To Catch a Countess

by Patricia Grasso

  Surprising everyone, including her bridegroom, Victoria dropped him a curtsey fit for a king. “You honor me with your proposal.”

  The wedding ceremony was surprisingly short. Within fifteen minutes, the bishop pronounced them husband and wife.

  Alexander drew her into his arms. They kissed as if no one was watching.

  * * *

  The Duke of Inverary had spared no expense on the wedding breakfast for his youngest ward. There was an endless supply of tempting dishes from spinach nettle soufflé to baked salmon steaks and grilled Manx kippers to veal escalopes with mushrooms, cream, and sherry. Champagne and wines flowed from bottomless bottles, and a wedding cake fit for a queen was dessert along with fruits, nuts, and cheeses.

  “I can’t decide if His Grace is celebrating my marriage or my departure from his guardianship,” Victoria whispered, making her husband smile.

  Relaxing back in his chair, Alexander studied his wife’s lovely face. She was beautiful, enchanting, and passionate. Now she belonged to him. He could hardly wait until they took their leave of the wedding guests and secluded themselves in his Grosvenor Square mansion. He had already informed his majordomo that they were not receiving visitors for the next five days. No exceptions.

  “What is this?” Alexander asked when the majordomo set a covered tray down in front of them.

  “Her Grace wants both of you to place your hands on the top and remove the cover together,” Tinker informed them, and moved to the side.

  Alexander put his hand on the knob, and Victoria placed her hand on top of his. Together, they lifted the silver cover. Hundreds of butterflies in every hue imaginable escaped their temporary confinement and flew upward, eliciting gasps of smiling astonishment from the wedding guests.

  “I always wanted to do that,” Lady Roxanne said.

  “Damn it, Roxie,” Duke Magnus said. “How will we get these blasted butterflies out of the house?”

  The duchess gave her husband a feline smile. “Darling, the servants will use nets.”

  The duke gave her a sour look. “You’ll need to pay a forfeit for my aggravation.”

  “I can hardly wait,” the duchess drawled, making him smile.

  Alexander stood and offered his wife his hand. Victoria rose from her chair. They made the rounds of their guests, and while Alexander played the smiling, besotted groom, Victoria played the blushing bride. And then they reached his sister’s table.

  “You made the loveliest June bride I ever saw,” Harry Gibbs said, standing to kiss her hand.

  “We thank all of you for attending our wedding,” Victoria said, forcing herself to smile.

  “I wouldn’t have missed my only brother’s marriage to such a sweet child,” Venetia said.

  “Alex, last night’s opera performance was simply superb,” Diana said. “Didn’t you think so?”

  Victoria kept her expression placid. Her husband had accompanied another woman to the opera on the evening before their wedding? She hoped it wasn’t mentioned in the Times. Oh, she could hardly wait to learn to read. Then she would know the gossip when everyone else knew.

  “My mind was fixed on other things last night,” Alexander was saying to the widow. He raised his bride’s hands to his lips. “I believe Tory and I can leave now without raising any eyebrows.”

  “You didn’t mention you were going to the opera,” Victoria said, as they walked away. Keeping her temper in control sapped her strength, though.

  “I attend the opera every Thursday,” Alexander reminded her. “You were busy preparing for today, and I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

  “You escorted the widow?”

  “I went alone,” Alexander said. “Diana showed up later. I had given her permission to use the box any time she wished.”

  “You should have stipulated any evening but Thursday.” Victoria gave him a flirtatious smile. “I wouldn’t wish to surprise her one evening when your hands have gone exploring.”

  Alexander laughed at that. Drawing her close, he planted a kiss on her temple, murmuring, “You smell delicious, like vanilla and jasmine.”

  Though her expression was placid, Victoria’s thoughts were disturbed. Apparently, Diana Drummond had set her amorous sights on Alexander even though he was now a married man. Was that what Rudolf had meant when he said that men wanted experienced women as their mistresses? She prayed her husband would prove as true to her as she would be to him.

  And therein lay the problem. Alexander hadn’t married her for love but merely accepted her aunt’s proposed match as a way to make amends for Charles Emerson’s crimes against her family.

  After they had spoken to each of their guests, Alexander and Victoria left the wedding breakfast for his Grosvenor Square mansion. Victoria could hardly wait to be alone with her husband, who had awakened the passion in her. That he hadn’t wanted to linger with their guests heartened her, and she felt certain there was a good chance she could make him love her.

  A tall, dignified-looking man opened the door of the mansion. Unexpectedly, Alexander scooped her into his arms and carried her across the threshold. Flicking a glance at the majordomo, Alexander set her on her feet and said, “Your aunt made me promise to do that for luck.”

  “One can never have too much luck.” Victoria realized that all of her husband’s servants were lined up in the foyer to greet their new mistress.

  “Victoria, I present Bundles, my majordomo, and Meade, my valet.” Alexander gestured to an older woman. “Mrs. Hull, my cook and housekeeper, and her daughter Polly, who will be your lady’s maid.”

  “I am pleased to make your acquaintances,” Victoria said.

  Alexander turned her to the line of footmen, maids, and coachmen. “This is Lady Victoria, the Countess of Winchester.” His announcement met with polite applause. He nodded at the majordomo.

  “Return to your duties,” Bundles instructed them. Everyone except the majordomo and the cook hurried away. The majordomo turned to Victoria, saying, “I am especially glad to welcome you to your new home. Mrs. Hull and I have served here since your father’s time. We recall you as a child and were saddened to learn of his lordship’s and his lady’s passings.”

  “I cannot remember living here,” Victoria said, “but you make me feel as if I’ve come home.”

  “Come, my love.” Alexander put his arm around her, guiding her toward the stairs. “Let’s make ourselves more comfortable. I’ll take you on a tour of the house later.”

  Suddenly, Victoria felt overwhelmed by the fact that she was the mistress of this mansion and others outside London. She bit her bottom lip with her teeth and thought how much she needed to learn. Living in the cottage hadn’t prepared her for this responsibility, and her inability to read could only make the situation worse.

  “What’s wrong, Tory?” Alexander asked, escorting her down the third floor corridor to their bedchamber.

  “I have no experience running a household,” Victoria admitted, her voice no louder than a whisper. “I feel stupid.”

  Alexander pulled her against his side and dropped a kiss on the crown of her head. “Mrs. Hull will help with whatever you don’t know.”

  Her bedchamber was bigger than the whole cottage where she grew up. On the far side of the room near an enormous bed was the hearth. Two arched windows overlooked the rear gardens. Chippendale furniture had been painted white and gold, and the canopied bed fitted with a red, gold, and cream coverlet and bed curtains. A cheval mirror stood in one corner near the bed; various occasional tables, chairs, a highboy, and an upholstered settee were positioned around the chamber.

  “That door leads to your dressing room where Polly is finishing unpacking your gowns,” Alexander told her. “This door connects to my chamber.”

  Victoria peered inside. His bedchamber was similarly appointed, but the furnishings were a dark mahogany and the bed gigantic.

  “Polly will help you with your wedding gown.” Alexander dropped a kiss on her lips. “I�
�ll see you in a few minutes.”

  When he disappeared into his bedchamber, Victoria turned toward the dressing room. With Polly’s assistance, she removed the wedding gown and then dismissed the girl.

  Victoria chose the sheerest ivory nightshift, a gown fashioned for enticement rather than sleep. The gown fastened at the shoulders with ribbons of lace, making it easy to remove.

  Returning to the bedchamber, Victoria removed the diamond florets from her hair. Then she moved to the cheval mirror to check her appearance, a rueful smile touching her lips when she saw how immodest the gown was. A moment of insecurity assailed her, and she lifted her hand to look at her gold and diamond wedding band.

  “Victoria?” Dressed in a black silk bed robe, Alexander crossed the chamber and wrapped his arms around her. “I missed you.”

  Victoria turned in his embrace, their bodies touching from breast to thigh, and entwined her arms around his neck. “I missed you, too.”

  Their kiss was long and languorous, leaving her breathless. He surprised her by lifting her into his arms and carrying her into his chamber.

  “I want our son conceived in my bed,” Alexander said, setting her down on her feet.

  Victoria felt a melting sensation in her lower regions, his intimate wishes touching her physically, emotionally, spiritually. A yearning grew within her to become one with her husband and nurture his seed in the warm safety of her body.

  Was it only a few weeks since she had asked her sisters to teach her to flirt? The days seemed like years, the weeks like decades.

  Victoria knew she loved her husband.

  Alexander reached out and pulled one of the lace ribbons on her gown. The gossamer silk dropped away from her body, revealing one plump white breast with a temptingly pink nipple. It hardened into arousal beneath his gaze.

  Tugging at the other lace ribbon, Alexander let the silk pool at her feet and then studied his bride from her fiery mane of curls, cascading to her waist, to her lovely face with her flawless alabaster complexion. Her neck was delicate and her shoulders finely boned. She was slender without being thin. Her breasts were full and ripe, swelling proudly beneath his intense gaze, and her hips curvaceous.

  Victoria reached out and tugged the sash of his black bed robe. It opened slightly to tease her with the well-muscled body hidden beneath. When her husband shrugged it off, she caressed his chest with the palm of her hand.

  With a low growl of arousal, Alexander pulled her against the hardness of his body and lowered his mouth to hers. Their kiss was long, wet, and slow. He slipped his tongue between her lips and stroked the sweet softness of her mouth. She leaned heavily against him in response, eager to surrender her body, her heart, her soul. His for the taking.

  Alexander scooped her into his arms and placed her on the bed. He paused for a moment to admire what now belonged to him.

  “My husband,” she whispered, and opened her arms to him.

  Alexander could not resist. He went into her arms, the weight of his body covering hers. She was so wonderfully soft. Arousal hardened him and softened her, until she melted into him, his to mold however he wanted.

  Their lips met in a passionate kiss. A soft sigh escaped her.

  Alexander slid his lips down the slender column of her throat. And then lower. He cupped a ripe breast in each hand and placed dozens of kisses on each before his lips captured a nipple to suck upon it.

  “I love your nipples,” he said, when she moaned with the pleasure. “Your nipples were made for me, made for my pleasure.”

  Alexander knelt between her legs. He lifted one and ran his tongue down and then up the sensitive inside until he reached her upper thigh. Setting it down on the bed, he gave her other leg the same loving attention.

  “Take me, husband,” she moaned. “I want to feel you inside me.”

  “I see you haven’t learned patience,” Alexander said. “Today I will not be rushed. I intend to savor every inch of your sweet flesh.”

  Refusing to be denied, Victoria cupped her breasts in her hands and held them up in offering. Her beaded peaks tempted him, and he leaned down to sample—his lips sucking, his tongue licking, his teeth nipping in a gentle torment.

  Victoria wrapped her legs around him, but Alexander slid down her body until his face was at the juncture of her thighs. He caressed her softness, his tongue sliding up and down, making her moan. Slipping between her pink folds of flesh, he thrust his tongue inside her and stroked her velvety flesh before flicking his tongue back and forth across her swollen nub.

  “Alex,” she cried, and clasped his head against her. She melted into his tongue, her body shaking with spasms of pleasure.

  The instant she stilled, Alexander rose up between her legs and lifted them over his shoulders. He pressed his hardened shaft against her and slipped inside her trembling body. Then he stilled, savoring the incredible feeling of her wet velvet, drawing upon his manhood, enticing him to spill his seed deep within her.

  With her fiery mane fanning the pillows, Victoria wore an expression of ecstasy. Never in her virginal daydreams had she ever imagined the fullness of a man inside her, the power and the strength of his dominating force, the pleasure to be had in surrender.

  “Ride me, Alex,” she whispered.

  Alexander pulled the extra pillows beneath her head. “Open your eyes, and watch me take you,” he ordered, his voice thick with passion.

  Victoria opened her eyes and looked down to where his manhood joined her body. And then he moved. Slowly, he pulled himself out until only the head of his shaft was inside her. He watched her face as he inched himself deeper and deeper until their groins touched. He stroked her rhythmically, drawing himself almost out of her trembling body and then dipping, thrusting forward, letting her surround him and caress him.

  The tempo of his strokes quickened. Harder and harder he thrust until she melted around him.

  Alexander ground himself against her and shuddered with a groan, flooding her with his hot seed. He lay on top of her as they floated back to earth from their shared paradise. Finally, Alexander moved to the side and pulled her with him, leaving their bodies intimately joined. And then they slept.

  Victoria awakened later when someone tapped on the bedchamber door, and she felt her husband move to rise from the bed. “Don’t leave me.”

  “I’ll be right back,” Alexander said, slipping into his bed robe. He crossed the chamber to open the door a crack and spoke in a low voice to someone. Closing the door again, he returned to their bed and lay down on top of the coverlet.

  “Who was that?”

  “Bundles wanted to know if we required supper.”

  “I don’t need food,” Victoria said. “I have you. Take off that robe.”

  Alexander planted a kiss on her lips. “I think I have created a monster.”

  “I’m a dutiful wife,” she corrected him.

  Alexander smiled. “You certainly relish your duty.”

  Victoria pushed several wisps of fire away from her face. “Don’t deny me, husband.” She reached for his sash. “Take off your robe.”

  “You can perform your duty later,” Alexander said. “Bundles is setting a table for supper in your chamber.”

  Victoria sat up and drew the coverlet up to cover her bare breasts. Alexander put his arm around her shoulder, keeping her imprisoned against his body.

  “Don’t hide your charms from me.” Alexander drew the coverlet down and cupped a ripe breast. Lowering his head, he kissed her while his thumb caressed the sensitive tip of her nipple.

  Victoria moaned and arched her body toward his hand, the secret spot between her thighs throbbing for him. Slipping her hand between the sides of the robe’s opening, she caressed the long length of him. He felt like hot silk covering steel.

  “What a naughty chit,” he murmured against her lips, which parted for his tongue.

  A light rapping on the connecting door interrupted their love play. “Thank you, Bundles.” Alexander rose from t
he bed and offered his hand. “Come, love. The food will be cold later, but you will still be hot.”

  “I’ll eat without dressing,” Victoria said, rising from the bed, unashamed of her nudity.

  “You will do no such thing.” Alexander picked her nightgown off the floor. “I won’t be able to eat if you do that.” Alexander drew the gown over her head and tied the lace shoulder ribbons.

  A small table for two had been set before one of the open windows. The June evening was warm and alive with the garden’s intoxicating perfume.

  A light supper had been left for them. Alexander ate everything, but Victoria nibbled at her food. Her nerves still trembled from their lovemaking, stealing her appetite.

  “I can’t believe we are married and can spend every minute of the rest of our lives making love,” Victoria said.

  Alexander choked on his wine. “Though I do appreciate your enthusiasm, I don’t believe I have the stamina for that. Besides, once you get with child, I doubt you will want to make love as often as every minute of every day.”

  “I meant that as a figure of speech.” If her husband was making love to her, he wouldn’t be warming another woman’s bed. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him. She simply didn’t trust other women.

  “I have instructed Bundles not to allow any visitors into our home for the next five days,” Alexander told her. “I am at your disposal until then, Madame.”

  Victoria sighed. “I’ve gone from being a girl to a madame in less than a month.”

  “You were only a girl in your mind, sweet.” Alexander covered her hand with his. “Your delectable body positively screamed your womanhood.” He rose from his chair, saying, “Wait here. I have a gift for you in the other chamber.”

  When he returned, Alexander carried two boxes, one was rectangular and the other was long. He set the rectangular box down in front of her.

  “I hate surprises,” Victoria said, her eyes sparkling with excitement, “but yours have all been pleasant.”

  Lifting the box’s lid, Victoria dropped her mouth open in surprise. On a bed of black velvet lay a dazzling diamond collar. More than sixty carats of white diamonds had been attached to a delicate, gold collar framework highlighted by a centerpiece diamond drop shaped like a pear.