Under The Moon And Stars

Chapter 20

Evie was polite but decidedly cool towards Alexander for the rest of the party. Natti was not going to cancel the wedding while they still had guests, so dinner was served as planned. As soon as the meal was over, though, Evie told Alexander that she was ready to leave. Alexander was a little confused, but he listened and assumed it was because they were leaving for Surrey the next day. They said their goodbyes to Natti and Amanda. Amanda clung to Natti's arm but this time Evie didn't miss the flirtatious smirk she gave her husband. Evie and Natti exchanged a knowing glance, and she walked out the door. Alexander attempted to chat during the drive home. Evie responded with short answers and made no comments of her own. She was waiting until they got home.

When they finally made it and went inside Evie asked Alexander to come to her bedchamber. Alexander smiled widely and followed her. Once inside he turned to her and said, "I'll be honest and confess, Evangeline, that you wore me out earlier before the party. I don't think I'll be able to do it again. But I'll hold you tonight while we sleep. Tomorrow morning, I shall be recovered," he said suggestively.

"Yes, our encounter earlier this evening, followed by your activities with Amanda afterwards have no doubt left you quite exhausted," Evie responded.

Alexander went white with shock. Evie laughed. "Oh don't look so surprised. You weren't exactly careful. I went looking for you when John asked where you were. Imagine my surprise when I checked Natti's office and found you taking Amanda over the desk. Natti saw you too, so I doubt things are going much better for Amanda right now. She's not my concern or problem however."

Alexander was quiet. He didn't utter a sound. Evie shook her head and took a deep breath. "How could you Alexander? How could you do this to me again? I finally accepted you having a mistress. I didn't like it. But I didn't give you any grief over it either or demand that you end it. But now..."

It was at that moment that Alexander cut her off. "Demand that I end it? You are in no position to demand anything. Do you honestly think you could stop me? Quit living in a fantasy world, Evangeline. You can't demand or stop me from doing anything I want to do. And I suppose that yes, by law Sarah is my mistress. The one I am having an affair with. But I met and fell in love with her long before I met you. You and I spent, what was it, four days together before we got married? You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and I wanted you in my bed. In that I've never been disappointed. However, the only way to have both you and my father's money was to make you my wife and Sarah my mistress. But make no mistake, the love I feel in my heart for Sarah far outshines the love I feel for you."

Evie felt as though she had been punched in the stomach. She realized that for the very first time she was seeing the real Alexander and he was the most selfish, greedy person she'd ever met. She might have fallen out of love with Alexander these last few years, but at least she'd felt it at one time. And she'd lost that love due to his actions. But now she knew that Alexander never truly loved her ever. He'd desired her. He'd wanted to possess her. But he'd never loved her. Alexander got whatever he wanted, and it didn't matter who he hurt to attain it. Finally she looked him in the eye and asked, "Well then, if you love Sarah so much, why did you have sex with Amanda? Wouldn't that be cheating on her?"

Alexander shrugged, "Sarah no longer cares. I hurt her when I married you, but she eventually came around and made peace with it. A couple years ago she told me that she doesn't care where I go, what I do, or what women I see, as long I always come back to her. And I do."

Evie shook her head and stared at the ground. She couldn't believe this was her husband. How could this be the same man who'd proposed and given her the yellow diamond ring even though they'd had an arranged marriage? The man who'd promised to always treat her as his queen? That man didn't exist. He'd never been real. It was a performance to ensure that she married him, so he could have her body and his father's money. And through his marriage to Evie he'd also gained her father's business as well. Everything about Alexander was a lie. A façade to ensure he got everything and everyone he wanted. Now that he had everything he wanted from her there was no more point in performing.

And of all the women in the world, why did he have to seduce Natti's fiancé? Natti, who'd always been a friend to him. Who'd waited years to find someone he wanted to spend his life with. Alexander had betrayed her to be certain, but he'd also betrayed Natti. "And why Amanda? Why would you betray Natti that way? He never did anything to you."

Alexander scoffed. "Amanda flirted with me, Evangeline. From the day we met her she flirted and made suggestive remarks. I didn't have to pursue her; she came right to me. And I can assure you, I was not the first man to have her.

Evie felt disgusted. "That still doesn't answer my question," she said. "I want to know why you betrayed Natti. He was your friend."

Alexander laughed, "Nathaniel is your friend, not mine. We might get along well and have similar business dealings, but I never considered him a friend. You might not realize it, Evangeline, but most men are envious of me because you are my wife. I enjoy having a wife those other men desire. I believe Nathaniel desires you too or at least did. But you are my wife. I have you, and when the opportunity presented itself, I took Amanda too. I've had other men's wives here and there as well. But I'll be honest with you Evangeline, when it comes to Nathaniel, a man that ugly should expect to be his wife to be less than faithful. If he didn't, the fault is his."

Evie wanted to slap Alexander for that. She not only disliked Alexander. In that moment she hated him. But now that she understood what he gained from her, she knew what to take away. How to save just an ounce of dignity. She narrowed her eyes, "Tomorrow I am taking the boys to Surrey to meet my parents and then I am going to stay there alone. You will not come with me. Stay here, go to Sarah, find someone else. I don't care. I don't care what you do anymore or who you see. But unlike Sarah, I also don't care if you ever come back to me. I will stay in Surrey the week that we'd planned. I'll tell my parents that things got busy at work and you were unable to leave. I'll come back as scheduled and I'll continue to live here because I am stuck with you. But I'm glad you enjoyed our encounter this evening because it was the last. You disgust me, and I will never be with you in that way again. I hope you continue to enjoy being married to a woman other men desire but can't have now that the door to my chamber is closed to you as well. Now, get out of my room and don't ever enter it again!

"You can't be serious, Evangeline. Despite everything tonight we have always shared incredible passion. You know it and feel it. I know you do. You won't be able to give that up. You didn't after finding out about Sarah and you won't now. You're just angry."

"I used to feel passion for you. That died tonight. Just looking at you right now repulses me. I don't want you to touch me ever again. The love I once felt for you perished long ago and now whatever fire was left between us, you've put out with your appalling words and behavior."

When she was finished speaking Alexander put his hands on her shoulders and attempted to pull her close. Evie stomped on his foot and managed to push him away. "Don't touch me," she screamed quite loudly!

Alexander was worried someone would hear her. "Please, Evie," he muttered.

Being called "Evie" after all these years infuriated her. "Don't you dare call me Evie," she shouted. "Evie is what my family and friends call me. And you are neither." She glared at him, the fury evident on her face. "I'll tell you one last time. Get out of my room!" Alexander finally turned around and went to his bedchamber. Evie locked the door behind him. She never wanted him to enter her room again.

The following morning Evie left for Surrey with the boys as planned. Alexander stayed behind but was there to see her and the kids off. He hugged his sons and told them to enjoy their travels with their grandparents. He looked at Evie and gave her a smile that once upon a time would have made her heart beat faster and her body melt. No longer. Evie knew it wasn't real. She put her gloves on in preparation for her journey and saw Alexander glancing at her hands. His eyes got big and he looked at her. He'd noticed her ring was gone. The beautiful yellow diamond ring he'd shown her when he proposed and given to her on their wedding day. She'd never once taken it off. Evie simply shrugged and neither of them commented. He'd find it later, Evie knew. She'd put it on his desk. She had no more use for it. Yellow had never been her favorite color anyway.

The trip to Surrey was uneventful. The boys were full of excitement and Evie did her best to share in it. Despite the complete unraveling of her marriage Evie knew she wouldn't change the past even if she could. She loved her sons more than anything in the world and she wouldn't have them if she'd made different choices. Whatever came, she would never regret them.

Since Alexander wasn't coming it also meant that she was now free to visit Eric during her nights. She would get lost in him and forget about her pain for a week. Her parents were outside waiting for them when the carriage pulled up. Her boys hopped out the moment the horses came to a stop and ran to their grandparents' open arms. After a loving and happy greeting the group made their way into the house.

After an afternoon with the family all together Evie and her mother sat alone in the garden watching the sunset, her mother excitedly talking about the next day's journey. Evie looked around the garden thinking how it was still the most beautiful place she'd ever seen. She told her mother those same thoughts and was surprised by her mother's response. "Oh yes, Mr. Taylor is a genius and has served our family so well over the years. Unfortunately, we may lose him if he decides to pursue the woman who has been showing him interest of late."

Evie's ears perked up at that comment. She knew she had to be careful with her questioning. "Oh? Is Mr. Taylor courting someone?"

Her mother thought for a moment, "I don't know if I would call it courting. She's a seamstress at the local dress shop. A widow with two children. Anyway, she is a member of our church as is Mr. Taylor. She has certainly shown interest in him, inviting him to dinner with her and the children a couple nights a week. However, I haven't seen him invite or escort her to anything so the attraction may very well be one sided."

"I see," Evie said. "Well even if Mr. Taylor does decide to court her it doesn't mean he will leave here. There is every possibility that he will move her and the children into the cottage."

"I highly doubt that," Abigail replied. "She's originally from Ireland and moved here with her husband. She wants to go back home and settle near her parents. I personally think the only thing she is waiting for is to see if anything will come of her time spent with Mr. Taylor. But who knows? It's all just gossip at this point."

Evie nodded and said no more. The conversation drifted to other things until they made their way back indoors. Her mother wanted to retire early in preparation for their journey the next day. Once her children and parents were in their chambers for the night, Evie decided to do the same. She wasn't going to sneak away and see Eric that night. She would wait until everyone was gone. However, this new information could clearly change things. Evie drifted into another restless sleep. Tomorrow would be soon enough to see Eric and find out if their time together had also come to an end.

The next morning Evie said a tearful goodbye to her parents and children as they headed out for their adventures. She spent the day outdoors in the gardens and by the stream. She read a book in the sunshine, caught up with Lucy and played with Clara for a time. After dinner she decided it was time. She walked to Eric's cottage and saw that he was sitting outside enjoying the end of the day. He smiled when he saw her. His blonde hair, so similar in color to hers, was so bright in the evening sun that it glowed. Eric stood to greet her and opened the door to the cottage. Once inside Evie took a seat at his kitchen table. Eric was surprised. The two of them usually went straight into the bedroom when she'd visit. He sat down with her and took one of her hands. "Is there something you wanted to talk to me about, Evie?"

Evie nodded. "Eric, we both know what this relationship is, and what we both get from it. It's always been about satisfying our desires, but it's also become about helping to fill a void that the other one has in their life. You give me freedom from my husband's hold, and I help fill the loneliness in your life."

Evie paused for a moment to choose her words. "When I came here yesterday without Alexander, I fully planned to spend my nights in your bed. But yesterday, my mother mentioned that there was a woman in town who has been paying particular attention to you." Evie reached out to hold Eric's other hand. "So Eric, what I'm here to ask is, have you met someone else? Someone who can fill that void permanently instead of the few times a year that we have together?"

Eric sighed. "Your mother was telling the truth, Evie. There is woman, her name is Shannon, who has been showing interest in having me court her. She has two young children and is struggling on her own. But I have not given her any encouragement or made her any promises."

Evie squeezed his hands. "Why not? Do you not have feelings for her?"

Eric closed his eyes before answering her. "I do have feelings for her. And if I were to court her, I could see myself falling in love with her."

"Then why hold yourself back? Why not see where this could lead Eric? You've been alone for so many years now; you deserve to have a family." Evie couldn't understand his hesitation.

"Because I made a promise to you many years ago, Evie. I promised to be here for you and to always keep a place for you in my bed. I don't make promises and then break them, Evie. My word is everything. But I also won't be an adulterer to my wife. If I marry again, I will be with my wife, and only my wife.

Evie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Eric wouldn't pursue Shannon because of his promise to her? She would never want to be responsible for costing him a real chance at happiness. "Oh, Eric. There are no words to describe how much your loyalty means to me. Especially since Alexander has no loyalty to me at all. But stolen moments are all we are ever going to have. We both know that and although we do care about each other, we don't love one another. You have a true chance at happiness with this woman. A chance for a real family with a wife and children. A chance of love. I will not let a promise you made to me nine years ago keep you from that."

"I might not be in love with you Evie, but I do care about you. I don't want to leave you with no escape from your marriage," Eric said sadly.

"My marriage is my mess to clean up and deal with. Not yours or anybody else's. I'll handle it. It's not your responsibility," Evie said

"It might not be my responsibility, but it has been my pleasure," Eric said with a wicked smirk.

Evie laughed. "It's been mine too," she said honestly. "But I'm ending it now. I want you to start seeing Shannon in earnest. And if you fall in love and marry her don't look back. Only forward."

Eric smiled. "Alright Evie. But it all seems so unfair to you. I said that I won't be an adulterer. But since I'm not courting Shannon yet I'm still technically free. What about having one more night? One more night for you to lose yourself before we part ways for good."

Evie smiled, "I would love that. Thank you, Eric." She took a deep breath before continuing. She had a request and she wasn't sure how he was going to take it. "I'm going to ask you for something, and you have every right to refuse if you wish." She looked into Eric's eyes, the same shade of green as her husband's, but without the deceit behind them. "You and I have never laid together as a man and wife do. Before we end this forever, I would like to have you that way just one time."

Eric was surprised. "That would put you at risk for pregnancy, Evie."

"Yes, I know," Evie responded. "And I've never been willing to take that risk, too afraid that Alexander would find out. In truth though, I'm not certain I can get pregnant anymore. I never stopped being intimate with my husband and still I haven't been pregnant in over four years. But even if by some miracle I do, Alexander and I were together just two nights ago so he won't question the timeline. We're safe."

"Would you like another baby, Evie," Eric asked?

Evie smiled, "I would love another baby. I love my children and I love being a mother."

"Then let's make this the most memorable night we've ever had," Eric said as he stood up and took Evie by the hand. He led her into the bedroom and took her in his arms. "I've never actually kissed you. But I want to kiss you this time. I want us to share everything tonight."

"Then kiss me Eric," Evie whispered. No other words were necessary. Eric leaned his head down and touched her lips with his own. He kissed her with a passion and longing that had been building for nine years. Evie kissed him back with the same frantic desire. She grabbed the front of his shirt and ripped it open, exposing his hard chiseled chest. Eric pulled the ruined shirt off his arms and spun Evie around so he could undo the buttons on her dress. The buttons were tiny and Eric struggled to get them undone with his large fingers. With a lust-filled cry Evie ordered Eric to get the dress off of her and to rip it if he had too. Eric grabbed the back of the dress by the neckline and ripped it clean to the bottom hem. Evie was fully naked as she hadn't bothered wearing underthings.

Eric pulled his pants off and drew Evie in for another mind-blowing kiss. With his tongue down her throat Eric picked Evie up bridal style and placed her on the bed. He crawled on top of her and kissed her neck and her breasts. Evie grunted and thrust up her chest encouraging Eric to take her nipple deeper in his mouth. He grabbed her breasts and pushed them together so that he could suckle them both in close unison. Evie shrieked and moaned and could feel herself getting wet down below.

Eric eventually moved further down her body. Instead of teasing, he immediately took her clit between his lips and kissed her. "Ohhhh Eric. Mmmmm." Eric kissed and flicked his tongue while he inserted first one finger and then two inside. He stroked and licked her into a frenzy, her head thrashing from side to side. "Eric... Eric...please! I want you. Please Eric. I need it now!" Eric pulled his fingers out of her and crawled up her body. He grabbed his cock and positioned it at her entrance.

"Are you certain Evie," he asked? "Last chance to change your mind."

"Take me Eric. Make me yours for one night." Eric kissed her as he pushed inside her body. Evie received him gratefully. She sighed in complete contentment as Eric began moving in and out of her. Eric's hips pounded with the motions of his thrusts and Evie met them with her own. His lips kissed and sucked on her neck while Evie held onto his back with one hand and ran her fingers through his hair with the other. They didn't speak but the small room was filled with the sounds of their coupling. Eric pounded her with such force that their bodies slapped together. Evie and Eric both grunted and groaned as they truly enjoyed all that the other had to offer. Eric's thrusts became even more frantic, and Evie could feel his balls hitting her clit each time his body connected with hers. She shrieked and squealed as her first climax hit her, shuddering beneath him. Evie dug her nails into Eric's back and her toes curled with the force of her orgasm. Eric looked into her blue eyes and smiled as he continued to ride her with wild desire.