"What kind of folly?" she asked, with a genuine smile.
"My mother has an obsession for all things Greek," he said, relaxing, and he reached for her hand again. Her fingers tingled in response as his palm enclosed them. The way he smiled at her made her glad that she hadn't pursued talking about Cordelia.
If he kept touching her like this, that little kernel of hope inside of her heart would start to grow.
******
The folly was a small structure meant to mimic a Greek temple, but on a much smaller scale. The marble columns were very pretty though, as were the exotic plants his mother had in pots around it. During the winter those pots would be moved into the greenhouse, but he'd known they would be out now. Only the olive tree stayed in position year-round, and it had never been known to actually produce any olives. England's climate just wasn't right, unfortunately.
Moving amongst the gardens, Gabrielle looked like a pretty pink rose in her soft dress. It clung to her curves, especially her bottom whenever she bent over to admire a flower or bush, and he couldn't help but the think of the first time he'd ever seen her - when she'd been bending over talking to some children. Her bottom was rapidly becoming an obsession for him, because he finally had the right to touch it, but he didn't feel as though he could yet.
Keeping his mother's advice about courting firmly in mind, Felix planned to woo his wife, and he also planned to seduce her. Sadly, neither effort included running his hands over her bottom at this time, no matter how much he might want to.
He did feel as though he was making progress, however. Not only had Gabrielle started reaching for his hand without thinking twice, but more than once he'd seen her giving him that contemplative, wondering look a woman got when she realized a man's interest in her. She was thinking about him, about his touch, and - hopefully - about last night's kiss.
This time he wouldn't press her too far too fast though. Little touches. Seductive touches.
And he wasn't going to argue with her. Time enough for that later, when their relationship was more firm.
Which was why he'd bitten his tongue when she'd slighted Cordelia. That and the fact that something his mother had said had made an impression on him. She and her stepmother were only a few years apart in age, so despite the relationship, perhaps Gabrielle did see Cordelia as a kind of rival. Cordelia had already been married twice - the second time reaching quite high socially - and had a multitude of feminine skills, many of which Gabrielle seemed to lack.
As he tried to find out more about her, he discovered that she didn't sketch, didn't play a musical instrument, and didn't ride very well, all skills which a young lady normally had by the time she debuted. Felix had assumed that Philip and Cordelia just couldn't countenance going to the musicales, he hadn't realized it was because Gabrielle would not have been able to perform. Just about every young woman in London was trained in some kind of musical instrument, whether she had talent or not.
Gabrielle didn't say outright, but he received the impression that her education had been left largely up to her governess, and her governess had found it easiest to let Gabrielle do very little. He was surprised it hadn't occurred to Cordelia to try and educate Gabrielle in some of those areas, but then again, he doubted Gabrielle would have been very receptive to the idea. Still, Cordelia hadn't even mentioned trying to correct the deficiencies in Gabrielle's education.
Not that he thought they were deficiencies (except perhaps Gabrielle's indifference to riding), but there were those among the ton who certainly would if they'd known. It occurred to him that there were quite a few things Cordelia had left out when speaking to him about Gabrielle. The view she had of her stepdaughter and the view that Felix was seeing now were very different.
The Gabrielle that Cordelia had described to him was spoiled, prone to tantrums, materialistic, grasping, and a figure to be pitied for the emotional neglect of her father. The Gabrielle that he'd encountered in London had seemed to back Cordelia's description, but tempered with bouts of charm, kindness to servants and children, and an improving attitude under Philip's guidance. Gabrielle here on the estate was eager to please his parents, glowed with the slightest hint of approval or appreciation, and had been delighted by handpicked flowers.
Part of him missed the feisty brat from London, but at the same time he was intrigued by this softer side to Gabrielle. He liked seeing her eyes light up in excitement at the beauty of the folly, enjoyed her wonder at the smooth, marble columns.
"Is this what the temples in Greece actually look like?" she asked, circling one of the columns, while Felix leaned against another one, watching her.
"So I'm told, I've never been. My parents went, years ago, and my mother certainly has a fondness. You should ask her about the trip sometime." He'd noted Gabrielle's desire to travel and her interest in far off places before; it was one of the few things that he did know about her. Too bad he couldn't have taken her on a romantic honeymoon on the Continent... he'd plan one for her eventually though. France, Greece, Italy, Spain... Felix enjoyed traveling, but he'd never experienced the exuberance that Gabrielle did at just speaking of exotic locations.
"Perhaps," she murmured, looking wistful.
The expression on her face drew him to her, his hands settling on her waist. She looked up at him, startled, thick lashes framing her wide eyes.
"I'll take you to Greece, if you like."
"You will?" The utter astonishment in her voice, the blatant disbelief he would even want to, made him nod his head without hesitation.
"Anywhere you want to go," he said firmly, and lowered his mouth to hers.
******
Excitement whirled, along with suspicion and the memory of one too many broken promises. Her father had always said they'd travel - once he'd had his heir. But the heir had never come. Her first stepmother had promised to take her to London, but that trip had never materialized. Even Cordelia, who had promised to take her to the ocean, had never managed to fulfill that commitment. Although, Cordelia had taken her to London, so Gabrielle supposed that she could supplant one location with the other.
There was an intensity in the way Felix stated his offer that made her feel like perhaps he meant it.
The kiss felt like a token of agreement, his lips gentle and coaxing, filled with promise. She opened her mouth to his, taking him in, caught up in the romance of the moment.
The beauty of the gardens and the folly, the growing optimism she had for being able to build a relationship with her husband, and her budding hope for the promise of travel and adventure made her more than a little receptive to his advances. She kissed him back, as best she could, her hands pressed against his chest. The firm hold he had on her hips meant that their bodies did not press against each other, and Gabrielle found herself leaning forward, yearning for the contact.
Her breasts brushed against him, her nipples hardening, but his hands didn't move.
Instead, he took his time, exploring her mouth, his thumb caressing her waist, keeping her distant... but connected. She leaned into the kiss even more, the sunlight warming them as they kissed, and kissed, and kissed.
When he finally pulled away, her lips felt swollen, and her body felt as though it was tingling all over. She blinked up at him, taking in the lazy, rakish smile, and the pleasure in his eyes.
"Come on, beautiful. Let's keep walking," he said, taking her hand and tugging her along.
Gabrielle felt a small flush of hopeful happiness at the compliment. It was the first time she felt like he actually meant the praise, rather than just saying it because it was expected. Her lips still tingling from the kiss, she followed obediently after him, curious to see where he would lead her next.
They returned to the house at midday for tea and to rest. During the afternoon, Felix took her on a tour of the manor house, so that she could find her way around on her own. It was a beautiful house, filled with all sorts of artwork and various strange pieces of decor, most of which had some story beh
ind them.
When it was time to change for dinner, Gabrielle chose her green silks, with the low neckline. This time, she was dressing for Felix as well as her in-laws. Today had given rise to her hopes that their marriage might not be awful. That he might actually come to care for her.
For herself, today had also confirmed that she was in love with him. He was everything she'd ever wanted in a husband; he was the kind of man that girlish dreams were made of. Talk, dark, handsome, brooding on occasion, but charming and witty most of the time. Today he had been solicitous with her, interested in her conversation, and she'd truly enjoyed herself with him. Her hand felt almost strange without his wrapped around it.
They'd chatted, even laughed, flirted... and Gabrielle had decided that she absolutely would make him care for her. He could fall out of love with Cordelia and in love with her!
Besides, whatever he felt for Cordelia, it couldn't be very strong, not with the way he was acting with Gabrielle now. Back in London, Gabrielle had thought she loved him, but now she thought she might have just been being dramatic. What she felt for him now was much deeper and based on a much more substantial understanding of his personality. On actual conversations, jokes, long glances, and very sweet, soft kisses. The emotions she’d been feeling for him in London had bloomed, and she could only think that she would become deeper ensnared the more time they spent together… could the same possibly be true for him as well? He certainly was more attentive, more interested in her than he’d ever been in London. That tiny well of hope was swelling, burbling inside of her and pushing her forward.
He'd stolen kisses from her throughout the day, leaving her aching and wanting. Between her legs, her womanhood was wet and tingly in anticipation. Tonight, she wouldn't run from him. Tonight she would become his wife in truth and Cordelia could go suck eggs for all she cared.
A small flash of guilt ran through her, rounding her shoulders, as soon as she had the thought. Her bottom tingled. She knew quite a bit of her antipathy towards Cordelia was unwarranted, but sometimes its ugly head rose anyway. In the Marquess' household that had resulted in spankings when she hadn't been able to hold her tongue.
Here, she didn't have to speak to Cordelia and she'd certainly prefer not to speak of her. No point in reminding Felix of the rival for his affections.
When she joined the family in the drawing room, the look in Felix's eyes when he saw her made her hope rise up again. He actually forgot to stand immediately when she walked into the room, but she knew that he hadn't done it out of disrespect. The sincere admiration on his face as he took in her attire, her low neckline and clinging skirts, was everything she'd hoped for.
He came to her, bowing low and taking her hand to kiss. "You look ravishing, sweetheart."
Gabrielle couldn't help but smile. Earlier he'd called her beautiful, and now sweetheart! He even sounded as though he meant it.
"Just lovely," Mother said approvingly, waving her hand for Gabrielle to come closer. Felix led her over, his eyes sliding over Gabrielle's figure in a way that almost made her wish they were alone; but at the same time, she was glad of his parents' presence to help give her time to bolster her courage. "That shade of green suits you wonderfully. No wonder you were such a hit in the London ballrooms."
She preened under their attentions, happily joining in the conversation as it turned to the local social events and fashions, asking as many questions as she could. Eventually, she would be attending them. It was an exciting proposition. Her father had rarely allowed her to attend any of the local events, even once she'd come of age, although they'd gone to a few as a family once he'd married Cordelia. He'd wanted to show off his young bride.
When Felix escorted her into dinner, his arm kept brushing against her side, against her breast, and she could feel her nipples tingling and hardening in response. Knowing that tonight she was going to do it, she was going to become his wife completely, made her breathlessly excited and incredibly anxious. The scene she'd witnessed between the Marquess and Cordelia kept running through her mind, but this time it wasn't because she was aroused, but because she was trying to remember everything Cordelia had done. Tonight, with her husband, she wanted to ensure that she did everything right.
Her nerves made her miss bits and pieces of the conversation, and she had trouble looking at her husband without blushing, but no one seemed to mind. She noticed that he was also having trouble with distraction, and more than once she looked at him to see him staring at her. Being seated across from him made it difficult not to look at him, but she was also immensely grateful that he wasn't right next to her. It would have been much harder not to be completely distracted if he'd kept touching her the way that he had been all day.
******
Tonight, when Gabrielle suggested they return to their rooms early, Felix jumped at the suggestion. He'd been surprised when she'd appeared at dinner tonight in a ravishing dress, no fichu to cover the pale mounds of her breasts, and a blush on her cheeks every time she looked at him. Although he'd set himself upon a course to seduce her, to be perfectly frank he hadn't expected her to respond so openly, so quickly.
He wasn't going to repeat his mistakes, however, just because she seemed willing to be seduced. After frightening her last night, he would keep himself in check. Move slowly. Remember what his mother told him about wooing her. It also occurred to him that Gabrielle might see this as her duty - something that he'd realized was actually quite important to her. Tonight she'd constantly steered the conversation, always to what his parents would expect of her as his wife, listening intently to their answers.
A dutiful wife was not Felix's goal.
It concerned him when he realized she'd never had any other example. If her father had loved her mother or her stepmothers, Gabrielle didn't mention. Cordelia had certainly married him for nothing other than duty, and then had immediately done her duty again by finding a suitable husband to be a guardian for Gabrielle. While Philip had married out of affection and it had turned into a love match, that wasn't exactly how it had started.
Despite her occasional antagonism towards Cordelia, he got the impression that Gabrielle also tried to emulate her stepmother in some ways. The idea that she might consider their wedding night part of that... well he couldn't stomach it. Felix had never taken a woman to his bed that hadn't been eager for it.
He was sure that he could make Gabrielle eager. Today's kisses had proved that. She'd stopped shying away from his touch and had willingly held his hand, willingly kissed him back, but he'd also kept himself firmly in line. No wandering hands, no pressing his body against her, and certainly no kissing her anywhere but her lips. He'd been able to feel her pressing against him, wanting more.
Which was exactly what he wanted. He wanted her to want more, specifically more from him and no one else.
As they walked towards their bed chamber, his eyes drifted down again to her creamy breasts and the pretty pink flush of her cheeks.
"You truly do look lovely this evening. I don't think I've seen you in that dress before."
The pink in her cheeks deepened as she beamed up at him, apparently pleased that he remembered she'd never worn it. Most women did appreciate the small details being noticed, especially about their fashion, he thought smugly. "I did not have occasion to wear it in London. The color is a bit dark for a debutante, but it was so pretty that we bought it anyway. Cordelia thought I could wear it later in the Season."
"I will never understand the fashion for dressing the poor debs in pale colors," he said, shaking his head. "It makes most of them fade right into the walls. Although you always chose your colors well. The pinks in particular. I should have guessed that was your favorite color."
"I love pink," she said, almost a little wistfully, as they reached the door to his bedroom. Felix opened it and led her in, already noting that she was much easier in his company than she had been the night before. "It's such a happy color."
While he wasn't quite sure what she
meant by that, Felix knew better than to argue. Instead he just closed the door gently behind them and turned to her, where she was standing in the center of the room, hands folded over each other and looking at him expectantly. Her stance was definitely one of duty, which made his cock protest, because he knew that he was going to have to abstain tonight again. He would awaken her passion, but he would take his time, to ensure that she came to him out of more than obligation.
So tonight, when he stepped forward to kiss her, he was just as gentle as he had been during the day. She tilted her head back, offering up her lips, and making his cock ache as it hardened. He wanted to groan, knowing that it seemed like she was offering up so much more, but that he wasn't going to partake tonight.
Tonight... he would show her pleasure. Spark her passion. Let her feel what he could do for her. Begin the seduction. An innocent like herself wouldn't know what the stopping points were, but he certainly did. He would take each slow step, ensuring that he didn't frighten her again, and binding her to him in this manner. He was going to make her his - heart, body, and soul.
Chapter 5
The slow, drugging kisses were both frustrating and wonderful. Gabrielle clung to him, squirming closer as he tried to hold her away. She didn't understand his reticence now, when last night he'd practically crushed her against him, and it only made her more determined to press herself against his body. She needed to know if he still desired her, if his manhood still grew hard.
Finally his arms twined around her, allowing her to close the space between him, and she smiled against his lips as she felt the proof of his desire against her body. Between her legs, she felt more wet and swollen than ever before, and the urge to press her fingers there, to ease that throbbing need, had her kissing him back more fervently than ever. She would die of shame if he ever knew that she did such a thing, so, without that recourse, all she could do was distract herself with touching his body, hoping he would touch hers.
Gabrielle's Discipline (Bridal Discipline Book 3) Page 6
