The Chaperon's Seduction(45)

‘I believe you will,’ she murmured. She tucked her hand in his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. ‘But life will be very different for you, too, my love.’

‘I am looking forward to it,’ he said. ‘Marriage to you will go a long way to restoring my family’s name.’

‘I will help you to achieve that in any way I can.’ She paused. ‘What of Arrandale?’

‘Until I have proof that Wolf is dead I must continue to maintain the house for his return. I am sorry to say it will limit my own funds, but we shall get by, with a little prudent management.’

‘Of course we shall. And my money will help.’

‘Ah, I had forgotten about that!’

‘You do not sound very pleased.’

‘I am not. Everyone will say I married you for your money.’

‘Let them. You did not give it a thought, did you?’

‘No, Sophia mentioned it, but—’ Swearing under his breath, Richard brought the curricle to a halt and turned to face her. He grabbed her shoulders. ‘Do you not realise that you have married me without making any provision, any settlement to protect yourself?’

‘How could I?’ she said, turning his earlier words back upon him. ‘When I set out this morning I did not know we were to be married.’ She smiled and put one hand up to his cheek. ‘I am content, my love. It is a measure of how much I trust you.’

Her fingers slipped around his neck and she gently pulled his head down until their lips met in a deep, lingering kiss that only ended when a mail coach rattled past and they heard the catcalls and whistles from the passengers.

They broke apart, Richard cursing under his breath as Phyllida hid her face in his shoulder.

‘I beg your pardon.’ His arm tightened protectively about her. ‘I am a devil to expose you to such ribaldry—’

‘No, no.’ She raised her head, her countenance alight with laughter. ‘I am not at all upset, I assure you. Was it so very bad?’

He grinned at her. ‘Quite scandalous, my love.’

As they set off again she said thoughtfully, ‘Well, I think it is possibly the most outrageous thing I have ever done in my life, but I suppose I shall have to get used to it, now I am an Arrandale.’

‘Not at all. I intend that we shall be the very model of respectability.’

‘What, all the time?’

Greatly daring, she placed her hand on his thigh and her heart raced when she heard his growled response.

‘That might be a little too much to expect.’

Laughing, she settled down beside him for the drive to Shrewton Lodge, where it was clear they were expected. The housekeeper was at the door to welcome them.

‘We have no butler here, sir, Mr Croft having gone back to Bath with Lady Hune, but I think Hinton and I can manage.’

‘I have no doubt of it,’ replied Richard. ‘You have always done a magnificent job in the past when I have come here to stay. You always spoil me.’

‘Now give over, Master Richard,’ protested Mrs Hinton, clearly pleased. ‘We will do our best, as you well know. And I believe your groom and valet, and my lady’s maid, will be joining you here before the day’s out.’

‘That is so,’ agreed Richard. ‘Which bedchamber have you prepared for us?’

‘Lady Hune instructed that the Blue room should be prepared for you—’

‘Then we shall go there directly and, er, rest.’ He took Phyllida’s hand and led her up the stairs.

‘Richard we cannot disappear immediately!’ hissed Phyllida, as soon as the housekeeper was out of earshot.

‘Oh, yes, we can.’ His grip on her hand tightened and he led her through the corridors to a large room that smelled of beeswax and lemons. ‘The Hintons have clearly been busy here.’

Phyllida dropped her bonnet on a chair and moved towards the large canopied bed, running her hands over the hangings, rich blue silk embroidered with silver thread.

‘It is quite beautiful.’

‘No, you are beautiful.’ Richard put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. ‘I saw it that very first time I danced with you at Almack’s. I do remember it, I assure you.’

She shook her head.

‘No, I was too shy and awkward.’

‘At first, perhaps, but you were such a graceful dancer, and you have a goodness and sweetness of temper that give you an inner beauty.’ He put his fingers under her chin and gently eased it up so she was obliged to meet his eyes. ‘Since then you have gained in confidence. You now have elegance and poise, too. You are quite, quite perfect.’

He kissed her then, his blood stirring when she put her arms around his neck and returned his embrace, tangling her tongue with his own. He was aware of the change as her body pressed against him and she drove her hands through his hair, holding him to her. Impatience overcame them both, their kisses grew more heated and they began to scrabble at each other’s clothes, tearing at buttons, strings and ribbons, shrugging off sleeves, shirts, gowns while continuing to share those frantic, excited kisses that set the body aflame.

At last they broke apart and Phyllida stared at Richard’s naked torso, her mouth drying at the sight of the sculpted contours, the wide shoulders and narrowing waist, all she could see since the rest of his delicious body was still encased in buckskin breeches. She reached out for him, wanting to run her fingers through the dark smattering of hair that covered his chest but he caught her hand and spun her around.

‘No,’ he growled. ‘Not until we have you out of those damned stays. ‘

She laughed then, a warm, guttural sound that was strange to her own ears. It sounded so...so confident, so powerful. She felt a slow vibration through her body as he pulled out the ribbons from the corset that confined her. He went slowly, drawing the ribbon out of each eyelet with infinite care, his fingers brushing against the fine linen shift beneath as he gradually released her from her cage of whalebone. Her skin tingled, she ached to be free, to turn and press herself against his body but he was intent on unlacing her completely. Unable to bear the wait, she gave a little sigh of exasperation.

‘Can you not go any faster?’

‘I could.’ His mouth descended to her shoulder and he gave it a little nip. ‘But there is no hurry.’

Her body told her differently, but she forced herself to keep still, felt the desire pooling in her belly, the growing ache between her thighs. She put back her head and moaned softly as he continued to unlace her while his mouth trailed a line of kisses down her neck. Then the stays were gone, but now his arms imprisoned her. His hands came around to cup her breasts, only the thin shift remained between their hot bodies. He pushed her forward slightly and she put out her hands to support herself on the bed.

‘Stay there.’

Dazed, languorous with desire she remained there, staring at the patterned bedcover. She heard the soft scuffle as Richard shed his boots and buckskins and then he came close and removed her shift in one smooth movement. She almost swooned with excitement as she felt his naked body on her back, skin on skin. His hands came around her again, caressing her breasts, thumbs circling the dark peaks until they swelled and hardened while he pressed himself against her buttocks. He was kissing her neck, nipping and sucking, drawing from her soft moans of excitement. He moved one hand down, caressed her waist, smoothed over her hips and then his fingers slid between the soft curls at the apex of her thighs, seeking out her hot, aching core.

She gasped as her body responded.

‘Richard—’

‘Hush,’ he murmured the word against her neck as he continued to kiss her, sending little darts of pleasure deep into her body.

‘But I want to, to pleasure you, too.’

‘And you shall, but this is for you. Trust me.’

I do!

She was leaning further over the bed while his fingers drove into her, teasing, drawing up the desire that flamed inside. It was rippling out from her core, she was no longer in control. Her hips pushed back towards him. Instinctively she was offering herself to him while all the time those tantalising fingers worked their magic. She felt herself opening, aching, and then as his fingers drew back he entered her, gently but inexorably filling her. She gave a joyful cry, then gasped as his fingers continued to play her, one hand circling and caressing her breast while the other stroked and teased to a frenzy the sensitive nub between her thighs.

She was crying out now, every measured thrust Richard made carrying her higher. She was flying, soaring. Unable to take him in her arms her body gripped him and they moved together in perfect harmony until the moment when his hands slid to her hips and he held her firm. She gave a tiny cry of triumph as he spent himself within her.

Exhausted, they crawled into the bed and Richard pulled the covers over them.

‘Oh, I did not know...’ she breathed as he took her into his arms. ‘I would never have thought it could be so, so wonderful. Thank you.’

He laughed softy against her hair. ‘It has never been like that for me before.’ He sought her lips and kissed her. ‘It must be because we are joined in love.’

‘Is that it?’ She cupped his cheek, gazing into the face that was now so dear to her. She felt sated, joyously happy and she could not help teasing him. ‘Do you think you can be happy then, as a respectable, married man?’