“It is not funny.”
“Indeed it is, my swan.”
She took another deep drink of her brandy, then rose from the sofa and set it aside. With a boldness that thrilled him, she spun around and gave him her back as she started removing the pins from her hair. “Well?”
“Well, what?” The way her coppery locks cascaded down her back entranced him into a stupor.
“You promised to rescue me from this dreadful lace. Can you manage the buttons and hooks, or shall I call for Marie?”
He lifted the heaviness of her hair, draped it over the front of her shoulder, and allowed it to tumble out of the way. “I am quite able for the task, my sweetness,” he said while grazing his lips along her exposed back. He flicked his tongue across her skin while peppering a trail of kisses along her shoulders. “I knew you would taste divine.” A smile came to him as she shivered.
“And what should I do?” she asked in a breathy whisper. “I no longer trust thosemanuals.”
“Relax and allow me to adore you.”
“I see.” A surprised squeak escaped her as he undid the last of the buttons and opened the gown to make it fall away. She caught it to her chest as though suddenly loath to be free of it.
He stepped around and kissed her barely parted lips while burying both his hands in her hair. She tasted of brandy and breathless excitement, of everything he had ever wanted and more. When she opened her mouth wider and flicked her tongue to his, he almost groaned.
She released the dress and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, tiptoeing as she pulled herself closer.
He drew back the slightest bit and allowed himself to drown in her rich, dark eyes. “You are sure of this, my swan?”
The tip of her tongue raced across her lips, wetting them. She gave a quick nod. “I am.”
He swept her up into his arms, kicked the dress aside, and carried her into the bedroom. “I thought we might be more comfortable in here. At least at first.” This first time needed to be wonderful for her. He would allow nothing less.
“At first?” she repeated as he lowered her onto the bed and tugged off both her elbow-length gloves.
After pressing a kiss into each of her palms and along her wrists, he folded her hands across her middle and moved to untie her slippers. “Relax and allow me to adore you. Remember?”
“I am discovering that is easier said than done.” She shivered and squeaked again as he tossed her slipper to the floor and gently massaged her foot.
“You have the tiniest feet.” He removed the other slipper and slid his hands up her leg to the ribbon securing her stocking. “And the loveliest legs.”
“Your hands… I mean… Your touch is very nice.”
After removing her stockings, he gently took hold of her hands and helped her sit upright. “And now for the rest.”
A shuddering breath left her, making the swell of her breasts rise above the neckline of her corset in a way he could not resist.
But rather than bury his face in those luscious mounds, he forced himself to move around her and undo the laces of her stays. He tossed them aside, then eased her back into the pillows. While he preferred her completely bare to his gaze, he would leave her with her chemise—for now.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered between kisses.
“What about you?” She tugged on his jacket with both an exciting and endearing clumsiness. “I wish to see your beauty too.”
“Do you?”
“Most definitely.” She chewed on her lip again, drew in a deep breath, and huffed it out. “I have only seen a man unclothed in works of art.” Her head coyly tilted with the shyness of her shrug. “Is it wrong of me to be curious? Brazen or whorish?”
“I find it exciting that you are curious.” He shed his jacket and waistcoat after silently damning all the dratted buttons on the uniform. Neckcloth and shirt came next, but he paused and stood there bare-chested before removing his boots and pantaloons. The blush across Sophie’s cheeks was alarmingly bright.
“Sophie? Are you all right?” He sat on the edge of the bed and gently touched her cheek.
She blinked as though waking from a dream. “I…uhm…yes. Forgive me, but you are nothing like the statues or paintings.”
He hoped that was a good thing in her opinion. “Should I be insulted? Do you find me lacking?”
