She had touched herself enough times to know when the peak was coming. She began to frantically push him away, determined that when she did come it would be with him inside her.
He read the signals. Getting to his feet, he stripped off his trousers and freed his erection. She licked her lips, forcing all fears away.
She drew back farther on the bed as Julian climbed on. He hovered over her and their gazes met. The moment of truth had finally arrived.
“This may sting a little the first time,” he said.
She nodded. Eve’s recounting of her first night with Freddie had set Caroline’s mind at ease when it came to losing her virginity. In her sister’s opinion, the stories of young women being deflowered that they had overheard in the ladies’ withdrawing rooms at parties had been vastly overdramatized.
“Take me. Make me yours,” she pleaded.
He guided his erection to the wet folds of her entrance and slowly pressed inside. Caroline arched her back and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she looked up at him and saw the joy of love in his eyes.
“Now you are mine,” he whispered.
With long strokes, he began to ride her. Caroline moaned as her body succumbed to the ecstasy of their love making. She pulled her legs up and took him deeper.
“Yes, harder please, Julian,” she begged.
Higher and higher he took her. His manhood ground hard against her sensitive nib, sending waves of sexual pleasure through her body.
As she neared the crest, he took her nipple into his mouth and nipped it with his teeth. Shards of hot pleasure shot through Caroline and she crashed into a blinding orgasm.
Julian didn’t wait for her to come down. He lifted the intensity of his strokes to a frenzy of deep and hard thrusts.
“I wanted you from the first time I saw you,” he said.
No sooner had he said the words, then he stilled, before thrusting in one last time. He shuddered with fulfilment before collapsing into her arms.
Julian rolled off her and grabbed the blanket, quickly wrapping it around them. He kissed her tenderly on the lips, saying, “Let’s use the heat of our lovemaking to keep us warm.”
A little while later, he stole from their bed and piled more logs onto the fire. He handed Caroline her glass of wine and they sat under the blankets and watched the flames.
He kissed her on the forehead and wrapped his arms around her. “You did well for your first time, my love. You are a fast learner. Which means I had better hurry up and make that appointment with your father. The sooner I can court you in public, the sooner we can continue your sexual education in private.”
In the early hour, just before dawn, Julian took Caroline a second time. With her arranged before him on the bed, he knelt behind her and gently guided his erection into her heated core. With his hands wrapped around her waist and his thumb stroking her delicate nib, she came on a soft, sobbing cry. He followed her quickly into completion.
Chapter Forty-One
Julian woke later that morning and reached for Caroline. His fingers touched empty sheets. With a start, he sat up in the bed. Caroline was nowhere to be seen. Wiping the early morning condensation from the window, he peered out.
He quickly dressed and stuffed his sockless feet into his boots. Opening the door of the cottage, he stepped out into the cold morning air. Julian was still doing up the last of his coat buttons when he came to her side.
She was standing not far from the cottage, looking out over the ice-covered lawn and beyond to the lake. She turned to him and smiled.
Julian pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly on the lips. “I can see we are going to have to establish some rules about you leaving the bed while your master is still in it.”
She returned his kiss. “Good morning, my lord and master. You were snoring like James’s dog, so I thought it best to leave you be.”
He huffed. He didn’t snore. Did he?
As Caroline turned back to look at the lake, he held her. They stood silently watching the water birds skimming over the frozen water.
“Wait until spring. The lake is full of all manner of birdlife returning from the warmth of the southern climes. We shall have to have your parents up here so that I can take your father fishing for mirror carp,” he said.
“Speaking of my parents, are we still in agreement about arrangements for London? I mean, that you will ask permission to court me before an official betrothal announcement is made?” she replied.
After the proceedings of the previous night, it seemed a little silly to still go ahead with a formal courtship, but Julian wanted to show the rest of London society that he and Caroline had conducted themselves in a manner above reproach. Their marriage would not be stained in the way that his parents’ union had been. “Yes.”
They returned to the cottage and picked up the remainder of their belongings. Julian stuffed his socks into his pocket. He would change once they got back to the castle. Closing the door of the cottage behind them, he and Caroline walked hand in hand back up the hill.
As they reached the top, a carriage appeared over the rise in the drive.
“I love you,” she said, slipping her hand from his grasp.
The carriage slowed and came to a halt close to the front entrance of the castle. The carriage door opened and James jumped down. Catching sight of them, he gave a friendly wave.
“Fantastic morning, is it not? Hope I am not too late to catch a spot of breakfast,” he said.
“Welcome back, Radley. We were just coming in for breakfast ourselves,” replied Julian. He pretended not to see the sly smile which appeared on James’s face when Caroline passed him by. Julian resisted the urge to run his fingers through her tussled hair. She looked as if she had just tumbled out of bed. His bed.
Inside the breakfast room, James grabbed a plate and piled it high with food. Julian followed suit.
The night of love-making with Julian had left Caroline famished. She set aside all pretense of ladylike dining and filled her own plate with hearty serves of roast potatoes, bacon and baked salmon.
“So, tell me, what could be so pressing as to have you travel from Burton at the crack of dawn?” she said.
James finished his mouthful of food, then set down his knife and fork. “While I was in the wilds of Devonshire, I had an epiphany. As soon as we returned to town, I had the chaps arrange a carriage to bring me back here this morning. Pack your things, Caro. We are leaving for London today.”
Caroline kept her emotions in check, not daring to look at Julian. The journey home to London, while inevitable, was not something she had been expecting for at least a few more days. She silently cursed James and his sudden impetuous decision. She ached to be back at the cottage with Julian, lying naked and sated in his arms.
“Are you sure you have to leave in such a hurry?” replied Julian.
“Yes, well you did a sterling job of helping Caroline during this most unfortunate situation, but we should not impose on your good self any longer. Besides, I need to get home and speak to my father,” said James.
Caroline knew that tone from James only too well. When his mind was made up, there was little point in arguing with him. James would surely have a well-presented case for the urgency of their departure. Nothing she, nor Julian, could say would make any difference.
“I shall make enquiries with the stable master and your coachman after breakfast. They will want to have plenty of time to make ready for your departure,” said Julian.
Once he had finished, Julian excused himself.
As soon as he was gone, Caroline rounded on James. “That was more than a little rude on your part. Julian has been nothing but the most gracious of hosts and you simply arrive on his doorstep this morning and tell him you have had enough and we are leaving. You could have at least consulted with me before you made your grand announcement.” she said.
James looked at her and huffed. “Having seen that which I did through the window of the c
arriage, I would say we have overstayed our welcome. That is, unless you and Newhall plan to make an announcement this morning,” he replied.
He’d caught her on the spot. She glared at him.
“I thought so. Don’t try and tell me you and Newhall were compelled by some sudden urge to go for a lakeside stroll in the early hours of the morning. From the state of your attire, I would say you have only recently tumbled out of bed and not had the services of your maid. I won’t be so crass as to ask whose bed it was,” he added.
Caroline knew when she was bested. If she pushed James, he would, as her male relative, be quite within his rights to press Julian for an explanation of the events of the previous night. Julian, being an honorable man, would have made an immediate offer of marriage to Caroline.
They owed it to their combined future to undertake a proper courtship. For all of London society to see that the union of the Earl of Newhall and Miss Caroline Saunders was indeed a love match.
She consoled herself that by returning home today, she could see what had transpired with the Harry situation before Julian made his first visit to see her father.
“Alright, we leave today, but if you say one word of having seen Julian and I together this morning, I shall tell your father that you abandoned your duty to me in order to go off into the wilderness and paint with your friends,” she replied.
James rose from his chair and came to Caroline’s side. He bent down and brushed a hand gently on her cheek. His manner was still and solemn. “I had no idea that Timothy Walters had proposed to you. Smith mentioned it because Walters would not shut up about making the journey over here to see you. I now understand why you behaved so oddly with him when the two of you met at the market,” he said.
Caroline shrugged. “I didn’t want to tell you because, like Francis with Harry, Timothy Walters is your friend. I did tell Mister Walters that I was not for him, but he ignored both my words and wishes and spoke to my father.”
“Yes, well, I made it very clear that he was to stay away from Newhall Castle while you were a guest here. Though from the look of it, that might need to become a permanent ban. Have you and Newhall reached an understanding?”
“No and yes. No, we are not engaged, but yes, we are going to see where a period of courting takes us. Julian will speak with Papa once he can make arrangements to come to London. After that, we shall see.”
James resumed his seat. “Good. While I would hate to stand in the way of true love, Caro, I need to hurry back to London. Time away has given me some perspective about my future, and I need to speak to my father as a matter of urgency. If you go and pack your things now, I shall make sure I give Newhall a proper farewell over a glass or two of his best French brandy.”
Caroline admitted defeat and headed upstairs. As she climbed the long staircase, she wondered how soon it would be before she stood once more within the ancient walls of Newhall Castle—when she would finally be its mistress.
Chapter Forty-Two
The Duke of Strathmore’s travel coach was ready and waiting a little more than three hours later.
Julian and Lady Margaret stood out the front of the castle and watched as the last of the travel trunks were lifted and loaded onto the roof of the coach. The injured driver’s mate was making a strong recovery and was fit enough to journey home.
James appeared from the castle foyer. He was well rugged up for the journey with a heavy woolen overcoat, thick leather gloves, and a long scarf wrapped several times around his neck. “Do you know where Caroline has got to? She disappeared not long after breakfast and I have not seen her since.”
Julian pointed toward the end of the main driveway. Caroline was running around with Midas chasing her heels and barking loudly.
James stood beside Julian and watched them for a moment or so. “That dog of yours has taken a shine to Caroline. Let us hope that the friendship is able to continue.”
Julian took heart at his words. James Radley was a decent chap, and if he supported the relationship between Caroline and himself, that was encouraging news.
“I had better go and get her, otherwise it will be mid-afternoon before we get started. I don’t know if anyone has ever made mention of it, but my dear cousin is not the most punctual of people. The poor chap who does marry her will be in for a lot of waiting.”
Julian put two fingers to his lips and whistled. Midas stopped in his tracks, and Caroline looked up and waved.
She called the dog to heel and they walked over to join the others. “Time to leave?” she asked. Bending down, she gave Midas one last hug and scratch behind the ear. “I shall see you again soon. Now you be a good boy for your master.”
She came to Lady Margaret and they embraced. When they pulled apart, Julian saw tears in Caroline’s eyes.
Lady Margaret took a handkerchief from out of her skirts and wiped her own tears away. “Thank you so much for coming to Newhall Castle. No matter that it was only a small gathering, I am declaring the house party a resounding success. You and your family are welcome to return any time.”
“Hear, hear. The Radley and Saunders cousins took an unfortunate situation and turned it into a fun week for us all. Thank you, Caroline. I could not have survived this past week without you,” said Julian.
She looked away shyly from him. Julian meanwhile, was fighting against all his urges to reach out and pull her into his arms. He ached to kiss her one last time before she left. London should give them the future they sought, but the idea of Caroline climbing on board the coach and leaving Newhall Castle made his heart ache.
She lifted her head and met his gaze. He saw love shining back at him and for an instant, Julian thought his heart had stopped.
“It was a house party I shall never forget. I hope this will not be the last time I walk the snow-covered lawns of Newhall Castle, nor the last time I skate on your ice pond,” she said.
They had made their private agreement and the reasons for keeping it were sound. Yet as Caroline held out a hand to bid him farewell, he wanted nothing more than to go down on bended-knee and offer for her. Anything to stop her leaving.
Instead he mustered every ounce of self-control at his disposal and politely shook her hand. “Promise me that you will get your family physician to check your wound each day once you are back home. The stiches look like they are healing nicely.”
Not that her injured hand would make an ounce of difference to how magnificently beautiful she was, nor to how deep he knew her beauty ran. The real Caroline was a delicate blooming flower.
He had changed her bandage for the last time earlier that morning, after breakfast, watched over by an interested James. If her cousin had suddenly decided he had better take his role of chaperone more seriously, it was all too late.
“Come now, Caro, let us take our leave. Thank you, Lady Margaret. And thank you, Newhall. It has been an interesting trip; let us hope for a quiet and boring journey home. I, for one, could do with some sleep,” said James.
With final goodbyes now complete, Julian stood back and let James help Caroline into the coach. Midas tried to follow her, and an embarrassed Julian was finally forced to retrieve his whimpering dog.
The door of the coach closed. A spark of silly joy lit in his heart when Caroline’s face appeared at the window. She held her good hand up to the window, fingers spread.
He took his cue and placed his hand on the outer side of the glass. They looked at one another. When she mouthed the words “I love you,” he finally understood what all the foolish poems and ballads had been trying to tell him all along.
The driver of the coach flicked his whip over the horses and the coach pulled away. Midas fussed terribly as it cleared the drive and started on the long road out of the castle grounds.
Julian bent down and tried to comfort him. “I promise you, I will do everything I can to bring her back here. You are not the only one who wishes to see Caroline walking the grounds each day.”
Lady Margaret came over
to him. “Now what? I am assuming since you let her go you have some plan in place to win her over. If not, then you are a fool.”
Julian snorted. He looked her up and down, then a sly smile crept to his lips. “That gown must be several seasons old. I am surprised you are still wearing it.”
Lady Margaret’s eyes lit up. “Cheeky blighter. I shall have you know that this is the latest fashion in London.”
He shrugged. “Pity. Because if it was an old gown, then you would have been compelled to come to London with me when I leave tomorrow, and I could have bought you some new ones. As it is, I will now be left with no one to accompany me when I make my social visits to Caroline’s home.”
Lady Margaret chortled. “Well in that case, this is a terrible color on me and it won’t do your marriage prospects any good for you to be paying social visits without the requisite female relative. I shall be ready to leave at first light. Once we are in London, I shall make sure to visit my modiste and have several new expensive gowns made up. I need to look my best while you set about the task of securing your future countess.”
Julian chanced one last look to watch the coach as it cleared the rise.
The coach suddenly stopped. The door flung open and Caroline jumped down. She began to walk back down the drive toward the castle. Julian and Lady Margaret looked at one another.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, run after her,” said Lady Margaret.
She took hold of Midas’s collar while Julian broke into a fast run to meet Caroline. When they finally met, she held out her hands to him. Tears shone in her eyes.
“I couldn’t leave without telling you one more time that I love you. My life without you will be utter torture. Promise me you will come to London as soon as possible,” she said.
He pulled her into his arms and, ignoring anyone who could see them, placed a long warm kiss on her lips. “You are demanding and willful,” he said with a smile.
The Ice Queen Page 18
