Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

J ulia's laugh turned into a moan when her husband pressed her against the thick trunk of a large oak, taking her mouth in a deep kiss. Rain still pummeled their bodies, but she did not feel cold, only a staggering heat as desire burned through her body. She fisted her fingers through the thick strands of his hair, responding with helpless greed, sucking at his tongue.

One of his hands coasted down her body, tugged at the flap of her trousers and delved deep, his fingers unerringly finding her clitoris.

"How can I be so desperate for you when I made love with you three times last night," Rafe said against her mouth.

She trembled, and whimpers of need escaped her as he dragged his mouth over the arch of her neck and bit into her throat … right above her fluttering pulse. He eased from her, tugged the shirt loose, opened her trousers, and shoved them down. Then he dropped to his knees, cupped her buttocks and pulled her forward.

She trembled at the first feel of his mouth on her sex and then cried out when he sucked her clitoris into his mouth. He licked and tormented her sex with his tongue until she was a trembling mess. Julia never thought arousal could be this all-consuming. A desperate moan left her lips when he raked his teeth over her clitoris, sliding two fingers deep inside her sex. Her fingers slid slowly into his hair, tangling into the wet strands. Pressure built in sharp, wicked spikes until ecstasy burst over her senses.

He rose, gripped her hips and turned her to face the tree. His powerful form was almost flushed to her back. He opened her legs wider, but the trousers at her ankles prevented it from going too wide. There was a dip behind her, her hips were arched and his cock pressed against her sex.

Rafe shoved inside, and Julia cried out as her flesh burned at the heavy invasion. One hand stayed at her hip, while the other snaked around her belly and down to her mound. Two of his fingers pinched and rubbed her nub as he started stroking his cock inside her.

His body slid into hers with piercing depth and strength, filling her with pain and pleasure. He was not gentle, and she did not want him to be. Wicked sensation coiled low in her belly and against the nub that he still rubbed. She felt every inch of him as he withdrew and plunged inside her to the hilt. Though it still rained, Julia felt molten heat had invaded her body.

He rolled his hips, plunging into her over and over. With every stroke, the pleasure built inside her until it broke, splintering the pleasure that had coiled so tightly inside of her. It felt as if ecstasy blew her apart, and with a groan, he thrust hard three times, then found his own release. Rafe gently eased from her body, and he pressed what felt like a handkerchief against her sex, cleaning her. He stopped and tugged her trousers up and closed the flaps.

Julia weakly dropped her hands from the tree and slumped against Rafe's chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat against her back. Her pulse was still racing, her breath coming in soft, ragged gasps.

"I do not know who I am when I am with you," he murmured.

Her husband sounded rattled, as if the passionate intensity of their loving had shaken him to his core.

She turned around to face him. "Is that a bad thing?" she whispered, gently brushing a wet lock of hair from his forehead, her fingers lingering on his skin.

"I just made love to you here in the woodlands," he replied. "Madness."

Julia laughed. "And it was wonderful."

Rafe stared at her for a moment, and then a slow smile spread across his lips. He tightened his arms around her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

She smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. Why did it feel so wonderful to be in his arms?

"Come, you look like a drowned kitten," Rafe teased.

"As long as you didn't say rat," Julia replied fondly, her smile warm despite the rain.

They mounted their horses and raced back to the manor. Once they arrived, Julia hurried to her bedchamber to freshen up after their adventure. The clothes she had bought at the local modiste were soaked through, and she handed them to a servant to be dried and ironed. She then took a long, soothing bath, letting the warm water ease away the lingering aches in her muscles. As she soaked, her thoughts drifted to Grace and Emma. She remembered the rigid structure of their daily lives and how their eyes had lit up when she spent time with them the previous day.

Julia wanted to show the girls that life wasn't always about strict rules and propriety. However, she was mindful not to undermine the values Rafe had instilled in them or their positions as daughters of a powerful and influential earl.

After her bath, Julia dressed in one of the new, dried day gowns, which flattered her figure remarkably well. She dried her hair and brushed out the tangles, allowing it to flow freely over her shoulders.

When she descended the grand staircase, she was greeted by the sight of dozens of servants lined up along the prodigious hallway, along with the butler and housekeeper. Rafe waited for her at the bottom of the stairs, and once she reached his side, he introduced her as their new mistress, the Countess of Ashton. Julia selected a young girl from among the staff and promoted her to be her lady's maid, then spent some time with the housekeeper and cook going over the menu for the rest of the week.

The manor was run with a wonderful efficiency that needed little input from her, a testament to the capable housekeeper, Mrs. Davidson. Julia made her way to the schoolroom after her brief tour of the household operations. Grace and Emma were seated at their desks, working diligently on their lessons under Mrs. Tilby's watchful eye. Julia smiled as she entered the room, immediately drawing the girls' attention.

"Mrs. Tilby," she greeted warmly, glancing at the ornate clock on the wall. "I thought Grace and Emma's lessons ended at five each afternoon?"

The governess rose and offered a quick curtsy. "Sometimes we go over the allotted time, my lady. Today is one of those days."

"I see." Julia ventured further into the room. "Their lessons run from ten in the morning to five, with an hour break for luncheon. Please ensure they are excused promptly and do not remain in the schoolroom longer than necessary. I will also be overseeing three of their lessons each week."

"My lady!" Mrs. Tilby exclaimed, her voice tinged with alarm. "This will be a disadvantage for the girls. I must respectfully disagree."

Julia's smile remained. "I wasn't negotiating, Mrs. Tilby. Rest assured; I will always keep their curriculum in mind."

The governess appeared taken aback but quickly dipped into a small curtsy.

Turning to Grace and Emma, Julia's expression softened. "Ladies, how would you like to dine with your father and me this evening?"

Emma's eyes widened in surprise. "In the main dining room? With the adults?"

Julia's smile deepened. "Yes, in the main dining room. Would you like that?"

Before the girls could respond, Mrs. Tilby interjected, her tone respectful but firm. "It is not proper, my lady."

Julia turned to her, maintaining her calm demeanor. "Thank you for your input, Mrs. Tilby, but this decision lies with me. The girls will dine with us tonight."

Mrs. Tilby hesitated, clearly uncertain about this breach of tradition and decorum, but after a moment, she curtsied and said, "Yes, your ladyship," before quietly leaving the room.

Julia turned back to Grace and Emma, her smile returning as she saw the excitement in their eyes. "Go and get ready. We'll dine together, just the four of us."

The girls beamed with delight, practically bouncing in their seats as they hurried off to prepare. Almost an hour later, Julia walked into the dining room with Grace and Emma by her side. Rafe looked up from his seat, his expression one of mild surprise. He stood and bowed to them, his eyes lingering on Julia with a hint of admiration.

The girls charmed her by lowering into perfect curtsies, a testament to their impeccable upbringing.

They sat down to dine, and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. The girls were clearly thrilled to be included, their laughter ringing through the room as they shared stories of their day. Julia couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction as she watched them. As she glanced at Rafe, she saw a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, and she knew she was on the right path to bringing their family closer together.

The following day Grace and Emma lounged on a blanket with Julia close by the lake, nestled beneath the sheltering branches of a towering elm. The shade provided a cool respite from the noonday sun, and the gentle rustle of leaves created a peaceful backdrop to their conversation.

Grace shook her head as if she couldn't quite believe what she was hearing. "Learning to ride astride?" she asked, her voice a mixture of shock and excitement.

"It's an invaluable skill all Fairbanks ladies must possess," Julia replied with a playful smile. "I'm now part of your family, and you're part of mine."

Emma, who had been studying the list Julia had written, looked up with widened eyes. "Flying kites?"

"Another essential skill," Julia confirmed. "Especially when we visit our extended family. There will be lots of competition, and we must win!"

The girls exchanged determined nods, their young faces alight with anticipation.

"Swimming lessons?" Grace added.

"Climbing trees," Emma chimed in.

"Fishing," Julia continued, her tone conspiratorial.

The two girls looked at her with a mixture of awe and disbelief.

"You're going to teach us all of this?" they asked in unison.

"Of course," Julia said with a wink.

Their response was immediate—excited shrieks of delight that they quickly tried to silence by clapping their hands over their mouths.

Julia leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper. "The most important lesson you'll learn," she said, "is that when you're at home with those who love you, you can be yourself. So laugh, shriek, and shout your happiness."

With that, she playfully dived toward them, wiggling her fingers as she started tickling their underarms. The girls squealed with laughter, their joy infectious as they wriggled and squirmed beneath her teasing.

That's how Rafe found them—his wife and daughters in a heap of laughter and unbridled joy. He cleared his throat, the sound rough but not unkind. All three of them froze and scrambled to their feet, their laughter fading as they dipped into curtsies.