Protection (24 page)

“It is necessary, as I’ve no intention of leaving you vulnerable ever again. Your
mother’s jewels have given you a degree of financial independence, but I suspect you’ll
want to use that towards your charitable pursuits. I promised to both protect and
provide for you, and that is exactly
what I intend doing. Of course, this home is in a more salubrious location than the
one I had originally planned on purchasing—not far from Stanton House or the palace.
It is
yours
,” he said with emphasis, “and cannot be taken from you regardless of what happens
to me in future.”

“But nothing must happen to you.” Lisa grasped the lapels of his coat. “I couldn’t
bear to be without you.”

“Nor I you.” He leaned down to kiss her softly. “Don’t worry. I’ve no intention of
going anywhere, not until we’re both so far into our dotage we’re happy to take our
final journey together. At which point, you may leave this and however many other
properties I give you to our daughters and granddaughters. Although I imagine we shall
want to secure their financial independence while they are young enough to appreciate
the gesture.”

“And our second and third sons?” Lisa asked, enjoying the direction of his thoughts.
“Shall they be taken care of so generously?”

“That goes without saying,” Nathaniel said with mock affront before turning to guide
her towards the staff waiting patiently for an introduction. To her delight, some
were known to her already.

The butler and housekeeper, a Mr Campbell and Mrs Jones, reminded her a great deal
of Mr Henson and Mrs Donaldson at Worthington. Nathaniel’s valet, Mr Jennings, whilst
reserved, seemed pleased to make her official acquaintance. Lisa had shared numerous
meals and more than one conversation with him during her time working as a servant
at Worthington Hall, not to mention hiding under the blankets while he had assisted
Nathaniel to dress the morning after she had spent the night in his bed, or more accurately,
on the floor by the fire. There was no doubting he
knew the true nature of her previous relationship with Nathaniel, but his loyalty
to his master was, thankfully, without question.

Ruth welcomed Lisa to her new home with a wide smile, while Ben, now officially Ruth’s
betrothed, had driven the carriage from Stanton House and was busy tending to the
horses. But the biggest surprise of all was Nathaniel’s and her new cook.

“Chef Louis?” Lisa stared at her childhood friend and kitchen collaborator in confusion.
“What are you doing here? Papa will be lost without you.”

“Now don’t be worrying about your father, dear girl. He’s planning on spending the
rest of the season in town to be near his lovely Lady Watson. And since she has an
excellent chef—not as good as me, of course, but quite adequate for an Englishman—he
was happy to let me come and cook for you and your new husband. A familiar face, as
it were.”

Inwardly delighted by this turn of events, Lisa couldn’t help but grin. She’d have
loved to spend time with the French chef in the kitchen, but a marchioness did not
waste her afternoons baking delicacies. Shaking off the vaguely depressing thought,
she focused on the remaining introductions. Once they had been made, Nathaniel insisted
on carrying her over the threshold into their new home. Lisa felt her cheeks heat
with embarrassment, but the expressions on the faces of their household staff were
devoid of censure. After putting her back on her feet, Nathaniel declined supper or
a nightcap on both their behalves and escorted her up the wide stairway to their suites
on the first floor.

“I’d have carried you the entire way, but risking my back to appear gallant seemed
unwise.”

“Most
unwise,” Lisa agreed, as he showed her through to her suite of rooms.

“I’ve had both our bedrooms prepared,” he added, and her step faltered. They’d slept
in each other’s arms when they were at Worthington, but sharing a bed wasn’t fashionable—or
acceptable
—
for married couples of their station.

“Yes, of course,” she murmured, reminding herself it was just one of the many adjustments
she would need to make in her role of wife instead of mistress. “Would you like me
to visit you tonight, or will you come to me?”

“I thought we could spend our first night in the master suite. Then we can alternate
until we decide which location we prefer, unless you’d rather sleep alone?”

“I slept perfectly well with you beside me at Worthington.”

“When I let
you sleep,” he muttered, glancing away. “You’ve no need to fear my importuning you
in such a manner now that we’re wed. Keeping you up half the night and expecting you
to . . .” He shook his head. “I promise that once we’ve consummated our marriage,
I will allow you your rest.”

Lisa blinked. “Oh, that’s . . . good
.
”

“Well, I’ll leave you to prepare,” he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
“Don’t take too
long.”

“I won’t.” She smiled, her anxiety easing at the heated look in his eyes. As if once
would be enough for either of them. Releasing her with obvious reluctance, he drew
a ragged breath before departing for the adjoining master suite, closing the door
behind him.

Ruth entered from the hallway, and the two women exchanged smiles before Lisa turned
to give her access to the more than one hundred satin-covered buttons that ran down
the back of her gown.

“Oh, my lady, I’m so ’appy for ye,” Ruth said. “To think we never thought this day
would come. Now let’s get ye ready, as ye don’t want to keep yer new ’usband waiting.”

“No, I certainly don’t,” Lisa murmured, a slight frown marring her brow as she pondered
his words. She’d thought their discussion in the carriage the night of their betrothal
had put Nathaniel’s concerns to rest, but she had a niggling fear he still harboured
the belief a wife required different treatment than a mistress. Coming out and telling
him she was perfectly happy with the way things had been between them at Worthington
was one option, though she wasn’t sure he would believe her. Hopefully
showing
him would do the trick, as Lisa doubted she could hide how she felt and had no intention
of trying.

Chapter 23

Fulfilment

The blood pounded so loudly in Nathaniel’s ears he worried he wouldn’t hear if Lisa
chose to knock before entering.

Should he open the door, or would that appear gauche?

A soft laugh huffed between his lips. He couldn’t have been more eager if he were
a lad in short breeches awaiting the arrival of Christmas. He was just so glad she
was finally his, to have and to hold.

The words of their wedding vows played through his mind, but far from picturing the
solemnity of the occasion, or even his beautiful bride in her wedding finery, all
he could think about was that he would soon have Lisa in his arms. She regretted she
wasn’t a virgin, just as he regretted taking advantage of her innocence, but he couldn’t
deny there were compensations to both. If he hadn’t made her his before the wedding,
she would probably have been terrified of their imminent coupling, while his expectations
would have been greatly reduced. Considering what lay ahead for them both, he smiled . . .
until another thought caused it to fade.

It had been three months since they’d last made love, and having kept his promise
to
wait
until they could be together, he was worried he might not last very long. In the past,
it wouldn’t have mattered. He’d have had their second bout of lovemaking to make up
for his lack, or the third. Pacing the floor of his room, Nathaniel considered his
options. He would have to make sure to bring Lisa pleasure
before
he joined their bodies, just in case. That way, their first time as husband and wife
should be satisfying for them both even if the event was short-lived.

Spotting a movement out of the corner of his eye, he spun to see the door to his suite
swing open. Lisa stepped forward, a vision so enchanting he swayed a little before
collecting himself and striding across the room. Taking her hand in his, he felt it
tremble.

She was as nervous as he was.

Smiling his reassurance, he stepped back and allowed himself the pleasure of gazing
upon her without haste . . . or guilt. Her hair hung in rich red curls around her
shoulders, her creamy flesh covered by a sleeveless ivory gown with a delightfully
low neckline. The soft fabric hinted at the treasures that lay beneath, and Nathaniel
gave silent thanks that they would soon be bared to him. If this was a typical wedding
night, he would be wearing a nightshirt and removing his wife’s gown wouldn’t be an
option. But they’d spent so many nights naked in each other’s arms, the idea of depriving
themselves the pleasure was ridiculous . . . or so he justified. He would take his
cue from Lisa.

“You look even more beautiful than you did in your wedding gown, if such a thing is
possible.”

A rose tint flushed her cheeks, and she looked up at him in a way that made him feel
like an untried youth.

“So do you,” she whispered and then ducked her head. “I mean, you look handsome, wonderfully
handsome.”

Her words made him smile. While not unaware women found him attractive, Lisa’s was
the only opinion that counted. For their first night together as husband and wife,
he had removed all but his trousers and shirt, the buttons of his shirt undone, not
out of disrespect, but because he didn’t expect to remain clothed for very long.

Gently clasping her hand, he drew Lisa to the middle of the candlelit room before
turning her to face him. She shivered when he ran his fingers down her cheek, his
body responding with an answering shudder. A part of him wanted to haul her into his
arms and repeat the promise he had once made to kiss every square inch of her body,
but he was determined to show her he was a changed man. There was also something to
be said for savouring the moment.

He lowered his head until their mouths were almost touching, his lips hovering near
hers in aching anticipation. They had already kissed in the carriage, passionately
and with little restraint. But this would be the kiss that led to the consummation
of their marriage, and he wanted it to be perfect.

Placing her hands on his shoulders, Lisa rose up on tiptoe to bring them closer. Her
breasts brushed against his chest, and he sucked in a breath. Gripping her waist,
he held her still for a moment until he’d regained his composure, such as it was.
Her cheek rested against his, and he nuzzled it, their noses touching as they shared
the same breath.

“Can you feel it?” he asked. “How much I want you? How much I love you?”

“
Hmm
 . . .” Lisa nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“My wife.” He held her close, acutely aware of every dip and swell of her body.

“My husband.”

Surprising him, it was Lisa who initiated the first kiss. Her mouth brushed his softly,
then she met his gaze as if checking his reaction. He smiled at the combination of
temerity and boldness that was his sweet, sensual wife. Then he kissed her properly.

Properly.

It was a word with connotations of restrictions and propriety but one he associated
with desire, since she had used it to describe the way she wanted to be kissed. Finally
able to oblige her without having to battle his conscience, he hungrily tasted her
lips. She opened her mouth to him, and his tongue delved into the velvet recesses.
With her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging lightly in a way that made his already
swollen manhood tighten with pleasure, he cupped her bottom, pulling her higher and
harder against him. After rubbing her belly against his erection, she surprised him
again by pulling out of his embrace.

Nathaniel’s murmur of discontent fell silent when he discerned her purpose. After
loosening the ties at the scooped neckline of her gown, she shrugged her shoulders,
and it fell to the floor, pooling around her feet. She stood perfectly still while
his gaze roamed from the top of her hair to the tips of her toes, taking in every
curve and shadow along the way.

Stunned by her bravery and the beauty she didn’t try to hide from him, he murmured,
“Whatever did I do to deserve you?”

“You protected me, loved me, and made me your wife.”

Clasping her hand, he drew her close then lifted her in his arms and carried her to
the bed. After laying her upon the warmed sheets, he stood and stared in awe at her
loveliness. Then she reached for him, and he wasted no time discarding his clothes
and joining her.

Gone was the tutor who had instructed the innocent maid in the art of lovemaking,
answering her questions and alleviating her fears so he could have his way with her.
In his place was a man awakened to the depth of love a husband could feel for his
wife.

Lying on his side, Nathaniel trailed his fingers down her flushed cheek and along
the line of her jaw. Approaching the sensitive place below her ear, he teased the
soft skin, smiling when she shivered. His fingers continued their journey along her
collarbone before coming to rest in the valley between her breasts.

“Lisa,” he murmured, relieved beyond measure he would never be denied the sight of
her again. Moving slowly, as if he had all the time in the world, he cupped her breast,
taking a moment to savour the firm but delicate mound.