to close her legs and her body bucked upwards, driving him deeper, making it worse. She beat her fists against the mattress in frustration. She had wanted this to be perfect. She wanted it to be like her dreams.
‘Shush, it will be fine. Trust me. It was necessary, but now I will make it better.’ His voice came through the pain and the panic subsided.
She forced her body to lie still and concentrated on the bed hanging and trying to breathe slowly.
He was deep within her, unmoving. She noticed the small things—how his chest felt against hers, how the candlelight highlighted the planes of his face and the way his fists were clenched as if he was under some nearly overpowering urge. She ran an experimental hand down his back, but he still didn’t move.
His lips brushed her temple. ‘There, it wasn’t too bad. I had to break your maidenhead.’
‘Is that all there is?’
He raised himself up on his elbows and his mouth curved up in a sensuous smile. ‘Do you want more?’
She wrinkled her nose, considering. ‘Yes, please. I liked the first bit very much, but not what just happened.’
He began to slowly move within her. ‘We shall have to see if we can get you to enjoy this bit as well. Relax and open your legs wider.’
She tried to and he moved his hips slowly, going deeper, then retreating as his mouth returned to hers. The gentle movement reignited the fire within her. Her hips lifted in time with his, matching him.
The movement became faster and more intense, but she was swept along on a wave of intense pleasure.
Finally he drove hard and cried out before collapsing on her.
She put her arms about him and held him, glorying in being one with him, her body alive with new sensations. Richard was right. It would have been foolish to wait any longer. She was pleased he’d insisted on their marriage.
‘Thank you,’ he said, placing a kiss on her temple.
‘For what?’
‘For being you.’
‘How can I be anyone else?’
He rolled off her and started to move away.
‘Where are you going?’ She held out her hand. Her entire body seemed to be remade and he wanted to leave her.
He returned with a damp cloth. ‘We need to clean you up.’
She looked down and saw the blood on her thighs. Her hands went to hide it. ‘I’m no longer a virgin.’
‘You are truly my wife.’ He nipped her chin. ‘And well worth waiting for.’
He moved her hands and wiped her thighs. The cool cloth contrasted with the burning, soothing her. Her hips moved upwards, seeking the relief. He slowed the movement of the cloth and stroked her gently. The heady longing returned and she knew she wanted his hands on her. She wanted him inside her again.
When he had finished, he gathered her in his arms and held her. She felt him grow hard and knew he wanted her again. The thought gave her a heady sense of power.
‘All gone.’
‘Do you intend to do it again?’ She hesitated.
‘Please?’
He gave a brief laugh. ‘Unfortunately you are too sore. We have the rest of our lives and I intend to teach you all the ways it is possible to have pleasure.’
She wriggled. ‘I believe I shall like that very much.’
Much later, Richard lay with Sophie in his arms. It had taken more self-control than he thought possible to avoid taking her again.
He had done the right thing in marrying her. He was not going to become like his father, overly possessive and jealous, driving her away. He wasn’t going to fall in love with her at all. He was going to look after her and protect her. The way he felt about her and having her in his life frightened him.
Richard stiffened. His father. With mental apologies to Sophie, he released her and rolled away from her warm body.
He needed to tell his mother about his father’s arrival and plans such as he knew them. It was not something which he could put in a letter. He had to see his mother and suffer the hysterics, but then he’d be done.
He ran his fingers through Sophie’s hair. It was better to keep Sophie out of any fireworks. She didn’t understand the problems and the way both parents had used him when he was little. The last thing he wanted was for her to be hurt. He’d promised to keep her safe. He could not ask her to take on this burden.
‘When we are in the Alps, Sophie, and we know each other better,’ he murmured. ‘Then I will explain. I’m sure you will understand.’
She murmured softly in her sleep. He took it for a ‘yes’.
Sophie awoke, naked and alone in the large bed. The sunlight flooded on to her face. Her only ornaments were her engagement ring and the thin band of gold Richard had placed on her finger yesterday. It took her an instant to think where she was and why. Her body ached with muscles she didn’t know she had. She reached out a hand to touch Richard. Even though she could see the imprint of his head on the pillow, the space beside her was cold.
She glanced about the bedroom. Someone had cleaned up the candle wax and the uneaten meal. Her dress and underthings no longer lay on the floor and her robe was neatly folded at the foot of the bed. A small fire blazed in the grate. But Richard was nowhere to be seen.
Something inside her shrivelled. She reached for the robe and slipped it on. What had she expected—that Richard would watch over her while she slept, transfixed by her beauty? That he’d be so enamoured of her charms that he wouldn’t bear being separated from her?
Her mouth twisted. All of her doubts and fears from yesterday came crowding back in. Had she done the right thing by marrying this quickly? Did she truly know the man she had married? The man who promised passion, but never mentioned his finer feelings?
Marry in haste, repent at leisure.
She had certainly married in haste. She hadn’t even given herself time to think. And Richard had never claimed anything more than desiring her. Was desire enough to build a marriage?
And she was stuck here until Richard returned, unable to dress herself without assistance. Silently she cursed the twenty-four hooks of her corset and the fifteen back buttons of her going-away dress. The other dresses she’d packed were just as bad. Without assistance, she was as helpless as a babe in arms.
Sophie swung her feet on the floor. ‘Hello? Is anyone there? Richard! I’m awake.’
Jane hurried in. ‘Oh, I hope I didn’t wake your ladyship with my tidying earlier.’
Sophie’s throat
