“Bleed?”Maman had not mentioned that part.
“When your maidenhead tears.” William drew her closer. “I’m sorry, my love. Perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned it. From what I understand the pain is not much.”
“No.” Why did it have to hurt at all? “I would rather comprehend what will occur.”
William’s tone roughened as if he were in pain. “We can wait, if you wish.”
Eugénie leaned back, trying to search his face in the dark. “Will that change anything?”
He shook his head. “No, but it might allow you to accustom yourself.”
Or make a mountain out of a molehill.She took a breath. “I do not wish to wait.” She made herself smile. “Now tell me why you want the light.”
William kissed the corner of her lips, then nibbled his way down her neck. “Because I need to see you, my darling. God, Eugénie, it feels as if I’ve been waiting an eternity for you.”
His hard, firm lips pressed on hers. She opened her mouth to him, reveling in his taste. He lifted his head, breaking the kiss.
“Flint in my bedside table.”
Papa had built the netting on frames that stood out a few feet from the beds, so that one could move around at night and not set the fabric on fire or trip over it.
Eugénie closed her eyes against the light when it flared. When she opened them Wivenly’s jacket and waistcoat were already on the foot of the bed. He untied his cravat. It was so intricate she would never have got it undone. The rash around his neck was already improved, but she renewed her vow never to allow his valet to do something like that again. What a thing to think of now, yet from this night on, she would be, in effect, his wife and responsible for him.
The cravat joined his other clothing. He toed off his evening pumps. Eugénie’s mouth dried. The shirt was next. She’d felt his hard, broad chest enough that she was now anxious to see it. He pulled the linen over his head. Golden-brown hair curled over his muscles, tapering down to his breeches. She licked her lips.
A wicked grin appeared on his face before he turned his back to her.
No no.Eugénie wanted to see all of him. “What are you doing?”
“I do not want to scare you.”
She didn’t understand. “You are beautiful. How would seeing the rest of you frighten me? I have seen drawings of statues, you know.”
Even as Wivenly’s breeches dropped to the floor, his shoulders shook with laughter.
How dare he insult her at a time like this? She raised her chin. “I fail to see what is so funny.”
“Oh, my poor love.” Mirth caused his voice to tremble. “Not even a real statue. This is a bit different.”
He turned and the little thing that graced most of the drawings was much larger and sticking out straight against his stomach. “Oh.”
Before she could think of anything to add, he slipped into her bed. “As fetching as this nightgown is, I would much rather have you out of it.”
That was what he’d meant earlier. She squeaked, “Me?”
A warm glow lurked in his eyes. “Um-hm. You’ve had a look at me. Now it’s my turn.”
Fire lit her cheeks. “I am sure I cannot be that interesting.”
“For instance, I’d like to see how far down your lovely blush goes.” His lips touched the base of her neck. “Is it only to the top of your breasts?” The top button of her gown sprung free. “Or does it go lower?” By the time he’d finished speaking, all the buttons were undone. He moved one side of the nightgown off her shoulder. “Lovely.”
Her heart thudded so quickly she could barely speak. Maman hadn’t said anything about this either. “It is?”
“Even more than I’d imagined.”
Will could feel the tension in Eugénie. He kissed and licked his way down to her breasts, taking one already tightly budded nipple in his mouth. Coconut. He’d not known what it was before, but they’d had it at dinner this evening. “Relax, my love.”
Soon she pressed up into him. That was better. If only her mother hadn’t “prepared” Eugénie. He’d been told anticipating the pain was the worst part. Will moved to the other breast as he played with the first, rolling her nipple. Little mewing sounds escaped from her lips. “That’s it. Feel, my love, just feel.”
