Page 36 of The Lyon’s Paw

“Impressive, wouldn’t you say?” Geoffrey slowly lowered her to the floor, holding onto her until she found her footing.

“Very.” She couldn’t take her eyes off the bed that took up at least half of the room. “Why is it so…large?”

He grinned down at her. “The Longfords come from ancient warriors, knights in the king’s service from the Middle Ages. I’m named for one of those ancestors.” He nodded toward the bed. “Sir Geoffrey Longford was a second son who served King Edward III. He accompanied the king’s daughter on her way to marry a prince of Spain, but disaster struck when the company landed in Bordeaux and was decimated by the plague. He and one of the princess’s ladies returned from France to discover his father was dead and he was now Lord Longford. They married and he had this bed built to commemorate his inheriting the title—and to accommodate his huge frame.”

“Your family has quite a history.” That her husband came from a line of knights did not surprise Diana in the least. He was an honorable man who wished to do what was right. His story also explained his own towering height and well-muscled body—a body she was going to become thoroughly familiar with in a very short time.

“Come.” He took her by the hand and led her to the bed where he stopped and cupped her face with both hands. “You are so beautiful, Diana. Even the fool that I was back in June noticed your exquisite loveliness, before it was overshadowed by petty anger…and toads.”

At his words, her heart sped up until its frantic beating filled her ears. She’d found him handsome then too, until the humiliation of that day had soured her mind against him, until all she could think was that he was an uncouth toad. No more.

“You do know, don’t you, Geoffrey, that I did not push you into the pond on purpose?” It was suddenly very important that he understood that.

“You ran away so quickly…” He shrugged. “I assumed I’d done something to offend or frighten you. You yourself have said I can have that effect on others.” He gave her a rueful smile. “I was quite angry at the ruin of that particular jacket. It was new and I had worn it especially to impress you.”

“I assure you, I was terribly impressed. You were so dashing I couldn’t believe I was there with you. It was like a fairytale.” She hung her head. “And then it went all wrong.”

“Fairy tales do have their dark side, my dear.” He brushed a lock of hair off her forehead, then tipped her face up. “What happened?”

“A horrible man who’d insulted me at the ball the night before spotted me and started walking toward me. I thought he was about to accost me again. I tried to get your attention, but you were so deep in conversation with my aunt you didn’t hear me and so…” Diana sighed. “You ended up in that wretched pond.” She glanced up at him, a reproach in her gaze. “And you cursed at me.”

“That I do remember, and I am sorrier than you can know that I forgot all my training and said something so blasphemous to a lady.” He grasped her hand and kissed the back of it, then turned it over and caressed the palm.

Diana’s skin prickled and she shivered.

“If you can forgive me that dire transgression, I promise to forgive your accidental baptism of me.” His mouth trailed up her arm, the pleasant tingles running riot throughout her now.

“Oh, yes, my love.” She swayed toward him, wanting to be in his arms.

Gently he kissed her cheeks, then her eyelids, and finally her mouth. Lord, every time his mouth caressed her, her toes wanted to curl. Down low in her belly a new sensation was born, like a whirlwind gathering strength to sweep her away.

“Diana, do you know what happens between a husband and wife, Diana? If not, I can explain as we go.” He had broken the kiss to peer down at her, his eyes filled with concern.

She nodded quickly. “My aunt told me about it before we went to Mrs. Dove-Lyons the first time. She wanted me to be prepared in the event the marriage took place that afternoon.” Diana tried to sound confident, but hearing about how something was supposed to happen and the actual event taking place were often very different things. She ducked her head. “I know what she told me, and she’s been married a long time, so she should know. But…” After a deep breath, she looked up at Geoffrey once more. “I can’t help but think it will be different with you.”

“I will do everything in my power to make it wonderful for you.” He skimmed his fingers down her arms, making her shiver at his touch. Bending his head, he set a string of kisses down her neck, raising gooseflesh over her body. “Will you allow me to disrobe you?”

Diana nodded, then turned her back so he could unlace her bodice. As her gown began to slacken, he set his lips to the bare flesh of her shoulder, making her skin pebble as he continued down her arm as the garment came away. She closed her eyes, swaying in anticipation of his next move. The other arm received the same treatment until she stood in only her stays and chemise, stockings and shoes, trembling before him. His lips grazed the nape of her neck and she shook like a tree in a high wind. Nothing had ever felt so wonderful, so exciting. Fear had been pushed to the back of her mind where she prayed it would remain. She didn’t want this moment overshadowed by misgivings.

Her stays came away, leaving only her chemise covering her body. Diana turned to face him and boldly untied her shift, letting it fall slowly off her shoulders, exposing first her breasts and then her nether regions as the garment fell to the floor with a soft plop. She kept her gaze on her husband’s face, enjoying the intense, almost awestruck look there. The last remnants of doubt drained away. Her greatest dread had been that he would not find her form pleasing. She wasn’t made as lightly as some ladies. However, the look of admiration in her husband’s face allayed any doubts she had.

“Oh, my dear, you are exquisitely made.” He reached out and stroked her breast with a single finger, igniting a fire low in her belly. “I cannot wait to give you the greatest pleasure a man can give a woman.” He pulled back the covers, then hoisted her up and placed her on the snowy white sheets.

“The bed is warm.” She ran a hand over the sheet, luxuriating in the surprising warmth.

“I had the maid run a bedwarmer over them while we were at dinner.” He’d untied his cravat and the silk streamer fluttered to the floor.

“Were you that sure of me?” Diana smiled and pulled the covers up to her waist. She wished her husband’s attention to remain on her.

“After yesterday’s ultimatum, I had no doubt.” His fingers made short work of his jacket and waistcoat, before he kicked his shoes off and his hand went to the fall of his trousers. “Are you ready to see me au naturelle, as the French say?”

The words stuck in her throat, but Diana nodded, eager to experience everything with her husband.

The fabric of his trousers fell away and he skinned them down his legs, taking the stockings with them to lie on the floor. Diana’s gaze drifted back up his form, just as he pulled his shirt over his head, exposing his large, stiff member, jutting out from his body proudly. Well, she’d known Geoffrey was a big man, so everything about him must be big. But this…

She couldn’t look away. If what Aunt Frances had told her was true, she didn’t think marital congress was going to be possible. That was a disappointing thought, to be sure. All the tingles Geoffrey had caused her so far were the most thrilling feelings she’d ever had and she wanted more of the same. But this?

“Don’t be afraid, my dear.” As though he’d read her thoughts, Geoffrey crawled up onto the bed and slid beneath the sheets beside her, pulling her into his arms. “God made man and woman with this very act in mind.” He nibbled on her earlobe, bringing back the delicious prickles all down her body. “And though it will hurt the first time, I will make that part as quick as I can.” He gazed into her eyes. “Do you trust me?”