Fenella J Miller - [Duke 02] (21 page)

Anna felt her knees unexpectedly wobble. Then his dear arms were around her and she was lifted from her feet in a bear hug. She clung to him her cheeks wet. He slowly lowered her but kept her pressed tight to him.

Ralph answered for her. “Correct, Mama. Tell Rupert we will be along later to bid him goodnight.” He waited until the doors closed for a second time before sweeping her up in his arms.

“I love you, my darling; if any man comes within one hundred yards of you again I shall not be responsible for my actions. You are my life, my everything; I give you my word I shall keep you safe from harm.”

“It's hard to believe how much our lives have been changed. Rupert has become wealthy, my stepfather has been sent packing and you and I are to be married in June.”

He smiled lazily sending unexpected shivers up and down her spine. “Actually, sweetheart, we are getting married tomorrow. I have a special licence in my pocket; I refuse to wait any longer. And anyway, far better to return to Shalford as my wife after the harum-scarum way you departed.” He grinned. “That curate is returning to perform the ceremony. He dared not refuse.”

“You scoundrel.” She poked him sharply in the chest. “You said you were called to London on urgent business and all the time you were going to get a special licence.”

“Are you by any chance, my love, calling me a liar?” She should have heeded the warning in his voice.

“If the cap fits then kindly put it on, sir.”

He began to remove the pins that held her hair in place. “I obtained a licence after I had completed my errand. It's not wise to call a gentleman a liar. Now you must suffer the penalty.”

The last pin was removed and her hair tumbled around her shoulders. His golden eyes burnt into hers and her breath caught in her throat. Slowly he lowered his head and his lips covered hers; his hands buried themselves in her hair.

“It’s essential we marry at once, my darling, for I intend to share your bed tonight if you will allow me?”

She barely managed to nod before he picked her up and strode purposefully towards her bedroom. “Ralph, we cannot… we must not… We promised Sarah we would say good night to Rupert.”

He stopped and swung round heading this time for the door. “Of course, I’m certain both Rupert and my mother will be delighted to see us.”

“Don't be ridiculous, I refuse to leave this apartment with my hair loose like this.”

“You are as contrary as a weathervane, my darling. I am, as always, yours to command.”

They were once more on their way to her bed chamber. What if Molly was waiting for her? She struggled and pushed on his chest. “Kindly put me down, sir, this is precipitate. I'm not sure I want to…”

Ignoring her protests he shouldered his way into the room which was empty.

“My darling, I have no intention of rushing you—I fully understand your hesitation. To make love before we have spoken our vows is, I agree, quite beyond the pale.” He allowed her to slither down his body. The contact made her giddy.

Flustered, she spoke without considering her words. “Ralph, what is that hard thing pressing into my middle? Surely you have not brought a pistol to my bedside?”

His soft laugh sent shivers down her spine. “Dearest girl, do you have any notion what takes place between a man and a woman?” He waited for her answer, his eyes gleaming strangely.

Should she lie? Pretend she was a woman of the world when in fact she knew nothing of bed-sport. “I’m sorry, my love, my mama died before she could explain matters, but…” her voice trailed away as the significance of the hardness dawned on her. Her eyes drifted to the bulge in his breeches and she couldn’t prevent her recoil.

“Shall we sit down, sweetheart and talk a little. There’s no rush. I can wait as long as you wish. I promise you there is nothing to be afraid off.” He gently guided her to a sofa by the window and took her hands in his. “You are trembling, darling. There’s no need. What will happen between us is a natural thing.”

She couldn’t look at him. He was so big and she so small by comparison. How could a union between them not be painful for her?

“Anna, do you trust me?”

She raised her head. “Of course I do—I love you and want to be your true wife but I am…”

“I know. Relax, darling. Let me be your guide in this. I have the experience…”

She snatched back her hands and glared at him. “I have no wish to discuss your depraved past, sir.” She bristled. “I come to you unsullied. Why should it be different for a man?”

His eyes widened. He swallowed as if something had lodged in his throat. His lips were twitching suspiciously. He was laughing at her.

“I am not a figure of fun, sir. I do not like being mocked.”

His shoulders heaved and he fell back unable to hold in his mirth. She threw herself at him and grabbed his shirt front. To her horror the fine cotton tore leaving his chest bare. She’d never seen a man unclothed. Her fingers moved of their own volition and she touched his naked flesh.

He stopped laughing and was still under her inquisitive hand. His skin was smooth, yet rougher than hers, and soft dark hair curled invitingly from between his nipples down to his belly. A strange ache formed deep inside her and ripples of heat chased along her limbs. She couldn’t help herself. She had to be closer to him She slid forward until her breasts pressed into him and kissed first one nipple and then the other. They hardened under her tongue. Intrigued she nibbled at one, loving the salty taste of his skin.

“Please don’t do that.” He sounded anguished, as if he was in pain.

She raised her head to gaze at him. “Am I hurting you, my love?”

His teeth were clenched, his eyes were almost black and a dark red stained his cheeks. “My control is all but gone, darling, you are driving me insane.”

Her fear of intimacy vanished to be replaced by a passion as fierce as his. She wriggled onto his lap relishing the hardness of his arousal against her bare thighs. She dipped her head and sucked his nipple. He surged to his fee and .in two strides he was by the bed.

She clung to his neck not wanting to break contact. They fell onto the coverlet and he rolled away for a second to tear open his breeches. Then her skirts were above her hips and his hands were stroking her buttocks, her thighs and then he was touching her secret place. She was engulfed with a desire so strong she couldn’t bear it. Her legs parted and entwined around his hips.

She bit his lips and clawed at his mangled shirt wanting no barrier between them. She was frantic and raised her hips towards him. He thrust deep inside her and she cried out.

“I’m sorry, darling, it is always a little painful the first time. Do you want me to stop?” He remained poised above her, his weight on his elbows.

She tugged his head down and covered his mouth with hers. His tongue curled round hers and she sucked him deeper. He thrust again and this time there was no jab of pain. With each movement the tension built until her world shattered in ecstasy. She didn’t know where she began and he ended. He flung his head back and shuddered.

He rolled over taking her with him. He kissed her tenderly and buried a hand in her tangled hair. “My darling, I am so sorry. This is not how it was going to be. I wanted your first time to be wonderful and not a hurried tumble.”

She stared at him in astonishment. “Are you telling me that making love can be even more enjoyable?”

He smiled his toe-curling smile. “Indeed it can, sweetheart, and in a very short while I shall show you exactly how much more.”