Page 13 of The New Earl’s Convenient Wife

Chapter Five

Several hours later, Rafe took Juliana’s hand and waved as they bade their guests goodbye. The Wavertons had left shortly after the first toasts—probably not deeming the modest fare being offered his guests sufficient to tempt their discerning palates. The rest of the guests, having no such dainty scruples, continued to eat and imbibe with enthusiasm.

‘I think it went off well, don’t you?’ she asked as they walked into Thorne Hall. ‘Jerny and Westerbrook have brought their fiddles, so there should be dancing and merriment far into the night.’

‘At least as long as the ale holds out. I do hope you didn’t use the last of the estate’s cash reserves to provide for this.’

Her eyes widening, she said, ‘Of course not! I only—’

He put a hand to her lips. ‘I’m teasing, Mouse. I’m proud of what a fine wedding feast you were able to organize, despite Thornthwaite’s limited resources—while expending far less to provide it than I would have thought possible.’

To his satisfaction, her face pinked with pleasure. ‘Baxter and Sterling deserve much of the credit. And the merchants in the village, especially the brewmaster, who furnished the ale at cost.’

‘Perhaps, but you were the one who planned and organized it. Already I’ve proof of what a clever lad I was, persuading you to marry me.’

It seemed to him that her smile dimmed, but before he could inquire what he’d said to distress her, she shook her head, her smile brightening again. ‘And I know how clever I was to accept you…with our wedding night ahead.’ Her smile fading, a blush tinged her cheeks. ‘We’ve not gone beyond kissing, but I will not deny you your full conjugal rights, if…if you wish to claim them tonight. I know I’m not…attractive enough to inspire desire but I will endeavour to please you.’

‘Did your mother tell you that tarradiddle, too?’ Rafe asked, a rush of anger filling him at this new example of Lady Waverton’s disparagement. ‘I assure you, she could not be more mistaken! Men are enticed by more female features than just blond hair, a large bosom and rounded hips. Features like the slim beauty of your perfectly proportioned figure,’ he said, running a finger from her shoulder down to her hip, delighted that her eyes widened and a gasp escaped her. ‘The satin feel of your hair,’ he continued, pulling through his fingers a strand that had come loose from her braided crown. ‘The porcelain purity of your skin—’ he stroked her cheek ‘—and those great, wide, all-seeing brown eyes, with such mystery and intelligence in their depths. But perhaps most of all,’ he murmured, bending close, ‘those plush, pert lips that make me want to kiss them every time I look at you.’

‘Oh,’ she said in a small voice, seeming disconcerted by his praise. But she recovered quickly, angling her head up. ‘Then kiss me.’

He did, long and slow and deep, the mingling of tongues and taste of her now familiar, compelling, and this time, ah, this time, he could allow the desire her kisses inspired full rein.

Perhaps not full, he amended as he broke the kiss and took her hand to lead her upstairs. She was an innocent, unused to lovemaking. He must restrain himself and go slowly. Not for the world would he allow rampaging desire to frighten or hurt her; he wanted her to continue to respond to his touch with the same passionate enthusiasm she had for his kisses.

She halted abruptly as they entered the hallway leading to the bedchambers, her eyes going wide and her expression uncertain.

‘I had Baxter transfer your things into the chamber that adjoins mine,’ he said reassuringly. ‘She’ll be waiting to help you into your night-rail. I’ll join you there in a few minutes.’

Nodding her consent, with a little huff of determination, she opened her chamber door and disappeared. Rafe entered his own room, shrugging out of his coat and making fast work of removing shoes, breeches, waistcoat, shirt and cravatte. Donning his banyan, his body throbbing with anticipation, he walked over to knock on the adjoining door.

He entered to find her sitting at her dressing table, Baxter brushing out the long brown hair whose sheen glistened in the candlelight. As Rafe held out his hand, Baxter curtseyed and handed him the brush. ‘A goodnight to you, my lord, and to you, my dear lady,’ she said, smiling as she exited the room.

Juliana sighed as Rafe continued to ply the brush, stroking through the soft curls that fell like a curtain to her waist. ‘You have the most glorious hair,’ he murmured, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. He moved the heavy mane aside and bent to place soft, damp kisses on the bared skin of her neck. She leaned into him, then accepted his hand as he helped her up and walked her to the bed.

‘If I do anything you don’t like, that alarms or hurts, you must tell me to stop,’ he said as he sat her gently on the bed, then loosened the ties of her night-rail and slid it sideways to bare her shoulder. His fingers trembled now with the force of the desire thrumming through him, a roaring tide he must somehow restrain.

‘Don’t stop,’ she whispered.

Encouraged, he laid her back against the pillows. She rose slightly to allow him to pull the garment from under her, up and over her head, though not wanting to alarm her, he kept the banyan belted, hiding the evidence of his own desire. ‘Beautiful,’ he murmured, devouring her with his eyes, desperately eager to claim the body she freely offered him.

Sitting beside her, he reached over to caress her breasts, hissing a breath as his body hardened further when her nipples peaked. Then she gasped and shuddered.

Dropping his hands, he moved back. Slow down, his brain tried to insist to his rampaging senses.

She seized his hands and placed them back at her breasts. ‘Please, don’t stop! That is…if…if you are truly sure you want me. If I am…enough.’

‘More than enough, my sweet.’

She gave him a trembling smile. ‘Then, I want more. I want…everything.’

Relief and delight joined the desire coursing through him. ‘Then, dear wife, you shall have it all.’

Next morning, Rafe woke in a lazy haze of sensual satisfaction. Seeing Juliana curled beside him, the warmth amplified. His darling bride’s innocent but tender responses had thrilled him. Despite his initial intention to initiate her into the wonders of lovemaking slowly, in the end, he had given her ‘everything’.

He frowned; had he been carried away by her gentle submission to his increasingly passionate caresses? In the rational light of day, free from the magic of moonlight and desire, he realized she wouldn’t have stopped him, whatever qualms she felt. With a wave of concern, he hoped he hadn’t hurt or alarmed her.

Before that worrisome thought went any further, she yawned and slowly opened her eyes. Drowsiness disappeared as she spied him leaning over her. ‘Last night was wonderful!’ she murmured, giving him a rapturous smile.