Chapter 36

CHAPTER 36

“ T his is so much more than I ever expected,” Elizabeth said, her voice light with excitement. “I thought I would be confined to that dreadful house forever. But now, we are free, Gemma. We can go anywhere we want.”

Gemma couldn’t help but smile as she sat in the carriage with Elizabeth, watching the countryside roll by through the small window.

The excitement in the air was contagious, and her sister’s joy was palpable. Elizabeth had never experienced anything like this before—the freedom to simply go where she pleased, away from their mother’s watchful eye. She was practically bubbling with enthusiasm, chattering away as they rode along the winding road.

Gemma smiled warmly at her, grateful that Elizabeth was finding happiness in this new chapter of their lives. “We will make sure you have a better life, Lizzy. No more worrying about what Mother thinks, says or wants.”

Elizabeth beamed at her sister, then glanced back out of the window. “And the best part is, we are heading toward Blackridge. It sounds wonderful. I cannot wait to see what living there will be like.”

The mention of Blackridge made Gemma’s heart flutter. Frederick was waiting for them there, and it felt like a lifetime since she had been with him.

The thought of seeing him again, of being in his arms, made her ache with longing. She glanced out of the window, catching sight of him riding alongside the carriage on his magnificent horse. His presence was commanding, and his gaze, whenever it grazed over her, made her pulse quicken.

Elizabeth continued to talk, but Gemma found herself lost in thought, her mind wandering to the man she couldn’t wait to be with again. The way he looked at her with such intensity and tenderness made her feel alive and wanted.

Every so often, Frederick would glance at the carriage, offering her a smile that set her heart racing. His face was a little more relaxed than it had been over the past few days.

There was something about the calm rhythm of the road that made it easier to breathe and enjoy the moment. Gemma could feel her desire for him stirring once more, and each glance from him made it more difficult to ignore the pull she felt towards him.

At one point, Frederick rode closer to the carriage and leaned down. He reached inside and took her hand gently, bringing it to his lips. His kiss on her knuckles was soft, tender and full of promise.

“I have missed you dearly,” he said, his voice hushed but filled with longing.

Gemma smiled, her heart fluttering. “The road ahead may be long, but being with you again is worth the drive,” she replied, squeezing his hand. “Will we soon arrive at an inn?”

“Yes, just a few more hours,” Frederick said. “We will stop for the night and then continue our journey. We will be back at Blackridge in a few days.”

Gemma nodded, excitement growing in her chest. She knew she should be thinking about the road ahead, but all she could think about was the feeling of being in Frederick’s arms once more. The image of his strength and the way his body moved with such purpose made her want him more than ever.

It was hard to focus on anything else.

The carriage jolted slightly as they continued on their way, and Elizabeth looked over at Gemma, noticing her gaze was locked on Frederick. A mischievous grin crossed her face.

“You are staring at him,” Elizabeth teased, her voice light but observant.

Gemma’s cheeks flushed, but she couldn’t help the smile that formed on her lips.

“I cannot help it,” she said with a sigh. “He is simply… everything.”

“I can see that,” Elizabeth teased further, winking at her. “Do not worry, one day I will find someone just like him. Then you will be the one teasing me .”

Gemma laughed, feeling a warmth in her chest. “One day, Lizzy. I promise you will also find someone who makes your heart race.”

They continued talking and laughing as the carriage rolled on. The sun soon began to dip beneath the horizon, lengthening the shadows of the trees around them.

They passed through a small town where the inn awaited them. The simple structure looked cozy and welcoming, like a cottage nestled in the heart of the countryside.

After settling into their rooms, Gemma and Elizabeth eagerly went down for dinner. The innkeeper had prepared a nourishing meal that was simple but satisfying. They were served bread, and a rich stew of fresh vegetables and roasted meats. It was not like the fancy meals served by the ton, but it was nourishing and warm, and just what they needed after a long day of travel.

Elizabeth smiled at the food, clearly delighted by the hearty meal.

“This is wonderful,” she said, her voice full of appreciation. “I have never eaten anything so delicious.”

Gemma couldn’t help but smile at her sister’s reaction. “I am pleased that you like it,” she said, savoring a bite of the stew. “It is nice to be treated so well, is it not?”

Frederick, who had been sitting with them, nodded. “Eat as much as you like,” he said with a smile. “Do not worry about the cost. Tonight, you are free to enjoy yourselves.”

Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. “Really? I can have more?”

“Of course,” Frederick replied, his tone warm and encouraging. “The meal is yours to enjoy. And do not forget the baths afterward.”

The mention of baths made both girls look at one another eagerly. After a day on the chilly road, they both longed for the luxury of a hot bath.

Once they had finished their meal, Elizabeth hurried off to take her bath first, leaving Gemma to relax by the fire.

It was a quiet moment as she sat in silence and listened to the wood crackle musically in the grate.

Gemma leaned back in her chair, her thoughts turning once more to Frederick. She could not wait to be in his arms again. Her body ached for him, and the thought of his strong hands caressing her body and his lips kissing hers made her restless with need.

When Elizabeth finally emerged, her face rosy from the warmth of the bath, Gemma smiled at her sister.

“All clean?” she asked.

Elizabeth grinned. “Yes, and I feel like a new person. Now it is your turn.”

“All right, but you look exhausted, Lizzy,” she smiled, moving with her to the bed. “Get some sleep, all right?”

“I am a bit sleepy…”

“I do not blame you. After all the excitement and the long road behind us, you need a good night’s sleep.”

“So do you… Gemma… I… I am sorry about how mother treated you…”

“Do not worry yourself about it. It was never your fault and, honestly, it is now in the past where it belongs. We never have to look back, Lizzy.”

Elizabeth yawned, nodding as she slipped under the covers. Gemma watched her, sitting next to her on the bed until she drifted into a peaceful slumber.

Gemma could have watched her forever, really. But she needed that bath. She stood up and walked to the room’s washbasin. It didn’t take long to slip into the tepid water, and she scrubbed herself as best she could.

She lingered as she washed, touching herself gently, imagining Frederick’s rough touch and demanding pace. Going over the exquisite details of her times with him was something she hadn’t allowed herself to think about since she left Blackridge.

After leaving the warmth of the bath, she began to dress when an irresistible desire overcame her. She could not wait any longer, not when Frederick was so close.

She grabbed a long chemise and a robe, slipped out of her room and made her way toward his.

The halls were quiet, and the night air felt alive with promise. She needed him, she wanted him, and she would let him ravage her all night if that was what he wanted.

When she reached Frederick’s door, she knocked lightly. A moment later it swung open, and there he stood, shirtless and freshly cleaned from his own bath, steam still rising from his skin. His gaze locked with hers and she propelled herself into his arms.

Without a word, Frederick’s lips crashed down on hers in a kiss that was hungry and deep, and full of weeks of pent-up longing. As the door clicked shut behind them, Gemma grasped onto him tightly and let everything she had been holding back pour out of her and into their all-consuming kiss.

“Gemma…” he whispered as his lips traced the contours of her collarbone. “Gemma.”

“I want you,” she responded.

He didn’t need any further encouragement. Frederick bent down and lifted her up hastily, cupping his hand on her backside as he did. She wrapped her legs around his hips and could feel his arousal, desperate for him to touch her everywhere.

He laid her on the bed and impatiently kicked off his breeches, while Gemma hastily removing the robe and lifted the chemise over her head. His mouth immediately went to her breasts, lavishing them with his attention until her nipples were hard and sore. She loved the sensation, the lightning that shot through her when his warm, wet mouth and his rough fingers sucked, teased and pulled on her.

“More,” Gemma demanded, Frederick chuckling as his hot breath met her lips.

He captured them again, their lips never parting as he reclined onto his back and she sat astride him. Their naked bodies pressed together as she straddled him, feeling his manhood bulge against her wet opening, her shyness disappearing as she ground her hips against him.

“More,” she demanded again.

“Touch me,” he retorted, bucking his hips and tossing her gently upwards. “Touch me fully.”

She didn’t hesitate, reaching her hands between their joined legs and moving lower so she was able to fully grasp him in both hands. He was rigid and smooth, the head of his shaft pink and searching.

Frederick groaned with pleasure as Gemma grazed the tip of his member with one thumb and drew slow, sensual circles under and around its ridge while grasping his shaft firmly with her other hand, stroking him from root to tip.

His eyes slowly closed and his lips parted in a soundless O, as she continued to pleasure him.

“Put me in your mouth,” he demanded, his voice gruff and full of want.

“Yes, my lord…”

With a slow smile, Gemma lowered her head and placed her lips around him, sucking and swirling her tongue and feeling the bulging ridges that lined his shaft swell as his need to release grew.

Frederick bucked his hips towards her, forcing the full length of him into her mouth as he gripped the back of her head and pushed her down on him. Gemma gripped his buttocks and sucked enthusiastically on his glistening rod as he writhed in intense pleasure at her ministrations.

He pulled away from her and shimmied into a sitting position, then picked her up by her waist and placed himself inside of her.

“You are amazing,” he moaned, bucking hard as she bounced atop him.

She loved it when he praised her. It was a heated exchange, their breaths mingling, their bodies touching as sweat beaded and their shared climax built.

“Lay on the bed,” he demanded again, this time rolling her over so she was pinned to the bed, facedown.

“Yes… my… lord,” she moaned as he hoisted up her backside and thrust into her. “Yes…”

“Yes, you take me so well, darling…”

“Oh my God…Frederick…” she moaned.

She could feel his weight and his fingers digging into her hips as he thrust. It was everything she wanted, everything she needed, and she could feel her orgasm building as his fingers slipped between her legs to stroke her from behind as he continued to plunge into her.

“Oh… I am… I cannot…”

“Yes, Gemma. You’re such a good girl,” he moaned into her ear, thrusting a few more times before his fingers pressed roughly against her center.

She shook and moaned out in pleasure, feeling him throb and release his seed inside her. Their shared pleasure melted around them as they regained their senses, molding into one another’s arms, and she fell into a restful, but short sleep.

Gemma would wake him twice again that night, eager for more of his attentions.