He deepened the kiss and she responded. Her lips answering his. His arm circled her waist as hers settled behind his neck. They grew closer.
He became lost for a moment. Tasting, enjoying. He might very well have gone on much longer except a cough from the audience – probably Thomas – brought him back to reality.
Remembering where he was, he stepped back. Caroline’s eyes were still closed as if lost in the memory of their kiss. Slowly she opened them and realized where she was and who she was with. Her cheeks burst into a rosy pink.
Her easy blushes pleased him. He liked the way they made her look. Liked that he could do that to her.
Smiling he took her hand and placed it on his arm as he walked her back down the aisle and out of the room.
.o0o.
Amy brushed Caroline’s hair in long slow strokes. Making it shine and her scalp tingle.
“It was a beautiful wedding My Lady,” the maid said. “I cried, you looked so beautiful. Like a true Countess.”
Caroline stared into the large mirror on the lady’s desk in the Countess’s chamber. All of her things had been moved to this room during the ceremony. One of the hundred things the servants did without being told.
The room smelled of candle wax and the faint hint of rose petals. Nanny had left a bowl of petals on her bureau.
Mrs. Alexander Vessey, Countess Beachmont, she said to herself. Could it be true? Everything was moving so fast. The wedding dinner had lasted for hours, everyone talking and laughing. She had sat quietly next to Alexander. Barely eating all the wonderful food that had been prepared. Waiting for it to end. A part of her dreading it and another part anxious to move on.
Alexander had looked so handsome in his uniform. Commanding, strong. It made her proud to think that such a man had chosen her.
True he was only doing this to rescue her. Despite his silly story about wanting to avoid a marriage trap and having someone look after James if necessary. She knew deep down. He was doing this for her.
His eyes had lit up when he saw her in her dress. She smiled to herself as she remembered and sent up a silent prayer thanking Nanny.
The ceremony had gone well. Everything normal. Formal. Nothing special. She had said the words as instructed. Her mind racing. Everything had been as she expected until that kiss.
That kiss. Everything had changed with that kiss. Her body had become alive. Almost aware. As if every nerve ending was experiencing life for the first time.
It was as if he had awakened something deep inside of her. Something she had not known was there. All she knew was that she wanted to know more. To learn more.
She stilled feared what was about to happen. At the same time, she was curious. Almost anxious for it.
What should she do? Did she wait for him here? Go to him in his adjoining room. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind. Some of them risqué and shocking. When did she become such a person? To have such thoughts.
That kiss. It would have put shocking thoughts into any woman’s head.
There was still time to change her mind. He had said that it was completely up to her. But the marriage wouldn’t be legal unless they … Could she risk it? Did she want to risk it?
The thought of not going through with it worried a part of her. A part that hadn’t been there before.
“There My Lady,” Amy said. It was as if the maid enjoyed using the term. “I think we are done.”
Caroline looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was down. Every strand in place. Falling freely over her shoulders. She wore her normal white cotton nightgown under her robe. There hadn’t been time to obtain anything else and no miracle from Nanny.
“You look wonderful,” Amy said as she stepped back to examine her. “His Lordships should be very pleased.”
For the first time, Caroline understood what those young women in the fairy tales must have felt as they were being prepared to be sacrificed to the evil dragon.
Only he’s not evil, she thought. He is wonderful. A true hero and his kisses made her toes curl.
Her heart jumped when she realized this was it. In a few minutes, Amy would leave and she would be all alone.
“Um, don’t you think it should be brushed again?”
Amy smiled and gently shook her head. “I could My Lady. But truly it is perfect. Besides. The servant’s party is to start.”
Caroline raised her eyebrows. “A party, I didn’t realize.”
“Yes My Lady,” the maid said. “His Lordship had Mr. Evers break out a cask of his best wine. We are all to have some and toast your good fortune. Nanny has prepared a fancy meal for us. Even young Master James has been given permission to attend.”
Caroline saw the excitement in her maid’s eyes and sighed internally. She couldn’t keep the girl away from such enjoyment. Especially as it was to celebrate her recent nuptials.
Instead she said with a little smirk, “Will Johnson be there?”
The maid quickly blushed and looked down for a moment then smiling she said. “Perhaps. I would think so.”
“Well, you go along then. Enjoy yourself. And thank you so much. I couldn’t have done all of this without you.”
Her maid smiled and gave a quick curtsy before turning to depart. As she opened the bedroom door, she halted and said.
“My Lady. I am happy for you. Very happy. All of us are. Jake the Coachman, Hampton … Each of us are happy it worked out. We were worried Ma’am. We know you married His Lordship to protect your sisters. Even the staff, Ma’am. You were taking care of all of us. I just wanted to let you know that we realize it and appreciate it. That being said. I think His Lordship is a good man. I think you will be happy. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t have it allowed it to happen Ma’am.”
Caroline stared for a moment. Surprised, and touched at her maids kind words.
“Thank you, Amy. I appreciate it. I am sure you are right. Things will work out. They always do. Now, off with you and kiss Johnson while you have a chance. Once he becomes a stuffy London butler you might never get another opportunity.”
The young maid laughed and curtsied once more before leaving.
The soft click of the latch was like the slam of a prison door. Driving home how much her world had changed. How alone she was and that her life was about to take a turn.
Six candles had been placed strategically throughout the room. Giving it a soft, welcoming glow. A fire had been lit, making the room toasty without being too warm.
Should she stay here? She glanced at the door to the adjoining room. Was he in there, even now getting ready? She stopped breathing for a moment and listened.
Nothing. No sound. Had he gone to bed? She had never told him she wanted a wedding night. –To make the marriage legal – she reminded herself. Maybe he just assumed she didn’t.
Maybe he was in bed, already asleep.
Taking her courage in her hands she removed her robe and draped it over the back of the chair and pulled back the blankets of her bed. Should she be here waiting for him, she wondered.
She lay there for several minutes. Her heart racing, her breath labored. The fear and anxiety was nerve racking. Not knowing what to do was the worst of it.
Finally, having had enough. She swung her feet onto the floor and started for that distant door. What if he didn’t want her?
The though paralyzed her. She had just assumed. What if …
The sudden click startled her, making her insides freeze.
The door slowly opened to reveal His Lordship, The Viscount, -Alexander, she reminded herself. - He was dressed in a starched white shirt and his uniform britches. His cravat had been removed, exposing a few dark chest hairs at the V of his neck.
It was a manly look that made her remember him in the boxing ring and at the river.
He seemed so big, so powerful. As if the world would bend to his every command. Broad shoulders that could take the weight of the universe. Her insides grew tight with desire.
His dark eyes
traveled over her body. The quick appreciation and desire she saw made her tingle inside.
He slowly smiled at her. That rakish smile that pulled at her heart. It was obvious he liked what he saw. Once he finished examining her, he raised one eyebrow and said, “Countess. I could wait no longer.”
Chapter Ten
She took a quick breath and unknowingly licked her lips. What now she wondered. Her heart raced, and her skin grew warm as he slowly walked towards her.
Coming to a stop mere inches from her, he looked down and softly smiled.
“Oh Countess, you are truly beautiful,” he said.
Her stomach fluttered at the timber of his voice. He smelled of sandalwood, soap, and a manly aroma that was all his. She became lost in it for a moment. Memorizing, experiencing the aroma.
She looked up into his eyes, questioning.
He calmly raised a hand to caresses her cheek. Without thinking her eyes closed as warmth spread from his fingertips.
Be careful, Caroline, she told herself. Do not become lost in this man. You will never recover. It is only for one night.
But her body betrayed her. She longed to be held in his arms. The physical need was surprising. Every part of her wanted it. Needed it.
Smirking slightly, he bent and picked her up as easy as a child retrieving a toy. I am his plaything she thought. Nothing more.
Hard, secure, arms held her as they had before. A comforting warmth enveloped her. This one spot in the entire world was where she belonged. At least for tonight.
Carrying her to the bed, he gently laid her upon it then stepped back. He looked longingly into her eyes as he removed his shirt.
Broad, strong. His chest muscles were sharply defined. A small scar just above his britches caught her eye and without thinking she reached to caress it.
She looked into his eyes, raising an eyebrow in question.
“It is nothing. I will tell you later,” he said as he gently lay next to her.
She had to scoot over in the bed to make room. This was it then. They really were going to do this. Her pounding heart threatened to erupt from her chest. Would she be adequate? Would he compare her to his many other lovers?
Smiling, as he looked into her eyes he whispered. “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked.
Caroline swallowed hard then nodded her head in affirmation as she pulled the blanket up to her chin. She refused to trust that her voice would work at all.
He seemed to relax at her acceptance. Growing serious for a moment he looked longingly into her eyes then gently lowered his lips to hers.
Oh, she could fall in love with his kisses. The soft caress grew into a more passionate embrace. Her hands ran across those powerful shoulders. Her fingers traced each muscle, every sharp edge.
His hands rested on her waist, his thumb gently rubbing a spot into heightened awareness. His other arm slid behind her head to gently hold it in place as they continued to kiss.
A deep rumble in the back of his throat let her know how excited he was becoming. The hard presence poking at her thigh confirmed it. The realization of what she was doing to him thrilled her.
Her, Caroline Jennings, was found enticing by such a man as this.
Alexander broke the kiss for a moment then reached over to snuff out the last candle. The room, however, continued to be enveloped in a dark orange glow from the distant fire. Enough to see but enough shadows to provide an opportunity to hide.
She took him back into her arms. Then he broke away again.
“This will be so more enjoyable if we removed our clothes,” he said with a small smirk and a twinkle in his eyes.
An awkward moment occurred as he helped her out of her shift while she continued to hold the blanket to her chin. Once he had accomplished his goal, he removed his britches. Looking into her eyes, he smiled.
How could he be so relaxed? So in control.
Skin, she didn’t know there could be such comforting warmth. It became the most important thing to her at that moment. His hard chest against hers. His long, powerful leg draped over her thighs.
Her heart stopped for a moment as she felt his manhood pushing at her tummy. The hardness, the maleness, surprised her, making her insides flutter in nervousness. He smiled then looked into her eyes.
“Relax my dear. I promise that I won’t hurt you,”
“I know,” she said with a hitch in her voice. “I trust you.”
He smiled again and brought her back into an embrace. His lips trailed down her neck to her chest, coming at last to her nipple.
“Ohhh,” she moaned as he took it into his mouth. Her body instinctively arched into him. Wanting more, demanding more.
Nothing had prepared her for this. The sheer physical need that coursed through her body.
Without breaking his suckling, his hands roamed over her body. Enticings, circling, caressing. Bringing her alive.
She felt sensations she had never known. Hadn’t known a person could feel.
She desperately wanted to look at him, all of him but was afraid to seem wanton. What would he think of her? Did he know what he was doing to her insides? Turning them into knots. Loosening them into nothingness.
You’re in bed with a man you’ve only known for a few days; she thought to herself. This may be your only opportunity.
Gently pushing him away from her breast she leaned forward to kiss his chest. The blanket provided modesty long forgotten. Her hands traveled over the hard muscles. Caressing, feeling the warmth and strength. He made her seem small, feminine.
As she caressed and fondled, her curiosity grew.
She peeked. A quick look to his waist. He would never know that she looked. Her movement hadn’t been obvious, or at least she had thought so until he laughed.
“Tonight, I am yours, and you are mine,” he said, his smile letting her know that he was not upset.
She looked at him again. At his manhood. My god it was large. How was what was to come even possible? A sudden urge to caress it poured through her. To touch and feel. Her cheeks grew hot thinking about what he would think if he knew what was going through her mind.
Instead, she returned to the safety of his kisses. Quickly becoming lost in his lips. Her hands traveled once again over his glorious chest.
He returned her kiss, his tongue sweeping into her mouth, setting her afire. Probing, tasting. She marveled at it all. The sensuousness of it all.
His hand traced the curve of her hip then slowly moved to cover her core. His fingers gently caressed her, demanding that she open for him.
Swallowing hard she slowly spread her legs and let him touch her. Nothing could have stopped her.
His fingers slowly explored. His touch making her grow wet with need. She arched herself into his hand as her tongue darted into his mouth. She needed more. Wanted desperately, more.
He chuckled in the back of his throat. “Patience my pet, we have all night,” he said as he kissed her neck.
She didn’t have all night. She needed him now. The buildup of anxiety and fear had disappeared to be replaced with a burning need. A need for him inside of her. Her entire world had become this need.
He continued to caress her. His fingers like magic. Pushing her higher. Enticing her to moan and buck into his hand.
“Please,” she said. Not even worried if it sounded like she was begging him. She didn’t care. All she was was need.
He left off kissing her neck as he positioned himself over her. He paused for a moment as he stared into her eyes. As if confirming this was what she wanted.
Reaching up she took his lower lip in her teeth and gently nipped. If he didn’t hurry, she would do even more damage her actions said.
He smiled and slowly pushed against her opening, her core, as he stared into her eyes. Holding her in a trance.
She felt herself open for him. To spread as she was slowly filled. My god he was big she thought. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on not letting him see her fear. Instea
d, she focused on the feeling spreading out from where he entered her.
He stopped advancing for a moment then pushed through with a sudden thrust. The pain was quick and light. Not at all what she had been led to believe. What else had they been wrong about?
Her eyes opened as she realized that he was fully inside her. They were joined as man and woman.
Her hand grasped his neck and pulled his lips down to hers. Their kiss was gentle and tender as he began to move inside of her.
She gasped when he almost withdrew then gasped again when he thrust once more into her. Beginning a motion. Back and forth. Each time a part of her soul shot into flames.
“Oh Alex,” she moaned.
He set a slow rhythm that pulled her into his world. Her eyes closed again as she became lost in the experience. Her senses came alive. Every nerve ending sent signals of joy and pleasure.
His pace began to increase. She found herself arching to meet him. Matching him. Climbing with him. Her heart raced. Her breaths, quick and sharp.
She could feel herself building to something. Something frightening. Every thrust took her a little higher. She didn’t know where it was taking her. The potential scared her and enthralled her at the same time. Higher, faster, more.
His face had become serious, his eyes closed as he concentrated. She wanted to caress that square jaw. To make those lips smile. She started to reach for him when he moved in a new way.
“Ohhhh,” she moaned.
On they continued, ever more. Then when it seemed they could go no higher. At that point where the world stops spinning. When the universe became this man and only this man. He erupted into her with a mighty thrust. His head thrown back as he growled like a mighty lion.
The warmth of his seed. The throbbing from his manhood sent her over the edge as she flew apart into a million pieces. Stars erupted around her, and her life would never be the same again.
She gasped, digging her hands into his back as wave after wave washed over her.
At last, his mighty strength lost, he collapsed upon her. Surrounding her with his weight. She instinctively placed her arms around his neck and pulled him to her.
The Viscount's Bride (Love's Pride Book 2) Page 8
