Chapter 440: Chapter 440
"Welcome home, Mum." Christian said, greeting Pearl at the door.
"Hello love. I missed you." Pearl said. "How is it going with Nora and her family?"
"Very well. Can we speak privately upstairs? Erik, you may join us." He said to Erik, as he walked in carrying the luggage.
"Yes of course." Erik said, handing the bags to Jakob.
Erik felt a pang of worry fall over him as he walked up the stairs.
"I need to speak to you about something very important." Pearl looked back as Erik and then at Christian.
"Erik, this involves you as well." Gulp. Erik felt his Adam's apple swell. Did he suspect? Did he know his mother was taken and coerced into adultery? The guilt and nerves were building stronger than sexual frustration Erik finally released after decades without the love of his life to possess and love.
"I have offered Frogmore cottage to Nora's family. Not just for visitation but to reside if they so choose. I know you had it put aside for Auggie and Maggie while their apartment at Windsor is remodeled but we shall have to think of alternate accommodation. My mind is made up."
Erik felt relief as the breath he was holding in released from his lungs.
"Yes, certainly. I am happy you offered it." Pearl said, sounding similar in her relief.
"Then it's settled. Erik," Christian broke his thoughts, "Can you draw up some papers? I'd like to keep out of the legalities."
"Yes of course, your majesty. I will draw it up as an extended lease. That way the crown may keep it and Nora's family can have all the residing rights. Does that sound alright?" Pearl looked back at him and smiled.
"Yes fine. Whatever your say. How are the renovations coming along then?" Christian asked them. They both looked confused.
"At Balmoral? The workers there you checked on?"
"Oh yes. Fine." Pearl said quickly.
"Yes. Smashingly well. Divine really." Erik said with a wicked smile. "So good I can hardly explain."
"Alright, good to hear. I assume you both will be at dinner tonight then?"
"Yes." Pearl said as she walked to the door. "I just need to rest and freshen up a bit after the trip."
She walked out and left Erik with Christian.
"Alright. What is going on with you two?"
"What do you mean, your majesty?" Erik wasn't sure where he was going but he hoped he didn't suspect.
"Something is up. Did you have a fight?"
Erik laughed. "No. We got along surprisingly well. And I have to talk to you about something. I did some research on locations in Scotland for a private wedding. I found a perfect spot. And your mother is on board as well." Erik was proud to tell Christian that. Christian's eyes lit up.
"You're joking? My mother?" He asked.
"Yes. The location was her idea, in fact. I will fill you in tomorrow. I too need some rest before dinner. If you'll excuse me, your majesty." Erik left with a smile.
Christian nodded and smiled back.
****************
Pearl was just getting out of the shower when she looked in the mirror. The years had been kind to her, physically, but mentally they had drained her and she finally felt alive again, it had been so long. She looked in her closet and found the black dress she had kept for many years. The one she had on in Venice the night she fell in love with Erik. She wondered if he would remember and if he would still find her beautiful in it. Then she thought about Dylan. She should feel guilt but she didn't. And that terrified her. Dylan didn't deserve this betrayal. She married him as her best friend. They had always been like family. But he wasn't the great love of her life. Erik was and always had been, even when she hated him.
"There's a thin line between love and hate." She said out loud.
"Truer words were never spoken." A voice said behind her. She jumped, startled, and dropped the towel wrapped around her.
Erik stood there, in complete awe, staring at her, taking her in.
"Jesus fuck you are still so perfect."
"I'm old." Pearl grabbed the towel and covered herself again.
"No. Don't do that. Leave it."
He motioned her to drop it again. She did. He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms.
"We have to be careful." She was worried about being found out before she had the chance to explain it all to Dylan.
"We will be." He picked her up and moved her to the wall, pressing against her and raising her up high enough for him to have full access to her entire body.
"I'm taking you again." He opened his pants and lifted her onto his own body.
She moaned his name as he drove himself into her.
"I'm not going to be able to keep myself away from you. I am not going to be able to be anywhere but inside of you." He growled into her ear. She shook with pleasure as he continued to lift her as he thrusted deeper and deeper, bringing them both to climax and falling to the floor.
***********************
"We aren't young anymore. Can we afford this frivolity?" Pearl panted as she looked at the ceiling.
"You are royal. You can afford anything." Erik joked.
"Or maybe I afford nothing." She said, rolling over and looking at him.
"Are you having second thoughts?" He asked, terrified of the answer.
"Not at all." She said, leaning up and kissing him. He moved her hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.
"I've never loved you more than right here. Right now." He looked into her eyes and smiled.
"You really have changed." She said.
"People don't change." Erik sighed and stood up. "They heal."
He offered her his hand to help her to her feet.
"I want to sleep with you." He said.
"I think we just did that." Pearl laughed.
"Yes. That as well. And I will have you again, I'm certain. But what I mean is, I want to hold you, sleep next you. Nap with you until dinner."
She hesitated. There was a chance they would be found out but it was small. She had much privacy in her suite there. And even more at her apartment at Kensington.
She walked to the bed, still naked, and motioned him over. He smiled and followed, laying on top of her and pulling up the covers, moving himself between her legs.
"I thought we were sleeping?" She giggled as he kissed her tummy.
"We will. Eventually." He laughed. They managed to sleep about an hour before they had to separate and get ready for dinner.
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