Page 51 of A Countess of Convenience

Chapter 20

“I still cannot believe that you knew nothing of the pleasure a man can give a woman with his mouth, yet you are very skilled in pleasuring a man thusly.” John finished the last scrap of blood sausage then poured more tea for them both. He had been ravenous, and so had she.

They had risen late and ordered breakfast served in Judith’s chambers. The servants clearing last night’s repast and bringing in this morning’s feast had likely heard an earful as she and John cavorted in the other room. Judith didn’t care in the least. After so much tragedy in her life, to have this wonderful physical connection gave her great joy.

“Very skilled?” She raised an eyebrow. John had been surprised that she had intimate and thorough knowledge of how to pleasure a man using only her mouth and tongue. They had spent much of the night demonstrating their expertise to one another.

“Extremely skilled. Magnificently skilled. Exotically skilled.” He took her hands and kissed a palm, dragging his tongue across her flesh and sending chills down her spine.

“You as well, my lord.” She took his hand in both of hers and laid her cheek against it. “My first husband, while he managed to be adventurous in the bedroom, thought only of his own pleasure. He may well have known how to please me as you did, but he would not have cared to do so unless he himself gained pleasure from it.”

“Did he not make sure that you completed as well as he?” John’s frowning face looked like a thundercloud had lighted on his brow.

“Not always.” She took back her hand and reached for her tea. After her first year of marriage to Simon, hardly ever at all. She’d learned how to bring herself the ultimate pleasure when Simon did not, although it was never as good as with him.

“Did you indulge yourself, then?”

Her head shot up and her face flamed with heat. “Wh…what do you mean?”

A mischievous twinkle in his eye, he said, “I believe you know full well what I mean, else you would not blush so.”

“You are too smart for you own good, my dear.” Resisting an urge to fan her hot cheeks with her hand, Judith instead finished her cold tea, which helped a smidgeon.

“So others have said. Still, there is no reason you should not indulge yourself.” His matter-of-fact tone assured her he must do it as well. “Especially when we are apart. You can pleasure yourself and think of me doing the same thing.”

“I have married a very wicked man, I think.” But she grinned at him. Somehow being naughty together didn’t sound so sinful. “And though we cannot indulge ourselves fully in our pleasure for a few weeks, we will still be together and can enjoy one another as we did last night. We will not be forced to live apart, surely.”

“Actually, my love, I fear we must, for a short time at least.” He sobered and took her hand once more. “I believe you must travel back to Marholm, to see to your father’s estate and to settle your mother in her house with a companion, unless she wishes to live elsewhere. She would, of course, be welcome to live here with us and to remove North when we go to Haxby in the summer.”

“You are truly good, John, to think of my mother’s welfare. Thank you. But can we not both go together to Marholm?” Having only been married to John for a day, she was loath to quit his company, especially when they were just coming to know one another again.

“I really cannot abandon Kitty to a Season without an escort.” John patted her hand. “I’m sure you see that. And I hope to begin an investigation into Lord Downing’s background, to see if I can find any impediment to his guardianship.”

Glumly, Judith nodded. He was correct, of course. He must stay, and she must go. Just as she hoped for a stretch of smooth sailing, the waters turned turbulent again. “You are correct. I do see that I should go alone, or at least with an escort and a maid.”

“We will engage a lady’s maid for you before you make the journey. Lady Haxby should not share her maid with her sister-in-law in any case.” John rose. “I will ask Mrs. Buck to inquire of those among her acquaintance about a lady’s maid.”

“Thank you, John. That is kind of you.” She’d been used to dressing herself before coming to Donningham House. She stood, not wanting to let him go just yet. “When do you think I will be able to leave?”

“Likely a week or so, depending on how quickly we can engage a maid who suits you. I will go dress now.” He looked about the room and sighed. “I forgot. We did not yet move your things into the countess’s apartment so there is no convenient door between your room and mine. Suppose I’ll have to sneak down the corridor instead.” He grinned like a schoolboy about to embark on a lark and headed to the door.

“John.” Judith gripped the back of her chair until her nails bit deep into the upholstery.

“Yes?” He’d opened the door and was about to stick his head out.

“I don’t suppose we could ‘rest’ a little more today? Especially as we are to be apart in such a short while.” She tried to give him her best sultry stare.

Immediately, John backed into the room. “I think that is an excellent idea, sweetheart.” He pushed the door shut and locked it. “I feel an awful fatigue upon me this moment. Do you think I might lie down on your bed for a while, wife?”

Laughing, Judith darted over to him, grabbed his hand, and tugged him toward the bed. “Of course, husband. My bed is your bed.”

* * * *

“Oh, Judith. Oh, my dear, what are we to do without your dear Pappa?” Mamma had been saying the same thing, day in and day out ever since Judith had arrived two days before. Her weeping had diminished, but Judith had taken to carrying several handkerchiefs with her around the house just in case.

“I will take care of you and the estate, Mamma. Come,” she hurried her mother from the upstairs corridor to the downstairs parlor, “sit with me and have some tea. Mr. Piper is to call on me shortly. I need to know exactly how Pappa left the estate and all the household goods and things.” The task would be daunting at the best of times. At present, with her own griefs plus Mamma’s almost constant wailing, she simply could not think straight. Not for the first time, she wished with all her heart that John was here.

“Let me ring for tea.” Judith pulled the bell before sitting opposite her mother, although as soon as she did, Mamma switched seats to sit beside Judith. “Do not fret, Mamma. We will be fine.”