The Debutante's Wager (The Curse of True Love Book 4)

by Donna Cummings

  Her fingers fluttered, as if she wanted to reach for him, to halt what he was doing. But then she curled her hands into fists and kept them at her sides. That made him grin. He liked giving his wife such visible pleasure.

  Tony gave her knee one last kiss and then slid his hands under her dress, slowly, giving her a chance to grow accustomed to such boldness. Her breathing was ragged now, yet she did not call a halt. Thankfully. He could not remember when he had been so aroused by such a simple act. He had forgotten how delightful it was to take time with this stage of the proceedings.

  Who knew he would discover that once he was wed?

  At last his fingers encountered the garter. He smoothed his hands over her skin, searching for the buckle that had caused her to ask for his aid.

  "Tess, you minx!" He untied the garter and held it aloft. "You did not need my assistance at all."

  She leaned forward, her lips nearly touching his. "Oh, but I did. It was not as cooperative with my hands as it was with yours."

  He laughed. "So you may need my assistance with the other garter as well?"

  "I am certain of it."

  Tony started to tuck the garter into his jacket pocket, until he realized he was not wearing his coat. He was so overheated from being with Tess, he had quite forgotten he wore only his breeches. Although after this encounter, even that article of clothing seemed like too much.

  "I shall keep this, if you do not mind." He wrapped the strip of silk around his wrist, and started to tuck the ends in since he could not knot them.

  "Allow me," Tess said. Her lips twitched as she tied the ends in a loose knot. "It is quite becoming on you. Although you are not permitted to select this as an item to remove when you lose the next hand."

  "I had not considered it," he said with a chuckle. "Probably because I anticipate your other garter will be the next to leave your delectable self."

  "Deal the cards then, and we shall see."

  "Are you prepared for me to disrobe entirely?"

  She glanced at the door. "Perhaps we should bolt it first, so that your household staff does not fall prey to the vapors when you are completely au naturel."

  He laughed. "I am confident that will not be the case. But it is an excellent reminder that I do not want you to suffer a similar fate." Even though he hated to say the words, he did. "Could we resume this on the morrow?"

  She nodded. "Of course. Unless you decide to devise another, equally entertaining, activity."

  Before he could respond, she brushed her lips against his and then scurried out the door, closing it quietly behind her.

  Chapter 10

  Tony extended his hand, ushering Tess into the private theater box. Her eyes lit up but he saw how she did her best to mask her excitement. She turned to him, smiling. "Thank you. This is quite the treat. Though I confess I thought you might prefer the opera."

  "I did not wish to incite their envy at my singing skills. Come. Sit down here."

  She settled herself and then Tony seated himself to her left, so she was closer to the stage. It was impossible to miss the buzz of activity in the rest of the theater, as if the patrons had been waiting for Tony and Tess to arrive. They were the talk of the ton, but not only because of the scandalous start to their marriage. Somehow word had gotten out about their wager and now everyone wondered which of the two would be proclaimed the winner. Tony grinned. There were no doubt a bevy of side wagers too.

  Who knew his marriage would wind up being a gambler's dream?

  "Tony," Tess said, turning toward him.

  "I adore hearing my name on those lush lips of yours."

  She blinked several times, as if trying to remember what her initial question had been. Before she could respond, the lights were dimmed, leaving them in a most intimate setting. Tess turned away, focusing her attention on the stage.

  Her neck and shoulders were temptingly displayed. A tendril of hair trailed down by her ear. Tony could not resist lifting it with one finger, then tucking it behind her ear, caressing her tenderly. She shivered slightly. Just as he had hoped.

  He removed his glove and tossed it onto his lap. He traced one finger over her shoulder, marveling at how delicate her skin was, how smooth. He could not resist placing a light kiss there.

  Tess inhaled sharply. He halted, but when she did not turn to chide him, he grinned and decided to continue the delightful wooing of his wife.

  He brushed another kiss over her shoulder, and then another, inching toward the spot where it curved into her neck. She did her best not to respond, at least vocally, but her body was reacting in the most enticing fashion. He could feel her skin warming beneath his lips. She shivered again, as if fighting off the intense sensations he was creating.

  He murmured her name as his lips continued upwards, smoothing over her neck, reaching her earlobe. He couldn't resist a tiny tug with his teeth. A heartfelt sigh was his reward. He dotted kisses along the shell of her ear, down to her cheek. Her chest rose and fell in a more rapid pattern.

  Tony shifted in his seat. He wished he could just take Tess from her chair and plop her onto his lap. The scandal would be too much, though, so he refrained.

  "Tess," he whispered in her ear. "I adore this perfume of yours. It puts to shame the rose gardens at Travender Hall."

  She turned slightly, so her cheek was pressed even more closely to him. "I had not anticipated you would take notice of it. It is intended for the most intimate encounters."

  "You had not anticipated an intimate encounter?" he teased. "After our intimate card game last evening?"

  "That was a private locale. While this—"

  He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Is quite private. Anyone looking this way will believe I am merely whispering an endearment to you."

  She laughed softly. "Until I cause you to start singing my praises, rather loudly."

  He nipped her ear. "Wicked Tess. You tempt me to make you forget yourself, here in this theatre."

  "How can I forget myself," she answered, "when you are tempting me beyond endurance?"

  ***

  Tess said the words boldly, but she was struggling to keep her composure. Every touch, every caress, made her want to throw herself into Tony's arms. Her body responded in such foreign ways, but they were delicious, every single one. She wore the thinnest muslin, with a sheer overskirt, but even that was too much for her overheated skin.

  She was both scandalized and delighted at the heat Tony produced in her entire being. Her breasts—well, suffice it to say they were exceedingly enthusiastic about his kisses, as well as his slow touches along her shoulders. She tried to squirm away from the sensations further below, but that only made things worse.

  Her husband had chosen the perfect opportunity as payback for her "surprise" the previous evening. Yet she was not a swooning miss. She relished these sensations. She wanted more of them.

  What was holding her back from insisting he take her home that instant, to his bedchamber, making love to her the entire rest of the evening?

  Tess glanced at him, and the anticipatory gleam in his eyes made her hesitate. Her husband loved the thrill of the chase. And she knew that was what she represented. She could relent and enjoy a pleasurable evening in his bed, probably many such evenings. But would that be enough?

  Tony lifted her hand and pressed a heated kiss in her palm. Tess closed her eyes, shoring up her resolve. The devil she was married to made it so difficult though. She had trouble remembering why she needed to resist when every cell in her body wanted to declare him the winner.

  "I seem to be missing one of my garters," she whispered.

  "At this moment?" He pretended to reach for her skirt but she slapped his hand playfully.

  "You know perfectly well I mean from last night."

  "I am keeping it safe." He patted his waistcoat pocket. "Until it can be reunited with its mate."

  She couldn't halt her laugh. "You have it on your person? I do not believe you."

  Tony grinned
and reached into his pocket. He pulled it out slowly, and she thought once she had seen it he would halt. But he continued to tease her.

  "Tony!"

  She had not meant to say it so loudly. Every person in attendance snapped their attention to her. Even the actors on the stage paused for a moment.

  Tess, her cheeks flaming, continued to look at the stage, as if she had not been the one to yell Tony's name so forcefully. Tony smothered a laugh and then everything resumed as if it had not halted in the first place. There were still murmurs from nearby patrons, however, while they discussed the shocking outburst of Lady Travender.

  Tony smiled before he leaned forward and whispered in Tess's ear. "I love when you say my name so passionately."

  ***

  "Yes, I was quite wicked this evening," Tony agreed.

  "Not to mention scandalous."

  "Frightfully so." The carriage hit a bump, so he wrapped his arms more tightly around Tess, to prevent her tumbling off his lap. "I am prepared for whatever punishment you have in store for me."

  She eyed him intently. "I suspect that was your aim all along."

  "Not at all," he said with a laugh. "Though I must admit I wonder what sort of reprimand you will mete out."

  "I wonder that too." She leaned forward to kiss him. "Perhaps I should withhold my kisses."

  "Except you would be punishing yourself at the same time." He pressed his mouth on hers, gratified when she opened for a more passionate kiss.

  "I would not wish to do that," she finally managed. "Do you have any suggestions for a suitable penance?"

  He pretended to give it great thought. "I should think being sent to my bedchamber would suffice."

  "I would have to accompany you, to ensure you were reminded of the error of your behavior."

  Tony gave a theatrical sigh. "If you insist."

  "I do. A miscreant such as yourself requires constant supervision."

  Tess ran her fingers through his hair, placing a tender kiss at his temple. As delicious as that was, it also placed her bosom against his mouth. Tony obliged her by delivering his own tender kisses. He was gratified when her breathing became even more ragged. But it made it difficult to carry on their conversation, much as he enjoyed it.

  In the next moment, the carriage halted. Tess grabbed his neck to keep herself steady, while he wrapped her tightly in his arms.

  Tony held his breath. It was all well and good to tease and engage in flirtation about returning to his bedchamber while that room was safely several miles away. But what would happen once they entered their home? His heart pounded with anticipation. He could feel hers beating rapidly as well.

  "Tess—"

  "Tony—" she said at the same time.

  They gazed at each other, waiting for the other to be the first to respond. Before anyone could, the carriage door swung open. Tony handed his bride out to the waiting coachman, and then took a moment to rearrange his clothing, and his errant thoughts, before he descended too.

  To his delight, Tess waited for him. He had half expected her to dash into the house and race upstairs.

  She grinned. "I'll wager I have surprised you."

  He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow. "It is a bet you have already won. Many times over."

  Chapter 11

  Tess managed to keep a calm façade as they ascended the stairs and strode to her bedchamber. She had become more adept at masking her inner turmoil, as any good gambler should do. But this evening the stakes were higher than they had ever been. She told herself to withdraw—from the wager, from Tony's embrace, from risking her heart.

  Yet she wanted her husband, desperately. He had aroused her to such an unbearable level, and she wanted nothing more than to continue this seduction.

  And that is what caused her knees to wobble as she climbed the stairs, her husband's hand in hers. The attraction between them was undeniable, but she had wanted to woo Tony into her heart, not just into her bed.

  At the top of the stair, Tony paused. He lifted her hand to his lips. His eyes were filled with tenderness while he waited for her to decide how the evening would end.

  "Are you frightened, Tess?"

  She shook her head, but then nodded. "I seem to have lost some of my bravado," she confessed.

  "I have as well."

  She laughed. "How is that possible?"

  "I have never had a bride in my bed before."

  She raised her eyebrows mockingly.

  "Well, not my own bride." His expression grew serious. "I want her to feel cherished, and filled with pleasure beyond imagining. What if I am not able to provide my bride with that? Those are the thoughts running rampant through my mind at this moment. Is it any wonder my bravado has chosen to flee?"

  His confession touched a tender spot in her heart, easing some of her doubts. "Your bride already feels cherished. And she wants more than anything to give you the same pleasure you have promised her."

  He lifted her hand to his lips once more, only this time his eyes were filled with heat, and passion. She nearly shivered with the anticipation running through her.

  Tess opened the door to her bedchamber. She probably should have told Tony to return in a short while, after she had had the opportunity to call her maid to assist her in disrobing. But she was not willing to let second thoughts gain a foothold, sending her bravado fleeing again for good.

  "I may need to utilize your garter-removing skills again," she said with a smile.

  He delivered a most exquisite bow, along with a wicked grin. "I am at your service." He followed her into the bedchamber, closing the door behind them.

  ***

  Tony gazed at Tess, grateful for the glow from the nearby fire, as well as the numerous candles lit by a servant before their arrival. It highlighted every detail of his bride's excitement—her widened eyes, her pinkened cheeks, her hands fluttering at her sides. He adored her even more for not letting her fears best her in this moment.

  "Perhaps if you could assist me," he offered. It might make her less nervous if she had a task at hand. A task he would find immensely pleasurable too.

  "Of course." She moved to stand in front of him, waiting for his instruction.

  "My coat." He turned so she could help ease it off his shoulders. He only regretted that his back was turned, because he could not see her face as she helped divest him of his clothing.

  "There," she said, setting the coat on a nearby chair. "Anything else?"

  Tony turned before saying, "Yes, my cravat."

  He tugged at it slightly, but then she replaced his impatient hands with her delicate ones. He enjoyed the way she focused so intently on the task, untying the knot and then unwrapping the yards of linen. He kept his eyes on her mouth, watching her nibble her bottom lip as she concentrated on the item being removed.

  "We shall be here a fortnight before you are entirely disrobed," she commented.

  He laughed. "And we have yet to commence with your attire."

  "It did not seem to take so long when we were playing cards."

  Tony started to unbutton his waistcoat. "Do you think so? Of course, I was the one who was shivering half naked, while you were comfortably clothed."

  "I nearly took pity on you," she said cheerfully, "and was even tempted to wrap myself around you to give you warmth."

  "And yet you did not. Such a cruel woman," he murmured, his lips against hers while she slid his waistcoat down his arms.

  "I am," she agreed. Her actions belied her words, however, because she pulled at his shirt until it came loose from his breeches. "It is also the height of cruelty to keep such beauty hidden from the world." She slid her hands under the shirt and smoothed her fingertips over his skin.

  "Tess," he moaned. He clamped his hands over hers, halting her progress. The pleasure was already too much, and he had not removed a single item of her clothing. He tore the shirt over his head and threw it behind him. She reached to touch him once more but he shook his head. "Y
ou are quite overdressed at this moment."

  "Shall I ring for my maid?" she teased.

  "Only if you wish to see your husband expire on this very spot, bereft at not being given the opportunity to serve in that role."

  Tony would probably never remember precisely how he got Tess out of her clothing. He would always be grateful for the simplicity of her attire, making it possible to remove it all rather quickly without appearing that he did so.

  He lavished her with kisses each time another layer disappeared. She returned each of his kisses with a fiery passion that made him impatient to have her bare skin against his.

  When the last of her clothing dropped to the carpet, he nearly forgot how to breathe. She was a goddess in human form. How had he been so favored, to have this beauty as his wife? The firelight seemed to dance over her skin, highlighting her bounteous curves. She reached up to unpin her hair, and a mass of dark tresses covered her shoulders, trailing down to her rounded breasts.

  He circled her with his arms, wondering belatedly if he should provide his innocent bride with some sort of reassurance. She smiled up at him, smoothing her hands over his bare chest, causing a riot of sensations he had no hope of concealing.

  "I hope you are not planning to describe what is about to occur," she said with a grin.

  "Of course not," he lied.

  "Another benefit of a scandalous grandmother. Once I was old enough, she had plenty of tales to share. I am grateful for the chance to finally put that knowledge to use."

  "As am I." His heart thudded at her delightful confession. "Was there something in particular that aroused your curiosity?"

  Her breath hitched but she tried to mask it by caressing his chest once more. The sensations were so intoxicating he had to struggle to hear her words.

  "I am quite intrigued by the coming undone aspect," she said. "Though I cannot imagine it possibly being better than kissing—"

  Tony gulped. He was close to coming undone himself in that instant. "Once you experience it, you will change your mind about kissing being the better of the two." At her questioning look, he added, "Kissing is an integral part, however. One of my favorites in fact."