Diana opened the box carefully. Inside lay a magnificent single-pearl necklace. “It is so pretty, thank you,” she managed to say around the lump in her throat. She turned and removed her shawl so her mother could fasten the necklace around her neck.
Her father popped in. “Right, are we ready to go now? You do not want to keep your groom waiting too long.” With that, he shooed his wife and daughter out the door, held open by the patient butler.
The small church was picturesque, with the daffodils in full bloom in the surrounding grass. Someone had tied large bows of yellow and white ribbon and had hung them on the church doors. As she descended from the carriage, Diana could hear the organ playing.
Pru was waiting. She had arrived a little earlier, sharing a carriage with Caroline and Caroline’s parents. Pru was Diana’s attendant and would precede her sister down the aisle. She looked as pretty as a spring picture in a gown the colour of buttermilk and a yellow pelisse.
As she took her father’s arm and her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting in the church, she caught sight of her husband-to-be at the altar. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure this was not a dream. Then she and the viscount moved down the aisle.
Rollo looked magnificent. His black double-breasted coat with a velvet collar was worn over a white satin waistcoat. He was wearing long trousers, rather than the old-fashioned knee-length breeches, and his yellow cravat matched perfectly the colour of the daffodils Diana carried. In his hand he carried the beaver hat he had removed upon entering the church.
The service was brief and only two hymns were sung. When the time came for them to exchange their vows, both Diana and Rollo did so without faltering. Rollo’s voice carried clearly to the back of the church; Diana’s voice was quieter but firm, and no one could doubt her happiness.
When the time came, Rollo placed a plain gold band on Diana’s finger. It slipped easily into place and Rollo felt a surge of satisfaction. She was his. Finally. He admitted to himself that he had been afraid these past few months that she would change her mind, or that something would happen to keep them apart. But now the deed was done. Together they went with the clergyman to sign the register. Rollo signed his name with sure bold strokes. Diana’s hands were a little shaky as she dipped the nib into the ink, but she wrote her name clearly. The witnesses added their signatures to the document and the marriage service was completed.
“Are you happy?” Rollo asked Diana as they walked slowly back down the aisle to leave the church. “There doesn’t seem to be a dry eye in the place.”
Diana smiled. “Yes, I am very happy, my lord.”
“Come, wife.” Rollo liked the sound of that—“wife.” “You must call me by my name, not ‘my lord.’”
“You wish for me to call you ‘Earl of Ice’?” teased Diana.
Rollo did not smile but his eyes twinkled with laughter as he replied, “Rollo will be quite adequate.”
They were a long time between exiting the church and climbing into the trimmed open carriage to return to Caulder Hall for the wedding breakfast. Most of the villagers were there and everyone wanted to congratulate them.
The wedding breakfast was a leisurely affair. Vast quantities of hot rolls, eggs and cold meats were consumed, along with coffee and hot chocolate. It was well into the afternoon when the rich fruit wedding cake was cut and slices handed around.
“Did you know, Pru, that if you put a slice of wedding cake under your pillow tonight, it is said that you will dream of the man you will marry?” Diana told her sister as she passed her a slice of cake.
“Do I have to put it all under my pillow?” asked Pru in dismay. She had been looking forward to eating it.
“I shouldn’t think so, but here is another slice—so you can eat one and take the other to your bed,” Diana soothingly offered.
The afternoon passed quietly with guests drifting home until only immediate family remained for the evening meal. At nine o’clock Pru declared that she was going up to bed. “Shall I send your maid to you?” she whispered to Diana while throwing her a saucy wink, causing Diana to blush.
“I…I think I will retire, too,” Diana said, her voice quavering a little.
“And I shall follow you in a few minutes,” Rollo said quietly.
Everyone assumed the blushing bride was soon to enjoy an intimate wedding night. Diana, feeling a sharp pang of disappointment, knew differently.
* * *
Diana entered the prepared guest suite. Tilly was waiting to help her into the beautiful nightgown that Tilly had laid out earlier.
Looking at her reflection in the mirror on the dresser, Diana felt another pang of disappointment that her bed on her wedding night would not be shared. She sat on the low-backed chair before the mirror, and Tilly began to brush her hair in their usual nightly ritual, a hundred strokes. This action usually relaxed Diana, but not this evening, and so she dismissed Tilly and continued the brush strokes herself. The sound of the bedroom door opening caused her to turn and look. What had her maid forgotten?
To her surprise, it was Rollo who entered the room. She smiled, pleased to see him, although she had not expected to. Diana was not a naive girl; she had been around the stables enough and heard enough gossip to understand the basics of how babies were made. Knowing that Rollo did not want children from their marriage, she was fairly secure in her assumption that he would not come to her bed.
Rollo’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of his new wife sitting at the dresser, the light from the fire causing her gown to become almost transparent and offering him a silhouette of her slender, yet shapely body. She looked relaxed and this surprised him; he’d assumed that she would have some apprehension about her wedding night. For the briefest moment it flashed in his mind that maybe she was not a virgin. This thought was quickly dismissed by her greeting.
“The adjoining room has been made up for your use, but I expect the servants have directed you here.”
So, thought Rollo, she wasn’t expecting him to share her bed. That was why she looked so calm. He would have to tread carefully.
“Your maid showed me this door,” he confirmed as he walked over to her at the dresser. “Here, let me.” He leaned over her and took the brush from her hand, then began slowly and rhythmically pulling the brush through her long hair.
Diana initially tensed and then her body gradually relaxed as the firm brush strokes calmed her. Her eyes closed as he continued. When his free hand gently caressed her neck as he gathered a lock of hair that had fallen in front of her shoulder, her eyes flew open and she met his gaze in the mirror. His eyes held hers as he began to caress her neck and shoulders with both hands, the hairbrush forgotten. Diana sighed as heat suffused her body, and she could not have moved away if her life had depended on it.
Her reaction caused Rollo’s own body to stiffen in response, but he forced himself to remain gentle, his hands kneading her neck and shoulders. When his hands moved out to her upper arms, the nightdress slipped somewhat off her shoulders.
Diana was adrift in a sea of sensation, the like of which she had never before experienced. As Rollo caressed her neck and arms, her abdomen tightened, and when his thumbs brushed the tops of her breasts, her nipples hardened and made her whimper with pleasure. Hearing herself brought her to her senses, and she pulled away while she still had the strength to do so.
“You should not be here,” she whispered. How cruel of him to awaken these feelings when they both knew he would not make love to her!
“I am your husband, so why should I not be here?” Rollo questioned softly and at the same time resumed the gentle massage of Diana’s upper body, now turning his attention to her back, gently massaging her shoulder blades thorough the thin material of her nightgown.
The movement of his hands was almost Diana’s undoing. She found it difficult to think straight. “You…you do not want children,” she said, wishing he would stop his torturous caresses, yet at the same time wishing he would never stop.
Rollo was too entranced by his exploration of his new wife’s body to make any sense of her comment. He knew he didn’t want any children, so why was she telling him this? “Yes, we both agreed there would be no children.” His hands moved down her back and around her slender waist, stroking and pressing. How satisfying to feel her body tremble!
Diana’s body, her traitorous body, now cried out for something more—and that something, she knew, was not to be hers. Tears began to fall down her cheeks. “Please stop,” she begged. “If we are not to share a bed, I would rather not have you awaken these feelings in me. It is too much. Too unkind. I do not know what to do. I…I cannot think clearly.”
Rollo stilled his hands and rested them gently on Diana’s shoulders as understanding dawned on him. She thought that because he did not want children, they would not consummate the marriage. That was why she had mentioned the adjoining bedroom and why she was pleading with him to stop. Perhaps he needed to explain a little more about how babies are made, because he had every intention of making love to his beautiful bride tonight and would use every ounce of his skill and patience to ensure that she also enjoyed the experience.
He bent over and, holding her hair out of the way, placed soft kisses on the nape of her neck and across the top of her shoulders. When he could feel that her body had again relaxed and was responsive, he whispered, “Tell me, Diana, do you know how babies are made?” His low voice was like a further caress.
“Yes,” Diana said, blushing. “A man and woman come together and make love.”
“How do they do that? How do they make love?” asked Rollo as he continued his kissing and stroking until her senses reeled. Diana found that his questions, together with his caresses, were causing her body to become further aroused.
“I know that the man places his…shaft inside the woman and that it can hurt, but some also say that it can be pleasurable.” Would he think her unladylike for knowing this?
“You are right, but did you know that it is the seed that spills from the man into the woman’s body that creates babies?”
“Ah…ah, I think so.” She was completely distracted now, as Rollo’s hands began to caress her breasts.
His own body was becoming so aroused Rollo realized that he was in danger of spilling his seed before they got as far as the bed. He took several deep breaths and regained some control. “So, if we join our bodies but I make sure I pull out before my seed is spilled inside you, there will not be any babies,” he explained. “I want you to come to bed with me, Diana, and I want to make love to you.”
Diana’s body was in complete agreement with him, but her mind was still a little uncertain. “Will it hurt?” she asked quietly.
“I will be gentle. Any pain you have will be over quickly, and I promise it only happens the first time.” He came around the chair, reached for her hands and pulled her up until she was standing in front of him. He was still fully clothed, while she had the barest amount of fabric covering her body and he could feel the heat pulsating from her. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed, setting her there, whereupon he helped remove her nightgown. Timidly she began to unfasten his clothing, removing it one piece at a time. Impatient now, he quickly shed what was left, then allowed her a thorough exploration of his body. She was surprised to find that, by touching him, she herself became aroused.
Eventually the exploration of each other’s bodies was no longer enough for either of them. The kisses became deeper and more passionate, the caresses more demanding and intimate, until Rollo could hold back no longer. Diana gasped as his fingers checked her readiness for him, and then he straddled her and entered her. He stilled, and when her tiny cry told him that he’d broken her maidenhead, he began moving slowly and rhythmically inside her until she clutched at him frantically, gasping, and he felt her contractions pulsating around his shaft. In moments, he felt his own climax rushing to overtake him. Just in time he pulled away from her moist warmth and his seed spilled onto the bed linen, mingling with the bit of blood that evidenced that Diana was no longer a virgin.
Rollo gathered his wife in his arms. Their naked bodies were glistening in the firelight and he reached down and pulled the covers over them. They lay silent and languid in the aftermath of their lovemaking, and eventually Diana drifted off to sleep. Rollo, looking down at her, allowed himself a rare private smile.
* * *
The sounds of servants bringing the house to life roused Diana the next morning. She smiled and snuggled up to her husband, whose arm was draped possessively across her hips. Her fingers traced the contours of his face, which, in sleep, had lost its cold hard appearance. He appeared much younger and, Diana thought, more handsome. His eyes flickered open and he gave her a sleepy smile before drifting back into slumber.
They were not disturbed that morning. No maid or valet entered the bedroom, and so Rollo felt that it was only right to take the opportunity to prove to his bride that making love was not painful after the first penetration. They kissed, caressed and consummated their marriage thoroughly before eventually rising.
Diana’s maid and Rollo’s valet reported back to the servants’ hall that only one bed in the guest suite had been used that night, and below stairs a lot of delighted giggling ensued.
Chapter 17
The carriages to take Rollo and Diana and their staff on the journey to Brockwood Hall were on the drive all packed up by the time they’d finished breakfast two days later. A large wagon was loaded with several portmanteaus containing Diana’s trousseau. Demon was tethered to the wagon and Mary sat atop it, wrapped in a thick blanket, next to the driver. Diana and Rollo were to travel in his sumptuous town coach with the Brockwood coat of arms emblazoned in gold and burgundy on the door panels. Tilly and Rollo’s valet were to travel in a post-chaise, and had the items that the newly wedded couple would require on the journey.
Saying her farewells to her family was hard for Diana, even though she was excited about starting her new life with Rollo. Besides, Rollo had promised they would go to London in the autumn to help support Pru in her first season. They would spend the summer in Hampshire at Brockwood Hall, and Diana would gradually take over the running of the household from Rollo’s mother, now the Dowager Countess of Brockwood, who would move into the dower house.
“Take good care of my daughter,” Lord Westbury instructed Rollo, his voice breaking a little with emotion. Lady Westbury and Pru were crying and hugging Diana. Rollo had to physically extricate his wife from their grasp to escort her to the waiting carriage,
“I will treasure her,” Rollo assured them as he handed Diana into the carriage and took the seat next to her. As they set off, they both waved until the house was no longer in sight.
Rollo took Diana’s gloved hand and gave it a squeeze. “Are you alright?” he inquired.
“Yes, I am happy, but I will miss my family.”
“I’m your family now, too, and I promise I will keep you busy,” Rollo replied. He gave her a wicked smile and she smiled back.
* * *
It took the newlyweds four days of travelling at a leisurely pace to reach Hampshire. The wagon, with Diana’s belongings and Demon, had arrived in three. Brockwood Hall was as Diana remembered it, and Briggs was on the doorstep to greet them. How different the circumstances now from her previous visit, when she had left London in disgrace! What a lot she had lived through since then. She would not have believed then that her life could have turned around so well. She had a husband she admired and adored, a beautiful home and a loving family. She did not care what society thought of her, but as the Countess of Brockwood, she would have respect and be treated with courtesy.
In the coming weeks and months Diana’s happiness grew as she became familiar with the household and established a good relationship with her mother-in-law, who had now moved into the dower house. She was busy and kept up a regular correspondence with her parents and Pru, who were looking forward to Pru’s first season. Dian
a would make sure that Pru did not make the same mistakes that she had.
As for her husband, Diana saw little of him during the day when he was busy with estate matters, but their evenings were wonderful and the nights even better. She had not imagined when she accepted his marriage proposal that she would grow to love him so much and be so fulfilled. The agreement not to have children seemed a small price to pay.
* * *
The summer came and went in the blink of an eye. Before she knew it they were on their way to London for Pru’s season. It was raining the day they set out, but the roads were still quite passable.
“You will dance with Pru, won’t you?” Diana asked Rollo for about the hundredth time on the journey.
“I will dance every dance with her, if that is your wish,” Rollo said in an effort to placate his wife.
“No,” laughed Diana. “Only dance with her if she has no partner, for she needs to be dancing with young men.”
“Are you now saying I am too old to dance with her? I wish you’d make up your mind.”
Diana thumped his shoulder playfully. “You know what I mean. I only want to make sure that Pru enjoys her season.”
Another thought entered her mind. “You did remember to write Oliver to tell him we would be arriving today.”
“Yes, I did, and he is expecting us. I also warned him that he and his reprobate friends need to be on their best behaviour and not do anything to spoil your sister’s first season.”
“Thank you, that’s kind of you.” Diana was desperate for her sister to have a successful season and couldn’t seem to help herself from checking and double-checking that everything was done to ensure this.
Rollo smiled to himself and decided his best course of action was to feign sleep for a little while. At last the carriage pulled up outside the Brockwood London residence.
Oliver, who had heard the carriage arrive, was at the door, along with the butler, to greet them. Diana was pleased to see him and now, as a married lady, felt she could relax and enjoy his company.
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