Samantha Kane by Brothers in arms 9 -Love's Surrender

clothes,” Vanessa answered. “I had them sent ahead.
    The wagons should be waiting for us there.”
    Nick frowned. “Shouldn’t they already have those?”
    “They do,” Vanessa said with a nod, “but traditionaly they
    receive a new set of clothes at Christmastide, and some special
    treats, such as sweetmeats and chestnuts.”
    “Why today?” Oliver asked. “I would have expected that on
    Twelfth Night instead.”
    “Yes, wel, many of the orphanage workers are with their
    families on Twelfth Night. The children attend church and are put
    to bed. It’s thought that giving them the gifts now is better for
    everyone.”
    Vanessa’s argument was a solid one, but Nick couldn’t help but
    feel sorry for the children and their sad Twelfth Night. On the
    other hand, he’d never gotten a gift of any kind at Christmastide
    from his parents. Not out of spite or dislike, but because they
    simply didn’t think about it. Nick had been six before he realized
    he was missing out.
    he was missing out.
    “We have chestnuts?” Oliver asked hopefuly. Nick grinned.
    “Yes,” Vanessa said, dragging the word out a bit. “Why?”
    “I like chestnuts.” Nick laughed outright at the anticipation in
    Oliver’s voice.
    “There may be one or two extra for you,” Vanessa promised.
    “But only if you behave.”
    Oliver solemnly crossed his heart. “I swear, Lady Vanessa, I
    shal be on my best behavior.”
    Vanessa laughed then, and Nick relaxed. Whatever had been
    bothering her had been washed away with Oliver’s teasing.
    Thank God for Oliver.
    When they arrived Vanessa sent her little maid back with the
    carriage. “Return in about two hours,” she told the carriage
    driver. Nick was elated. Two hours of unchaperoned time with
    Vanessa.
    An hour later his elation began to wane. They had not had a
    moment’s peace. Vanessa was very wel liked by the children
    and staff at the orphanage, and she clearly doted on them al.
    Nick couldn’t begrudge them her time. She was so happy here,
    and free with her smiles and laughter. He hadn’t seen her like this
    and free with her smiles and laughter. He hadn’t seen her like this
    before. Her work here was obviously important to her.
    The children accepted Nick and Oliver because they came with
    Vanessa. The staff was not quite so welcoming. Nick found
    judgmental eyes watching him at every turn. He could almost
    hear them talking amongst themselves later, trying to decide
    which of them was more worthy of Vanessa’s attentions. If they
    only knew they were both having an affair with her, how
    shocked they would be. Nick would have laughed at the thought
    except for the grave implications were they to actualy find out.
    Vanessa would be branded a whore or worse, and the chances
    were quite good that she wouldn’t be alowed back into the
    orphanage. Nick knew how devastating that loss would be to
    her.
    And yet he stil wanted her. Even though he knew the situation
    was unusual and society would brand them unnatural for their
    desires, he stil wanted her.
    “I missed you last night,” he whispered to her at one point when
    they had a modicum of privacy as the children frolicked in the
    yard. “I thought of you while I lay in my bed.” Which was true,
    though he’d been with Oliver at the time. Actualy, they’d talked
    about her while they were together and how much they wished
    she were there. He’d tel her that tonight. Not here, not now.
    “I missed you too,” she whispered back with a sultry look. “I
    wish I’d been in your bed with you.”
    Nick caught his breath at her confession, mirroring his and
    Oliver’s wishes from the night before. “Do you?” She nodded.
    “Tonight,” he promised fervently. “I shal find a way for us to be
    together.”
    “With Oliver?” she asked. “I want to be with you both.”
    He nodded. Yes, he wanted the same thing. He wanted them
    both.

    Oliver smoothed his palms on his thighs yet again. He caught
    himself and forced his