Page 9 of Married to the Duke By Midnight

Become acquainted with one another. We will talk about our pasts, likings and plans for the future to understand each other better. Touching will be limited to what is strictly necessary and which would be acceptable in public: helping in and out of carriages, escorting on arm, etcetera.

Week two:

Achieve a greater sense of intimacy through holding hands, placing a hand at the small of the back, touching an arm or a shoulder. Toward the end of the week, we will kiss each other’s cheeks.”

Robert looked at Miss Hawkins when he realized what this list meant. Her cheeks were crimson and she was staring at the flagstones at her feet. This woman certainly thought of everything. When she did not meet his eyes, he returned to the list eager to know how she would address the more intimate matters.

“Week three:

Kissing on the mouth. Toward the end of the week, we will touch each other’s bodies outside of our clothes.

Week Four:

Day 1-3: Touching each other’s bodies in undergarments or nightgowns.

Day 4-6: Touching each other’s naked bodies.

Day 7: Intercourse”

Robert felt his mouth dry and his groin tighten the further he read.

Even though he had looked forward to bedding her tonight, he could sense that this was important to her. Perhaps even more important than the other list. His reaction to this would set the tone for the rest of their marriage.

“I have no comments on this,” he said when he was certain his voice would not betray his desire. It still sounded a little hoarse to his own ears, but he hoped the two ladies would not notice.

He saw Miss Hawkins’s shoulders sag with relief, and he sensed that his instincts had been correct.

“I have one condition though before I sign both documents,” he told her and held up the two pieces of paper.

Miss Hawkins stiffened again.

“I would like to kiss you.”

She opened her mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again. He had the sense that she was rarely rendered speechless and rejoiced secretly at the idea that he had managed it.

“Wha… Why?” she finally managed.

“I recognize that you would need time before you are able to be intimate with me. And I respect that. But physical intimacy is also an important part of marriage, and I would like to make certain that we are compatible – before we marry.”

He held his breath as he waited for her to reply. She was biting her lip in the most charming way as she thought, and he struggled to keep his expression blank and unreadable. He was fairly certain she desired him, and a kiss seemed the quickest way to determine it. If she was not willing, he did not know how else they could figure it out; perhaps her clever and unusual mind could come up with another idea, although he already knew he liked his best.

“Fi… Fine,” Miss Hawkins relented.

She looked him briefly in the eye before her gaze drifted away again. He sensed her chaperone turning away from them but did not pay her any heed as he slowly approached his future wife.

She was looking at him with large eyes, and it was written all over her face that this was her first kiss. His groin tightened again at the thought that he would be her first everything. Her scent drifted toward him. She smelled like a sweet sea breeze. Or was it something he imagined?

Of course, she did not smell like roses or jasmine like any other lady but had a unique scent that was all her. It only amplified his desire for her, and he had to remind himself that they were in public and that it was her first kiss.

He gently placed his hand on her jaw and cursed inwardly over the fact that he was still wearing gloves, but there was nothing to be done about it. He had no intention of stopping to remove them. He gently tipped her head back until he reached the perfect angle for him to meet her lips. She was not a tall woman, but not awkwardly short either. The perfect height he thought, as he slowly lowered his lips towards her. So slowly that she would have time to move away if she wanted to. If she changed her mind.

She did not though. Instead, her breathing became shallow, and he felt her exhales fan over the lower part of his face. Her breath was sweet, smelling of the fruit punch they had served at the party. He lingered another moment, his lips almost meeting hers, and then she moved forward the way he had hoped and closed the distance between them.

He smiled against her lips, before he moved his own to deepen the kiss beyond a mere peck. Her lips were as soft as they looked.

Miss Hawkins gave a sound of surprise but then sighed again. Deeper this time. He had thought to merely kiss her lips, to make certain that he could ignite that ember of desire he had seen in her eyes earlier.

But when she sighed and her mouth opened beneath his, he could not help but slide his tongue between her lips and taste her as well. She tasted as sweet as her breath smelled. He groaned at the feeling of her eager tongue meeting his and her gloved hands clutching his sleeves as she pressed closer to him and moaned softly. Heavens, he wanted to…