Page 68 of Almost a Countess

As Dora had suspected, the six weekswore on interminably. More than once, she wished with all her heartthat she and Finn had eloped to Scotland, where they would havebeen married by now and blissfully sharing pleasures everynight—every day, too, if she had her way. It was unbelievablyunfair to them that they would have to continue to wait to betogether. Everyone, according to Larkin, who did indeed seem toknow everything, anticipated their wedding night. Now that Finn wasno longer a wanted man, there seemed no reason at all for them notto indulge in conjugal bliss. Each evening she went to bed broodingover their missed opportunity at The Red Lion, her hunger forFinn’s touch growing as she tossed and turned until she fell asleepfrom exhaustion that was anything but satisfying.

Ever since her aunt had extended thewedding date, Dora had tried time and again to arrange a tryst forthem, but so far, they had been thwarted at every turn.

She’d visited Judith and broached thesubject to her of providing a haven for them to enjoy a few hourstogether alone. Her sister-in-law was completely understanding. Infact, she arranged a tea for Dora and Finn with the intent thatthey could meet in an outwardly respectable manner and then slipaway to one of the guest rooms for a private rendezvous.

The plan went off famously—until AuntMimi arrived unannounced and uninvited. Dora had been on the brinkof excusing herself to lie down as she had been “overcome” with thestress of planning her wedding trousseau, when the butler announcedher aunt.

Determined to outwait the woman, Dorahad drunk an ocean of tea and eaten two stone of biscuits and cakeswaiting for the duchess to leave. But when at last her aunt rose,it was to demand Dora go home with her. She tried her best todemur, but the writing was on the wall. She managed one chaste kissfrom Finn before her aunt took her arm and led her from theroom.

They had attempted the same strategyon other days, even going so far as to put out false claims of Doragoing shopping or driving in the park, but the duchess must havehad spies following Dora for whenever she managed to get toJudith’s home, Aunt Mimi was never far behind.

“I’m not even certain whyshe’s doing this, Judith.” Dora took up her second cup of tea andsipped, the warm beverage soothing her like a comfortable restbefore a fire. She’d come here today without any expectations savecompanionship with Judith. Finn would not be present, so she hadn’teven dressed in her best, wearing instead her comfortable old redgown. “We will be married within weeks. Finn is no longer in dangerfrom the law, so we may assume the wedding will take place. Afterall our travail with Lieutenant Scarlet and my father, I trulythink we deserve an afternoon together.”

“I quite agree with you,my dear.” Judith sipped her tea and smiled, cutting her gaze towardthe door for the second time in a quarter of an hour. “I think ithas been so unfortunate that you and Lord Aberfoyle have not beenable to spend more time together. Young couples need to get to knowone another better.”

“Exactly.” Hersister-in-law had ever been her champion at home. “Even a littletime together before the wedding would be heavenly. For once we aremarried, we will have so much else to consider. I will be running astrange household. Finn will be running his estates and all thatentails. We will not have the leisure time we do now, if only wecould use it to be together and simply enjoy one another’scompany.”

“I so agree. It wasn’tlike that for me when I married Simon, for I wasn’t going to bemistress of the house for some time to come. Now, though, I dohave, exactly as you say, much to keep me busy.” Judith’s eyestwinkled. “But I will admit, John and I will always find a way tomake time for one another.”

“You seem so very happy,Judith. I cannot tell you how glad I am that you married John.”After the horror of her marriage to Dora’s brother, Judith deservedthe loving and steadfast man she had married just thissummer.

“I do wish our bower wouldstay in bloom the entire year. It was a wonderful place for us togo whenever we wished to be private.” Her sister-in-law sighed.“You and Lord Aberfoyle would have found it quite an oasis from allthe hubbub of the wedding plans. Such a pity its blooms are gone.”She wrinkled her nose. “It is scarcely private at all now.” Again,her gaze strayed to the door.

“Are you expectingsomeone, Judith? Is Aunt Mimi coming today as well? Her spiesshould have told her that Finn is on some errand with his uncle.”Truly, her aunt seemed to know every move either she or Finn made.“Our marriage will account for a rise in unemployed workers once myaunt no longer has to pay people to follow us.”

Judith cocked her head, as iflistening for something, then laughed, her eyes suddenly bright. “Ithink we may have a chance to speed your happiness, mydear.”

The door opened, and Barr announced,“Lord Aberfoyle, my lady.”

Dora jumped to her feet, nearlyoverturning the tea tray, ran to Finn and threw her arms around hisneck. “Finn! I thought you were engaged with your uncletoday.”

“I thought sae as well,but he was suddenly called away tae some business in the Lords.” Hekissed her lips, his closeness like a balm to her frazzled nerves.“Isn’t yer aunt here?”

“She has been invited totea by the wife of a friend of mine and John.” Judith rose and cametoward them. “She will take the opportunity to beg your aunt’spatronage for a newfound charity for fallen women, called The Houseof Hope. I believe Lady Matthews is most passionate about thecause, so your aunt will likely be detained for some time.” Judithwent to the door and peered into the corridor. “Come withme.”

Excitement making her toes curl in hersilk slippers, Dora took Finn’s hand and followed Judith up thefront staircase and down a dim corridor to a small but comfortableroom, done in pretty blues and greens. A cozy fire blazed in thegrate while a wide four-poster mahogany bed took up most of theroom, its blue and green plaid comforter and crisp white sheetsturned down invitingly.

“I believe you will beundisturbed for at least two hours if you care to avail yourself ofthe peaceful atmosphere of our guest room.” Judith smiled as sheshut the door, leaving Dora and Finn alone for the first time inweeks.

The door had scarcely clicked shutwhen Dora grasped Finn’s face and covered it with kisses. “Oh, mylove, I’ve missed you so. Missed doing this.” She punctuated eachword with a kiss, wanting to do more. Finally able to do everythingshe wanted with the man she loved.

“Two hours will fly by,lass.” He kissed her long and hard then let her go to peel off hisjacket. “We must take advantage o’ every moment, mustn’t we?” Hepaused, peering into her face. “Are ye certain ye wish tae dae thisnow? ’Tis only a few more weeks—”

“No, Finn, we will notwait another momente.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him firmly.“Not unless you do not wish it until we are married. You had saidthat before, and I will abide by it.” She barely grazed his lipswith hers. “Even though I think we have waited longenough.”

“Then by all means, mochridhe.” He seized her mouth, his hunger for her moreinsistent than ever before. Pressing his tongue deep into hermouth, Finn pulled her so close his stiff member eagerly proddedthe folds of her gown.

For the first time, a trickle of doubtassailed her, and she shivered.

“There is nothing taefear, my love.”

“I know.” Still, she’dheard enough about the first time a woman lay with her husband fromher sisters and Judith to make her tremble. She rubbed her arms, asudden chill setting the hairs on end. No. She wantedthis.

Finn jerked at the knot of his cravat,sending the scrap of silk fluttering to the floor. His handsworking impossibly fast, he doffed his jacket, unbuttoned hiswaistcoat, and began on his fall as Dora stood rooted to the spot,staring as he stripped before her. He gazed into her face, his eyesglinting darkly in the candlelight. “Fair’s fair, moleannan,” he smiled and reached for her, “now let me see yedisrobe. Ye’ve had all the fun sae far.”

Heat flooded her cheeks, but Dora toldherself she could do this. It wasn’t that she didn’t wish to makelove to her almost-husband, but she’d never undressed in front of aman before. Still, there must be a first time for everything. Withunsteady hands, she began to unhook her bodice, which closed in thefront. The old red gown had always been easy to put on and takeoff, the perfect thing for when she’d not had Larkin and had toshift for herself. Today, however, every finger was athumb.

“Allow me, love.” Finn haddropped his breeches to the floor and stood before her in nothingbut a thin linen shirt.