Chapter Twenty-Two

D ory strolled into her husband’s library anxious to see how many books he might have in it while he gave instructions to the butler. After three long weeks, she was finally Lady Harewood. She grinned as she imagined a forest filled with bunnies. Turning in a circle, she studied the room and smiled, thrilled at the number of volumes on the shelves. Since her husband had a well-stocked library, she would spend her pin money on statues and pictures of rabbits and set them about the house until the King of Bunnies noticed and told her to stop. After all, he did say he was observant. She had quite a clever husband after all.

Husband. She was well and truly married. And Fen had made sure everyone was there, well everyone but her mother. Father had forbidden it. Still, all the Mabrys and Curious Ladies had come, and of course Lord and Lady Enderly. Surprisingly, even the countess shed a few tears at seeing her son wed, and had welcome her warmly, which was a relief.

Dory sighed happily as she wandered past the fireplace, the windows, the desk, until she came upon a table with four books on it. She reviewed the titles and her heart filled with love. They were some of the philosophers she’d mentioned to him over the last few weeks. Had he been reading them to converse with her? While their conversations had been quite satisfying, there had been but a few, as he’d come back to Denton House to have it prepared for her, as she had once hoped. She greatly appreciated his thoughtfulness, but she’d missed him. Missed their conversations and his kisses the most.

Fen strode in, his gaze immediately searching her out. He took her in his arms, exactly where she wished to be.

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You have a preponderance of books.”

He smiled. “I do. Would you like to see them?”

“Not particularly.” She looked up at him from beneath her lashes.

He laughed, a sound that had been so rare when she’d first met him and now was common. “Then what would you like to do, Lady Harewood? This is your home now. You’ve already met the servants. Would you like to see your room?”

“Not especially.” She licked her lips.

His smile disappeared. “Then I admit that I am at a loss as to what you would like see.”

She played with the dark hair at the back of his neck, twining the silky strands around her fingers. “I believe I wish to see you .”

His chest filled as he took a deep breath. “You are seeing me.”

“No, I wish to see you sans vêtements .”

His nostrils flared, causing a ripple of excitement to flow through her. “Without clothes? What has Mademoiselle Lissette been teaching you?”

“She says the French are well educated in the art of love. I thought it best to learn all I could while waiting for our wedding.” She moved one hand down between them to unbutton his tailcoat.

He pulled her tightly against him, effectively stopping her efforts to disrobe him. “Dory.” His voice had lowered and a shiver of excitement raced to her core.

She had learned much in the last few weeks from a book Lissette had found in the library at Silver Meadows and thought she should read. Lissette was very good at discovering things, her mind working in ways foreign. Lissette had seen Lady Blackmore give it to the duchess and had searched it out. It had been tucked away on a high shelf, and Dory was quite sure they hadn’t been meant to find it. It had a false cover claiming it discussed feminine education, but inside it was The Illustrated Pleasures of Seduction .

Since she still had one hand around his neck, and he’d pressed her so close, she raised herself on her toes, liking the feel of his hard chest against her breasts. “Will you not kiss your bride?”

Immediately, his head lowered and he took her lips with his.

She opened her mouth and nudged his open, delving in to taste him. The scent of pine filled her nostrils even as she tasted the faint hints of brandy on his tongue from the wedding breakfast.

His mouth became demanding as if he were starved for her. She understood and tangled her tongue with his until she could barely breathe, her thoughts shooting into the sky. His arms pressed her closer, one hand pushing her pelvis tight against him, where she could feel his desire for her. His other hand moved against her back where her purple gown was tied.

She broke the kiss and his hold, shaking her head. “You are still clothed.”

“As are you, and we are in my library. Perhaps we should move upstairs.”

She shook her head and backed up two more steps. Looking around, she finally brought her gaze back to his. “No, I like it in here.” She bit her lip to keep from laughing at his surprise.

“Did you wish to read, then?”

His confusion made her laugh. “No, I have already read much.” She moved to the opposite side of the table with the books. Lifting the first from the pile, she held it up. “I’ve read this.” She lifted the next. “And this.” She added the other two to the pile in her arms. “And all of these.” She set them on the bookcase nearby next to a small statue of a horse. Trailing her fingers over the table, she walked halfway around it. “I like the table bare. The same way I like you.”

His brows lifted before his gaze turned shrewd. “I like you bare as well.”

Her heart skipped a beat at the predatory gleam in his darkened green gaze.

He slowly unbuttoned his black tailcoat and, shrugging it off, pulled a chair from the table and laid the coat over the back. Then he untied his white cravat and laid that atop the coat. Next, he unbuttoned his white waistcoat and dropped that on the chair as well. “Now let us see about your dress.”

She’d thought to entice him, but she was caught in a dream of her own making. Walking alongside the rest of the table, she stopped in front of him and laid her hand where the V of his shirt opened wide, revealing his skin. His chest was warm, with small, soft hairs and beneath, she could feel the beat of his heart. Its strength must be due to his fitness, which she had only seen in candlelight. Now, in the afternoon sun, she wished to see him again. She used both hands to push his shirt from his shoulders, but before it could fall, he pulled her against him once more.

He lowered his head and whispered into her ear. “Will you be my wife in all ways?”

Her heart filled with love even as her excitement rose at what was to come. “Yes. I want to be your wife in all ways.” She lay her face against his chest, enjoying the feel of his hard body against her cheek.

His hands moved once more to the strings holding her wedding dress together. Then the neckline of her shift loosened and cool air caressed her back.

She lifted her head and looked at him. “I understand there are many ways to be a wife.” She expected him to be shocked, but instead, he gave her a sly smile.

“Indeed, there are. I promise to show you them all, but it will take many months if I show you one each day.”

“Months?” She’d seen dozens in the book. There must be more. Her curiosity had her anticipation rising. “I look forward to learning every way possible. I believe I’m going to be very happy as your wife.”

His eyes widened at first and then he broke into laughter. “And I will be quite pleased as well. Now, shall we start with your dress?”

She nodded and lifted her arms as he pulled her favorite dress over her head to join his clothes on the chair. Her shift fell off her shoulders and down on top of her stays, exposing half her breasts and barely covering her nipples.

He turned and moved toward her, but she stepped back again. “Your shirt.”

He looked down, as if he’d forgotten it, and quickly pulled it over his head, throwing it on the table. Covering the space between them in a single stride, he cupped her face in his hands. “I’m going to make you feel pure bliss. I’m going to show you with my body how much I love you.”

Confident she’d never been so filled with joy in her entire life, her breath caught and her eyes itched with tears. “I want to show you with my body too.”

His lips came down on hers in a kiss of promise and love. Then he moved behind her and untied her stays, dropping them over the chair.

She smirked. “I do believe we are going to need another chair.”

He didn’t agree or disagree. He simply started unbuttoning his black trousers.

Standing in her shift, she watched his every movement. She felt a strong, feminine need to see him rise up from the depths of her belly. Never had she wished to see a man as she craved to look at him once more.

Kicking off his shoes, he pulled down his socks and set them aside. Straightening, he stepped out of his trousers and turned his back as he folded them and placed them on the chair seat.

She sucked in her breath at the strength of his thighs and buttocks, no doubt built from years of riding. She may have fallen in love with him in candlelight, but in daylight, she discovered a sexual need for him that would not be denied.

When he finally faced her, he did not move, allowing her to look her fill, and she did. He was all lean strength, coated in a smattering of dark hairs that tried to soften the hardness but did little to hide his need for her.

Tired of waiting, she pulled her shift over her head and threw it on the table before walking to him. “Fen, love me.”

He pulled her against him, holding her as he lowered his head and spoke into her ear. “I will.” His mouth traveled down her neck then, kissing her sensitive skin, causing excitement to skitter down her arms and chest. He walked her backward until her bare behind touched the table. With nowhere to go, she bent backward to allow his lips full access to her body, but instead, he left her skin to capture her mouth in a kiss that left her dizzy with wanting.

Breaking their connection, he stared into her eyes. “Are you sure you don’t wish to see your new room, your new bed?”

It took a moment for thought to return to her head, but as it did, she recognized the smirk on his face. He expected her to want a bed, but she’d experienced a bed with him. “No, I want this table.” It was her turn to smirk as his green eyes darkened and his smile disappeared.

“Then that is what you shall have. Up you go.”

Before she knew what he was about, he sat her on the table. She shivered as her hot bottom made contact with the cold, hard surface, more from anticipation than from the temperature.

“Now, I must take your boots off.” Kneeling down, he untied each one and lifted it from her foot.

He made her feel delicate and wanted, causing her eyes to water. Blinking rapidly, she dispelled the tears, not wishing to miss anything he might do. She didn’t have long to wait as he spread her legs and stared at her very core.

Heat seemed to start at the juncture of her thighs as her belly tightened. She remembered how good he could make her feel. Would he stand now and make her his?

He did stand, but he did not move closer. Instead, he bent his head to kiss her once more. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed into his mouth as he teased her with his tongue.

Before she realized what he was about, he was kissing the corner of her lips, her cheek, her jaw. She tilted her head and his mouth traveled lower, to her neck, her collarbone, her chest. As his mouth moved lower, his hand cupped her breast.

She held her breath, anxious for what would come next.

His tongue licked at her nipple before he blew on it.

“Oh.” The chill made it harden more, and she leaned back, locking her arms to allow him full access.

He bent forward and sucked her wet nipple into his mouth, tonguing her hard peak at the same time. She let her eyes close and her head fall back, happy to allow him his feast. And feast he did, teasing and sucking both breasts until her body ached with need and a warm wetness permeated her folds. She could barely catch her breath and she didn’t care.

His mouth left her.

She opened her eyes to see what he was about, but he no longer looked at her, as he had knelt down once again.

“Fen?” Her voice came out in a breathy whisper. She tried to swallow, but his hands on her thighs, spreading her legs wider, made her mouth go dry.

His fingers reached her folds and gently explored. “Beautiful.” His voice floated through her, easing her tension, allowing her to swallow until one finger found the place he’d touched before.

She gasped. This was what she wanted. She grabbed his shoulders, needing him to continue, to bring her to that feeling only he could give her.

His finger swirled the warm wetness of her over her nub, tantalizing her, making her squirm with need. She found her breaths becoming shallow and fast. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, holding him there, wanting more.

He chuckled softly. “Lean back, love. I promise I won’t stop.”

Since even as he spoke, he continued his play, she did as he asked, though it was hard. But then he leaned in and his mouth found the same spot.

Her body shivered with tension as he laved her, circling her pleasure spot with his tongue, her belly tensing for what was to come. Then his hands smoothed their way up her ribs and cupped her breasts, his thumbs finding her nipples and rubbing them.

She closed her eyes at the intense dual feelings, the air leaving her lungs as soon as she brought it in. Waves of pleasure rippled over her body. They built one on top of the other, the next more intense than the last, until she was lifted so high, she crashed in upon herself, her ecstasy spinning her about in pure bliss.

Her elbows buckled and she collapsed on the table, sucking in air to gain her equilibrium again.

*

The absolute happiness that ran through him at Dory’s release was tempered only by his body demanding its own. As he rose to enjoy the view of his wife fully sated, he became stuck on that word— wife .

She was his. He’d almost lost her due to his own blindness and lack of self-reflection. He would learn from that, keep her safe, and keep her close. But first, he needed to make her his forever.

Even as the thought entered his head, it pushed all other thoughts out. His curvy wife lay before him, an offering to the gods, yet he, a mere mortal, could claim her as his. His body tensed and his erection jerked.

Stepping between her thighs, he laid his hands on her hips. “Dory, I’m going to make you mine now.”

Her eyelids fluttered open and her full lips parted, but she didn’t speak. She was a natural enchantress, her cheeks ruddy from her satisfaction, half her hair loose from her bun, her arms spread out as if offering herself.

Then she spoke, a barely audible sound. “Make me yours.”

Her words sent a shiver down his back that tightened his sack. He could not wait any longer. He didn’t have to. Gently, he positioned himself at her entrance, the slickness wearing at his control. Leaning over her, he took a luscious breast into his mouth and sucked hard.

Her hips rose, causing him to slip inside her just a little.

“Oh. More.” Her legs wrapped around his arse as if she would take him in all at once.

He wanted that too, but he didn’t wish to hurt her. Moving his mouth to the other breast, he repeated his action. This time when she raised her hips, he slowly moved forward. Her legs squeezed him, wanting more. Her need for him had him giving in. Lifting his head from her breast, he watched her as he moved carefully all the way to his hilt.

She stilled, her eyes rounding as her body adjusted to him. “Fen?”

Her whisper sent erotic sensations over his entire body. “Yes.” His voice was gravelly, his throat dry with need.

“I feel loved, complete.”

His heart skittered at her words. “You are. We are one now.”

Her nose crinkled. “Is this it? I thought it would be…more exciting.”

He laughed, moving inside her, causing a gasp. “It will be. Allow me to show you.” He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he slowly pulled back before pushing in again.

As her eyes closed, a smile formed on her face.

He pulled back again, going slow, making it almost unbearable, but for her first time, her body would need to adjust. Yet before he could move his hips forward, her feet pulled him toward her and he drove into her.

“Yes.” Her voice was strong, making it clear what she wanted.

Standing straight again, he pulled back, holding her hips in place to set the pace. He was careful but gave her want she wanted, what they both wanted. She was warm and welcoming, holding him as he pulled out, only to move in again.

His pleasure mounted and he needed her to reach her pinnacle with him. As he pulled out once more, he used his finger to encircle her pleasure spot while he moved forward again. At once, she tightened around him and soft moans came from her open lips. He watched her as her excitement rose, his own matching hers as he slid in and out.

His control began to slip. His need became unbearable, her body pulling him to the edge. Then she constricted around him, her back arching as her feet held him against her and she gave a long, soft cry, sending him spiraling into his own sweet joy with her.

One. The word flitted through his mind as he held her to him, his very soul seeming to heal and rejoice as he filled her. The feelings were so overwhelming, he couldn’t move. He could only hold onto her, his anchor to life, his joy.

Finally, he opened his eyes to find his hands still gripping her while her chest rose and fell quickly with her breaths. He loosened his fingers and bent over to pull her up against him, keeping them together yet feeling her heart beat against his. He found himself looking forward to the future instead of ignoring it.

He wanted to know all her thoughts and ideas on life, love, learning, lanterns, everything. A different excitement built in his chest. He looked at each new day now with an anticipation of how she would see it and what they would do together. His breath caught as the image of a baby settled into his mind. For the first time in his life, he could see having children.

“Dory?”

“Hmm?” She remained limp, her arms and legs hanging loosely at her sides.

He took a certain amount of pride in that at the same time a fierce protectiveness filled him. “Would you like to go upstairs and lie down?”

She didn’t lift her head. Instead, she spoke to his shoulder. “Won’t the servants talk if we walk naked through the house?”

An image of them walking hand in hand naked up the stairs while the servants peeked from behind doorways had him laughing. He squeezed her tighter, not sure how he had been so fortunate as to earn her love. “Yes, I expect they will, even if they just peek around the corners.”

He felt her lips lift against his skin before she turned her head and looked at him. “We could be the talk of all downstairs.”

“I’m not sure that would be something to brag about.” He gazed into her eyes, which appeared a pretty aqua color at the moment. “But I could put your dress on you and carry you up.”

She tilted her head and a devilish look came into her eyes. “No, I absolutely forbid any of the maids to see you unclothed. No, we will just have to stay here, in the library. Do you think they would mind bringing our meals in here? Then tonight while everyone is asleep, we could sneak up to our rooms?”

His breath hitched at her suggestion. Stay in the library all day with no clothes on? It was so beyond his thought process that he found himself studying the idea from all angles. He’d never imagined it, but there was no reason not to. He gave her a sly smile. “I can think of no better way to spend the day.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and brushed a kiss across his lip. “I can, but we can do that tomorrow.”

He laughed outright, the sound filling the room, reverberating against them. At her widening eyes, he laughed harder, a happy tear escaping. Hugging her close, he felt her giggling in response.

Whatever his future held, he was convinced it would be filled with the unexpected and laughter. Much laughter and happiness. Lowering his lips to hers, he whispered, “My joy,” before losing himself in her once again.