A Scandalous Portrait: Rose Room Rogues ~ Book One

by Hutton, Callie

  Diana had assured him her bags were packed, and Driscoll would see them to the train in the morning. He sighed. Would the wedding breakfast ever be over?

  “What’s wrong?” Diana asked as she viewed him over the rim of her wine glass. “You keep sighing.”

  “Nothing, my pet.” He leaned in, close to her ear. “I am merely anxious to get you alone.”

  Heat rose to her face, and she glanced around. “Shh, Hunt. People might hear you.”

  Hunt’s eyebrows rose. “And you think anyone here, within, or not within, hearing distance would be surprised to hear me say that?”

  “I’m not surprised,” Driscoll chimed in. He grinned at Diana and raised his glass in a salute. “In fact, I will give a toast now, brother, so you can easily use that as an excuse to slip away.”

  “But we haven’t cut the wedding cake yet.” Diana eyed the beautiful monstrosity of three layers, decorated with pink and yellow flowers. “Cook did such a splendid job on it.”

  “Very well, then,” Driscoll said. “I shall make a toast to your happiness and upcoming offspring production—”

  Diana sucked in a deep breath. “Don’t you dare, Driscoll, or my first job as your sister-in-law would be to throttle you.”

  “Nonsense, Diana, dear. You would not wish to get blood on that lovely gown.”

  “Leave her alone, Driscoll,” Hunt growled.

  Diana was pleased by Hunt’s remark and Driscoll’s surprised expression. After so many years of only having her grandmama as a champion, she now had Hunt.

  Although truth be told, she’d always had Hunt. Wasn’t he the one she constantly turned to when in trouble?

  Driscoll called a footman over and gave instructions to have everyone served champagne. While that was being done, Diana and Hunt cut the cake which was then taken to the kitchen to be sliced into individual pieces for the guests.

  Her brother-in-law stood and held up his glass. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my brother on his excellent choice of a bride and wish them all the happiness in the world.”

  Cheers resounded and everyone took a sip. “And,” he continued, looking down at Diana and Hunt, “may your ‘for better or worse’ be a lot better than worse.” He smiled at Diana. “Welcome to the family, Lady Huntington.”

  19

  Hunt entered his bedchamber after a quick bath to see Diana standing in front of the fireplace in a white silk dressing gown with her pink toes peeking out from below the nightgown underneath. Her hair was loose and falling around her shoulders, the curls reaching almost to her waist.

  A slight blush rose to her face as she twisted her fingers, an uneasy smile on her plump, rose-colored lips. It appeared his bold and brave wife had lost some of her audaciousness.

  He, on the other hand, was without air. Diana was stunning. He’d bedded many women in his life, some with amazing skill and seductive powers, but none had ever affected him the way his innocent bride did. As much as he wanted and desired her, he was overcome with the need to take her in his arms and tell her there was nothing to be afraid of.

  “You look lovely, sweetheart.” He moved closer to her, and she took one step back. He reached his hand out. “Come here.”

  If they were to have a pleasurable night, one worthy of his bride, he would have to calm whatever concerns she had. “Let’s have a glass of champagne.”

  Her shoulders relaxed, and her nervous smile turned genuine. “That’s a splendid idea.”

  He walked to the small table underneath the window where the bottle he’d ordered sat and poured two glasses. He returned to the two comfortable chairs in front of the fireplace and handed her one.

  He took his seat and leaned back, resting his foot on his knee, careful to keep his dressing gown closed lest his bride jump up and race from the room. “Did you enjoy the wedding breakfast?” It was best to start with something innocuous to relax her.

  “Yes. In fact, I must tell you that I am glad you did not go along with my initial wishes and have a small celebration. It was nice to see my father and his family, even though Lady Rockingham and I had never been more than passing acquaintances.”

  “She seems like a pleasant woman.” Hunt viewed her over the rim of his glass, noting that his wife‘s color had returned to normal and she seemed less anxious.

  “I guess so.” She shrugged. “I was whipped away from my father’s home by Grandmama before I even got to know the woman. It did always trouble me, however, that Papa married his wife before a full year of mourning was up. During that time, he and I became close, but once his new wife appeared, things changed, then Grandmama arrived and off I went.”

  She shifted in her chair to face him directly. “Your brothers are looking good. Since they spend so much time at the club, I never see them. They don’t move about in Society, do they?”

  Hunt shook his head as he refilled their glasses. “No. Driscoll was always too serious for the frivolity of the ton, and Dante, even though fully accepted by our father and raised with us, was never comfortable with Society.”

  “I imagine with their good looks they would both be easily accepted.”

  “Ah, so my bride notices my brothers’ good looks. Didn’t you know you are supposed to only admire me?” He downed the last of his drink and placed the glass on the small table between them, ready to move the evening’s activities along. He patted his thighs. “Come sit on my lap.”

  Diana smirked. “Becoming anxious, my lord?” Her nervousness seemed to have passed. The wine had done its job.

  She stood, took the last sip from her glass, and placed it next to his. After crossing the space between them, she sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “So sweet.” Hunt dipped his head and took her lips in a soft, nibbling kiss. Once she pressed harder against his mouth, he pulled her flush to his body and turned the kiss into something erotic and possessive.

  Flower-scented locks from her head fell to surround them like a curtain. He nudged her lips to open and then swept in, tasting, feeling, plundering. She met him touch for touch, a slight moan coming from somewhere deep inside her.

  Hunt ran his hands up her curves to her shoulders and slipped the dressing gown off. It pooled in her lap. He pulled back and ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek. “We will be more comfortable in the bed.”

  She shook her head. “Not yet.” Leaning forward, she kissed his jaw and licked the sensitive skin under his ear.

  He felt her smile against his skin when he moaned. Taking back control, he cupped her face and covered her mouth with a long, slow, sultry kiss. Diana began to shift on his lap which, given the size of his erection, was not a good idea.

  “Easy, darling.” To get her into the bed, he had to raise her passion that he tasted before to match his.

  With a flick of his wrists, he brushed the thin straps holding up her silk nightgown. It slithered down her body, teasing him, revealing the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. Full, rounded breasts with dusky nipples, pert and already hard as pebbles. He could not stop staring. “Oh, sweetheart,” he breathed.

  He covered her shoulders with his hands and tilted her body back. Placing his lips on her breast, he licked a nipple and then covered the entire area with his mouth and suckled as greedily as a babe.

  Diana grabbed the sides of his head with her hands, digging her fingernails into his scalp, and moaned.

  “Does that feel good?”

  “Yes. Yes. It does.” Her voice was breathless, her panting filling the air with the sounds of pleasure.

  It was time to relocate to the more comfortable bed. “Stand up, sweeting,” he mumbled not taking his mouth from her breast.

  “Can’t.”

  Hunt pulled back and placed his hands under her arms and lifted her to her feet. The dressing gown and nightgown slid to the floor in a rush of silk. He sat back, and she stood before him, the firelight accenting her curves. “My God, Diana. You’re stunning.” His eyes never l
eaving her, moving over her glorious form, he shook his head. “Mallory got it all wrong.”

  She sucked in a breath and, as much as he wanted to have her just stand there so he could admire the breathtaking beauty she was, her reaction to his comment warned him the blackguard was not a subject they should discuss. To distract her, he stood and scooped her into his arms, kicking her garments aside as he kissed her, and moved them to the bed.

  * * *

  Hunt laid her gently on top of the counterpane. It was cool on her back after the warmth of the fireplace and Hunt’s kisses and caresses.

  Diana smiled up at him as he rested one knee on the bed alongside her. “Am I to be the only one undressed, then?” She felt the slight blush from before returning to crawl up her body to her face.

  “Not at all.” He untied the belt of his dressing gown and shrugged out of the garment. Her mouth dried up as her eyes wandered down his impressive, muscular body and landed on the very strong evidence of his desire.

  She swallowed. “Um, do you think this is going to work?” She looked up to catch him swallowing a smile.

  “Yes, my love, this will work. Have no fear. The good Lord knew what he was doing.”

  Realizing that she was lying naked as the day she was born, stretched out on the bed while Hunt looked at her as if she was his next meal, she scooted over and pulled part of the counterpane over her.

  “No, my sweet. No need to cover yourself.”

  She blushed. “I’m cold.”

  He pulled back the covers and joined her on the bed, causing her to edge farther back. “I have a remedy for that. A very satisfying, pleasurable remedy.” Reaching out, he took her hand and tugged her forward.

  The fluttering inside her stomach increased as he moved her closer to him, and their hungry mouths met, Hunt’s warm body covering hers. His hand rubbed her shoulders gently, then made their way down her back to cup her derrière. “So soft, your skin is like silk.”

  With his arm wrapped around her bottom, he shifted them so they were facing each other, laying side by side on the bed. He gently fingered a lock of her hair, sniffing it, then running it over his lips. “I want to take our time. We have all night.”

  She, on the other hand, wanted to move things along. Grandmama had told her about a woman’s first time joining with a man, but even though she tried to make it sound wonderful, to Diana, it had all sounded very messy and painful.

  “Stop thinking.” Hunt moved his hand up to cup her breast and run his thumb over her nipple. Diana closed her eyes as the wonderful sensation raced through her. Not wanting to just lie there like a lump of clay, she kissed the hollow of his neck, then moved her mouth down to playfully lick his flat dark nipple.

  Hunt drew in a breath.

  “Does that feel good?”

  “Yes.” He rolled over her and once more covered her breast with his warm, moist mouth. Her legs grew restless and, like it had the few times they kissed, the area between her legs felt swollen and damp. “Please.”

  “What, my love?” He nibbled on her collarbone, his warm breath raising small bumps on her skin.

  “I need more.” She barely got the words out.

  Almost as an apology, he murmured, “Ah, of course you do.” He continued to taunt her nipples with his tongue as his hand skimmed down her body, increasing the tension in her middle.

  Eventually, his fingers slid between her legs, and she immediately felt the need for release grow. “Please, Hunt.”

  His thumb circled a small nubbin at the opening to her core. She sucked in a deep breath as her muscles grew tighter. He kept it up for a few minutes while kissing her, murmuring words she didn’t even understand in her ear until she couldn’t stand it anymore. “Harder.”

  Hunt returned to her breast to tease it once more as his fingers worked frantically to bring her release. His thumb continued to circle the piece of flesh while his finger slid into her opening.

  Her body bucked as she threw her head back and called his name, over and over. “Yes. Please. Yes. Don’t stop.”

  “Oh, I won’t sweetheart. Take your time, I will be here to catch you.”

  Waves of pleasure washed over her as she pressed hard against Hunt’s hand, and the throbbing continued. With a deep breath, she collapsed onto the bed, a soft smile on her face.

  Grandmama was correct.

  “I loved watching you,” Hunt said as he continued to play with the area between her legs. He pushed a second finger into her opening. “You are so warm, tight, and wet.”

  Diana panted her words. “I assume that’s good?”

  “Oh, yes, my love. Very, very good.”

  Feeling daring, Diana reached down and cupped Hunt’s throbbing member. It felt strange. Steel covered with satin. She squeezed, and he grunted.

  She pulled her hand back. “Does that hurt?”

  “No.” The word came out as a groan. “It feels wonderful, but it’s bringing me closer.”

  She knew from Grandmama’s conversations that he meant it was time for him to insert himself into her body. She did not believe for one minute it was going to be an easy job for him to do. He was so large.

  She took a deep breath, stiffened her body, fisted her hands by her side, pinched her eyes closed and said, “I’m ready.”

  After a few seconds, Hunt burst out laughing. “Oh, my love, you were very, very ready a little bit ago, but now you look as though you are waiting for the executioner.”

  He returned to her mouth and began the process all over again. Kissing, nipping, sucking, nibbling, until she couldn’t think straight. Her body relaxed, and she felt the build up once again between her legs. Just as the thought crossed her mind that now was a good time for Hunt to try the impossible, he spread her legs wide and began to edge his way inside. “Relax, sweetheart. Stop thinking.”

  She opened her mouth to respond just as he thrust forward. A slight pinch caused her to cry out, but otherwise, she only felt full. Hunt remained still and brushed the hair from her forehead. “Are you well?”

  Diana squeezed her inner muscles, and Hunt groaned again. “Yes, I think I am well.”

  “Thank God.” He slid back out and then in again, eventually developing a rhythm that she followed.

  “Wrap your legs around me,” he said right before he took her mouth in a kiss that brought on another wave of pleasure just as Hunt gave one final push and moaned her name.

  She could feel the warmth from his seed entering her as she again sunk into a heap.

  Her body was slick with sweat, and she had a devil of a time breathing. After a few minutes, Hunt rolled onto his back and pulled her against him. “I will get up to help you clean up. I just need a minute.” Their combined pants filled the room, along with the scent of love-making.

  After her heartbeat slowed and they had both regained their breath, Hunt turned to her, pushing the damp strands of hair from her forehead. “Wife of mine, I must say I have never before laughed in the middle of sexual activity.”

  She looked up at him and frowned. “Is that good or bad?”

  20

  Hunt smiled down at his wife as the carriage left the Gainsborough Bath Spa to take them to the train station for their trip back to London. They’d spent a full week partaking of the waters, strolling the charming town, eating at various and well-known restaurants, visiting museums and theaters, and best of all, making love a few times a day.

  He’d found Diana to be all that he wanted and needed in a wife. She was witty in a derisive sort of way, intelligent in her curiosity about the places they’d visited and new things they’d seen, caring and loving enough to be a wonderful mother, and passionate in the bedchamber.

  Perhaps she’d given him cause for concern in the past with her antics, but he’d seen a new level of maturity in her since her return from Italy. Even the scandals that had driven him to sneak into Mallory’s studio, and their quick betrothal and marriage, had not been her fault.

  Yes, life would be pleasant
with her at his side.

  “Did you have a nice visit?” He brushed a loose curl behind her ear.

  “Yes. It was lovely. I hope we can travel to Italy some time so I can show you all the interesting and noteworthy things there. Especially Rome. You would love seeing the coliseum.”

  “We will. I promise to take you there before our first child is born.”

  Diana grinned. “Um, the way we carried on this last week that child might not be too far in the future.”

  He raised her hand and kissed her knuckles. “It’s a promise. Things will be much better once this session of Parliament adjourns. I will work on getting estate matters taken care of as well so we can spend a few weeks in Italy.”

  Shortly afterwards, they left the carriage and entered the train depot. The station was busy, porters running back and forth with luggage, and the conductors helping passengers settle into the cars. They had first-class reservations, which included the dining service, so they could break their fast on their way home.

  They spent the time discussing the things they did and then switched to how Diana wanted to redecorate his townhouse. “I will be happy to use my inheritance from Grandmama and the sale of her manor next to your family estate that you so graciously allowed me to keep in my own name for the expenses.”

  Hunt wiped his mouth with his napkin and placed it alongside his plate. “Not necessary, sweetheart. I want that money to stay for your and our children’s benefit. I have enough money to cover whatever you wish to do in London or at my country estate. Remember, as your husband, it is my duty to provide for your food, clothing, and shelter.”

  “No matter how elaborate I need that shelter to be?” She smirked.

  “I trust you.”

  A few minutes of comfortable silence passed, then Diana said, “I need to decide what I will do with my townhouse in London.”

  He leaned back in the seat and crossed his arms. “Do you have any ideas?”

  She placed her teacup in the saucer and looked out the window at the passing scenery. “I have been considering turning it into a home for abandoned children, or possibly women who have no home.”