Their lips came together, their hands still clasped as he breathed in her gardenia scent.He had plans to plant an entire bed of them.
Her lips were soft and inviting under his, the feel of her overwhelming his senses.She was his wife.The woman who’d committed to stand by his side always.Surely, that meant something.
He’d strive to be worthy.
And when he finally lifted his head to stare down into her eyes, his heart nearly burst from his chest.
With his arm about her waist, he led the assembled party to the dining room.
For the next two hours, they entertained their guests with breakfast and company and then retired to the suite of rooms he’d had prepared for them.They’d not leave town now, not with her mother still recovering, and so they planned to spend a few days alone, getting to know one another.
Lifting her into his arms, he carried her over the threshold.
He hadn’t told her, but he’d moved her mother into the master’s room.His father’s old room, though it had been redecorated some time ago.He’d wanted her to be comfortable and for Priscilla to be in the connected mistress’s chamber right from the start.
He and Ralph agreed, having the kind and gentle countess in that room had been the exact change they’d both needed.
He’d moved himself into another bedchamber at the back of the house, which had the added benefit of being a great deal more private, which suited his nature and his nighttime activities.
As he kicked the door closed behind him, he noted that privacy was a benefit he greatly appreciated in this moment.
Priscilla’s hands were clasped about his neck, her lips eagerly seeking his as he stood still holding her in his arms.
They’d managed a few kisses over the course of the last week but he’d tried to keep his distance, wanting to save the real intimacy for their marriage bed.
He needed to do everything right for Priscilla.He wished for her to be happy and comfortable in his embrace.
But now, he needn’t wait any longer.
Not that he’d rush today.No.They had all the time in the world and he wished for her to enjoy every moment.
With that in mind, he eased back from their kiss, lightly setting her on her feet.Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she looked up at him.“What happens next?”
He smiled down at her, just enjoying looking at her.He brought up a hand to trail down the silk of her cheek.“Shall I take off your slippers?”
Her eyes widened, a blush blooming in her cheeks even as she smiled.“Oh yes, that would be nice.”
She crossed to the bed, gingerly sitting as he knelt in front of her, unlacing the ribbon ties and gently removing the shoes from her feet.
He took off one, then the other, carefully setting them to the side, as he reached up her skirts to untie the garters at the top of stockings.
Her felt her shiver, her breath quickening as his hands trailed over her skin.“Are you nervous?”he asked, lightly running his fingers over her skin.
“A little,” she murmured.“Mostly excited.”
He grinned up at her.“Me too.”
He felt her jump under his touch.“Really?”
“Priscilla,” he breathed rolling a stocking down her leg.“From the first moment I saw you…”
“What?”she asked, leaning closer, her hand resting on his shoulder.
“I felt an attraction to you that I haven’t experienced in…” Forever.It had been such a long time he’d almost forgotten.
She gave him a shy smile.“Me too.”
The echo of his words and the admission made his hands still.Yes, she’d responded to his kisses, and of course she’d agreed to marry him.But to think of her as finding him attractive…
