Chapter Thirty-Nine

Two months later at Silvercrest Manor…

E very Sunday for several weeks now, all the doctors from Harley Street had come to the country estate. Pippa and Nick had taken their honeymoon there and their Sunday reunions were a welcome pleasure. Plus, Bea and Alfie had been there when the banns were read. And this morning, they’d married in a small church among their closest friends. Stan, Violet, and Henry had been there, too, even though Violet had grown a bit round with child and fanned herself during the entire ceremony in the small and stuffy church.

“I have a wedding present for you,” Alfie said when the door to Bea’s bed chamber shut with a click. He leaned back and held something behind his back in his left hand, while he turned the key with his right and left it in the lock.

“What are you hiding from me?” Bea cocked her head and took a step toward him. She could tell it was wicked by the look on his face but didn’t dare ask. A mischievous glint in his eyes mixed with a grin that bubbled from within him and then his face brightened, and he beamed.

“This is the key. No, it’s your jewel.”

“Jewel?” She had enough jewelry. What Bea had in mind for this night was different.

He stepped closer, still hiding something behind his back. And as he walked toward her, Bea couldn’t suppress her glee that this extraordinarily handsome man was hers. The curl that draped over his forehead a little, the short dark lashes rimming his teal-green eyes—everything about him was perfection.

When he smiled, Bea’s insides melted. When he kissed her, she was ablaze. His voice resonated through her very core and when she lay her hands on his chest to feel his heart, she knew it beat for her. Plus, his fingers were wickedly capable—not merely in his apothecary.

Bea sucked her lower lip in.

“Do you wish to say something?” Alfie asked.

I want to feel you inside me.

“I mustn’t,” Bea mumbled.

“Ah! That’s exactly what I thought.” He faced her, a small green glass bottle in his hand.

“Is this for me?”

“It’s for me,” he said but held the little bottle out to her. “A map.”

“Perfume.”

“No, this is not perfume because it has a taste and a scent. It’s sweet almond oil with vanilla and a little of the neroli oil from Pippa’s orangery. I added some pine honey.”

“Most certainly for me.” Bea reached for it and lifted the glass stopper from the bottle. It smelled floral and sweet, like a freshly-baked almond torte.

“No. Some of my friends are jewelers, and they have stories about each piece they craft. I wanted to give you something precious, but more private. So, I mixed this for you, and I vow to make you as much as you need, a lifetime supply at your pleasure.”

Bea narrowed her eyes. Pleasure?

“Why do I need this and how is it a map?” Bea asked.

“You don’t ask for what you want, so you can show it with this.”

This was not going as she’d hoped. Bea crossed her arms in front of her body.

“See? Right now, your body language says that you’re not pleased with me and yet you won’t say anything.”

“I’m a lady, it’s not my place—”

“ Shhh .” Alfie came close and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips. “I know you were raised not to ask a husband for certain things. But nobody knew that husband would be me,” Alfie whispered, but flames sparked in his eyes and set Bea’s skin ablaze with the need for his touch. “In a marriage with me, you’re my equal.” He cocked his head. “Perhaps my superior in many ways.” Then his mien darkened, and he spoke with a sincerity that left Bea breathless. “You are my love and my life. Always speak your mind with me. Please never hold back, for I need to know what’s in your mind to make you happy in your heart.”

She bit her cheek.

“Right now, I can see, you want something, but you won’t ask for it. So, I made this oil for you.” He picked up the flask and turned it upside down, then back. He lifted the dauber out of the flask and handed it to her. “Show me where you want me to kiss you. Telling me what to do doesn’t have to be with words.” Alfie’s eyes softened, revealing a vulnerability that spoke volumes, a silent plea wrapped in desire.

At first, Bea hesitated. She had no words.

He’d known that, and that’s why she was holding the dauber with the sweet almond oil.

She touched her collarbone gently with the glass dauber; the cold hardness was like ice on her skin.

Alfie’s eyes tracked the dauber’s path with rapt attention, his gaze lingering on the glistening spot where it touched her skin before he leaned in, his lips brushing softly against the fragrant skin. Bea held the dauber as if it were a key while Alfie kissed her collarbone slowly and with such reverence that she burst into goosebumps.

When he lifted his head, casting her a look that was loyal and yet fierce like a wolf, another wave of courage washed over her. She dabbed a little of the oil on her shoulder. His unwavering gaze, full of longing, followed her every movement, making the room feel smaller and their connection deeper. With the flicker of a mischievous smile, Alfie bent down and kissed her there, too.

“It’s working.” Bea couldn’t suppress a grin. This would be fun.

Alfie nodded and licked his lips as his gaze dropped to her mouth. He tugged at his cravat and loosened it. It was really too bad because he had been such a dashing groom dressed in crisp white and black.

He pulled his cravat off and shrugged off his boots.

Hm, on second thought, Bea had to gleefully admit to herself that the only thing better than her elegant groom was her naked husband.

He unbuttoned his shirt, his pupils dilated, reflecting a quiet devotion and an unspoken promise as they locked onto Bea’s, unyielding and warm. He was waiting for instructions.

Bea inhaled deeply and shifted the dauber to her left hand, with which she was holding the flask. Then she tilted the flacon and poured a little of the fragrant oil onto her right palm.

Alfie’s brows narrowed, and he stilled. The way his gaze followed her every movement, unwavering and full of longing, made the room feel smaller, their connection deeper.

She rubbed the oil on the back of her neck and spread it as low as she could reach on her back.

Alfie’s gaze grew more intense.

Without a word but with a proud grin like a peacock, Alfie stepped behind her and lowered his mouth onto her neck. He followed the path she’d painted closely, kissing the scented area with increasing passion, each kiss lasting just a moment longer than the last. The contact of his hot mouth on her skin made the tiny hairs on her neck prick up and a wave of chills rolled over her arms, instantly replaced by the heat of her longing.

He kissed her tenderly while she tilted her head forward, giving him greater access. Bea reached up and started to pull the pins from her upswept hair. Without stopping to kiss her back, Alfie’s hands slid up her sides to her arms, over her elbows, and up toward her wrists.

When Alfie’s hands met hers, he drove his fingers through her hair, letting it fall like a silken drape as he spun her around. His eyes were black with desire, and Bea’s breath hitched when she saw his expression. This was not admiration for the diamond of the first water, nor was it the expectant gaze that usually met her; it was raw and honest love—the unconditional and generous kind that Bea knew deep in her heart only Alfie was capable of.

*

Of all the beauties in the world, Alfie couldn’t fathom his luck to have the brightest, sweetest, and most sizzling one of all in his arms. His heart was flooded with so much love for his bride that he marveled at the sturdiness of his ribcage as his heart was thrumming so wildly, it might jump out.

He untied the laces at the back of her dress, reveling in the depth of her breath as the tight corset fell from her delicate frame. Her wedding dress slid to the floor and pooled at her feet. He didn’t know how to even begin gathering the fabric, but he suspected that her dress was sinfully expensive, so he merely put it over the chair behind him. And the woman before him was unspeakably precious. Alfie put his hands on her waist over the sheer white chemise and pressed her against him. He was finally allowed to do this. That was a relief, and yet his blood boiled with the urgency to feel more of her and plunge into her. The desire raging in his veins was overpowering his vision and yet, he couldn’t close his eyes because he wanted to memorize this night, and every moment thereafter, with his love.

Oh, his love.

His bride.

His wife.

Alfie swallowed hard.

Bea still held the flask and poured some more oil onto her hand, then rubbed it on her chest, down onto her stomach, and then, Alfie forgot to breathe. He bent down to press a tender kiss onto the anointed spots, his lips lingering as if savoring the scent and sensation. She tugged at her chemise and Alfie allowed just enough distance between them to disrobe.

Alfie nodded and pulled his shirt over his head, letting it fall to the floor. Bea hooked her fingers into his breeches, tugging at the waistband.

“You first,” Alfie rasped. Apparently, his bride was the exact amount of beauty that turned him into a stammering green boy, so in awe was he of her allure.

Bea crossed her arms, picked up the hem of her chemise, and elegantly pulled it over her head. Then she removed her stays and stockings.

She was naked perfection. And she smelled like a dessert, tasted like honey, and felt like the finest silk.

Before long, they were both naked and Bea sank onto the bed, wrapping her arms around Alfie’s neck and pulling him down. He climbed over her, his cock throbbing. This time, finally wed, he’d allow himself to go all the way. As if pulled by a magnet, his tip found the apex of her legs, but he didn’t allow himself to move farther.

Not yet.

“Do you want me to use protection?”

“But we are married,” Bea said, arching a brow. “Do you need it?”

Alfie stroked a few strands of hair from her forehead and then dug his hand into the silky lushness of the mane upon which her head rested. She was so precious and so beautiful that it hurt to look at her.

“I won’t be able to hold back, and I want to feel you climax around me.” He knew it sounded harsh, but he needed her to be aware. He wouldn’t ever do anything without her permission. “If I pour myself into you, you might get pregnant.”

Alfie chastised himself for the clinical touch he’d brought into their wedding night but there was so much she didn’t know. He just didn’t want any surprises for her that she didn’t welcome.

“I know what will happen, Pippa told me.”

Alfie rolled his eyes and pursed his lips. “She and Nick…?”

Bea nodded and grinned as if she’d been privy to the most delicious secrets. “She told me in London already.”

Alfie cocked his head. He had to hand this to Nick, he didn’t miss a moment. Good for them.

Tonight was his turn.

“I’m not afraid of having a baby. We have enough doctors who can help.” Bea smiled and something changed.

“Babies are very small when they are born, they need help with everything,” Alfie said, plopping on his side and off Bea. He propped his head up on his hand and she turned to face him.

Naked, atop the covers as husband and wife.

She was ready.

He placed a hand on her flat abdomen. “Are you certain you are ready? We can take our time before we—”

But she didn’t let him finish. She thrust her lips onto his, sucked his tongue into her mouth and shook her head. “I don’t want to wait.”

Alfie opened his mouth for her as she gripped his face.

He grabbed her bottom and nudged her to the tip of his cock.

Well, if she was ready, then he most certainly would be.

She adjusted her hips, and he felt the hot need of her wet folds on his shaft. Then she slid up on his and broke the kiss. She pushed him onto the bed and climbed onto him.

Alfie opened his eyes to a siren sitting on him astride.

With her hands on his chest, she adjusted her position. Alfie’s fingers ventured to her center, and he parted her folds.

“Here,” he managed, arching his neck to look at the erotic image.

She gripped his shaft, flexed her thighs, lifted her center, and then he was at her opening.

His mouth agape, Alfie watched her as she looked down and rubbed her pearl with the tip of his cock. His vision blurred and he blinked, unwilling to give in to the need to thrust in and he waited, slack-jawed at how curious, brave, and delicious his bride was.

Oh, if this was the wedding night only, their marriage would be grand indeed.

He couldn’t wait.

But he did.

“It might hurt,” he said, using both hands to part her.

She looked down to where their bodies were meeting, about to unite, and her hair fell into her face. Her lush curls draped over her shoulders and Alfie needed to see her eyes. So he let go of her folds and reached for her, brushing her tresses away so he could see her face.

And that’s when she dropped onto him, and he slid into her with one swift motion.

She made an adorable hic, her eyes grew big, and her mouth fell open. They both looked down and Alfie was buried inside her to the hilt. She was so wonderfully tight all around and his cock twitched inside her. He didn’t mean for it to happen; he had wanted to give her time to adjust to the invasion.

But she just felt so wonderfully perfect and amazing that he dropped onto the covers and tried to steady his breath.

“Are you hurting?” he whispered.

“ Eh-eh .” She shook her head and placed her hands on his hip bone. “This is big.”

Alfie couldn’t breathe and speak at the same time.

His virgin— ahem , not virgin bride anymore —sat on him, enveloping him, and she marveled at his size. If he didn’t keep his wits, he’d come on the spot.

“You. Feel. So. Good.” Made for me.

Then she clenched inside.

He felt her liquid desire spreading around his cock as she moved.

Perhaps he could help her now, teach her even?

Alfie lifted his head and reached for her bottom, nudging her up and down.

She bit her lower lip and looked at where they were joined. Learning.

Exploring.

So sweet.

“You are so deep inside me,” she rasped. “And I want more.”

“Deeper?” Alfie asked.

She nodded, giving him a puzzled look.

Oh yes, it is possible my love.

He wrapped his right hand around her left thigh and pulled her leg up until her ankle rested on his shoulder.

Her initially puzzled look quickly gave way to astonishment and then amazement. But Alfie still gave her time. She was so very tight, and he didn’t want to hurt her.

And he most certainly didn’t want her to be too sore in the morning for more marital bliss.

She moaned and pressed her center against his middle, seeking the friction of their united bodies.

“More?”

Was that a question?

Alfie reached for her pearl, and she quivered.

Just when he wanted to retreat his hand, she clasped his with her hand and pushed him down.

“Are you really ready?”

Her breathing came labored, and she licked her lips as she nodded.

So she allowed him to take the lead.

She let out a little yelp and he instantly missed being inside her.

He looked down. No blood.

Good.

Now he took his time and ensured that she lay comfortably on the soft covers, her head on a pillow.

She reached for his torso, touched him everywhere, and when she cupped his balls, Alfie spread her legs.

Slowly but deliberately, he moved toward her.

“May I now?” he asked, his cock at her entrance.

She parted her folds with her fingers just as he had before. One last time, Alfie reached down and was rewarded with a generous drop of her slick desire.

Then he placed the tip of his cock at the opening, wet and hot.

But he didn’t push.

He needed to kiss his bride first.

His Bea.

When his mouth came to hers, her tongue darted to his, and she opened up for him. That was when he plunged in and pressed on.

Her hands clasped his bottom this time and she pulled him closer. “You feel… oh Alfie!” She let out another adorable sound and then purred, sucking him in for a deeper kiss, deeper inside her.

His vision blurred and he just shut his eyes.

At first, he moved slowly, in and out.

But she met his every thrust until he pumped harder.

She clenched around his cock and held on to him.

“I have you,” Alfie said, then he wrapped everything he had around his wife. They were one, intertwined, and forever united.

Bea was a dream come true. He never wanted to wake up.

*

Bea’s entire being swirled with a storm of emotions, every sensation magnified. Alfie moved within her, each motion sending waves of warmth and pleasure through her body. As she reached the peak, he pulled her close, his embrace a fortress of security. In that moment, she found a profound sense of safety she had never known.

Her breath caught as another wave of pleasure surged through her, even more intense than the first. The world around them faded, leaving only their shared intimacy. When she finally returned to herself, she found Alfie’s hands cradling the back of her head, his touch tender yet firm. Their bodies remained connected, a physical testament to the bond they had forged.

She gazed into his green eyes, now clear and unguarded. Gone was the headscarf that had concealed him in India; gone was the veil she had worn. They had stripped away all pretenses, offering themselves wholly to one another. Bea’s heart brimmed with gratitude, overwhelmed by the completeness she felt.

Alfie brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek. “We are one,” he whispered, his voice a soft caress. His words resonated deep within her, affirming their unity.

She smiled, a tear escaping down her cheek. “Forever,” she replied, her voice steady with conviction. His lovely green eyes shone with happiness, and she knew she’d been the one to put the light there.

“I’m just sorry I didn’t find you sooner,” he said, his voice filled with sincerity and warmth. “But now that I have you, I will never let you go.”

Tears of joy welled up in Bea’s eyes. “I love you, Alfie. More than words can ever express.”

His gaze softened, filled with an emotion she knew mirrored her own. “I love you too, Bea. With all my heart and soul.”

They lay there, entwined in each other’s arms, the room filled with the quiet aftermath of their passion. In that silent communion, Bea knew without a doubt that they had found their truths in each other’s embrace. Basking in the afterglow of their union, their future stretching ahead like a golden path… Bea’s heart soared with the possibilities ahead.

“We should start planning our new life,” Bea said, her voice tinged with excitement. “There’s so much I want to do with you.”

“And so very, very much I want to do to you,” Alfie said with a raised brow as he gently peeled the cover off Bea. He kissed a trail from her mouth to her chin, down her neck and over her chest, down farther and she giggled. Alfie made her quiver, laugh, and he healed her; he made her whole.