‘You are a demanding woman, but I am happy to oblige.’
He quickly undressed and she saw his skin gleam golden in the candlelight. She was pleased that she had agreed to leave the candles lit because otherwise she would not have seen the perfection of him. She tentatively reached out a hand and traced a line down his chest.
He drew his breath in sharply. She took it as an invitation to explore further and placed her other hand on his chest. His warm flesh moved under her fingers as he breathed in. Giving in to her impulse, she leant forward and flicked her tongue over his flat nipples. They hardened to points under her touch.
‘Eleanor...’ His voice sounded thick in her ear. ‘Let me explore you.’
She nodded.
Slowly he stroked his hand down her body until his fingers reached her nest of curls. A single finger parted her and slid down her innermost folds. White-hot heat shot through her. If she’d thought his mouth on her breast was heaven this was total bliss. His finger probed, slipping inside her, playing. Her body tightened about him and he rubbed his palm against her mound.
‘You like?’ he asked, stilling his hand, leaving it hovering above the apex of her thighs.
She clawed at his shoulders, knowing that she needed more. As wonderful as this was, something was building inside her and urging her on. She wanted to explore this new heady world.
‘Please,’ she whispered, hardly knowing how to ask. ‘I need you. I want to have more. I want it all.’
Her voice trailed away and she knew she couldn’t begin to describe the pleasure that coursed through her.
‘You shall have me.’ He rubbed his thumb along her bottom lip and sent a fresh tremor coursing through her. ‘It will hurt, Eleanor, I can’t deny it. But I will be as gentle as possible. Try to relax. It will get better, but first there will be a little pain.’
She didn’t look down at where he loomed, large and ready. All she knew was that she needed him. She needed this reaffirmation of life. So far it showed that everything she had thought about herself was wrong. Right now she felt utterly feminine. Maybe he was correct and the past didn’t matter. Maybe all that mattered was right here and right now.
‘I trust you,’ she whispered.
He positioned himself between her thighs and slowly moved forward. She felt him nudge her, and then a burning sensation as he sheathed himself. She stiffened and tried not to move a muscle. She had to trust that it would become wonderful.
Ben regarded his new wife. Her passionate response to his kisses surprised and delighted him. What she lacked in experience she more than made up for in enthusiasm. He had thought he might have to coax more.
He’d been able to feast on the hollows and curves of her body with all his senses engaged. Eleanor might be willowy, but very inch of her was feminine.
He had felt her barrier break with that final thrust forward. She belonged to him now. His responsibility. He had already brought her to the brink earlier, but he wanted her first time to be memorable. Concentrating on controlling his breathing, he started to withdraw.
‘It feels so right,’ she breathed, tightening her arms about him. ‘Nobody ever told me that this joining could feel wonderful. It is as if I’ve been reborn.’
He smoothed a tendril of hair from her forehead. ‘I don’t want to hurt you.’
‘You did for a moment but it is gone now.’
Her hand stroked his back to the base of his spine and nearly destroyed his control. It amazed him how someone who was so demonstrably innocent seemed to know instinctively what he wanted. She shifted her hips, drawing him in deeper.
‘Is that all or is there more?’ she murmured.
‘Much more.’
Her lips curved upwards in a sultry smile. ‘Good.’
He drove into her, slowly, but as she lifted her hips and urged him he increased the pace. He watched her face until she hovered on the brink. Then and only then he allowed himself full release, joined her in the climax. Wave after wave washed over him.
He gave a satisfied smile. His life was about Eleanor now.
* * *
When Eleanor woke, the room was bathed in grey light. The candles had guttered down to nothing. Beside her, the bed was cold and empty. She drew the sheets up to her chin and tried to ignore the knot in her stomach. It didn’t seem right for him to leave after what they had experienced together. Or maybe it was just her. All the doubts she had had about her femininity came rushing back. How could she truly have thought that she could satisfy a man like Ben?
Ben had done as he had said he would—made sure their marriage was legal. Nothing more. Nothing less. Moles was safe. It should be enough, but she knew it wasn’t. She wanted to...
A faint noise made her turn her head. He stood naked, peering out into the moonlight. His hand gripped the window seal and his shoulders shook. She thought at first that it must be grief, but then she realised he was laughing.
Eleanor put her hand over her mouth. She desperately wanted to know what he was thinking.
Had she disappointed him? Did he regret their marriage? She attempted to see his expression in the shadowy light.
‘Ben?’ The single word escaped her throat.
‘Did I disturb you?’ He turned from the window, but all she could make out was the outline of his body. ‘It is very early. Is something wrong?’
‘No, no. I wanted to make sure you were all right.’ She held out her arms. ‘Come back to bed, Ben.’
‘I’m more than all right.’ He walked over to the bed and gathered her in his arms. His lips touched her hair. ‘Our marriage has properly begun, Eleanor. No one can gainsay it now.’
The questions she’d longed to ask died in her throat.
Did it really matter about his past? How did she compare with his late wife? Was he thinking about her at all? Had he only returned to her arms because she’d begged?
She hated that she wanted to know. She was competing with a ghost. He was here, with her, and she would make certain that everything was going to be fine. That he never had to think about his late wife again. The past was going to stay firmly where it belonged.
She would learn how to do everything. Mother Whittonstall would help her. She would become the sort of wife Ben deserved.
‘I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart,’ she said, giving her mouth up to his.
She knew then that she was in danger of falling in love with him—and that was something he had not asked for and she hadn’t bargained for.
Chapter Ten
After breakfasting with Ben, Eleanor wandered out on to the terrace. Later she planned to go over to Moles and take care of the daily crises, but right now she was content to explore her new home. Her entire body ached after last night. She had sore muscles where she’d never dreamt she could have sore muscles. It was even worse than after a bout of prolonged fencing.
She put her hands in the middle of her back and stretched. Her light blue gown fluttered in the breeze. This marriage had turned out far better than she’d had the right to expect.
A small snuffling noise made her freeze. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Romeo, peeking out from the border. She crouched down and held out her hand.
‘I’m sure you are not supposed to be there. Have you escaped again?’
Romeo tilted his head and stared back at her. If he’d been a person she’d have sworn he’d tell her to hush.
‘Romeo! Romeo! Come here!’ Ben’s mother came out on to the terrace. Romeo covered his head with his muddy paws and flattened his body.
‘He’s here, Mother Whittonstall. In the flowerbed.’
Romeo gave her a look that said traitor.
She knelt down and held out her hand. ‘Your owner is looking for you. Playtime is over.’
The dog
shook his head and retreated further into the flowerbed.
‘If you won’t come out I will pick you up.’
He planted four paws in the muddy earth and dared her. Eleanor reached forward and swiftly captured the miscreant. Romeo gave a contented sigh, leaning his dirty head back against her.
Lady Whittonstall came around the corner and stopped. Her gaze seemed to take in every flaw. The frown between her eyebrows increased. ‘Romeo is with you. I’ve been so worried. If you are going to take the dogs, please can you inform someone next time, Eleanor? It will save so much worry and bother. Poor Marie has been distraught.’
Eleanor winced. Why, when she met Lady Whittonstall, did she always feel at a disadvantage? She straightened her backbone and met the woman’s gaze. ‘I heard you calling for him. He was in the flowerbed, intent on digging up the borders. I was the finder, not the taker.’
‘He needs to get ready to go rather than play.’ Lady Whittonstall gave a long sigh. ‘I want to depart as soon as Vivian returns. His mother and sister are well behaved. Why can’t he be?’
‘You are returning to London?’ Eleanor set Romeo down and saw the dog had put muddy paw prints on her muslin dress and one particularly large one over her bosom. Romeo did not look in the least repentant, and neither did he trot over to his mistress as Eleanor had expected. He sat down next to Eleanor and began to lick his paw.
‘Of course, my dear Eleanor.’ Lady Whittonstall looked at her as if she’d grown two heads. ‘My work is done here. And neither Vivian nor I desire to play gooseberry. You and my son are properly married. Although it was hasty, everyone could see that I welcomed my son’s bride into the bosom of the family. It is the right thing to do. One doesn’t want gossip.’
‘I thank you for that.’ Eleanor inclined her head and wondered where this conversation was going. Did Lady Whittonstall expect her to go down on her knees in gratitude?
Lady Whittonstall reached into her reticule. ‘I’m sorry we haven’t time for a little chat, but I’ve written a list of useful things in case you should need them. It is a harsh world out there, and I have no wish for my new daughter to be unprepared. You will have get rid of your white muslin. Ackermann’s Repository was quite clear on the subject—muslin is quite exploded and should be confined to the less distinguished order of attire. My dear, as my daughter-in-law, your attire must always be of the highest order.’
‘I thought the gown pretty.’
‘Pretty doesn’t come into it.’ Lady Whittonstall gave a long sigh. ‘Undoubtedly you consider me a harpy of the worst sort and that people should see the real you. But believe me, my dear, people in society...well...they operate on a different plane. They prefer style to substance.’
Eleanor suddenly understood this speech was one Lady Whittonstall had given many times. She was grateful for it, but she didn’t need it. She knew all about society and the need to impress. Moles made its fortune on that very fact.
‘Thank you.’ Eleanor slipped the envelope unopened into her pocket. There would be time enough to feel inadequate later. She might even destroy it before she read it. Right now, she was savouring the news that she would be alone with Ben. ‘Shall I carry Romeo in for you? I think he may have rolled in something nasty.’
‘That dog!’ Lady Whittonstall gave a long-suffering sigh. ‘He has no sense of timing. He had a huge fight with his sister Juliet this morning. I don’t know how I will cope with the two of them in the carriage. Dear Vivian is sweet, but he has no idea about dog management. That dog is a severe disappointment to me.’
‘Perhaps he would like to stay here?’ Eleanor said on impulse. Romeo raised his nose and stared directly at her, his bat ears quivering. She knew what it was like to be a disappointment. ‘We could bring him when we come to London...if it will make it easier?’
She waited for Lady Whittonstall to decline the offer. Instead Lady Whittonstall turned quite pink with pleasure. In that instant Eleanor realised that Lady Whittonstall was not invincible. That she, too, wanted to be judged on more than style. The knowledge brought Eleanor comfort.
‘You like Pomeranians?’ Lady Whittonstall asked eagerly. ‘Why didn’t Benjamin say? He never tells me anything of importance.’
‘I’ve only met Romeo,’ Eleanor confessed. ‘But he seems lovely. I prefer to judge dogs on their personalities rather than their breed. But then I am not in
society. Is there a fashion for dogs?’
Lady Whittonstall had the grace to blush.
‘I personally prefer the smaller Pomeranians, but the Queen has an affinity for larger ones. I’m not sure what the old Empress Josephine prefers, but she is supposed to be fond of the breed.’
Eleanor’s shoulders relaxed. She knew she did the same thing when she was nervous—mentioned people that she considered to have good taste as having had the good sense to buy her swords. Perhaps Lady Whittonstall was not that fearsome? It was time to build bridges rather than to take offence. She refused to allow anyone to spoil the day.
‘Is Ben fond of the breed?’
‘Ben grew up with them, but Alice was not an animal person,’ Lady Whittonstall said with crushing dignity. ‘It was the one place where her view and mine did not coincide.’
Eleanor stored that little chunk of information. Alice hadn’t been perfection.
‘I don’t know many, but Romeo is a scamp. He very nearly ruined my wedding dress with his paw prints. I like to think we have a certain rapport. It would be good to have a dog. My stepfather wasn’t fond of dogs and I went with his wishes.’ Eleanor stroked Romeo’s head and the small dog instantly licked her hand.
Lady Whittonstall looked amazed. ‘He has never done that to a stranger before. He has obviously decided you are his person. Pomeranians are very choosy about whom they like, but once they decide they like you they are loyal.’
Eleanor decided to be truthful. She didn’t want to claim some sort of prowess with the dog who was now looking up at her with adoring eyes. ‘He probably smells the bacon from my breakfast.’
‘Do you enjoy belittling yourself, Eleanor?’
Eleanor bit her lip. ‘I hardly know how to answer that.’
‘The dog likes you. He is yours to keep. You may have him as a wedding present from me.’ Lady Whittonstall gave a huge smile. ‘You are family now, after all, and you are going to provide me with a grandchild. That is the reason why Benjamin married you. Who could be more fitting to have Romeo?’
Eleanor forced herself to smile back and not to hear the unspoken words—as much as I may disapprove. She concentrated instead on the little face that gazed up at her. The dog appeared to want her. ‘I’m happy to help out.’
* * *
‘Did you offer to keep the dog just to please my mother?’ Ben asked as they stood waving goodbye to the carriage.
Romeo had not left Eleanor’s side since she’d agreed to have him. Eleanor bent down and stroked his ears. His pink tongue gave her hand a little lick. ‘No, I offered because I like the dog, and could understand his reluctance to be cooped up with your mother and Vivian for days on end.’
‘As long as you know that you didn’t have to do it to please me.’
‘I wasn’t thinking about you.’ Eleanor held back from asking about Alice and whether she had done things just to please him. ‘I haven’t had a dog since my father died. It is time I had one.’
Ben raised his eyebrow. ‘How did you lose your dog?’
Eleanor gulped in a lungful of air. She had to tell him so he’d understand why she wanted Romeo.
‘My father suffered from a fit of the blue devils and shot him just before he shot himself. They were found together.’
‘Could it have been an accident?’
Eleanor shook her head. ‘There was a note.’
‘Which you found?’ His eyes turned troubled.
<
br /> ‘There wasn’t time afterwards for me to get a dog,’ Eleanor said, not bothering to deny it. She simply didn’t want to relive the trauma of those days—not when her future stood in front of her. Ben had been right. It was better to go beyond the past and make a new start. There were some things that were better left unsaid. ‘It wouldn’t have suited. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps I should have thought. I will be awfully busy...’
She avoided looking at Romeo’s little face. If Ben didn’t want the dog she’d find a good home for it. It would be better that way. Next time she’d remember to consult him. A lesson learnt. She wouldn’t make that mistake again. She didn’t want anything to jeopardise the new-found closeness she had with him.
‘You didn’t want to give your stepfather any opportunity to abuse a dog,’ Ben said, before she had a chance to make her offer. ‘That’s why you decided not to have one. Not because you were too busy. I was wrong to question you and I am delighted you have now found a dog.’
She glanced into his eyes and his dark gaze seared her soul. He knew without her saying. He’d remembered the swords in the house.
Eleanor buried her face in Romeo’s fur. Why did Ben have this habit of so accurately guessing? It would be easy to start to care for him and to hope that their marriage could become more than just a convenience.
‘We shall keep him?’
Ben put his hand on her shoulder. ‘I think that little dog has landed on his paws.’
She stood up and brushed her skirt down. ‘It is not the only thing that his paws have landed on. This is the second dress he has ruined today.’
‘What are you planning for the rest of the day?’ A seductive gleam in his eye deepened.
‘I need to get back to Moles.’ Eleanor strove for a natural tone as her breath came quicker. What did he plan? She had spent the morning trying to forget her desire for him.
‘Tomorrow. No one is expecting you today.’ He turned her towards him. His eyes were heavy with sensual promise. ‘You can’t leave Romeo alone. He’d miss you too much.’
His Unsuitable Viscountess Page 15
