Chapter Eight
Theo sighed. Finally, he had his Little girl, his sweet duchess, in his arms and in the room he’d designed especially for her. Though he was a duke with much worldly experience, he did not believe he had ever felt so thrilled as he did in that moment. Certainly he had not wished to punish his wife within the first hour of their arrival at Willowmere, but it could not be helped. He had fully intended to mete out a longer spanking, but the sight of her backside through the filmy fabric of her chemise, as well as the sensation of the rounded curves against his palm, had nearly been his undoing. His cock had hardened painfully and it had taken all of his resolve not to toss her on the frilly lace-covered bed and claim her with all of the pent-up ferocity he felt.
However, if all the training he had received over the years in how to be a gentleman and a nobleman had taught him anything, it was the power of restraint. He would wait, despite his intense longing which had begun the first moment he saw her in the garden at Talcott House and had grown unabated every moment since then.
Lowering his head, he took in a whiff of her flower-scented hair. With a deeper inhale, he detected other aromas, those of her feminine arousal.
Reluctantly, he set her on her feet. Otherwise, he would rut into her like a wild beast at any moment.
Mari looked up at him, a bit of concern etched on her face. “Papa?”
He smiled down at her, his heart nearly overflowing with affection for the beautiful young lady who was his wife. “It is time for you to explore Little Mari’s Nursery. Are you not curious?”
“Oh yes, Papa! I can scarcely believe you went to so much trouble for me.”
“Trouble?” He stroked his hand over hair, marveling at the silken feel of her tresses. “My sweet girl, you must understand that it was no trouble at all. It was my pleasure. Everything I do for you makes me happy. Now and forever.”
He slipped his hands around her waist and drew her close before lowering his mouth to capture hers in a kiss that started out tenderly and soon became so much more. He knew he should slow down. He had looked forward to the opportunity to initiate his young bride into the pleasures of the marital bed.
But when he had Mari in his arms, all reason and sense left his mind and he was overcome by carnal longings.
Taking a deep breath, he set her away from him again. “Now,” he said, “as much as I would like to continue kissing you all afternoon, we have a nursery to explore.” He took her hand in his, reveling in the feel of her delicate fingers against his palm.
The first stop was a toy chest, painted white with colorful flowers all over it. “Open the lid, little Mari,” he said, gesturing toward it. “See what Papa has gotten for you.”
He released her hand and she took a step toward it, the stuffed rabbit clutched tight in her other hand. She paused next to the chest. “Oh Papa, it is so pretty. You have done too much.”
He took on a faux-stern expression. “Mari, does Papa have to tell you again that nothing he does for you is too much? Papacares about you and will cherish and protect you until the end of his days. It gives Papa so much happiness to do things for you. If I have to remind you again, it will be over my knee. And it will not be light taps like you just received.”
“Light taps?” She gaped at him. “Papa!”
Seeing her relaxed and giving him a bit of sass made Theo’s heart swell even more for the delightful girl who was his bride. Until now, she had been rather shy and formal with him. He looked forward to what the night would bring as far as releasing her inhibitions.
He shifted to accommodate the growing bulge in his trousers and directed her to the toy chest again. “Are you going to look inside or argue with Papa?”
She opened her mouth as if she was going to object and then closed it and smiled up at him. “Thank you, Papa. I have many things to become accustomed to as your wife, but I will do my very best. I promise.”
“I know you will, darling girl.” He reached over and lifted the lid on the toy chest, excited as he’d been as a boy on Christmas morning.
A gasp escaped her pink lips. “Papa!” she whispered, gazing at the bounty in the toy chest. “You should not—” Then she covered her mouth with her hands and stared up at him. He raised a brow at her.
“Good girl,” he said. “You are a quick learner.” He touched her shoulders and turned her back to the toy chest. “I think all of these stuffed animals need names, don’t you?”
A beautiful smile spread over her mouth. “Yes, Papa. Absolutely.”
For the next few moments he watched with pleasure as his little bride pulled one soft animal after another from the chest, squealing with delight over each one. As her excitement grew,she went further and further into Little Mari without even realizing it. The transformation filled Theo with joy.
“We’ll call this one Annie,” she said, giving a stuffed puppy a hug before rushing over to put it on her bed next to a bear, a lion and a fox.
She straightened them all up and made the introductions. “This is Annie. You boys be nice to her. No growling.” Then she hurried back to the chest and drew out a fuzzy brown animal with big ears and a long tail. Her brow furrowed. “Papa? What is this?”
In that instant, the gap between her upbringing and his own struck Theo square between the eyes. Instead of acting surprised that she didn’t recognize a monkey, he carefully took the item from her and held it in one hand while his other slipped around his bride’s waist.
“This is a monkey. It’s an exotic animal from Africa. They are known for climbing trees and being rather mischievous.” He moved the stuffed animal back and forth with his hand and made what he thought were monkey noises.
Mari giggled. “You’re silly, Papa.” Then she took the monkey in her hands and stared at it for a long time.
“The next time we are in London, I shall take you to an exhibit to see live monkeys. Would you like that?”
