The Earl's Scandalous Wife (19 page)

Chapter Twenty

Paula pushed aside the green drapes in the drawing room and examined the landscape.  She and Perry had arrived at Blackburn after sunset the previous evening so she didn’t get a good view of it.  But now as she scanned the rows of trees with their changing colors, the large stable, and the quaint gazebo, she had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.  She was the countess of this estate?  Never did she think she would be the mistress of anything so grand.  And better yet, her brother was far away in London.  She could spend the next few months free of him.

“I hope you approve.”

She turned in time to see Perry enter the room.  With a smile, she motioned to the grounds.  “It’s lovely.  I feel like I’m in an enchanted world.”

“It’s enchanting because you’re here.”

Letting the drapes fall back in place, she shook her head and approached him.  “Come now.  It’s always been beautiful out here.”

“It might’v
e been beautiful, but it was a lonely place.”

“Even when Christopher was here to create mischief?”

He chuckled at her joke.  “He made things interesting in London.  When he was here, he grew restless.  He spent a lot of time reading or running off to visit his friend.”

“Lord Edon?  The one I met at the dinner party?”

He nodded.

Unable to resist
the inquiry, she asked, “Did they create mischief together?”

“Actually, I don’t know what they were up to, but I’m sure whatever it was, it wasn’t good.”

“Admit it.”

“Admit what?”

“Even though Christopher says things to get a response from you, you missed him when he wasn’t here.”

“I won’t deny it,” he consented with a slight shrug.  “But the scenery is certainly better with you here instead.”

Her smile widened.  “Since you put it that way…” She closed the gap between them and kissed him.

“I get a kiss just for saying that?”

“Yes, you do.”

“What would I get if I took you for a walk?”

“Take me and find out.”

“Sounds like an intriguing proposition.”

“It is, but only if you’re willing to do it.”

“Well then, it’ll be a good time to show you more of the grounds,” he said as he went to the wall and pu
lled a cord.  “It’d be more practical if we went for a horse ride, though.  We’ll cover a lot more ground that way.”

“Maybe but it won’t be as fun.”

His eyebrows rose.  “And a walk is?”

“I’d say yes, considering what will happen.”

“Now I have to find out what you have in mind.”

Chuckling, she led him to the entryway where
he slipped into his coat and hat and she put on her hooded cloak.  Once they were outside, she snuggled up to him, surprised when he slowed his steps.

“What is it?” she asked.  “Did you forget something?”

“No.  I…” He glanced around them.  “Are you sure we should be this close out here?”

“You’re only warming me up.”

“I know but what if someone sees us?”

Laughing, she wrapped her arm a
round his waist and gave him a light squeeze.  “You worry too much.  We’re only walking.  We’re married.  And besides all that, we’re in the country.  You needn’t be so uptight out here.”

He frowned.  “You think I’m uptight?”

“You’re a wonderful gentleman, Perry.  But from time to time,” she reached for his cane and took it, “it wouldn’t hurt if you worried less about what others thought.  Just enjoy the moment.” She slipped the cane under her arm.  “Lean on me.  I’ll get you to where we’re going.”

After a moment, he laughed.  “You’re right.  I shouldn’t spend so much time worrying about others.  What’s important is that you’re satisfied with me.”

“I’m more than satisfied with you.  I wouldn’t want to be married to anyone but you.” And she felt that way even more after seeing Daniel again.  Though she wouldn’t have believed it the morning he left her, she was grateful that he made the choice to return to London to marry someone else.  She wouldn’t have been able to marry Perry otherwise.  “You once said that you were glad it didn’t work out with the other ladies in your past.  I’m glad it didn’t, too.” Pausing, she turned to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  “I love you.”

Cupping her face in his hands, he lowered his head and caressed her lips with his. 
The action was so sweet and gentle that she couldn’t help but melt in his arms.  When he ended the kiss, he smiled at her.  “The important thing is, we’re happy.”

“I’ve never been happier.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer as he led her down the path.  “So, where would you like to go?”

“The gazebo.”

“As my lady wishes it, it shall be.”

She giggled.  “You’re ever the nobleman, Perry.”

They continued on their stroll in a comfortable silence.  When they reached it, she placed his cane next to the bench and encouraged him to sit beside her.

“I’ll give you the cane back when we leave.  I promise,” she added when he
stared at it.  “It’s safe on my side of the bench.”

“I’ve gotten so used to putting it next to me.  It’s almost a part of who I am.”

“I know.  I won’t let anything bad happen to it.”

He se
ttled beside her and brought his arms around her.  “It’s not just for show.  Christopher thinks it is.  He says I used it as an excuse to explain why I couldn’t secure a wife.  Some ladies didn’t like the fact that I had it.”

“I don’t mind that you have a cane, Perry.  You’re dignified whether you use it or not.”

“Oh, I know you don’t mind.  And I appreciate that.  What Christopher doesn’t understand is that it helps me walk.  My knees and ankles feel better.  I have some padding in the shoe of my shorter leg, but the cane provides extra support that I’ve grown accustomed to.  It also makes me feel more comfortable around people.  In some ways, it’s a form of security.”

“I understand.” She snuggled up to him.  “And if a lady is so petty that she’s going to reject you because you have a cane, then she’s not worth your attention.”

“Would you think less of me if I confessed that was one of the reasons I pointed it out to each lady I met?”

“No,” she whispered.
“In fact, I think that was a wise move.  You don’t want to waste your time with someone who can’t love you for who you are.”

“Of all the people I’ve known, you’re the only one who truly understands me.”

Touched and honored he should compliment her so highly, she kissed him again, this time letting her lips linger on his.  When the kiss ended, she shot him a wicked smile.  “You know that thing I promised you if we went for a walk?”

Returning her smile, he said, “Is it time to go back inside so you can show me?”

“No.” She unbuttoned his Carrick coat.  “I’m going to do it out here.”

Clearing his throat, he glanced behind them at the manor.  “What are you going to do?”

“Relax.  No one can see what we’re doing.  We’re too far from them.  And,” she continued when he started to protest, “our backs are to them.” She took off her gloves then brought her hands to his trousers and undid the buttons.  “For all they know, we’re merely talking.”

Before he could respond—and possibly stop her—she leaned toward him and kissed him again, this time brushing her tongue along his lower lip.  Up to now, she’d wanted to do something highly improper with him and thought he’d most enjoy this.  Her tongue interlaced with his in an attempt to distract him while she slid her hand inside his drawers.

He let in a sharp breath and pulled slightly away from her.  “I don’t know if we should do this.” He glanced behind them.  “Out here.”

Grinning, she traced his erection, an action which made
him shiver in pleasure.  “I think there’s a part of you that wants me to continue,” she whispered.

Then, before he could respond, she kissed him again, this time more passionately.  Her heart raced in excitement as s
he lightly touched the tip and ran her fingers down his shaft.  It was an intoxicating experience to explore him so openly, to offer him pleasure while they were fully clothed.  And she suspected this just might become one of his favorite activities if he’d ever learn to get over his shyness.

S
he wrapped her hand around him and lightly squeezed him.   Her hand went to the base of his shaft, came swiftly up to his tip and then back down again.  He brought his hand down over hers and for a moment, she thought he was going to pull her hand away but then he groaned and tightened her grip.

“
You’ll like where this is going,” she whispered and proceeded to stroke him.

He glanced at her and let out another moan. 
“I have no doubt about that.”

Then he closed his eyes and released her hand, giving her full reign over his body.  So he hadn’t been hard to convince.  That was good.  She suspected they could have a lot of fun in the carriage the next day.

She continued her ministrations, slowly increasing the pressure and speed of her movements, taking a wicked delight in the gradual build of tension that would eventually result in his climax.  He wiggled beneath her and his hips rocked along with her strokes.  Leaning forward, she kissed his neck and then traced his ear with her tongue.  When she realized this heightened his pleasure, she continued to do it.  His arm tightened around her shoulders and he murmured her name until he grew taut and his seed poured over her hand.

After a few moments, h
e relaxed, his breathing still heavy.  He opened his eyes and looked at her.  “That,” he cleared his throat, “was definitely worth taking a walk for.”

She laughed and gave him a kiss.  “I told you it would be.”

“I’ll never doubt you again.”

“We’ll have to try some other things,” she replied as she buttoned his clothes and his coat so no one would notice what they’d been doing out there.  “
And I believe you’ll enjoy them just as much as this one.” Giving him a suggestive wink, she put her gloves back on and stood up.  “Care to join me inside?  Being out here with you has made me quite eager for more.  Care to go to your den and see how many clothes we can keep on while we work on an heir?”

Though his face was still flushed from their recent activity, she detected his shyness coming back.

“Come on.  It’ll be just as fun as what we just did.  I promise.” She held his cane out to him.

After he rose to his feet, h
e took it and slipped his arm around her waist.  “You’re the most thrilling person I’ve ever met.”

She kissed his cheek.  “Good.”

“Paula,” he began, his tone becoming serious, “if you don’t have a son, I won’t be disappointed.  Christopher will get my title if there’s no heir, and since he’s married to Agatha, I know if he has an heir, she’ll make sure he’s deserving of the title.”

She studied his expression as they stepped down from the gazebo.  “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“Oh yes.  She’s got a way of making sure Christopher stays out of trouble.  She’ll do the same with their children.  I wish I knew her secret, but alas—”

“No.  About the heir.  You’ll be happy even if I never have a son.”

“Life is about more than titles or money.  It’s about the people we love and the moments we have together.  Paula, I had parents who loved each other.  I watched Christopher’s parents, and they didn’t.  There’s a difference between the way a home feels when a husband and wife appreciate one another.  What we have is the most important thing in my life, and as long as I have you, I’m complete.”

She blinked back the tears in her eyes.  “You say things like that and you wonder if I’m satisfied when you make love to me?  Perry,
it’s because you love me so well that I enjoy our intimate moments.” On impulse, she stopped walking and hugged him, and he brought her into the protective warmth of his embrace.  “When you make love to me, I feel loved.  I feel wanted.  I feel complete.  You don’t have to ever doubt yourself.  You can touch me and kiss me anywhere you want to.  You don’t need to ask.” Looking up at him, she cupped his face in her hands, wondering why even now, he should seem hesitant to act on his desires.  “You don’t have to be shy.”