Trimmed in Blue

by Sandra Sookoo

  “Before, I’d spoken out of turn.”

  “What would you say now?” She could hardly breathe so great was the anticipation crowding into her chest.

  “If I was a poet or a writer, I might say something like this.” So much hope and love shone in the stormy depths of his eyes that she wanted to dive in and let them surround her. “Louisa—and damn if I don’t know your middle name—I crave you in the most innocent of ways. I want the right to kiss your forehead each night. I need to say I adore you each time you feel you’re not worthy or feel doubt. More than that, I wish you were in my life and by my side for the rest of my life.”

  Another tear fell to her cheek. “That’s so romantic,” she whispered.

  “True, but it’s wordy.” He brushed at the moisture. “I’m not that man. I’m a boxer with a crooked nose. I’m not handsome nor am I well off. I work in a glassblowing shop and find value in my work and those around me.”

  “That’s what makes you wonderful.” If he didn’t get on with it, she’d turn into a watering pot. “I never wished you were anything other than who you are.”

  “That’s why you’re amazing.” Cecil cupped her cheek. “So, this is what I’ll say. Marry me.” He shrugged and gave her a lopsided smile. “I love you. I... I realized it a few days ago. You made me see that not all women are fickle and liars.”

  Her mind reeled. He loves me! For the whole of her life, she’d waited to hear those special words. “And not all men are abusive snakes.”

  He delved a hand into the pocket of his waistcoat. “Marry me and make me the happiest of men, because I’ll be rather miserable without you. These last two days were interminable.” He took her hand and dropped a ring into her palm.

  “Oh, my.” The slim golden circlet was set with tiny diamonds and emeralds around the band. “It’s beautiful.”

  “It belonged to my grandmother. Once I brought you here, I woke my father and asked if I could make use of it.” His laugh was a tad self-conscious. “He eventually agreed after ringing a peal over my head for waking him before dawn.” When she remained quiet, he continued, “Will you have me, Widow Wiggenmeyer?”

  “To change my surname? Absolutely.” She couldn’t help her giggle.

  “Is that the only reason?” A trace of desolation clung to the question, but hope shone in his eyes. Poor man.

  “No.”

  “We’ll live modestly as necessity.”

  What a dear he was to worry. “We’ll have happiness and contentment. Plus, I’ll do paintings to help advertise your exquisite products.” Emotions overwhelmed her. Tears fell to her cheeks. With every step, every day they’d spent together, he’d shown her what life—what love—could be. “Oh, Cecil.” She stifled a sob. “I love you, too. Yes, I’ll marry you!”

  A muted shout of victory left him. “Thank God.” Cecil grabbed the ring and slid it onto the fourth finger of her left hand. Then he gathered her to him, and when he framed her head with his fingers, he kissed her while pressing her back into the pillows.

  Louisa was lost on a sea of delicious longing as he peppered her face and neck with feather-weighted kisses. She wanted this man like no other, and now he was hers, promised to marry her with love binding them. “Cecil.” Her eyelids fluttered when he danced his fingertips over the straining tips of her nipples through the silken gown. He made her feel like flying, so free was she now. “Make love to me.”

  He nudged her chin up so that he could nibble at the underside of her jaw. “We shouldn’t. They’ll know.”

  She snorted. “They probably already do. I saw your mother’s smile when she left the room.” Then the stubble on his cheeks distracted her and she rubbed her palms over it. What would that friction feel like on other more sensitive parts of her body? “This is the first step into my new life, one with no horrors in it.” Then she maneuvered a hand down his body to cup his equipage. Dear heavens he was so large and firm.

  “You’re quite determined, aren’t you?” Cecil groaned as he surged to his knees. Seconds later, he’d divested himself of the waistcoat and shirt.

  “I am, and all because your belief and encouragement made it possible.” Louisa knelt before him. She dared to press her palm to his naked chest. The warmth of him seeped into her. “I took back my power, and now I’m directing it into building a life with the man I love.” God, he was beautiful, and she couldn’t stop touching him. “It’s a wonderful feeling.”

  “Agreed. I never thought I’d have that again in my life.” He left the bed, and when she voiced a protest, his grin brimmed with wicked intent. “So impatient. Have I taught you nothing from sparring?” It took him seconds to shed his shoes, trousers, and small pants. Even less for his naked self to join her on the bed.

  “It’s a crime for a man to look so beautiful,” she whispered as he covered her with his body. Louisa traced the muscles in his shoulders and back. She followed the lines of a few scars and wondered at the stories behind them. “There’s so much I don’t know about you.”

  “We’ll have plenty of time to learn.” Cecil lifted off her long enough to yank at the ribbons of her gown. “It seems I’m a bad influence on you instead of a teacher.”

  “No.” She gladly sat up and let him remove the borrowed attire. The bedclothes were flung back next. “You’re exactly what I need.” Did that throaty laugh really belong to her?

  “It seems you’ve issued me a proper challenge.” He nuzzled the skin of her neck. “I can never resist those.”

  There was no need to respond with words, for every touch sent her into dizzying heights.

  Cecil smoothed his fingertips over the surface of her breasts, never once grazing the nipple but inciting madness within her just the same. When Louisa couldn’t stand the torment any longer, she arched her back. His smoky laugh further stoked the fires in her blood, and finally he rubbed those talented fingers against her aching tips, and she sighed with bliss.

  “Touch me,” she instructed on a breathless whisper.

  “Where?” He rolled her nipples as he licked at the pulse point in her neck.

  “Everywhere.” She wanted to feel his hands all over her body.

  With a laugh that sent her arousal soaring, he caressed her ribcage, lingered on the curve of her hips, investigated the quivering skin of her inner thighs. With every pass of his fingers, the callouses on his hands brought another level to her need.

  Soon, she shook with desire. “Why draw it out? You know what we both want.”

  “Rather demanding.” Cecil’s eyes twinkled. “Perhaps I should rethink my proposal.”

  “You wouldn’t.” Louisa slid her palms along his back and down again, unable to have enough of the torso she’d admired at the boxing match that seemingly long-ago day. At the curve of his bum, she squeezed the firm cheeks, which sent him more snugly against her and she squirmed until he was cradled between her bent knees.

  “Mmm, time will tell.” He spent the next few minutes using his tongue, teeth, and lips to explore all the places he’d touched with his hands. When she moaned her need, he merely grinned and delved a hand between their bodies. He found the bud at her center, rubbing it with various degrees of friction until she restlessly writhed beneath him. “You’re beautiful, both body and soul, and I can’t believe you’re mine.”

  A strangled scream was her answer, for with a flick of his finger, he sent her spiraling over the edge. Louisa looped her arms about his shoulders and pulled him close. She lightly bit his earlobe. His hiss of surprise and the answering twitch of his cock at her thigh made her snicker. “Finish me.” Desperation rasped in her voice.

  “Gladly.” Cecil positioned himself more comfortably between her legs. With a smile, he gripped her hips, flexed his and brought her flush to his body while penetrating her fully. His groan blended with hers.

  She gasped in surprise. His thick girth filled her in such a satisfying way she reveled in the base feel of him. Then he moved, stroking into her with long, slow thrusts that
nearly crossed her eyes and left her begging him for more. But the aggravating man didn’t acknowledge the need. Instead, he continued his course and watched her with that same wicked gleam, except this time love lit those blue-gray depths.

  When she whimpered, he shifted his position, leaning over her and holding his weight on his forearms. No longer were his thrusts slow and long, ever teasing. Now he went deep and fast, a man on a mission to send her flying. New friction from his movements rubbed against her swollen button. The coarse hair on his chest scraped over her nipples. Wild sensation flowed through her, flooding her body until she couldn’t process any more.

  “Cecil...” Louisa threw back her head. Her breath was labored as if she’d run from London to Surrey. She clung to his strong form and drew her knees up, which sent him even deeper. He claimed every inch of her body, and she loved him for it. “Oh... oh!”

  “Steady.” He slowed his pacing again and kissed her lips.

  Her pulse raced in a crazy rhythm, and each time he pumped, she lifted her hips to meet him. Over and over he plunged, and then he returned to the fast, short strokes, and she shattered. As the heightened sensations rolled through her and brilliant light burst behind her closed eyes, Cecil kissed her, stifling her cries of abandon. While her core fluttered with blissful contractions, he thrust again and found his own release. He ground his pelvis into hers, and the warm jet of his seed filled her. Then he collapsed and pinned her between his pleasant, hard weight and the softness of the bedding. It was stunning, becoming physical with a man when love was involved. It made such a difference.

  “I knew that day you walked into my shop clad in boy’s breeches that you’d change my life,” he whispered. The warmth of his breath skated over her cheek and sent tiny frissons of renewed desire down her spine. “I didn’t count on the magnitude of that change.”

  “Are you happy with it?” She giggled when he rolled off her and took her with him, tucking her close into his chest.

  “Very.” He nuzzled the spot where her neck joined her shoulder. Tingles circled through her lower belly.

  The smell of him was intoxicating. She looked forward to waking up to that spicy citrus mixed with man scent all the time. Her heart squeezed. It was a bit frightening how happy she was in this moment. “What now?”

  “I’ll dress and go downstairs to tell the family our good news.” Cecil pulled slightly back and peered into her face. His smile was as big as hers. “While I’m there, I’m going to finish dinner—I’m famished suddenly.” When he pinched her bottom and she squealed, he snorted. “After I do the pretty with them, I’ll come upstairs to tell you goodnight like a proper bridegroom.”

  “Oh.” Somehow, she thought there’d be... more.

  Cecil winked and then spent long moments thoroughly kissing her. “I’ll then retire and sneak back in here to make love to my fiancée again, because I can’t have enough of you.”

  “Oh!” Heat slapped at her cheeks and infused her body. “You’re incorrigible.”

  “And I have a large appetite for things—and people—who interest me.” He placed a line of baby-soft kisses along the column of her throat.

  “Mmm.” Would she ever acclimate to such loving attention? “You still want me knowing there’s a chance I may not bear you children?” It was the one stumbling block to her happiness.

  “Louisa.” Cecil brushed his lips over hers. “I want to marry you, not the hope of progeny. Besides, we will certainly have fun in the discovery of whether you’re barren or not.” Then his expression sobered. “If children are what you desire, London is full of lost waifs who’d do well to find a loving home with us.”

  “Your projects again?” she whispered with tears in her throat.

  “Consider them our opportunities.”

  “Oh.” She blinked at the tears gathering in her eyes. “What will happen after you visit me later tonight? Have you plans?” It was all too thrilling to contemplate.

  “I’ll give you the chance to nap, for when the morning arrives, no doubt Mother will want to dress you in a manner befitting a bride on her wedding day.”

  “What?” Would the shocks of this night never cease? Louisa pushed at his shoulder until he rolled over onto his back. She planted a palm on his broad chest and stared. “What do you mean?”

  “I have a special license and didn’t think you’d want to wait to have the banns read.” His grin was as wicked and as adorable as he was.

  “When did you procure it?” Her mind spun with the implications. By this time tomorrow, she’d be properly wed. To him. With love. A shiver of anticipation zipped down her spine.

  “Yesterday while you slept.” His gaze dropped to her breasts, and she stifled a moan.

  With a hand, she tilted his head until he met her eyes again. “You were so certain I’d accept your suit?”

  “I’d hoped.” His expression turned serious. “In all honesty, I want you under my protection as soon as possible. When I saw you fighting with the baron, and I stared down the barrel of the viscount’s pistol with certain death as the outcome, I realized that life is short indeed.” He held her gaze and all the love she’d ever wanted in life reflected in those stormy depths. “We shouldn’t delay the things that matter. No one will ever hurt you again. I promise.”

  “I know.” Silly tears filled her eyes. She blinked them away. “I can’t wait until tomorrow, but I do have one request.”

  “Oh?” A hint of trepidation lingered in that one word.

  “Can we please still have fisticuff lessons and sparring?” She rushed on before he could speak. It gave me the confidence to fight back. Eventually, I’d like to help teach other women to defend themselves like you taught me.”

  Wonder showed in his eyes. “You’re a true marvel, Louisa.”

  She grinned. “Besides, I’ve enjoyed our lessons and sparring so much. I like the focus and satisfaction I gain from them.”

  “The absolutely we shall continue, for both counts. In fact, if I buy a small townhouse—Samuel has been nagging at me to do it for months, for I can no longer support bachelor quarters—we can dedicate one whole room for boxing-related endeavors.” His laughter rang with delicious intention as he tugged her over his body. “And now, sparring can lead to other physical activities.”

  She giggled even as her cheeks blazed with heat and then gave him an open-mouthed kiss. “I have a feeling I’m going to adore married life this time around.”

  But then, the man made all the difference in every way that mattered, and she couldn’t wait to see where her future would lead with him by her side, supporting her.

  The End

  If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review.

  If you want to find out more about the other scandalous ladies in this series, purchase Dressed in White (Colors of Scandal #1)

  Draped in Green (Colors of Scandal #2)

  Or preorder

  Wrapped in Red (Colors of Scandal #4)

  Graced in Scarlet (Colors of Scandal #5)

  Adorned in Violet (Colors of Scandal #6)

  Regency-era stories by Sandra Sookoo

  Colors of Scandal series

  Dressed in White

  Draped in Green

  Wrapped in Red (coming November 2020)

  Graced in Scarlet (coming January 2021)

  Adorned in Violet (coming February 2021)

  Embellished in Mauve (coming March 2021)

  Scandal in Surrey series

  Lady Parker’s Grand Affair

  The Bride’s Gambit

  Misfortune’s Lady

  Miss Bennett’s Naughty Secret

  Thieves of the Ton series

  Captivated by an Adventurous Lady

  Engaged to a Scandalous Earl

  Married on a Wicked Morning

  Intrigued by an Ancient Pedigree

  Beguiled on a Christmas Morning

  Caught with a Stolen Diamond

  Tortured by a Horrible Secret

  Delighted on
a Summer’s Evening

  Trapped in the British Museum

  Charmed at a Yuletide Ball

  Lords of Happenstance series

  What the Stubborn Viscount Desires

  What a Wayward Lord Needs

  What the Dashing Duke Deserves

  Lords of the Night series

  Devil Take the Duke

  Bitten by the Earl

  Adrift with the Viscount

  Treasured by the Earl

  Transformed by a Christmas Star

  Stand-alone Regencies

  Lady Isabella’s Splendid Folly

  Wagering on Christmas

  Angel’s Master

  Act of Pardon

  Storm Tossed Rogue

  The Scoundrel’s Trespass

  On a Midnight Clear (coming 10-27-20)

  One Silent Night (coming 11-10-20)

  Magic in Mayflowers (coming spring 2021)

  Redeeming a Tarnished Lord (coming spring 2021)

  Author Bio

  Sandra Sookoo is a USA Today bestselling author who firmly believes every person deserves acceptance and a happy ending. Most days you can find her creating scandal and mischief in the Regency-era, serendipity and happenstance in Victorian America or snarky, sweet humor in the contemporary world. Most recently she’s moved into infusing her books with mystery and intrigue. Reading is a lot like eating fine chocolates—you can’t just have one. Good thing books don’t have calories!

  When she’s not wearing out computer keyboards, Sandra spends time with her real-life Prince Charming in central Indiana where she’s been known to goof off and make moments count because the key to life is laughter. A Disney fan since the age of ten, when her soul gets bogged down and her imagination flags, a trip to Walt Disney World is in order. Nothing fuels her dreams more than the land of eternal happy endings, hope and love stories.

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