Chapter Twelve

T he thin afternoon sun threw shadows on the ground as Julius and Augusta rode through the densely wooded tract of land two miles south of Welwyn Manor. A brisk wind whistled through the surrounding trees, most denuded of their splendid fall foliage. They were extremely fortunate there'd been no snow since Christmas to further impede them, otherwise Julius wouldn't have been able to arrange this tryst, an event he was very much looking forward to.

The idea of finally having Augusta in his bed had taken some time to sink into his brain after they finally left the library yesterday afternoon. Once it had, however, he seemed to be able to think of nothing else. Dinner had been spent sending surreptitious glances at Augusta across the table, increasing his desire to have her to himself tenfold. Unfortunately, their after-dinner conversation in the drawing room had been forced to remain mundane as they'd not been able to speak to one another alone the entire time.

First, he'd had to inform his mother that they could not leave for London as scheduled. And as he couldn't tell her what was transpiring between him and Augusta, he invented a wager with his cousins to explain why their departure must be delayed. That was always the easiest excuse for people to believe when it involved a Quartermain.

Of course, then he had to actually propose the wager to his cousins and brother. Knowing his mother, she might well ask to be in on the wager herself, which meant there had to be one. He'd have to be canny in the timing of things, but he believed it would work out in the end.

The result had been that he and Augusta exchanged longing looks surreptitiously all evening and by the time he climbed into bed that night, all he could imagine was the morrow's tryst, with visions of Augusta sprawled naked across the bed, her long hair brushing against the smooth creamy skin of her breasts, her nipples pert and peaked, ready for him to taste. Such images had led to a quick and not completely satisfying eruption. But at least it had relieved the tension and allowed him to sleep soundly so today he could make Augusta irrevocably his before proposing to her for the very last time.

"Can you please tell me where you're taking me, Julius?" Augusta's plaintive question had been asked several times since they'd met in the foyer.

"It's not much further, love. Are you cold?"

"No." She sent him a sly glance. "Excited."

Her husky tone sent a shiver of desire down Julius's spine, fueling his imagination once more. Images of their tryst to come were so vivid, his cock sprang to life, making its demands all too apparent. Gritting his teeth, he urged his horse into a trot.

Less than five minutes later, they emerged into the clearing surrounding the rustic cabin his grandfather had often used as a hunting retreat in his younger years. Julius and his brother and cousins had made up hunting parties when they'd been youngish gentlemen, but as Grandfather had aged, the cabin had fallen out of favor and into disuse. No one used it these days save for occasionally Uncle Hugh, Yule's father. With a very slight possibility of discovery, Julius believed he could safely press it into service of a different sort today.

They came to a halt and Julius quickly dismounted, tied up their horses, then turned back to assist Augusta.

Laughing, she slid down into his arms, her blue velvet riding habit accentuating her perfect figure as his hands held her trim waist.

She grasped his head and pressed a delicious kiss on his lips before turning toward the path to the cabin.

"You go ahead in. I'll stable the horses and be in directly."

She nodded, the jaunty black feather atop the little blue hat perched on her head bobbing in agreement.

With one hungry look at her retreating figure, Julius pulled on the horses' reins and led them around back to the stable. By the time he'd joined Augusta in the main room of the cabin, he could scarcely contain his excitement at the prospect of the pleasure they were both about to experience for the first time together.

Peering out the window, Augusta sighed, then turned to him, a concerned line wrinkling her brow. "You're certain no one will come to this cabin while we are here? There's still some hunting going on, according to my father."

"No, I swear to you, this retreat is scarcely ever used anymore." He sidled up behind her, slipped his arms around her, and drew her back against him. "We will be quite alone, I promise you."

"But it doesn't look as though it's fallen into disuse at all. The rooms look as though they've been recently refreshed." There was an edge of panic in her voice that he needed to banish.

"That is because I came out here early this morning and tidied it up." He nuzzled her neck. "I wanted this to be as comfortable and exciting for you as possible. Another type of adventure all together."

She turned in his arms and laid her head on his shoulder. "This is why I changed my mind, Julius."

"What do you mean?"

"I told you long ago that I wanted a life quite unlike my mother's, unlike that of most young ladies my age. I wanted the freedom to do things most of society would frown on or be shocked at. A life few men would be willing to give me." She looked up at him, love shining in her face. "You proved to me you were one of the rare few who would make my life one adventure after another." Grinning, she stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Like whisking me off to the woods to have your way with me."

He bent his head to her ear. "Shall I have my way with you now, sweetheart?"

She stared hungrily into his eyes. "Yes, oh, yes, my love."

With a swift motion that drew a shriek of surprise from her, Julius swooped her up in his arms. "As I think I have said before, your wish is my command, my lady."

He stalked over to the cabin's main bedroom, carried her over the threshold, then kicked the door shut.

*

Squealing with surprise and excitement, Augusta clung to Julius's neck as he strode into the bedroom, cradled in his strong arms. The room was spacious and clean, with a warm fire crackling in the fireplace, what looked to be thick, new covers on the bed, and a small rough-hewn table that held a variety of fruits and cheeses and a bottle of wine.

Julius kicked the door shut, then spun them around the room until her hat flew off, and she was laughing and dizzy. "Julius, stop. Stop before I am unwell."

He slowed to a halt, then carefully set her on her feet. She wobbled a bit, and he steadied her, brushing a stray wisp of hair off her forehead. Lord knew what her hair looked like after that spin. Better than it would by the time they'd finished here, for certain.

That thought sobered Augusta but only for a moment as Julius's mouth descended onto hers. The dizziness returned as she could scarcely breathe for the pounding of her heart. Immediately he sought entrance to her mouth, and she opened oh so willingly, reveling in his intimate caress. Boldly he explored her, his tongue stroking hers, then darting here and there, creating a longing in her for more of his attentions.

As though he could read her thoughts, he slipped his hands upward until he cupped her breasts. Even through layers of clothing and whalebone, his touch lit a flame deep inside her. Moaning in anticipation of everything yet to come, Augusta pushed against his hands, trying to feel more of his touch and becoming frustrated when she could not.

Julius broke the kiss, his eyes normally so intense a blue, now black and filled with an undisguised hunger.

Her stomach twisted at the sight of that raw desire, her body responding with a throbbing sensation deep at her core.

"Let me help you with your clothing, sweetheart."

Augusta nodded and, biting her lip quickly undid the long row of buttons down the front of the jacket. A wave of cool air touched her skin and she shivered as he quickly stripped the garment from her. She rubbed her arms where the icy air had made gooseflesh rise all over her. The chill was replaced immediately by a surge of heat as Julius set his lips to the nape of her neck, at the same time slipping his hand around to cup her breasts.

"Oh, Julius." Eyes closed, she couldn't move for the flood of sensation that overpowered her. The trail of kisses down her neck made her arch her back like a cat, luxuriating in each slow movement of his mouth.

Suddenly, her corset loosened, and he drew it off her, letting it fall to the floor. His hands covered her breasts, stroking them softy through the thin layer of her linen chemise until her nipples stiffened into tight little peaks and her breasts swelled. Never had anything felt so good as when his fingers caressed those hard points. Each time he brushed them, it sparked a delicious coiling down in her nether regions.

Reveling in these strange new sensations, Augusta stood still, trying to savor everything happening at once. Every movement he made incited new flutterings inside, as he untied the her skirt, letting it fall to a heap on the floor. He then finished removing her chemise, drawing it slowly over her head, leaving her naked and exposed to his devouring gaze. Suddenly aware as never before of her completely unclothed state, Augusta tried to turn away from his hot gaze. However, he stopped her, and turned her back toward him.

"You must allow me to feast on the sight of your perfect body, my love." His eyes roved over her, taking her in from head to toe, approval in his hungry gaze. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever beheld, Augusta." He seemed unable to take his eyes off her. "I knew it from the moment we met, but I couldn't have imagined just how exquisite you would be until this very moment."

He drew her to him and kissed her mouth, slipping his tongue inside so naturally, she was scarcely surprised. Then it was gone as he continued his caresses down her neck, across her chest, dipping into the cleft between her breasts before making a trail down to the tip of her nipple. He circled it with his tongue once, then clamped his lips around the entire tip.

Knees buckling, August gave a cry and grabbed his neck. Suddenly she was scooped into his arms and carried swiftly to the bed, where he laid her gently on the coverlet, shivering with a raging desire that crashed over her in a tidal wave.

"Let me disrobe, love, then I will join you." He doffed his jacket then began to swiftly strip off his clothing.

Her breath coming a little steadier now, Augusta crawled under the covers, all the while not taking her eyes off the fascinating display as Julius removed piece after piece of his clothing, revealing more and more of the sleek body she'd only ever imagined. Except for Greek statues in the British Museum, she'd never seen a naked man before, so now she was about to find out for herself if the Greeks had gotten it right.

Down to his shirt, breeches, and boots, Julius looked over at her and raised an eyebrow, as if seeking approval. There was still a lot left to her imagination, but not for long, so she nodded and dragged the covers up to her neck. He pulled off his Hessians, then slid the stockings from his legs, revealing well-shaped calf muscles. She must have made some sort of noise, for he glanced back up at her, gave her a wicked grin, and unbuttoned his breeches.

Augusta swallowed convulsively as he peeled them off. There was a flash of bare skin, a glimpse of his huge member jutting out that was immediately hidden by the voluminous folds of his shirt. Eyes wide, forcing herself to breathe, Augusta watched as he stalked toward the bed then sat beside her.

"You're not frightened are you, love?" He spoke soothingly as he stroked her cheek.

"A little." Emma had explained about a man's member, but Augusta had thought her friend had perhaps held back somewhat on her description of the size of it. Or else Julius was simply bigger than other men.

"That's to be expected." He kissed her softly. "Do you want me to continue? We don't have to do this now. We can wait until we are married, you know."

Augusta shook back her head. This was what she wanted. "We will have all our married lives to do this, but just this one chance to be scandalous. We can't anticipate the wedding night after the wedding."

Chuckling, Julius rose. "In that you are correct, my love." With one fluid motion he pulled the shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor, now towering over her in all his naked glory.

Oh, yes. The Greeks had certainly gotten it right. Julius did indeed rival Adonis. The broad shoulders, the sculptured chest, the stomach rippling with taut muscles, right down to the strong arms and thighs and slim hips. The only thing they'd not depicted correctly was the huge member that jutted straight out at her. Augusta's breath seemed to leave her body in a single whoosh. Still, she had to admit he was everything a woman could ever desire. And he was about to be hers for the rest of her life.

He drew back the covers and she slid over to make room for him. The bed was small, but that didn't matter. They were going to be very close no matter what.

Julius slipped beneath the sheet and gathered her to him, pressing his bare skin to the whole length of her body. "We'll warm up in a minute."

"I suspect so." Suddenly nervous, Augusta couldn't stop trembling. She understood well what was about to happen. Emma had been quite clear on the details—her friend was remarkably frank for a woman in Polite Society.

"It will hurt, you know." He tucked a tendril of hair back behind her ear.

"I know." Her friend had spoken plainly about that, in particular. "But only for a moment or two."

"You do know quite a lot about this, don't you?" He turned toward her, slipping his hands over her breasts, cupping them firmly.

"Yes." The word came out in a gasp. How could it be otherwise when he was stroking and caressing her bare nipples like that? Was he trying to distract her from the next thing to come?

And suddenly Julius rose over top of her, straddling her body, his hot heaviness unexpected, yet exciting. With a gleam in his eyes, he slid down and lowered his mouth to her breast, then engulfed the nipple once more, sucking on it gently.

"Ah, ah." The sensation was like nothing she'd ever known before. As he drew in again, that coiling sensation down at her core sprang to life, growing more intense each time he pulled on her flesh. The coil began to spiral upward, just as it had done yesterday, leading to that amazing burst of pleasure. If that was where this was leading, she was oh so ready to oblige.

Julius shifted his body and his hand brushed her curls, causing the spiraling to quicken each time his hand and mouth worked together, pushing her toward the top…

Instinctively, she lifted her hips against his hand, pressing it hard against the nub and suddenly she was soaring, shattering, bursting from within as waves and waves of that most intense pleasure shot through her body. Panting as though she'd just run a race, Augusta slumped against the mattress, well spent and more than content once more.

"You enjoyed that didn't you, sweetheart?" Julius whispered in her ear.

"So much." She hugged him to her. "It's the most incredible feeling. I don't know why women must wait until marriage to experience it." She peered up at him. "Men obviously don't."

He chuckled. "Well, you didn't either."

"I am an exception." She snuggled down against him once more.

"You certainly are exceptional." He kissed her neck. "Which is why I love you so very much." He shifted up over top of her once more and peered down at her. "Are you ready?"

"Yes." This must be the actual thing this time. She certainly hoped she was ready for this.

"Just relax and I will take care of you." He slid his body down until he covered hers. "Open your legs, love."

Steeling herself, Augusta did as he asked. Immediately a hot, hard pressure appeared at her entrance.

"Raise your knees…yes, that's it." Julius pressed his rigid member right up against her opening.

Closing her eyes, Augusta gritted her teeth, tensing against the pain to come.

And it did come.

With a grunt, Julius thrust forward. There was a great deal of pressure, a sharp stab of pain—like a cut from a sharp knife—followed by a stinging, burning sensation as he continued on, filling her up to the brim with himself.

Unable to help herself, Augusta cried out, more from surprise than from the pain itself. And to her horror, her eyes filled with tears.

"Augusta!" Julius froze, his face a mask of fear. "Did I hurt you that badly?" The agony in his voice made her tears flow faster. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine." But the wretched tears wouldn't stop trickling from her eyes, running down the side of her face onto the pillow. "I'm quite all right. Just terribly surprised by the…feeling…of you." As if this wasn't already going all wrong, her cheeks began to burn with the embarrassment of having to explain all this to him.

"I hurt you that badly?" He stilled himself, his face quite pale. "We should stop. This can't be right if you're hurting this much."

"It's not the hurt." She simply didn't have the words to describe what she felt. "The first pain is gone. It was only like a cut, not truly bad. Now it just feels…strange. I don't know why I'm crying." She wiped at her tears with the back of her hand, praying they would subside. "Truly, I'm fine. Please, don't make us stop."

He peered down at her, a brooding look on his face.

A horrible thought occurred to Augusta. "Unless…this is all there is to…it?"

With a groan, Julius hung his head. "You will be the death of me, Augusta Hardy." He raised his head to look at her. "No, that is not all there is to making love. You should know that by now."

"What do you mean?"

"What just happened…and what happened yesterday?"

Her eyes widened. "That is supposed to happen now too?"

"Yes, but for the both of us." He frowned. "Did your friend forget to tell you that part?"

"Perhaps I didn't listen so carefully after a while." There had been so much to consider during Emma's talk and some of the things she'd said had distracted Augusta more than she'd like to admit. "Can we continue, or do we have to start all over?"

Julius closed his eyes and growled low in his throat, which then turned to a chuckle. "Just lie back, sweetheart and let me take care of everything."

Nodding, Augusta tried to relax back on the bed, happy to let Julius take over. She obviously didn't remember as much of Emma's talk as she'd thought she did. "I'm ready."

He lowered his mouth and dropped a blistering kiss on her lips, then thrust forward, filling her again, more fully than last time. The strange feeling of fullness was still there, but the pain didn't return. That was a blessing.

When he began to pull himself out of her she was puzzled and disappointed, because he'd just said that—

Oh! He lunged back inside her, the sensation beginning to feel more normal. There was even a pattern, a rhythm beginning to form. Glide forward, pull back. Forward and back. And if she lifted her hips at just the right time, his body brushed against her little pleasure nub. "Oh, Julius, that feels so good."

The coiling sensation had begun again.

"God, yes, it does, sweetheart." He smiled down at her. "You have no idea."

"Yes, I do. Oh, yes!" He'd brushed the nub with his hand, sending her spiraling upward. Before she reached that peak, however, he sped up his thrusts, pumping into her time and again. He touched her nub again and Augusta cried out as she shattered around him, exploding with pleasure as her body gripped his over and over again.

Julius thrust into her once more, then cried out her name and suddenly she was filled with liquid heat. He slumped over her, but rolled to the side before he could crush her. They lay side by side, Julius panting as though he'd had an apoplexy.

Alarmed, Augusta dragged herself up to peer down at him. "Are you all right?" She shook his shoulder. "Are you dying? What is going on, Julius?"

Still gasping for breath, Julius shook his head and pulled her down on top of him. "I'm… fine. Have to…catch my breath."

Greatly relieved, Augusta relaxed into the warmth of him. "Thank goodness. I wished I'd known more about…everything that happens."

"You know more than most young ladies do now." He wrapped his arms around her and she could hear the racing thump thump of his heart.

"I can only think how shocked they will be on their wedding nights." Her own would now be much less frightening. "At least I know what to expect from now on."

Julius chuckled. "My love, we have only scratched the surface of how a man and a woman can pleasure one another. And we will discover them all together, one after the other, as soon as we are married." Now that sounded most interesting indeed. Emma had hinted that there wasn't just one way a husband and wife enjoyed marital congress, as she'd called it. And if they had to wait for marriage in order to do this again, well that could take months. Her brother's engagement had lasted almost seven months. Having discovered the amazing feelings of pleasure Julius could give her, she had no intention of waiting so long to experience them again.

He raised his head to stare intently down into her eyes. "You will marry me now, won't you? If not, we are both in for a lot of explanations should you now be carrying my child."

Running her hand across his broad chest, Augusta gave him a sly smile. "Why don't we meet here tomorrow afternoon and I will give you my answer—after you show me more ways we can give one another these pleasures?"

"Augusta, you cannot be serious." Julius sat up, bringing her up to sit beside him. "You must agree to marry me."

"Come here tomorrow and you'll receive your answer." She reached up and grabbed his earlobe between her teeth, then gently pulled downward.

Julius shuddered. "Where did you learn to do that?"

She grinned triumphantly at him. "I'll tell you my secrets after you show me yours—tomorrow."