. Being in this room makes me feel nauseous remembering the image of you and Sarah together. I need some time away from you to get my thoughts together. Having you near disgusts me right now." Alexander looked panicked. He opened his mouth to speak but Evie held up her hand. "Tomorrow morning I plan to take the boys with me to Surrey. I want to go home for a while where I can think without having to see you. When I've had time to recover from the shock of your betrayal I'll return."

Alexander let out a deep breath. "Will you tell your parents about this?" Evie felt enraged. That's what he was worried about?!

Evie sneered at him. "I don't know. What I do know is that whatever I choose or don't choose to tell my parents is my decision. Not yours!"

Alexander stood and held up his hands in surrender. "You're right, of course. I'm sorry." He had the good sense to look remorseful. "But you will come back? You promise?"

Alexander looked so forlorn Evie almost felt bad for him. Almost. "Yes, I'll come back. Your sons need you and I won't involve them in a scandal. I just need some time away." Evie turned to head back to her chamber. She needed to ring for Ruth and have her start packing. Before she crossed the threshold to her room she turned to face Alexander again. "Try to look on the bright side Alexander. With me away you can easily go to Brighton and calm your mistress. You don't even have to lie this time."

The following morning Evie and her sons left for Surrey as planned. She knew her parents would be surprised but delighted by their visit. And the kids adored both their grandparents and the country estate. She'd tell her parents that Alexander was so busy working both businesses that he'd encouraged Evie and the kids to visit so they could have some fun while he settled into a new routine. Truthfully, only the first couple of weeks had been that busy. Once Alexander learned the ends and outs of her father's business there wasn't much for him to do. Her father had an amazing staff who pretty much took care of most of the heavy lifting. But still, it was a plausible excuse.

Evie had decided not to tell her parents about Alexander's infidelity. Mainly for the same reason she hadn't told Natti what she'd seen the night of the ball. They would be horrified and furious on her behalf. There was also nothing they could do about it. All it would do is cause them distress with no end and she wouldn't put them through that. It would also cause irreparable damage to her father's years-long friendship with Harold Montgomery. Evie didn't want to be responsible for any of it.

As expected, her parents were thrilled to see them, especially the grandchildren. They welcomed them with open arms and Evie felt a bit of peace for the first time since the ball. No matter what, she could always find a way to relax when at her childhood home. Evie was also thrilled to see Lucy and her little girl, Clara. Four years earlier Lucy was informed that her husband, who'd abandoned her years before, had been killed in a tavern brawl. She was finally free. She and Charles married within a couple of months, much to the surprise of her parents, and about a year later their daughter was born. Lucy and Charles brought Clara with them every day and between them, the rest of the household staff, and even Evie's parents, the child was well looked after.

After seeing that her children and Nanny Fields were settled into their rooms, Evie decided to go for a walk. The grounds and gardens were just as beautiful as they always were and still smelled like her perfume. Evie took a deep breath. The betrayal still hurt, but she felt better here. Maybe she could escape into the world of her childhood for a bit. To a time before Alexander had entered it. She had once been wild and uninhibited. Marriage and motherhood had caused her to settle down. Living in the city had changed her too. She no longer went anywhere barefoot, not even her own home or garden. She never ran anywhere. She couldn't remember the last time she skipped a stone, even here. That was about to change.

Evie went back to the house and to her room. She took off her shoes and stockings, put on the simplest dress she owned and let down her hair before styling it into a simple braid. She then went to the kitchen and asked for a basket with snacks to be packed and then she collected her children. She was taking them on a picnic. Miles carried the basket, Thomas carried a light blanket, and Evie carried Luke.

Evie set the picnic up by the stream. The same place she and Natti had picnicked together so many times before. She ate, laughed and played with her boys. She taught Miles how to skip a stone and had the best day that she'd had in a long time. By the time they came back to the house, it was time for dinner. The boys ate and then Nanny Fields took them to get cleaned up. Later when it was time for the boys to sleep Evie kissed them goodnight and spent some time with her parents. When she retired for the evening, she was so exhausted that she slept well for the first time in two days.

The following day was similar to the first. She took the children outside to play in the morning, chasing them all around the gardens. Her mother sat at her garden table watching them and enjoying the summer weather. And then, Eric Taylor appeared. He spoke to her mother about some of the work she wanted him to do before taking his leave. He tipped his hat to Evie before walking away. Of course Evie had seen Eric during the six years she'd been married. Whenever she visited her parents she'd see him around the grounds, but they had never rekindled their former relationship. Evie had taken her vows seriously even if Alexander hadn't. Evie and Eric never spoke about it either. Things had gone back to exactly the way they were before she'd shown up at his cottage that fateful night.

That afternoon, Evie decided to take a nap while her children were taking theirs. But thoughts of Alexander kept her awake. She knew moving forward wasn't going to be easy and she'd need to return to London eventually. But things would never be the same. She didn't know if she could ever forgive Alexander but even if she did, she knew she could never love him the same. Alexander had not only lied to her the entire time they'd been together, but he was in love with another woman. He also had no intention of breaking things off with Sarah and being faithful to Evie. Alexander was hoping that Evie would go back to being the loving wife that she'd always been and overlook his affair. She was stuck with him, but that didn't mean she had to be the doting wife.

She couldn't help but think of something Alexander had said, when she'd asked him if there were others besides Sarah. He'd denied that but then tried to justify the affair with Sarah by saying he'd known her first. As if that made it somehow alright to betray Evie. But if it did, then there was no reason she couldn't rekindle things with Eric. After all she'd known Eric before Alexander. Of course, there was always the chance that Eric had no interest in rekindling things with her. He'd told her on their last night together that she'd always have a place in his bed but that could've changed in six years. Still, Evie stood to lose nothing by asking.

Eric Taylor. Evie smiled as she remembered their time together. She remembered his shock when she'd propositioned him, but also how he'd told her it'd be his honor. She thought of how gentle he had been, how reassuring. But once his lips and tongue had touched her body, he'd ignited a flame in her that still burned. Eric had satisfied her body's lust and yearnings that entire spring. Because of Eric when Evie finally fell into bed with Alexander and lost her virginity, she had been more than ready. Evie was a passionate woman. Even after six years those desires still burned and her body still craved release.

Evie pulled up her skirt and began to touch herself. She still pleasured herself this way sometimes when Alexander was out of town but today, she thought of Eric. She ran her fingers up and down her mound and imagined it was Eric's tongue. She sighed when she remembered how he would sometimes kiss her there. Sweet, small kisses all over the most intimate part of her. Then he would kiss her clit before sucking on it ever so gently. "Ooooh," Evie moaned as she touched her own clit at the memory. Eric would lick and suckle her sweet nub making her entire body aflame and alive. Evie could feel every nerve tingling within her as she rubbed her clit faster.

"Oh," she squeaked quietly. "Oh yes, it's so good. So good," Evie muttered lost in both her memory and the feelings she was currently giving to herself. Evie could feel wetness seeping from her body. She moved her fingers lower to moisten them before bringing them back to her clit. Evie grabbed her breast with her other hand. She was only in her shift so she could feel her nipples poking through the material. It felt good as she lightly touched and teased them.

Evie was getting close to the sweet release she so desired. She began rubbing faster. It was easier now that she'd lubricated her fingers a bit. Her fingers slid over her clit and Evie moaned and rocked on her bed. She remembered calling out Eric's name all those years ago as he'd bring her to orgasm and she couldn't help but to call it out again as the flames became an inferno. Evie's body shattered with the strength of her climax. Her head lifted off the pillow before slamming back down again. Her hand continued to move at a rapid pace and her body twisted on the bed. The pleasure of it ran through her entire body before finally fading away and leaving Evie panting on the bed.

Evie was stunned. Although no stranger to touching herself she had never managed to give herself an orgasm that strong before. Oh yes, she absolutely wanted Eric again. Her mind and body had just confirmed that. With a smile on her face, Evie finally drifted off into a pleasant nap. If Eric still wanted her it was going to be a long night.