room had been transformed with vases of flowers, flickering candles and Sophie’s nightdress, prettily arranged with ribbons. A cold repast of cheese, apples and bread sat on a small table beside the small coal fire. Everything ripe for seduction.
He could not have planned it better.
‘Shall I put you on the bed?’ he whispered in Sophie’s ear.
‘I’d prefer to stand.’
‘Would you mind telling me why?’ he asked, slowly lowering her to the floor. He had to hope that Sophie’s stepmother hadn’t filled her head with silly notions about propriety. When Sophie had insisted on changing and her stepmother followed her up, Richard had known what was coming—the talk about doing your duty and allowing a man to take his pleasure. Always have the light off and other nonsensical rules. It was little wonder she had seemed distant in the carriage, bringing up all manner of topics for discussion. Her stepmother had probably scared her half to death.
‘Why, Sophie, is it necessary for you to stand?’ he enquired softly when she bowed her head.
‘You have to be careful when you sit in a crinoline. They have tendency to fly up and expose everything.’ Sophie gave a feeble laugh. ‘It took me ages of practising before my stepmother would allow me out of the house. And you have to know where your skirts are. Fanny Hubert suffered terrible burns to her legs when her skirt caught fire. Luckily, I remembered to shout roll like Henri had taught me or it could have been far worse.’
‘Why wear it if it is so dangerous?’
‘Because it weighs so much less than six petticoats.’ She laughed and placed her finger against his lips. ‘And here I thought you were more than adequate as a maid.’
‘I’m obviously out of practise.’
‘Then we must hope you do a good job of it tonight.’ Her hands went to her tiny hat. ‘I expect you to be neat and tidy or Jane will grumble.’
‘I will be what I am,’ Richard growled, reaching for her. ‘And your maid will mind her manners about you or she will have to find another situation. But since you asked so prettily, I will do my best to keep your clothes neat.’
Sophie’s heart gave a little leap as he quickly divested her of the jacket and undid the back buttons of the dress. The cool air licked her shoulders as she stood in the centre of the room dressed only in her crinoline, corset and combination.
He walked all around her.
‘It is a cage.’
‘It hooks at the back.’ Somehow the knowledge he had not encountered a crinoline before made everything easier. The enormity of what was about to happen hit her as he carried her into the bedroom. She wanted to please him and all she could think about was that awful night four years ago.
The last thing she wanted was Richard getting angry with her. She wanted to be perfection and drive all thoughts of other women out of his mind. She wanted to match the picture he had painted in her mind yesterday, but she’d never done anything like this before.
‘Step,’ he commanded, releasing the crinoline and pushing it down over her hips. His hands caressed her hips, sending tiny licks of fire throughout her body, driving all thoughts of the other time away. This was different. This was Richard and she desired his touch.
He undid the hooks of her corset and sent that tumbling to the ground as well. Without giving her time to think, he lifted her up again and gently laid her on the bed.
‘I prefer slippers to boots, Sophie,’ he said, undoing the laces of her half-boots and easing them off. ‘And I don’t care about fashion, I want you to be able to breathe.’
‘I like to look fashionable.’ Sophie lifted her hands and removed the pins from her hair, allowing it to tumble about her shoulders.
‘You look utterly delectable.’ He moved her hair and kissed her neck. ‘Even better when you are undressed.’
He undid his neckcloth and quickly took off his shoes, coat and shirt but left on his trousers.
Sophie realised with a start that he wasn’t wearing anything underneath. His skin gleamed golden in the candlelight.
The bed sagged when he sat down next to her. His hand stroked her hair, sending a tingle down her spine.
The hard knot of misery had vanished to be replaced by something new and exciting.
She reached up a hand and stroked his cheek. ‘Hello, husband.’
Instantly he rolled over on top of her and she felt the full hard length of him.
He bent his head and kissed her. Their tongues met and parted. The wildfire which had spread through her yesterday, reignited, blazing hotter and more out of control because she knew what was coming. Her nipples tightened and her back arched, demanding more of him.
His mouth left hers and trailed down her throat, lower and lower until he reached her breasts. Rather than moving the material away, his tongue drew lazy circles, turning it translucent, so that her nipples showed a dusky pink.
She squirmed and her drawers rubbed against the apex of her thighs, sending a fresh wave of pleasure throughout her body.
Her head thrashed backwards and forwards on the pillow, but still he continued to suckle through the cloth. Her breasts grew full and ached.
‘Please,’ she gasped out, tugging at his shoulders. ‘Please.’
He lifted his head. ‘Allow me to pleasure you, Sophie. It makes me happy. I have dreamt about this. We are man and wife. Nothing is forbidden.’
‘I know,’ she said in a small voice. ‘I want to do it right.’
‘Relax.’ He ran his hand down her flank, before placing his fingers at the apex of her thighs. The new sensation sent pulses of warmth through her. Her body bucked and she knew she wanted more. She wanted to feel all of him.
‘We are overdressed,’ she whispered.
He started to undo her combination, but the buttons stuck and he ripped it.
‘I will buy you a new one,’ he murmured, nuzzling her ear as his hands slipped off his trousers. ‘You are more beautiful than I dreamt. Allow me to explore you.’
She gave a nod.
His hand returned to the apex of her thighs and slipped in between her nest of curls, parting her folds. The action sent fresh waves of pleasure throughout her body.
His silken warmth covered her. She ran her hand down his hard muscular back, marvelling. She cupped his buttocks and held his against her, lifting her hips to meet his.
The tip of him nudged her.
‘I’m sorry,’ he breathed in her ear. ‘This will hurt. There is no way around it.’
He positioned himself and drove deeply between her thighs.
The pain and burning instantly blotted out all the earlier pleasure.
Sophie
