Under the Seductive Lady's Charm: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Henrietta Harding

  Lord Allerton’s gaze took on a nervousness as it flicked to Graham and back to Amanda. Graham smiled as he guessed the man’s intention. And by the look on his sister’s face, the affection was not one-sided.

  “I had hoped to discuss the matter with Miss Easterly to ensure that she was aligned with it. However, I do not wish to intrude on your wedding day any more than I already have so I will make this short. “I came to ask for Miss Easterly’s hand in marriage, that is if she is agreeable to it.”

  Amanda’s hands were clasped under her chin as she turned hopeful eyes on Graham. Graham chuckled. “Well, barring her disapproval, I see no reason that the match should not be acceptable. You have my blessing, Lord Allerton.”

  Lord Allerton’s face lit up in a smile as large as any Graham had ever seen. The man wasted little time in turning to Amanda. “Miss Easterly – “

  “Of course, I will, you dolt,” Amanda said as she cut off the man’s proposal.

  Lord Allerton gave a deep laugh of amusement. “Perhaps one day you will let me finish a sentence as well?”

  “Perhaps,” Amanda agreed with a twinkle in her eyes.

  *

  Charlotte had endured ceremonies, well wishes, dinner guests, and now she was done. There was nothing else that anyone could possibly demand of her. She stood in her and Graham’s bedchamber and looked around.

  Graham was to join her as soon as he saw off their last lingering guests, but it had been several minutes now, and Charlotte was growing restless. Her wedding dress seemed uncomfortably tight and she wished to slip out of it. Alas, she had to have help to do so.

  The door to the chamber finally opened and a rather exasperated Graham came in. Charlotte smiled at the look of irritation on the man’s face. “Lord Allerton was most reluctant to leave.”

  “Well, he is in love,” Charlotte said teasingly to her husband. “Come and help me with this dress and see if it improves your humour.”

  The grin on Graham’s face told her that just the mere mention of disrobing her was enough to buoy his spirits. She shook her head at her grinning husband. Graham came over and instead of helping her out of the dress, pulled her roughly against him.

  Charlotte was not at all opposed to the closeness, and rather thought they should be so much closer as Graham leaned over to kiss her. The kiss started out sweet, but quickly became something needier as he plundered her mouth greedily.

  Graham’s hand finally found the ties and began unlacing her dress. His lips left hers as he cursed, “Why do they make these damn things so hard to get off?”

  “What obstacle can some little ties be for a brave soldier like yourself?” Charlotte gave the man’s bearded chin a kiss.

  Graham grumbled, “War is quite far more straightforward than the contraptions seamstresses think up to torture men.”

  When, at last, he succeeded Charlotte heard him sigh in relief and she giggled at him. Graham accepted her teasing with a smile. He slipped her dress free of her shoulders and Charlotte shivered at the feel of his fingers grazing her bare shoulder.

  He leaned over and kissed her cheek. His lips trailed kisses down her neck and Charlotte clung to him. She was a willing accomplice as he slid her stay from her shoulders as well.

  She helped him by wiggling out of the garments. The air felt cool around her body, made goose pimples rise on her skin. Graham’s hands trailed over her skin, causing her to shiver again.

  He seemed quite fascinated by touching her, and as much as Charlotte was enjoying his attentions, she tugged at his jacket. “You seem entirely too clothed, my husband.”

  He lifted his head from kissing her neck and she heard as much as she felt his chuckle. “Is that so?”

  “Yes,” Charlotte assured him as he stood up and met her gaze. She tugged at his jacket again and he allowed her to help him out of it.

  There was something in his eyes that made Charlotte quiver inside. There was a wildness in this gentle man that she found enticing. She had seen it when they came together, and she saw it now.

  Only now there were no intrusions or rules to temper it, but she trusted him. He had all the restraint in the world, and she knew he would not hurt her. Charlotte unbuttoned his shirt and he allowed it as he watched her almost sedately from beneath a heavy lidded gaze.

  When she finally had him bare chested, Graham’s patience seemed to run out. He pulled her back into his embrace, cutting off her movements. Charlotte could do little but ride the sensations that went through her as Graham’s lips kissed her as he saw fit. His hands grazed and caressed her breasts, coaxing soft sighs from Charlotte.

  Graham broke the kiss to free Charlotte of her last undergarments. Then he swept her up into his arms. “Graham,” Charlotte exclaimed as she clung around his neck.

  He gave her a mischievous grin. “I think it is finally time that you are in my bed, Lady Easterly.”

  “Is it normal to feel this fear that roils in my tummy?” Charlotte whispered as he laid her gently onto the bed.

  Graham nodded. “I would say it is a natural reaction.” He reached out and gently caressed her cheek.

  It was not until he stepped back to continue to disrobe himself that Charlotte felt exposed. Graham’s eyes as he undressed did not leave her body, and Charlotte felt a heady sensation at seeing the obvious hunger in his eyes. She lay back and watched him as she slipped pins from her hair.

  When Graham was undressed, he stood for a moment just watching Charlotte. It allowed her a good look at his tanned and muscular body. Her blood beat so loudly it rang in her ears and she felt so warm just from his gaze that she could stand his absence. She reached out her arms to him.

  The hard length of him drew her eye as he crawled up onto the bed. Charlotte giggled as the man hung in the air above her. “Are you still afraid?” His voice was deep and filled with a gravelly need, a need that Charlotte was beginning to understand.

  “Yes,” Charlotte said without any shame.

  Graham leaned down and kissed her mouth gently. When he broke the kiss, he whispered, “I do not want to hurt you. I do not want you to be afraid of me.”

  “I trust you,” Charlotte whispered.

  Graham met her gaze for just a moment before he kissed her again. This time Charlotte threw herself into the kiss with wanton need. She opened her mouth and arched her body up to meet his as he lowered himself onto her.

  The weight of Graham pressing her into the bed filled her with warmth. She almost cried out with loss when he shifted his weight. Then his hand was gliding down her body.

  His hand slid along her thigh and Charlotte instinctively spread her legs wider for him. She gasped as his fingers slipped into her. Charlotte clung to his shoulders as the sensations rippled through her.

  He coaxed her slowly open until Charlotte was panting. Her nervousness had fled and was replaced by a clawing need. Graham’s fingers left and he shifted himself fully between her legs.

  Charlotte felt the hard length of him push against her, slipping just inside and hesitating. “Breathe,” Graham whispered. Her eyes snapped up to his face. “Do you not want to be mine?”

  “I do,” Charlotte whispered tightly. She braced herself as she felt Graham push into her. The shock of pain was followed by a warm numb feeling. He stilled and waited for her to adjust, then he fell into a gentle rhythm, sliding in and out of her.

  Charlotte quickly forgot the pain as she clung to his waist. She could not stop herself from moving with the man. If Graham thought her wanton, then he did not seem to mind. Charlotte grew bolder and moved with his thrusts.

  Graham exhaled a sound of appreciation at her movements. She let go of her restraints and fell into the lovemaking with all of her being. The tingling warmth spread over her and urged her on.

  Charlotte gasped at the sensation that went through her. She clung to Graham and rode the pleasure out. She was still gasping for breath from the feelings when he collapsed down beside her, breathing heavily.

  “I have
no bones,” Charlotte said as she rolled into Graham’s side, snuggled under his arm.

  His hand lazily traced circles over her back. “Are you still afraid?”

  She leaned up on her elbow so she could see him better. His dark blond hair was dishevelled, and Charlotte smiled. “No. In fact, I am quite interested in repeating the experience.”

  Graham’s deep chuckle resonated through her body. He leaned his head back into the pillows and shook his head. “You might want to let your old husband rest a while before then.”

  Charlotte giggled and kissed the his shoulders. “I think that you can handle the exertion, Lord Easterly.”

  His stormy eyes held amusement when he looked at her. “That might be true.”

  “Care to attempt it?” Charlotte teased. She moved up the bed and placed a kiss on her husband’s lips.

  Graham’s hand came up and tangled her long blonde strands. Charlotte gasped as he kissed her roughly. The kiss left her panting as he gave her a mischievous grin, which she returned. “My demanding Lady Easterly,” Graham whispered with a wink.

  Charlotte whispered back, “I love you too.”

  Epilogue

  (Two months later)

  Graham watched his wife fuss with her hair for the thousandth time. He felt pity for the maid, but knew Charlotte was only anxious for everything to be perfect. “I think that will do,” Charlotte said at last. Relief went across the maid’s face as she began tidying up.

  Charlotte turned to Graham. “We will not be late, will we?”

  “We shall be right on time, Love,” Graham assured her.

  Charlotte softened at the pet name and gave him a smile. “I hope she is happy. I want her to be as happy as we are.”

  Graham came over and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Let us get her married first.”

  He ushered Charlotte downstairs and noted Amanda pacing nervously. “Do stop that.”

  Amanda gave him a pleading look. “I am not making a mistake, am I? Is this rash?”

  Charlotte took Amanda’s hand in hers. “You have known Lord Allerton for quite some time. No one thinks that a two-month engagement after your length of acquaintanceship is rushing things, Amanda.”

  “What if he changes his mind?” Amanda was fretting. She had been fretting for days before the wedding.

  Graham sighed. “He is not going to change his mind. The man was very firmly set on you. Not that I have the faintest idea why.”

  The glare Amanda sent him told Graham he had achieved his aim. Her mind was now squarely off the wedding. “Do you hear how he speaks to me?” Amanda had turned her gaze on Charlotte.

  Charlotte nodded. “He is an ogre. Contemptable.” Despite her words, Charlotte’s eyes twinkled with merriment. She knew exactly Graham’s game and she seemed to be playing along. “I think it might be best if we rode in our own carriage.”

  Graham started to protest but Amanda had already agreed and the two of them turned towards the door, arms linked against him. Charlotte looked over her shoulder and gave Graham a smile that made him chuckle.

  He made sure the ladies were in the carriage safely and he followed them to the local church. By the time they arrived, Charlotte had somehow calmed Amanda’s nerves. She was a little jittery, but that was to be expected.

  Charlotte gave him a kiss on the cheek as she took her seat. Graham took his position with Amanda. “Relax,” he told his sister, which only earned him another glare.

  Graham escorted Amanda down the aisle and handed her over to Lord Allerton with a dip of his head. He then took his place with Charlotte. Graham watched his sister and Lord Allerton going through the same ceremony that he and Charlotte had not so long ago.

  He had not expected to feel a sadness at the idea of his sister moving on with her life. Yet there was sadness mingled with the pride he felt at the good man she had found. Charlotte’s hand on his made him look at her. They shared a smile, remembering their own wedding day.

  When Amanda and Lord Allerton were presented as Lord and Lady Allerton, Graham rose with Charlotte at his side. He prayed that Amanda would be happy. If anyone could tame his sister, it might just be the firm and yet soft-spoken Lord Allerton.

  Graham certainly did not envy the man the task, but he wished them well all the same. He and Charlotte fell into step behind the couple. As they left the church, Graham pulled Charlotte out of the throng of people celebrating and guided her to the carriage he had waiting.

  Charlotte laughed behind her hand at him. “Graham, I know we do not need to stay, but it is your sister’s wedding.”

  “Yes, and they are quite happily almost to their carriage,” Graham assured her. She let him help her up into the carriage with a shake of her head.

  At the manor, Graham exited the carriage first and turned back to offer aid to Charlotte. She giggled and he swept her into his arms instead of simply helping her down. “Graham,” she scolded. “The staff.”

  “The staff are aware we are married. I am sure they think nothing of it. Is that not right?” Graham asked the doorman as the man stood to hold the door open for them.

  The doorman nodded. “Quite, Sir.”

  “There now,” Graham said.

  Charlotte gave him an indulgent smile. He carried her through the halls and up the stairs. “Where are we going?” She gave him a suspicious look.

  “To our rooms,” Graham said frankly. He set her down outside their door and held his hand out for her to go inside once he had the door open.

  Charlotte chided, “It is the middle of the day, Graham. We have to host a wedding dinner for your sister tonight.”

  “Tonight is not right now,” Graham reminded. He grew tired of waiting and scooped her back up into his arms. She protested weakly, but Graham could see the smile even as she scolded him.

  He kicked the door closed and gave Charlotte a kiss which she returned with a whimper. “You are right. I suppose we will not be missed for a little while.”

  “Yes,” Graham said coaxingly. “Just a little while.”

  Charlotte giggled and said, “How come I get the impression that we shall be missed?”

  “Because I may keep you longer than I let on at first,” Graham admitted. He whispered, “The ceremony reminded me of how you looked in that wedding dress.”

  “Ah, I see,” she whispered back as he let her slide to the floor. She let her arms stay around his neck and leaned up on her toes to press her lips against his. Graham could hardly say no to an invitation like that.

  They fell onto the bed in a heap. “Let us make you mine, yet again Lady Easterly.”

  “I have always been yours, Lord Easterly,” Charlotte whispered.

  THE END

  Can't get enough of Charlotte and Graham? Then make sure to check out the Extended Epilogue to find out…

  How will Charlotte and Graham manage to make their own family after all?

  How will Amanda’s behaviour change throughout the years?

  What will change in Graham’s life after his trip to London?

  Click the link or enter it into your browser

  http://henriettaharding.com/charlotte

  (After reading the Extended Epilogue, turn the page to read the first chapters from “The Irresistible Allure of a Lady Spy”, my Amazon Best-Selling novel!)

  The Irresistible Allure of a Lady Spy