"I know that. I have to admit, I suspected them of far worse than a few cattle and horses," she confided in a whisper. "I was afraid at first, thinking they might be in over their heads with Gerald. I was too terrified to expose them. It would have killed your mother. She is greedy, but devoted. Perhaps too much so. And think what the scandal would have done to you too."
He patted her on the shoulder. "Thank you. We should have been the ones protecting you. I'm very grateful you tried to spare Mama any pain, and hope you can forgive us all."
"There's nothing to forgive. Greed truly twists and corrupts. But I think they've learnt their lesson. And if they haven't, Clifford holding the note for your mortgage will teach them. But only as a last resort. Otherwise, it's all in the past now.
"I'm to be married to a wonderful man in a few moments, and shall have a marvelous new life and lovely home. You're welcome here at any time. Just so long as you come up the drive in broad daylight," she added with a wink.
Paul looked exceedingly relieved. "Then I'm delighted for you, Vanessa. Be happy."
"I shall. I'll speak with you later, tell you all about it. And in the meantime, I'd be very glad if you would do me the honor of giving me away?"
Delight lit the handsome chestnut-haired man's features. He bowed deeply. "The honor would be all mine."
He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. Peter and Toby smiled with pleasure and obvious relief as they proceeded further into the room, now assured of a warm welcome.
Vanessa caught sight of Alistair Grant to her left, and curtsied.
He gave a bow and greeted her warmly. "You look lovely, my dear. I wish you much joy, and a most happy and fruitful union."
"Thank you for all your help in bringing this about."
Vanessa advanced sedately to the end of the room, her heart hammering at the prospect of being married in just a few more moments. She gave a tremulous smile to her patiently waiting bridegroom.
Two tall, distinguished gentlemen stood near Clifford. The first had hair as black as a raven's wing and was dressed in the height of fashion. The other had sandy-brown hair and was clad sedately in a conservative and somewhat old-fashioned suit.
"My darling, let me introduce you to my dearest friends, the other two of the original Rakehells. This is Thomas Eltham, the Duke of Ellesmere, know as Thomas or Tommy," he said, indicating the darker of the two men.
"And this is Jonathan Deveril, now at Oxford studying for his Doctor of Divinity. Gentleman, Vanessa Hawkesworth, soon to be Vanessa Stone."
"My cousin, Paul Stephens, who has been kind enough to agree to give me away."
They shook hands cordially all around. Clifford patted her cousin's shoulder. "Delighted. So pleased at least one of her family have given us their blessings. Thank you."
"I'm so glad you could come to share with us our special day," she said to Clifford's friends, bestowing upon them a warm smile which dazzled them both.
They could certainly see why Clifford had become so enamored of the lovely young woman. Their shock over him gambling for her in a card game had been dissipated as soon as they had become aware of her situation. They smiled warmly now, and told her how delighted they were to be there.
"As for Rakehells, well, if you are gentlemanly as my Clifford here, I need have no fear of being in your company. Divinity no less. Well, then I'm sure I shall not be in any danger."
"Except of becoming bored to death with us reminiscing about our youth, and swapping war stories."
She smiled at the tall dark duke. "War stories? What, all of you? Do tell."
The Duke nodded. "We all fought in Spain and Portugal together as part of Wellington's army, along with our friend Michael Avenel, Viscount Glyne, eldest son of the Earl of Hazelmere, and Dr. Blake Sanderson. Did Clifford not tell you all about our brave exploits?" he asked with a hint of irony on the word brave.
She looked at Clifford almost reproachfully. "No, he only gave me the briefest of details."
"So delighted to hear it," Jonathan Deveril said with a puckish smile. "It is certainly not a fit subject for a wedding. However, since you evidently haven't seen his various tattoos, souvenirs from the war, I shall congratulate you on your finding such a virtuous treasure, Clifford, and exhort you to enjoy your wedding night!"
Vanessa giggled and blushed, and looked at Clifford with a newfound interest. She had never imagined it could ever be possible when Gerald had first broken the news to her that he had gambled her away, but she was now dying to see exactly what he was hiding under his clothes, every inch of him.
She blushed and felt a surging in her bosom. And Vanessa had another reason for her heart lifting with joy. Seeing so many friends at their simple ceremony after everything that had happened with her evil half-brother, was the best wedding present she could have had.
Or so she thought, until a few hours later, when their vows had been exchanged, the cake had been cut, the speeches and toasts made, and gifts given and exclaimed over.
Clifford circulated around the room with his bride on his arm and thanked everyone handsomely for coming.
"Long life and happiness. She's a rare jewel, Clifford. But then, I have a feeling Stone Court will be her perfect setting, and you her foil," the Duke said, bowing over her hand.
"Thanks, Thomas. I hope you find your fancy's queen one day soon."
"Perhaps. I'm not exactly fit to be running after anyone yet. But at least I still have both my legs, so I'll be more than glad to get them shackled when the right woman comes along."
To Vanessa's surprise, Clifford and the Duke embraced.
"Every blessing upon you both," Jonathan said, with a wistful look Vanessa could not quite interpret.
"And to you, my old friend. And both your families."
The Duke and Clifford moved to encompass Jonathan, and the sandy-haired young man drew her in to make a fourth. When they broke off, all four pairs of eyes were moist, though Vanessa didn't quite understand the emotionally charged atmosphere.
She would have asked Clifford once they were out of earshot, but before she could utter a word, he lifted her into his arms and took the stairs two at a time.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
"Clifford, what are you-"
"I'm sorry, my love, I just can't wait another moment."
"Good," she said, beaming. "I can't either."
Entering his chamber, he swung the door shut with a smart shove of his foot. He proceeded to drop Vanessa onto the four-poster bed and shower her face and neck with kisses. The buttons at the bodice of her pearl gray gown were soon undone, and not long afterwards her corset and skirts followed the frock to the floor.
Amid gasps, deep kisses, and sighs of contentment, she managed to get Clifford's coat, cravat and shirt off. She admired his tattoos with both her fingers and lips, his name and town on each arm, and a George and the Dragon over his heart to declare both his identity and his nationality in the event that he had been killed in battle, he explained in a husky whisper.
As compelling as his torso was, there was still so much more to explore....
"I have a lot to tell you about my past, as you can guess from what Tommy and Jonathan have said, but for the moment the only comment I want to make related to the war is, wait until you see what I have tattooed on my legs," he murmured between kisses.
Vanessa almost purred. "I can't wait a moment longer, darling."
She was eagerly working with the fastenings of his trousers when Clifford stopped her with a tremulous laugh. "They're my only defense against you for the moment. I would have you ready for me, and that requires some patience on both our parts."
"The last thing I am where you're concerned is patient."
"Trust me, it will be worth the wait."
He removed her shoes and stockings, and then she was completely bare under his ardent gaze. He kissed her eyes, lips and chin, before working his way down her throat and shoulders to one rosy tipped breast, then the other.
He stroked
one hand down her cheek lightly. "You know what's supposed to happen next?" he asked softly.
She nodded, swallowing hard. "I've been told. It just depends on whose perspective you listen to. It's supposed to be wonderful for men and awful for women. Well, some women. For others, it's worth giving everything for, or selling themselves for."
Clifford gazed at her worriedly. "We don't have to do this tonight, or many nights to come, not until you're sure. I never want you to think you've allowed yourself to be sold because of what-"
Vanessa put her hand over his mouth, her thumb caressing his sensual lower lip. "I don't. Honestly. It may be wrong for me to admit it, but I want you. Want all the joy that I've been told exists for both the man and the woman if they trust each other, love each other."
"Trust is the hardest thing in any relationship. I never even came close to being married before for that very reason. I couldn't trust any woman enough to share all my hopes and dreams. To be confident I could truly share everything with her and not be judged and found lacking."
Vanessa looked stunned. "Lacking? In what way? You're magnificent."
Her tone of complete wonder made him laugh. "Oh, you know, not rich enough, well-connected enough, the house too small, that sort of thing. And yes, the sexual too. I mean, it was always pleasant, but not an experience I ever thought I would give my soul for until I met you," he confessed, drawing her to him gently so that their thighs touched.
"I want to make your first time splendid, Vanessa. And if not the first time because of the pain many women feel, then the second. And all the times after that. So long as you trust me, tell me what you enjoy and what you don't."
She snuggled against him. "I enjoy being here like this with you. Kissing you. Feeling your hands on me. Yes, I'm shy, but I would very much like to see you without your clothes."
"And I you. Let's just clear this up right now, so there will never be any doubts. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met in terms of both body and character. Never compare yourself or ever be jealous of anyone who has ever been in my life in the past. I have never kept a mistress, nor considered marrying before I met you.
"And once you trust me enough to remove all your clothes, never think for one moment that you are anything other than the gorgeous woman I love. The woman I plan to spend the rest of my life being faithful to. The one I want to share all of my hopes and dreams and passion with. Do you promise me?"
Vanessa nodded. "I promise. It might be hard, but I do promise."
"Just as I promise to always be truthful with you. To love someone is to do no less."
"And do you trust me?" she asked softly.
His unwavering gaze met hers without a moment's hesitation. "With my life and all that I am, Vanessa."
"Then will you please remove your trousers, and let me see all of you? Touch you? I have to admit I'm dying of curiosity. I think any qualms I might have will be quelled if I can feel a bit less, well, swept away by you."
He began to slide away from her in the bed with a look of alarm. "I don't mean to-"
She shook her head. "I know you don't. I'm speaking of my reaction to you, not what you're doing to me."
He relaxed a bit, and unfastened the falls of his silk breeches. He raised the sheet and slipped in under it, drawing closer to her until his head was on the pillow, and he lay flat.
"I would very much like to help you with your curiosity." He put his hands behind his head. "I'm all yours. Do with me what you will."
"But I don't know what to-"
"Whatever you like. You won't hear me complain. I don't want compulsion or force, and I don't want you to feel you have no control. You have every control. A woman has more power than she knows. So use that power now to bring us both to joy."
"Power?"
"Touch me, look at me. You'll see."
She felt his whole body tremble under one questing hand.
"Do you think you can bear to see me climax?"
"What do I have to do?" she asked with a worried frown.
"Nothing much. Just touch that divide in the flesh and the top. A couple of more strokes and--"
She followed his instructions timidly and watched in awe as his pelvis thrust upwards and he exploded on his own stomach. She was enthralled. She had never seen anything so magnificent in her life. Nor had she ever felt so powerful before. She had brought him such incredible pleasure. She swallowed hard with a certain amount of nervous eagerness as she realized he was calming, and it was now her turn as well.
He gave her a sheepish grin. "Sorry, but I thought I'd better get rid of the pressure so I could go more slowly. Thank you, darling. It's going to take me about half an hour to get back up to full force, longer if we draw this out. So we're going just relax, all right? Anything you don't like, or like a great deal, you let me know. Just say stop if it gets to be too much for you."
It was too much, and so much more as he stroked her whole body from head to toe with long, sweeping caresses with the palms of his hands until she was limp as a dishrag with longing.
From relaxed she went to aroused. From aroused she swept out of control to her pinnacle and tore her mouth away from his at last with a glad cry as the rapture filled her.
He had only used his hands, but Vanessa felt as though she had blossomed like a rose, and was now more than ready for the final step. She had the feeling that it was going to be even more superb than what they had already shared.
He finally touched her secret core with his warm hard fingers. Her hips rose up to meet the questing caress, and she rocked and cried out his name until the tumultuous feeling at last subsided.
Turning to kiss Clifford full on the mouth, she gasped, "Oh, my love, that was so wonderful, I had no idea."
"And that's just the beginning. There is so much more, and a lifetime of it too."
She wasn't sure when his manhood had returned to its turgid state, but it was now pressing against her thigh so importunately she knew the time of crisis was at hand. But she felt an odd feeling of calm certainty as she panted, "Now, please."
"Are you sure, Vanessa? I don't think I've fully removed your tender barrier yet."
"It will be all right. I trust you. I love you."
Clifford was so moved he could barely speak. He gathered her into his arms as though she were a delicate blossom and slid himself along her moist secret space.
He pushed in carefully at first, looking for any sign of pain on her face. All was rapture as she smiled up at him and repeated again the magical words she had just said.
Clifford marveled at the wonderful woman he had married, who was going out of her way to reassure him when he should have been the one calming her. But the way she arched her hips upwards told him how urgent was her need.
He gently rocked up and down, rather than with an in and out motion, until she stretched to receive him, and drew him deeper and deeper into her welcoming body.
Her tight silken sheath enveloped him and he could feel his whole body sizzle with urgent need.
"God, this is bliss," he rasped, moving within her slowly, feeling every nuance and curve, trying to mediate on the sensation in an effort to savor it. Grasp it. Memorize it for all eternity.
Nothing had ever prepared him for the Heaven he found in his wife. He was almost afraid to let go. Almost afraid to lose this incredible first time with her, for it to be over too soon. And for it to be over at all.
It was taking every ounce of his willpower and self-control to not just pound into her. The two contrary impulses of holding back and pressing forward made him feel as if he were being torn in two. Yet only within Vanessa could he be made whole.
"Oh, God, Vanessa, I'm going to explode again."
"I am too. Don't be afraid. It's so beautiful. It'll be fine. I love you."
"Oh, Vanessa, I love you too, so very much. Always. From the time you were small, until now. My heart's delight. And my soul's desire. God, you are so lovely. I'm going to come now. Come with me."
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The last three words were uttered with such urgency, she could already feel herself swirling all around him, clutching him tightly inside her as though she would never let him go.
"Oh yes, with you, always."
Clifford had never been so moved in his life, body, heart and soul. He soared and splintered into a million fragments of light which shimmered down all over Vanessa as she flew upwards into the vaulting sky to meet him. She clung to him, her arms and legs wrapped around his broad shoulders and the small of his back.
Then she was panting and sobbing, and drying the tears from his eyes as he too wept.
"Oh thank you, thank you so much. You've made me the happiest of men."
The Rakehell Regency Romance Series Boxed Set 1 Page 33
