Chapter Twenty-Three

Georgie sensed another presence close to her and August, and then she heard the familiar clearing of a throat, knowing her brother was nearby.

Turning her head, she broke the kiss, seeing not only James, but also Sophie standing next to them, along with Mama. Mama wore a bemused expression, while Sophie's was one of delight. James, on the other hand, looked sternly at her and August.

"If you are making a public spectacle of yourself and my sister, Edgethorne, then I expect you to do the right thing and offer for her immediately."

His tone might have sounded harsh, but Georgie saw James' lips twitch in amusement.

August faced her family, one arm still possessively about her as he offered his hand to the duke.

"I am deeply in love with Lady Georgina, Your Graces. I find I cannot exist without her in my life and by my side. With your permission, I plan to purchase a special license tomorrow morning, and we will wed as soon as possible."

Knowing how Mama spent hours planning any event she hosted, Georgie quickly said, "Do not worry, Mama. I told Lord Edgethorne we would not wed tomorrow. That you would need at least a day to put together our wedding breakfast. And of course, we must send word to Shadowcrest so that Aunt Matty and my sisters and cousins can come to town for the ceremony."

August turned to her. "I know how important your twin is to you, my lady. If you wish to delay the wedding until Lord and Lady Hopewell have returned to England, I am more than willing to do so."

His words touched her deeply, moving Georgie to tears, and she cradled his cheek with her palm.

"That is a kind gesture on your part, my lord, but Pippa and Seth will be gone at least another year—if not longer. Pippa told me to follow my heart. My heart tells me to wed you as soon as possible."

He gave her one of his rare, sunny smiles, putting Georgie on top of the world.

"It is time for the supper dance, Lord Edgethorne," Mama said. "Perhaps you and my daughter would like to dance it together and then sit at the head table with us during supper."

August inclined his head. "I would be honored to do so, Your Grace."

James added, "We will make the announcement at the beginning of supper, then." Frowning at August, he added, "And you had better love my sister the way she loves you, my lord."

"I would give my life for Lady Georgina," August declared. "And I plan to love and cherish her each day more than I did the day before."

James nodded approvingly. "That is good enough for me. Come. Let us go to the center of the ballroom."

James offered his arm to Sophie, and she took it. August did the same for Georgie, and she placed her fingers lightly upon his sleeve as they followed them to the center of the room. She noticed how the ballroom buzzed with conversation and chuckled to herself.

"You find our situation amusing, Georgina?" August asked, mischief in his own emerald eye.

"I rather think I will enjoy being the topic of gossip. Just this once, though. For now, I merely want to dance with my betrothed."

The musicians struck up the waltz, and soon Georgie was being twirled about the ballroom by the man she adored. They did not talk while the music played, but their eyes spoke volumes to one another.

When the music ended, August escorted her to the supper room and the head table.

Mama was already there and said, "You make a striking couple on the dance floor. Georgina has always enjoyed dancing, my lord."

August smiled. "Then I will make certain we dance together every day, Your Grace."

James and Sophie joined them, and her brother said, "I have already asked Powell to see champagne distributed before others go through the buffet line."

She looked up and saw footmen bearing trays and guests accepting flutes.

When everyone had one in hand, James stepped forward and said, "Tonight's ball is in honor of my sister, Lady Georgina Strong, who is making her come-out this Season. I am pleased to announce that she has accepted an offer of marriage from the Marquess of Edgethorne. Lord Edgethorne is a good friend of the Strong family, and we thoroughly support this match."

Raising his flute high, James continued. "To Lady Georgina and Lord Edgethorne. May they live and love well."

"To Lady Georgina and Lord Edgethorne," their guests echoed, raising their flutes in a toast to the couple.

Georgie turned to August, who was now officially her fiancé, and tapped her flute lightly against his, saying, "To us—and our love."

They each sipped on their champagne as some guests seated themselves, while others headed to the buffet.

August turned to her and said, "I have never been happier in my entire life, and that happiness fills me now to the brim, spilling over."

She reached for his hand and clasped it. "I feel the same. Why don't we slip out for a few minutes? I am a bit overwhelmed, being scrutinized by so many."

They excused themselves and headed toward the buffet, veering off and leaving the supper room altogether. Georgie took August's hand, threading her fingers through his, pulling him along.

"You seem to have a destination in mind," he noted.

"You'll see soon enough," she told him, leading him to her bedchamber.

Opening the door, she pulled him inside and threw the lock, grabbing the lapels of his evening coat and pulling him down to her. Their mouths collided, and they kissed hungrily.

August finally broke the kiss. "We should not be here."

"Who would even think to look for us here?" Georgie challenged.

Her gaze met his and she said, "I want to be yours, August. No one but yours. Make me yours now."

"You realize what you are saying?" he asked, apparently stunned by her boldness.

"We will be wed in two days' time. I want to know all of you. Now. Do not make me wait."

A slow smile lit up his face, and he pulled her into his arms. "I will love you the best I can, Georgina. I will always be faithful to you. You saw who I was when so many others couldn't. You have made me want to live again. With you. A life which is long and full and incredibly satisfying."

Then his smile turned wicked. "Prepare to be kissed everywhere. And I mean everywhere."

A shiver of delight ran through her at his words. She knew what they now did together would bind them for all time. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually.

"You will need to guide me, August. Show me the way into love. I know you have the experience which I lack."

Tenderly, he framed her face with his long fingers, his thumbs stroking her cheeks. "I have been with other women, Georgina. But I have never loved until now. Our coupling will be a new experience for me, as well."

Then he kissed her deeply, sending Georgie to the heavens.

They kissed as he removed her clothing, and then kissed even more. She would have thought, being reserved in nature, that she would feel shy standing bare before him. Instead, she stood proudly, knowing he would be the only man who ever saw her in this way.

She gazed at the perfection of his large body, placing a palm on the muscular chest, slowly gliding it back and forth, watching the muscles bunch. Her fingers moved to his nipple, one fingertip circling it. August groaned and took her hand in his.

"Do this lightly," he instructed, having Georgie rake her fingernail back and forth across his nipple.

He moaned, and Georgie felt feminine power swell within her. Suddenly, she had the urgent need to kiss him there.

And did so.

She boldly flicked her tongue across his nipple, and he clutched her shoulders, a deep sigh coming from him.

Raising her head, she asked, "Do you like that?"

"I would tell you yes, but you might not believe me, love. Let me do the same to you and see what you think."

His mouth moved to her breast, sucking on it hard, causing her core to tighten in response, filling her with desire. He then toyed with her nipple, using his tongue and teeth, grazing his teeth across it, while using his fingers to tweak the nipple of her other breast.

Georgie gasped. "Oh! That is rather delicious. May I try again on you?"

August smoothed her hair. "You do whatever you wish with me, love. Because I am—and always will be—yours."

Eventually, they moved to the bed, where he thoroughly explored every inch of her. His hands caressed her as his mouth kissed her soft flesh, and she felt a deep yearning build within her. She knew something magical was coming but still had no idea what it would be. Whatever happened, though, it would be wonderful. Because August was the one with her. The man who would always stand by her side.

His lips brushed against her belly, even as his fingers parted her. He slipped a finger inside her, and her hips rose. He caressed her intimately, deeply, causing that incredible tension from before to build inside her. She trembled in anticipation.

Then his mouth moved lower and suddenly, it was at her core, his tongue thrusting in and out of her. Georgie whimpered in need, her fingers pushing into his hair, holding on tightly as the sensations continued growing, pushing her to the edge. A moment came when she finally tumbled over that edge, the pleasure almost violent, rocking her body. She rode the wave of that sensual pleasure, crying out his name.

When it subsided, her fingers fell from his hair, her entire body going limp.

He rose, hovering over her, his hands cradling her face.

"I love you, Georgina Strong. I commit my body, heart, and soul to you."

She felt his manhood pressing against her slick core. He thrust inside her with one quick movement, and she drew in a sharp breath. A brief shot of pain had run through her, but it vanished as quick as it had appeared.

"Get used to me inside you, love. I know there was a flash of pain, but I promise it will never occur again. Tell me when you are ready to move."

Georgie clasped his shoulders and raised her hips instinctively.

"Ah, that felt good," August said, his voice low and rough.

"It did for me, as well," she replied. "Perhaps we should do it some more."

"What we do now is create our own dance, Georgina. A dance of love."

August kissed her tenderly and then thrust into her again several times, causing Georgie to meet each thrust.

He was right. It was like a dance. A new type of music she was eager to learn how to play.

And play, they did.

The feeling he had brought to her earlier returned and once more, Georgie took a leap of faith and tumbled over the edge of that cliff into delicious pleasure. August pumped away, his own cry of enthusiasm letting her know he enjoyed the experience as much as she had.

He collapsed atop her, kissing her thoroughly, before he rolled to his side and they faced one another.

"That is making love," he told her. "I already want more of you, Georgina. All of you. More of all of you."

She laughed in delight. "I think this will be something we do quite often," she said, smiling. "You told Mama we would dance together each day. I will tell you now, August, this is my preferred method of dancing with you."

He roared with laughter, covering her face in kisses.

Rising from the bed, he went to the table, returning with a basin of water he had poured and a cloth.

"I broke through your maidenhead, and there is a slight bit of blood. As I said before, that will never happen again."

Tenderly, he ministered to her and then helped her to redress in her ballroom finery before he slipped into his own evening clothes again.

Glancing in the mirror, she said, "Let me repair my hair. I do not want others to know we have been dancing in private," which caused him to laugh again.

August helped remove the pins which had remained in her hair, and then she twisted it again into a simple chignon, which she had worn earlier in the evening. Hopefully, none of their guests would be the wiser as to what had taken place upstairs during the supper hour.

They returned to the ballroom, seeing a few guests were already drifting in from supper. Georgie suggested they step out onto the terrace to catch a bit of the evening breeze. They remained there until they heard the music begin, and August led her inside and danced a second time with her.

Once the dance ended, he said, "Dance with your other guests now—but save the last dance for me, love."

"I will always save the last—and best—dance for you, August."