Lessons for His Bride (Regency Matchmaker Book 3)

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by Celeste Jones




  Lessons for his Bride

  Regency Matchmaker Book Three

  Celeste Jones

  Published by Blushing Books

  An Imprint of

  ABCD Graphics and Design, Inc.

  A Virginia Corporation

  977 Seminole Trail #233

  Charlottesville, VA 22901

  ©2019 by ABCD Graphics and Design, Inc. and Celeste Jones

  All rights reserved.

  No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. The trademark Blushing Books is pending in the US Patent and Trademark Office.

  Jones, Celeste

  Lessons For His Bride

  EBook ISBN: 978-1-61258-984-8

  v1

  Cover Art by ABCD Graphics & Design

  This book contains fantasy themes appropriate for mature readers only. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as Blushing Books' or the author's advocating any non-consensual sexual activity.

  What’s Inside

  Bloody hell, indeed. How in blazes was he supposed to finish a meal when she said such things? Admittedly, he was having trouble even going through the motions of eating with her delectable body on display. She was so sweet, so innocent and yet the most provocative words came out of her mouth. He had positioned her so her legs were in just the right position for him to get a glimpse of the lips of her virgin cunny. It took every ounce of willpower he could muster not to bend her over the dining room table and bust through the barrier of her innocence in an urgent mating, but he had at least a modicum of self-control remaining and he refused to treat her in such a brutish manner.

  At least not during their first coupling.

  He slugged back the wine in his glass before going to her. Standing behind his wife, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Do those funny feelings in your lady parts make you want to touch yourself there?”

  Though he was not touching her, he stood close enough to sense her body tensing up. With a deep inhale, the scent of her arousal wafted to his nose. ‘Twas nearly more than he could tolerate and his cock stirred in his pants, longing surging through his veins. “I am waiting for your answer, my naughty wife.”

  From his vantage point he could see her lick her lips, the tip of her pink tongue sliding over the plump of her lips and he envisioned what else her tongue might glide over and his cock strained further against his pants, his longing nearly uncontrollable.

  Despite the rampant urges which seemed to almost be taking over his entire being, Lucas remained steadfast in his determination not to rut into his sweet little wife like some sort of wild beast. Again, at least not the first time.

  “No, I have never touched myself there, it is forbidden.”

  This was an interesting bit of information, Lucas thought. Of course many young ladies had been told it was sinful and evil to engage in any sort of self-discovery, so he ought not to have found this to be unusual, though her use of the word ‘forbidden’ caught his attention.

  “And who has forbidden you from doing such a thing?”

  “N-no one,” she said with a stammer, “does not everyone know it is scandalous behavior?”

  Lucas cupped her bottom cheek and slid his hand down between her thighs and into the slick heat of her cunny lips. His heart pounded in his chest, and blood throbbed in his ears, as he touched her again in the most intimate of ways.

  “Does this seem evil to you?” he asked, pushing his finger deeper into her womanly core.

  Seraphina’s face had become flush, and he could hear her breath coming in shallow pants. He had not even reached the hard clitty at the top of her core, she was already far into the throes of her passion. It appeared his little wife was easily aroused, which pleased Lucas immensely.

  “No,” she said her hands gripping tightly and obediently to the handfuls of fabric which she continued to hold, her knuckles appeared white with the effort. “It does not feel evil. It feels, in fact, very good.”

  Contents

  Lessons for His Bride

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  Celeste Jones

  EBook Offer

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  Blushing Books

  Lessons for His Bride

  Regency Matchmaker - Book Three

  By

  Celeste Jones

  Prologue

  Mrs. Hartpence’s House of Ill Repute

  London

  Seraphina Moon stood upon the cold hard floor of Mrs. Hartpence’s private drawing room, a bar of soap clenched between her teeth.

  “You are the most ungrateful, unappreciative, unwanted and unrepentant wretch I have ever encountered. After all I have done for you, you still cannot be bothered to maintain a civil tongue for even a few minutes.” Mrs. Hartpence paced the room angrily as she spoke, then returned to face the object of her vitriol. “Anyone else in this household would have been thrilled at the prospect of Lord Ross’ sponsorship, but what do you do?” Mrs. Hartpence paused in her tirade and shook her head back and forth in disbelief. “You swore at the gentleman, a lord no less. Some of the words you used, I had never even heard before. And I run a whorehouse!”

  Her beady eyes bore into Seraphina’s and all Seraphina could do was shrug. She supposed she ought to apologize, but she was not sorry. No, not one little bit.

  “Well? What have you to say for yourself?” Mrs. Hartpence’s voice became more shrill with each passing moment.

  Seraphina tried to speak around the bar of soap, but her words came out indecipherable.

  “Never mind. What you have to say is of no interest to me. I am the one whose word counts around here and let me tell you, you disgusting bit of trash, after your behavior today it will be a wonder if Lord Ross does not demand a refund of his payment to me.”

  Finally fed up and not caring about the consequences, Seraphina removed the vile tasting soap from her mouth and threw it on the floor with a satisfying thud. “I told you I want nothing to do with him. I would rather be one of the regular girls than go with that disgusting man.”

  “Stupid girl. Do you not understand? A man like Lord Ross would give you a home, food, clothes. Freedom like you will never have. You are the orphaned daughter of a whore. You would do well to remember your station in life, which is next to nothing.”

  “I do not care what you say, I will run away before I allow him to touch me.”

  “I am your guardian. You will do as I say.”

  “You do not have the right to sell me.”

  “The money from Lord Ross is a marriage settlement.”

  “What a joke! He is already married. Call it what you will, but he is buying me to be his courtesan. And do not think I am unaware you have auctioned off my innocence to the highest bidder.”

  “Who has paid for your keep for all these years? Do you think that comes cheap or free? You have had clothes, food, a roof over your head. Who else would have provided those things for you if I did not?”

  Seraphina refused to give
in on this point—the most important discussion of her entire life—but she did attempt another tactic. Taking a deep breath, she tried to reduce Mrs. Hartpence’s ire. “Mrs. Hartpence, I do appreciate all the things you have done for me, truly I do. But, is it so wrong for me to aspire to someday be married? To have a husband who loves me?”

  Mrs. Hartpence paused and looked at Seraphina, considering her words, or so she hoped. Seraphina held her breath, praying her statement might have softened the woman who was both a madame and her guardian if only a small amount.

  “What sort of fantasy are you spinning, girl? Marriage? Love? You make me laugh,” she said, though she did not laugh. Her mouth pinched into a tight line before she continued. “Men do not marry whores.”

  Hot angry tears burned Seraphina’s eyes and she clenched her hands at her sides. “I. Am. Not. A. Whore.”

  “You may be technically correct, Seraphina, but the reality is, you soon will be, and if you are smart, you will be more accommodating to Lord Ross when he returns. He has sailed for France and will come for you in a few weeks. I expect you to have a better attitude by then.”

  “No. I will not do it. There is something better for me. I know it.”

  Mrs. Hartpence studied her for a moment, then shook her head. “Foolish girl. Go. I have no further use of you right now. Mind my words.”

  Seraphina did not have to be told twice. She hurried to the door and bumped directly into a tall distinguished looking gentleman in a sharply pressed army uniform. Seraphina had no idea what rank he held, but based upon the number of medals and ribbons adorning his chest, as well as his overall demeanor, it was clear this man was used to giving orders.

  She stepped back to allow him into the room and instead of going on about her way as she had intended, she stood gaping at him.

  He nodded to her then bowed to Mrs. Hartpence. “I am Colonel William St. Clair. I have been appointed guardian for Miss Seraphina Moon and have come to collect her.”

  An hour later, Seraphina found herself seated in the grandest carriage she had ever seen, let alone ridden in, across from Colonel St. Clair, doing her best to digest all of the information which had come to light in the minutes after Colonel St. Clair’s arrival.

  As it turned out, despite what she had been told for the last few years, she did have a father and he did care about her. So much so that in his dying breath he had induced his commanding officer, Colonel William St. Clair, to swear to become his daughter’s guardian.

  Mrs. Hartpence had been so shocked, and likely intimidated, by the personage of Colonel St. Clair she had given scarce objection to his pronouncement he intended for Seraphina to leave with him right away.

  Seraphina had rushed off to pack her few personal items and when she returned, she noticed Colonel St. Clair passing a handful of bills to Mrs. Hartpence who quickly slid the bundle into her pocket.

  “I am in your debt, sir,” she said, shyly to the man who seemed to fill the entire carriage with his presence.

  “I beg your pardon, my dear?”

  “I-I saw you hand some money over to Mrs. Hartpence. I know she has been harping on the cost of my care and feeding all of these years. I cannot thank you enough for discharging the obligation for me.”

  “I was pleased to do so. If it is of any comfort to you, the money came from your father. He had been saving in order to care for you once he was discharged from the army, but unfortunately he never got a chance to fulfill his wish...” the Colonel’s voice trailed off.

  Seraphina could hardly believe her ears. Her whole life, there had been a man, her own father, who had thought about her and planned for her future. But, where had he been all these years? All these lonely years? “That is surprising and gratifying news, Colonel. But, why did he never contact me? Never pay a visit? I had no notion of his existence.”

  The Colonel raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Why, he wrote to you often, as often as he could, and always included a few bills for your care.”

  “No, it cannot be. I never received any such letters. And if you knew he had sent me money for my care, why did you pay Mrs. Hartpence?”

  “Ah, a wise question,” the Colonel said with a smile. “You are very astute.” Seraphina’s heart filled with happiness over his praise. “I knew a woman such as Mrs. Hartpence would not allow a young lady to leave her home without some sort of compensation and I came prepared.”

  Seraphina’s heart was full. Never had anyone given the slightest thought to her care and well-being, but this man, this very distinguished and important gentleman, had gone out of his way to see to her welfare.

  For the first time ever, Seraphina looked to the future with optimism.

  1

  Lady Tempest Knox

  Primrose Park

  Lady Tempest Knox stood outside the doorway to her husband’s library. Though she had been married to Lord Knox for nigh on to five years, being summoned to his private sanctuary always set her tummy aflutter.

  She recalled with a rueful smile the very first meal they had shared together, when she had barged in upon him in this very room slamming down her tray of food and offending him with her frank manner and conversation.

  In the years since that noteworthy meal, a deep and profound love had grown between the unlikely couple—though she continued to be frank in word and deed. In addition, they were now the proud parents of two rambunctious little girls. The eldest Lady Merry, born on Christmas day four years earlier, had been quickly followed by younger sister, Lady Anne, now aged two.

  The household was quite busy indeed.

  Despite being an experienced married lady, and the Countess of Knox, Lady Tempest still tingled with eager anticipation whenever she had the opportunity to be alone with her husband. She hoped his reason for summoning her to his private library was for pleasure, though she knew it was equally likely chastisement awaited her on the other side of the door.

  For though they were very happily married, and very much in love, their life was not without the occasional marital conflict. Lady Tempest hesitated to even contemplate the number of times she had been taken across her husband’s knee for a bit of domestic correction.

  Running back through her mind, Lady Tempest tried to ascertain whether she had done anything of late which might necessitate the application of her husband’s firm palm to her shapely backside. Try as she might, she couldn’t recall any transgressions on her part. However, well she knew those things which she might not consider transgressions often fell into that category as far as her strict husband was concerned.

  “I know you are waiting out there, Tempest,” her husband called. “You may as well come in, because there are matters I wish to discuss with you. Stop hiding.”

  She could not get away with anything

  “Good morning, James,” she said, taking in the orderly state of his desk. Her efforts notwithstanding, he remained organized, dutiful, and quite determined to remain so. She moved around the large piece of furniture to place a kiss upon his cheek.

  He grabbed her about the waist and pulled her down to his lap, holding her there while he kissed her properly. She wound her arms around his neck and reveled in the strength of his hold as he pressed her close.

  When James lifted his mouth she used her hands, which still clasped his head, to hold him in place and prolong the kiss. He complied, but when the kiss was finished, he reached behind his head and disengaged her hands.

  “Now, go take your seat, Tempest,” he said giving her a stern look. “I do have some important matters to discuss with you.”

  With a pout she got up from his lap and did as he instructed. She was obedient, but did not believe she had to be cheerful about it. She slumped down into the chair across from him and gave him a side-eyed glance. “Why do you always have to spoil my fun?”

  “As I recall,” he said, giving her a smoldering stare, “you had plenty of fun already this morning. Or does my lovemaking leave so little impression on you these days that you do no
t even remember?”

  Tempest returned his smoldering gaze with a saucy smile. “Oh, I do recall it very much, my lord. And I thank you for it.”

  Tempest was familiar enough after several years of marriage to be able to discern the different moods which her husband exhibited. Currently, she could see he was debating within himself about whether to continue on their path of flirtatious conversation, or to get on with the business of the morning. To her sadness, business won out.

  “We must discuss Seraphina,” he said, and a pit of dread formed in Tempest’s stomach.

  “Oh, James, please. No.”

  “Yes, Tempest, my dear. This has gone on long enough.”

  Tempest sighed in resignation. “But we promised Colonel St. Clair we would see to the girl’s welfare until she was ready to be courted. He is your mother’s husband, we can hardly abandon her.”

  James sighed. “I know. And I am sure you are a much better influence on a young lady than my mother ever could be.”

  “Now, James, that is unfair. Your mother is a wonderful woman, loving and warm. She is one of my favorite people.”

  “Fair enough,” he replied, “besides, I can hardly imagine a household which contained both Seraphina and my mother. No wonder Colonel St. Clair was so receptive to leaving Seraphina in our care.”

 

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