Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lady Lillian, Duchess of Alton
I turned from my right side to my left on the large bed that dominated the luxurious cabin. Several portholes let in the moonlight. Night had fallen, yet there was still no sign of Kendrick.
My nightgown rode up on my calf, and I used my foot to push it down.
The bed had a luxurious coverlet, and the bedding smelled freshly washed. I allowed my hips to settle back into the soft mattress, but a crease in the gown added to my growing discomfort. I had left the dining room with my parents over an hour before. Was Kendrick still with his mother, or had he and Colt run off for a tryst without me?
“Oh, dear.” I rolled onto my back, lifted my bottom, and tugged the material down. The new gown lacked the softness of my usual night rail. I pressed my wrist to my forehead. The waiting was killing me. I couldn’t think Kendrick would be that inconsiderate.
Life showed me multiple times that people aren’t always kind.
My usual flip between chills and flashes of heat plagued me even more since I was left to my own devices. Usually, I would compose stories in my head, but I was too keyed up for that. My choice of literature wasn’t conducive to distracting me from themarriage act. “I really hate this gown,” I exhaled and tried to relax.
A slight creak sounded from behind me, and I turned my head.
“I’m not very fond of it myself,” Kendrick said, amusement lacing his comment.
A thrill raced along my every nerve at the suggestion in his words. I lifted my torso to see my husband standing in the doorway to his dressing room. The black robe he wore accented his shoulders and exposed a vee of his chest dusted with dark hair.
“It is rather fluffy, or should I say frilly? My mother thinks that if I wear something with ruffles, it will hide my, um, my um, less than ideal attributes.” My face flamed from my bumbling manner. He must think I was the silliest sort of lady, unable to articulate words with any finesse. I sat up, my arms moving behind my back to support me. “You know what’s beneath, but I couldn’t tell herthat, now could I?”
Kendrick moved farther into the room, his bare feet peeking out from beneath the fabric. A thick Turkish carpet covered the floor surrounding the bed, and the plushness muted his footsteps.
“No, you couldn’t. Rest assured, I’m not opposed to the gown since I’ll enjoy taking it off you, ruffles and all.” He approached the bed with heavily lidded eyes. Desire rested in the depths. “I know what lies beneath, and I’m definitely not opposed to them either.”
My arms weakened, and I had a hard time keeping myself upright. I lifted my chin, anxiety warring with anticipation. A lazy smile curved his lips, and those adorable dimples showed in his cheeks.
He dipped his head and pressed a light kiss to my lips as he sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry I’m late. I was arranging a very special gift for you.”
“A gift for me?” My mother had told me to expect jewelry from my husband as it was commonly given to wives. She’d an entire box full of precious gems gifted from my father over the years to commemorate special occasions. Kendrick had already given me a necklace, which I cherished simply because it came from him. “That is very kind.”
“No, it is well earned. However, I’ll not be presenting it to you until midnight.” He slipped one hand beneath the weight of my hair and palmed the nape of my neck. I felt his touch to the tip of my toes.
“It is nine o'clock, well 9:22 p.m. to be exact. Unless the clock isn’t right, I—”
The press of his mouth cut short my rambling. I lifted one hand and cupped his cheek. His jaw was smooth without a hint of stubble. The faint aroma of shaving soap mingled with the underlying masculine scent that was unique to him.
My nipples swelled, and the secret place between my legs tingled. “Will Colt be delivering it?” I asked between sultry kisses, my fingers moving to the bodice of my gown. The rushes of heat had taken over, and I unfastened the top two buttons before the third one stuck.
“You will have to wait and find out.” Strong fingers pushed mine aside, and with a jerk of his wrist, the buttons on my night rail popped free. The material fell open, exposing one shoulder and upper arm.
“Then it is a yes?” I asked, resisting the urge to right the gown. He was my husband, and he’d seen my sad excuse for a bosom, yet I sensed his eagerness to touch them once more.
Firm lips skipped over mine, each delicious sweep eroding my earlier trepidation. He stretched out on the bed, pulling meover his body until my torso was twisted over his, my legs by his hips. The gown once again climbed up my legs, but this time I welcomed it. One powerful hand drifted over my hip until he found his way beneath the fabric
He left my mouth to spread kisses down the arch of my neck, his talented mouth seeking the spot where my neck met my shoulders. Need ignited a flame in my chest. He remembered my preferences, and my heart warmed even more. We were bound for life, this generous man and me.
The need in my blood increased. Physical desire was new to me, but I had faith he would make it memorable.
He pulled the white fabric off my arm, baring one breast. Eager eyes caught mine as he traveled ever downward, tongue flicking around my nipple before drawing it into his mouth. Love continued to bloom inside my heart. I shrugged off the linen from my other shoulder, and the fabric drifted to my waist.
His hand blazed a path under the night rail. Our encounter was proving to be headier than the finest wine. I lifted my hips to loosen the fabric, my movements pressing my breasts tighter to his mouth. He sucked on my nipple. I cried out, my entire body alert to my growing need.
Strong fingers found their way to the juncture of my thighs. His robe had fallen open and I reclined against his muscular chest. I pushed my knee back to expose my cunny to his view, shameless in my need. What had transpired the last time he explored me with such intimacy sent anticipation shooting through my veins. The instant he touched the nub between my legs, the flicker turned into a flame.
