Page 79 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

He moved in closer and kissed her, this time his hands running across the bare skin of her shoulders. It felt exquisite, like nothing Jane had ever felt before, and she leaned into him, wanting to hold him closer. Although Tom had dressed for dinner, he had already shrugged off his jacket and loosened his cravat, so it was quick work to pull free his shirt from his trousers and manoeuvre it over his head. Jane felt clumsy and inexperienced, fumbling a little, but as she ran her hands down his naked chest all her doubts and uncertainties went away.

As they kissed Tom tumbled her back onto the bed, his body over hers. His fingers danced over her skin, caressing and building up a wonderful tension inside her. Instinctively she felt her hips rise to meet his, her body arch to enjoy his touch.

Tom trailed kisses down her neck and along the length of her collar bone. There was a wonderful moment of anticipation as he paused, before dipping lower and kissing her breasts, circling her nipples until she couldn’t bear it any longer, and pressed his head into her. He grinned up at her and then ever so slowly took one of her nipples into his mouth. Jane almost screamed at the jolts of pleasure that shot through her body, hoping he would never stop, whilst also wondering how long she could bear the exquisite sensation.

At the same time his hand moved lower until his fingers touched her most private place. Jane gasped, throwing her head back on the pillow and wondering why anyone ever left the bedroom if this was what it could feel like. Slowly, ever so slowly, he began to move his fingers, caressing and stroking, as Jane felt a ball of tension start to build in her belly. Even as she writhed underneath him, he didn’t stop, coming up to kiss her lips as she felt every muscle in her body tense and then glorious waves of pleasure spread out from her very core.

She felt as though she were floating and it took a while for the sensation to subside. Her breath was coming in short gasps and for a minute she could do nothing but enjoy the feeling of pure ecstasy.

As she opened her eyes, she saw Tom pushing down the waistband of his trousers, a question in his eyes.

‘We can stop if you want?’

‘No,’ she said, pulling him to her. ‘Don’t stop.’

She reached out and touched him, loving the way he threw his head back as she grasped hold of him, feeling the silky softness over his hardness. She felt a moment of panic as he positioned himself but that was soon replaced by a wonderful anticipation.

‘I’ll go slow,’ he said, seeing the expression in her eyes.

He pushed into her and Jane felt a fullness like nothing she had ever experienced before. He moved slowly, as he had promised, even though Jane could see it was taking great effort on his part. Little by little she started to raise her hips to meet his, marvelling at how wonderful it felt. She let her head fall back on the pillow and abandoned herself to the moment, moaning as Tom started to move faster and faster until she felt the waves of pleasure crash through her again as they climaxed together.

After a moment, Tom collapsed down on the bed next to her, pulling her into his arms, and they lay like that for a long time, neither able to speak.

Once she felt a little recovered, Jane turned over so she was facing him, and Tom pulled at the sheets, covering her body so she didn’t get cold. His hand was resting on her waist, the position so intimate Jane felt a swell of happiness.

‘Is it always like that?’ she asked.

‘I have heard,’ Tom said slowly, choosing his words, ‘That making love is best when you are actually in love. I expect that was why it was so good.’

‘You truly love me?’

‘With all my heart.’

Jane snuggled down under the bed clothes, feeling a wonderful contentment wash over her. This was not how she had expected this day to end, but she would take the happiness over the heartbreak she’d felt this morning any day.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Tom jolted awake, his reflexes quick enough to stop himself from hitting the floor as he toppled off the chair. He checked his pocket watch as he stood, eyes widening as he realised the time. Ever since Edward had come to live with him, the little boy had struggled to get to sleep, then would awake about midnight, crying for his mother. Tom often stayed up working or reading in his study until he heard the young boy stir and then headed upstairs to comfort him.

Quickly he took the stairs two at a time until he reached Edward’s bedroom on the first floor. It was looking more like a child’s room than when he had first arrived, with Edward’s pride and joy, a wooden rocking horse, in one corner.

Edward was sleeping peacefully in his bed, cheeks rosy and hair tousled on the pillow.

Leaning over the slumbering boy, Tom kissed him gently on the cheek. He felt an overwhelming love for him. Although he knew one night without the nightmares and tears Edward shed for his mother was only a start, it felt like a new chapter was dawning where some of the pain could be soothed.

‘Is it morning?’ Edward muttered as Tom retreated to the door.

‘Not yet. You keep sleeping. Today is a big day.’

Tom debated whether to bother going to bed. It was five o’clock and already he felt the rush of anticipation for the day. He wished Jane were here, waiting for him in his room. He wanted to tell her about Edward sleeping through, about his hopes that they had seen the last of the night terrors and sobbing from the little boy. There was still a long way to go, but he felt optimistic that this was the first step of many.

‘I’m so excited!’ Edward shouted as he bounded up the stairs and into Jane’s room, throwing his arms around her to cuddle her. Jane pulled the boy into a tight embrace, not caring that he was wrinkling the silk of her new dress. She would take a cuddle from Edward over a pristine appearance any day.

‘I’m sorry, miss,’ the harried-looking nanny said as she rushed into the room. ‘I couldn’t keep up.’

The agency had sent the nanny a week earlier and she had been worth the wait. Young and energetic, she was a welcome addition to the household. Edward seemed to like her, although would often sneak off to find the company of Jane or his uncle.

‘You are just the person I wanted to see,’ Jane said, crouching down to face the boy. ‘Your uncle and I have been talking about a honeymoon. Not yet—perhaps in a few months.’