Georgianna: The Last Real Duchess (The Real Duchesses of London)

by Lavinia Kent

  And it was not only his eyes that liked. Her glance meandered down, following the narrow trail of hair. Yes, that part of him, very definitely liked. So magnificent. So very male. So beautiful. He'd blush if she ever said that to him, but it truly was beautiful, so dark and strong, so glorious – and so large.

  She swallowed. Was she really going to do this? Going to try?

  She took a half step forward until she stood between his knees, the small stool immediately behind her. Her eyes lowered. Did he really respond to her every move? Lowering a hand from her breasts, she moved it towards him – he quivered and jerked even before her touch.

  When she laid one finger on the velvet tip, his whole body tensed, his breath caught. She looked up and met his glance. Had his pupils ever been that dark, that needy?

  She ran the single finger down his length, every muscle in his legs drew tight. His skin truly was like velvet or satin, the world's finest satin. But underneath, underneath was stone - or steel. She had touched him before, but never like this, never letting her whole world be the feel of one finger upon him.

  Filling her lungs with air, she wrapped her whole hand about him, not squeezing, but simply letting the warmth of him fill her palm. She swallowed, but did not look up. He was so alive. She could feel movement beneath her fingers, the surge of blood, the jerk of muscle, the . . .

  A single drop of fluid formed at the end and taking a single finger of her other hand, she brushed it and brought it to her lips, tasting him for the first time.

  It was not what she had expected, but not bad, not . . .

  She didn't know how to begin to describe all that this made her feel.

  Trying not to think too hard, Annie sank to her knees, letting her behind rest against the stool. She was eye level with him now. She swallowed again. Could she really do this?

  She ran her hand over his length again. And again. She looked up. He was lost in passion, his eyes glazed and powerful – and yet, his look was all about her. She was making him feel this way.

  Powerful. It was how he looked. How he felt beneath her fingers.

  But, it was she who held the power.

  She who held the control.

  Strength filled her, strength, and want, and need.

  She needed to do this. Needed to feel him. To taste him.

  Another drop of moisture had formed, glistening at the tip. Leaning forward she laid a light kiss upon him, drawing the fluid into her mouth. Another kiss.

  "Put your lips all the way around." His voice cracked as he spoke.

  With great care she slipped her mouth about the top, sliding slowly over the head. It was easier than she had expected – and much more pleasurable. His skin was so soft within her mouth.

  And then she looked up at him and her heart stopped. The look she saw upon his face was like nothing she'd ever seen. His eyes were half-closed, his lips parted, his breathing deep. He looked as if he saw heaven, as if she was bringing him there. It was a look that filled her with joy and wonder.

  She moved her mouth lower, felt his whole body respond, his eyes widen and then close.

  And then she took control. She didn't know where the knowledge came from, but she began to move, to find a rhythm – to start and stop, to pull and relax, all according to the response of his body. Her every action was based on him. In some strange way she'd never felt closer, more attuned to his every want and need.

  And when his body grew taunt, his legs straining as if close to breaking, she increased her speed, increased the pressure until . . . the cry shook his whole body, the shudder running along his every limb.

  Was there any sight more magnificent than a man at the peak of his pleasure? She felt shock as his seed filled her mouth – and then elation that she had given this to him, that together they had reached this point.

  As his body softened beneath her, she kissed her way up his torso, until her lips met his in gentle, languorous kisses. He pulled her onto his lap, settling her above his now peaceful manhood.

  She let her cheek rest against his chest, listened to the slowing beat of his heart as his arms came about her.

  And they spoke no words. They simply reclined in the chair, the fire drying the sweat from their bodies and let the moment be.

  #

  Had he slept? It felt like he had, but he wasn't aware of drifting off. The room had cooled some, but he was still warm with his wife settled in his lap. It was perhaps the most delicious feeling he could remember, the absolute peace and contentment of such a perfect moment.

  His mind still spun with what she had done. He'd never even imagined the sweet girl of his youth being capable of such a thing. And yet she'd been so innocent about it. Even at the climax of his pleasure, he'd felt her wonder, her surprise and joy at the whole experience. Her joy. Had he ever felt a woman's joy in the midst of his own? He'd always thought women did that to make a man happy, never that they could find their own pleasure in it.

  But, Annie had found pleasure, there'd been no mistaking the look of absolute delight on her face or the way she melted against him to sleep, one wonderful armful of womanhood.

  He turned his face and buried his nose in her hair. Lemons and Annie. What a comforting scent. What a stimulating scent. Both were true.

  She shifted restless in her sleep – her buttocks brushing over him and bringing a whole new meaning to stimulation. It was his turn to shift, trying to find a position with greater freedom. It didn't work. Whatever way he shifted, she moved to follow. Even in sleep her body honed to his.

  And then he felt the first soft kiss upon his breast, just above his heart. His heart that she now owned – completely.

  "You're awake," he asked softly.

  "I think so, although this feels like heaven."

  "It does at that."

  "What now?" She kissed him again, nuzzling her cheek against the sprinkling of hair upon his chest.

  There was temptation to shift beneath her, to let her feel exactly what he'd like to do now, but that was cowardly. He knew the question entailed far more than the next few minutes. "I would like to say that I don't know, but perhaps that is too easy. What would you like to happen now?"

  She sighed against him. "I'd like to go to sleep and wake up again in just this way. I'd like to know that I can go to sleep this way every night and wake up in such manner each morning. That is what I'd like."

  "I do believe I wouldn't mind having such an evening each night. I might find that quite agreeable."

  Could you feel someone blush? Richard would have sworn he could feel the heat rise upon her chest and face. "Every night? You really . . . " Her voice trailed off.

  "Yes, I assure you that I would be quite happy with every night – any man would."

  "Is that what you want?" She kept her face hidden against his skin.

  "I cannot deny what I want, but that is different than what I need.” He filled his words with emotion.

  "I am not sure that I understand."

  "What I need is you, Annie. I will take you however you will have me. I made a mistake all those years ago and have paid for it ever since – even when I was too foolish to realize it. I need you. I cannot live with out you. I do not want to live without you."

  "You exaggerate. You have survived well without me these past years – you even sent me away."

  "So I must admit to more than one mistake. Annie, I mean it with all my heart. I need you. You are my life. You and Robert."

  "With all your heart? Do you mean . . ." He could actually hear the quiver of fear in her voice as her words trailed off, fear – and hope.

  "I love you, Annie. I don't know if I have ever said it before. I know that I said what needed to be said when we were younger, but even then I meant the words I said. I merely did not know it."

  "How can . . ."

  He cut her off. I don't know how, only that it is true. You are now and always have been my destiny, Annie, my sweet."

  #

  Did she dare belie
ve him? To do so would take courage, courage she had long since put aside with youthful innocence. "I am afraid."

  He smiled ruefully. "I've never before heard such words in these circumstances."

  "Oh." She stiffened.

  "That was the wrong thing to say, but I cannot pretend. You were right that the past cannot be forgotten – only learned from. I have a past. I have done you wrong. I cannot pretend otherwise, but I can swear to never do so again in the future. I can be the man you need. Tell me what I need to do to prove it to you and I will. Just give me the chance."

  Annie filled her lungs with air and then exhaled very slowly. "The only way you can prove it to me is to be there everyday, to be the man I want and need every single day of my life."

  He sat up straight, placed a hand on each side of her head and turned her until they were nose to nose. "That is all I want to do in this world. I do have responsibilities, the estates, my seat in lords, but I will do my best to be with you whenever I can – and to bring you with me whenever you wish – and Robbie as well when he is a little older."

  Annie pushed out of his arms and standing began to pull up her dress and to arrange it as best she could. Her mind was spinning. She was being offered everything she ever wanted, but did she dare take it? It was the same question that had plagued her for days, if not longer. Did she trust Richard?

  She watched as he stood also and began to pull on his clothing. He was so magnificent, moving with an animal like grace.

  He had never actually lied to her – he had avoided and eluded, not answered her – but she could not remember him ever actually lying. It might have been easier if he had lied about Coquette.

  Turning, she faced him square on. "Are you truly done with Coquette and have no other mistress?"

  "If truth be known I have not taken another woman to my bed for well, well over a year and have no intention of ever doing so again – no matter what the outcome is today."

  "And you love Robbie and wish to be a good father to him?"

  "It is my dearest wish."

  "And me?" It was the hardest question she had ever asked. "Do you love me?"

  He stepped forward and placed a hand on each of her cheeks. "Always and forever."

  He kissed her lightly. "And do you love me, Annie? Do you love me as you once did? Can you forgive the past?"

  "No. I do not love you as I once did. When we married I loved you as a girl. You were as much fantasy as reality. I loved the dream in my head as much I loved the man that you were." She bent her head and laid her forehead against his chest. "Can I forgive the past?" I think so. I cannot forget, but yes, I can forgive. We were both young and did not value what we had. And do I love you?"

  "Do you?" Richard bent to lift her face, but she stepped away, not yet ready to face him again.

  "I have tried so hard not to love you. With loving comes pain and I have no desire to be hurt again."

  "I will not . . ."

  "No." She turned back to him. "Do not promise. Promises mean nothing. Only actions matter. Show me everyday that you mean what you have said tonight."

  "I will."

  "And I will hold you to that promise with my trust – and with my love, because, yes I do love you, Richard. I have almost since the moment we met and I expect that no matter what happens I always will.” She turned away from him, and walked a few steps, looking back over her shoulder, letting him gaze at the long naked lines of her back where she had failed to refasten her gown. "And now, my husband, will you follow me upstairs – to bed – so that we can sleep and face this new tomorrow together. I'd love to be able to tell Elizabeth that I had no more need of plans."

  Richard's smile was all the answer she needed – although it promised there might not be much sleep involved.

  The Duchesses

  "You are back sooner than expected," Linnette rose from her seat as Elizabeth entered the room.

  "I have always been quite efficient," Elizabeth answered, walking over to inspect the tea tray.

  "So did our plan work? Is Annie happy? Will Hargrove take proper care of her this time?” Annabelle bubbled with questions.

  Elizabeth looked about at the circle of her dear friends: Linnette, fiery and ready to take on battle; Annabelle, speaking without thought and always with the best of intentions; and Kathryn, quiet and serene, but full of power. These women had stood by her through her darkest moments and she had no doubt that they would be there whenever needed in the future.

  "Actually I failed," she answered with a half smile.

  "Failed?” Linnette clearly did not catch the smile and was ready to hop on a horse and head to Harsgate herself.

  "Yes, I failed. Annie had it all under control without me, without us – although I may have given her a few hints on how to keep a man – a man pleased."

  "So what happened?" Kathryn asked, patting the cushions beside her and indicating that Elizabeth should sit.

  "That is a far longer story than I can tell without tea, but I can assure you that Annie's smile and blushes when she came down in the morning told a tale all their own."

  There was silence for a moment as each of the ladies considered her own life and what such a smile meant.

  And then Annabelle spoke, her normal cheer slipping. "Well, if that is taken care of perhaps I can ask help with another matter. My sister, Lucille, is missing. It seems she's left Bath and disappeared. I received a letter telling me she was fine, but . . ."

  Elizabeth felt her interest rise. "Do you think there is a man involved?"

  Also by Lavinia Kent

  The Desire Series

  Hint of Desire

  Price of Desire

  Taste of Desire

  A Talent for Sin

  Bound by Temptation

  Taken by Desire

  What a Duke Wants

  The Real Duchesses of London

  Kathryn, the Kitten

  Linnette, the Lioness

  Elizabeth, the Enchantress

  Annabelle, the American

  Georgianna, the Last Real Duchess

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven