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What would her mother say about Hugh's disciplinary methods? Flora seemed cautious but not entirely surprised. Eleanor was apparently subject to the same methods and had been her entire life. That had been a revelation on more than one level. Perhaps her sister-in-law could give Irene some insight into Irene's turmoiled emotions and the strange reactions her body had to such stimulation. But how could she admit, even to a sister-in-law, that she was inexplicably aroused by such a dreadful act?
Still, she was visiting Eleanor tomorrow to engage her help on deciphering the social rounds and accepting invitations. Perhaps she could somehow bring up some of her questions? Nibbling her lip, Irene studied her bottom. It would mean subjecting herself to more embarrassment, but truly what could be more mortifying than the experiences she'd already had this evening? From beginning to finish it had been a debacle.
The door opened and Hugh strode in, still fully clothed in his evening dress. The sapphire of his waistcoat brought out the blue of his eyes, even in the candlelight, as they scanned the room. Blushing, Irene dropped the hem of her nightgown and turned, her hands automatically moving to cup the burning swells of her bottom as if to hide them from view. She knew very well that the shade of red her skin had achieved was visible through the thin fabric of her gown.
Fortunately Hugh wasn't looking at her right away, he was looking at Flora. "Out."
The maid bobbed a curtsy and fled, shooting a sympathetic and what she probably imagined was an encouraging look over her shoulder to Irene. Then his attention turned to Irene, his lips curving in an anticipatory smile that made her heart begin to pound. It was so unfair that he could affect her like this when she should be angry at him for the state of her poor bottom, but the truth was that she was tingling all over. The throbbing of her bottom seemed to beat in time with her treacherous pulse as Hugh yanked off his cravat and began to remove his coat.
Shuffling her feet, Irene stared at the floor, all too aware that underneath her nightgown her nipples were stiff and eager. Lord help her, she wanted to engage in marital relations. Had secretly hoped that Hugh would follow her up her to help her quench the need that she’d become all too aware of once her punishment was over. Cupping her hands over her bottom, she could feel the heat of her skin through the thin fabric.
Then Hugh was standing in front of her, completely and gloriously nude. She stared at his broad chest with its golden covering of hair, the broad planes of his muscles, the impressive breadth of his shoulders. Licking her lips, she shifted her weight back and forth as she waited to find out what he would do.
There was no question that he wanted her, his cock was practically pressing against his stomach, but she felt ashamed of her desire for him. Despite how brazen she’d become over their honeymoon, she couldn’t make the first move in this situation, she just couldn’t!
“Here, let me help you with this,” her husband murmured, stepping forward and putting his hands on her hips, grasping handfuls of fabric. He lifted the nightgown over her head, leaving her naked in front of him.
Peeking up at him, she tucked her hands behind her back again to press her cooler palms against her bottom and he groaned and wrapped his arms around her. Her head instinctively flew back as his lips descended and she whimpered as he kissed her. The long length of his body was crushed against her softness as his arms tightened. One hand slid down to grip her bottom, exploring the hot flesh that her own hands weren’t covering and she moaned, opening her mouth to his questing tongue.
The feel of her hot skin against his palm and her soft body writhing against his shredded the last of Hugh’s control and he spun around with Irene still in his arms. She was so light and small, he lifted her easily while thoroughly kissing her. He couldn’t get enough of her mouth, the taste of her; he devoured her as he moved them to the bed, laying her down gently on it before he climbed on top of her.
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Irene whimpered again as her bottom bounced gently against the covers; despite how soft the bedding normally felt, now it was as if it were abrading her sensitive skin. But she found such irritations were easily swept away as Hugh’s body came down on hers, insistently parting her legs. The need that had been growing inside of her flared higher, she was almost overwhelmed by the growing pleasure inside her core which was wiping away the painful part of the punishment.
His hands were gentle as he caressed her breasts, her sides, her thighs… she moaned as he grasped her legs and jerked her body downwards, dragging her backside over the sheets while simultaneously bringing her wet slit in contact with his rigid manhood. Reaching up she clung to his shoulders as he brought himself to her entrance. Neither of them were inclined to draw out the initial intimacies, their desires had already been advanced by Irene’s spanking and then the wait between her punishment and their coming together.
The channel of her body was slippery and wet as he pushed in, her muscles clenching around him to draw him deeper and they both groaned with relief and excitement as Hugh sank into her. Feeling his wife’s frantic squirming beneath him as she rubbed her swollen folds against the hard flatness of his groin, Hugh released the last reins of his control and gave himself over to his urge to claim and conquer. The remnants of his jealousy reared, fueling his hard, pounding thrusts into her body. He drank in her whimpers of pleasure and pain as the friction of his cock burned her wonderfully and the throbbing pulse of her bottom increased with every sinking thrust. Irene clung to him, sobbing his name whenever his mouth left hers as the pleasure of his rod sliding in and out of her came to a head.
Grasping her hips, his long fingers curved around to press against the hot flesh of her chastened cheeks and Irene screamed with ecstasy as the mingled pain and pleasure sent her soaring. This was not the playful, gentle loving of their honeymoon or even the creative, exciting sexual exploration; this was hot, passionate need blended with erotic pain that set her nerves sizzling and her mind shattering under the overwhelming mix. It was not the kind of banquet one could sup on every night, but it fulfilled a need, a craving, that dwelled deep in both their bodies.
The spurts of seed that Hugh planted deep inside of Irene as she writhed beneath him in a painfully pleasurable climax helped to calm his demons. He rocked against her, filling her womb in the most primal way a man can claim a woman. As she whimpered and moaned beneath him, her own movements slowing as the gentle grind of her husband’s body against hers, she felt surprisingly content. At least, until her bottom was pressed against the sheets again, a spurt of flame flickering through her.
Almost tenderly, Hugh rolled off of her and pulled her back against him so that she was snuggled up to his front. One hand cupped her breast, the other arm was under her head and wrapped around her possessively. After a few moments of squirming into a relatively comfortable position considering the state of her buttocks, Irene relaxed in her husband’s arms and sank into an exhausted slumber.
Chapter 16
It would have taken a much less astute and observant person than Eleanor to realize that her sister-in-law had received some measure of discipline the night before. Of course it helped that Eleanor was also intimately acquainted with the signs of such activities. Irene’s expression, whenever she wasn’t concentrating on smiling or remaining neutral, was pensive and distant as if her mind was somewhere else entirely. Since she had requested Eleanor’s help with the current conversation at hand, Eleanor knew that it wasn’t because Irene was disinterested in the topic. And, of course, there was the way Irene moved and oh so carefully sat. Even now, despite the fact that she was on the most comfortably cushioned chair in the drawing room, Irene was sitting rather gingerly.
In deference to Irene’s pride, Eleanor didn’t call attention to her sister-in-law’s obvious affliction other than to ensure she sat in the most comfortable chair.
“Now, you’ll want to attend Lady Stewart’s tea but you should skip her ball.”
“Because Lady Morningwood’s having a ball that night as well?”
“Yes, and because while Lady Stewart’s teas are perfectly acceptable, her parties tend to cater to a… ah… more focused crowd. Her card room is always much more lively than her dance floor.”
“Oh… I see.”
The somewhat dismayed look on Irene’s face as she realized just how lost she was when it came to knowing the intricacies of maneuvering successfully around the ton made Eleanor’s heart ache a little. Seriously, what had the young woman’s mother trained her in? Or had she just steered Irene around for her own benefit without ever thinking of what she should learn for when she was on her own?
Unfortunately Eleanor could picture that scenario all too easily. No matter, she had found that she rather enjoyed Irene’s company. Even when she was obviously slightly agitated and distracted she had a much more restful presence than Grace. It was too bad the two women didn’t get along, she had a feeling they would be good influences on each other. Irene was a little too concerned with propriety and Grace truly wasn’t quite enough.
“Don’t worry,” Eleanor said sympathetically, reaching over to pat Irene’s hand. “This Season is almost over and it truly won’t take you very long to pick up on the little nuances that define which invitations you and Hugh should accept. You’re a very quick study.”
“I suppose I have to be,” said Irene rather glumly. Despite her fiery red hair she truly didn’t seem to have much spirit at all that Eleanor could see. Then again she supposed that many women among the ton would seem lacking in spirit compared to her and Grace. “Perhaps Hugh will want to stay out in the country next Season.”
“No, no, no,” Eleanor scolded gently. “I’m sure my brother would love to do just that but it’s your responsibility to ensure that he attends to his social duties. Of course you won’t have to come to the events that are always held before the Season truly starts anymore since you’re not trying to make a match of it, but important business is done during these balls. It won’t be so bad, I promise. You can always come to me for advice about anything.”
