Scandal's Daughters

Chapter 9

Felicity felt like a traveler lost in a beautiful place with very strange weather. She had no idea if the sun would shine, the wind would blow, or the rain might fall. From one moment to the next, she, in turns, felt brazen, capable, hungry for him and then afraid, unsure, terrified that he would dislike the real Felicity.

She knew what a wise woman would do. She would pretend at absolute missishness. At knowing nothing of bedplay. But she did know, had long been curious, and desired her husband with an intensity that stunned her.

When he’d offered to wait, she knew she should have been grateful for his kindness. While she felt gratitude, she also felt a twinge of apprehension.

Should she accept his offer to appear like a proper lady?

Well, by all respects she was a lady. She was born to it and should never even have given it a second thought. The last year had given her pause. She wasn’t like the other young ladies of her sphere.

Her father and his radical views had ensured that.

But then, her husband knew that, too. What was the point of pretending she was anything other than what she was? So, now, her cloak having fallen to the floor, she stood absolutely still.

For now, she wasn’t sure what to do.

Because for all the theorizing, hypothetical knowledge she had acquired and general easiness she felt with the idea of love making, now she was about to have reality thrust upon her. It suddenly felt very different than theory.

His strong, capable hands now moved to her gown. He worked the ties and fastenings free, clearly familiar with ladies’ frocks, then slipped her sleeves from her shoulders. Her gown followed her cloak.

Her stays then fell.

She stood before him in naught but shoes, stockings and chemise.

He traced his fingertips along her arms, then drew them slowly over her collarbones, then down to her breasts. He cupped the mounds lightly in his hands, his thumbs teasing over her hardening nipples.

She trembled. Her actual inexperience then felt like a gulf to her. She knew what was to come. She even knew there were things that could be done beside the act itself which would bring them pleasure. But she wasn’t entirely certain what she was supposed to do.

So, she stood still.

He lowered his hands to the edge of her soft chemise, carried it up her body and whisked it over the top of her head.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

In all her life, only her sisters and maids had seen her naked. What would he think? Would he find her favorable? She’d always felt quite good about her person. But now, standing before this beautiful man who had seen many naked women, she felt trepidation.

“I want to kiss every part of you,” he said, his voice a rough growl. “I want to make you mine.”

Those words sent a thrill through her, leaving every inch of her skin feeling as if it were on delicious fire.

“I am yours,” she replied then she licked her lips. “And I should like you to be mine.”

The words seemed to take him by surprise, but then he pulled her to him and took her mouth in a hot, powerful kiss. The kiss seemed to claim her, to storm her gates, to lay waste to any doubts between them.

He swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

The beat of her heart nearly deafened her as the big, powerful man who was now her husband stretched her out on the counterpane then crawled onto the mattress to join her.

His strength surrounded her.

And before she knew what was happening, his hand slid between her thighs and found a part of her that had been utterly secret to all but her.

He stroked that soft flesh and she cried out in surprised pleasure.

A satisfied male growl came from him. He stroked again and again, until she grabbed on to his shoulders, stunned by the pleasure that was tossing her to new heights.

And then the world crashed about her in wild bursts of ecstasy.

Wave after wave of delight overtook her body and, as she could barely think, he was suddenly over her. He whipped his coat and shirt from his body, throwing them to join her own clothes on the ornately woven rug.

“Are you ready?” he asked, his voice rough with passion.

How could he ask her to reply when she had no mind left to answer? So, instead, she nodded wildly.

He gently parted her thighs and she was aware of him undoing his trousers as the world seemed to slow a little in its wild twirling.

Suddenly, she felt his hard shaft at her entry. He slid himself up and down, teasing her.

To her surprise, this had the most powerful effect on her. Her body arched against him. Her legs longed to wrap about his waist and draw him in.

But it was also overwhelming as he thrust forward.

She gripped his shoulders and cried out as he delved deep into her heat.

For one moment, she felt terrible pain and she bit back a cry. But then it passed.

He stilled, his face a mask of hunger and concern. “Are you well?”

She drew in a long breath, trying to decide if she was. The pain was vanishing, replaced by an incredible sensation of fullness. She smiled slightly, amazed by the strangeness of it.

“Shall I take that as a yes?” he asked, his voice slightly strained.

She nodded again, not trusting herself to speak because she felt so strange.

He began to move again, stroking in and out, thrusting deeper into her core.

To her astonishment, the pleasure returned and with each thrust of his body, she began to feel tossed upwards towards that pinnacle again. He leaned down, taking her mouth with his, his tongue slipping between her lips.

She wrapped her arms around his back, longing to feel a part of him. And then he reached back, his hand betwixt them, and he found her secret place again.

As soon as he teased it, he thrust hard into her body and she let out a wild cry which was matched by his shuddering release and her name upon his lips.

The room spun and she held on to him, desperate to be anchored in the wild storm of pleasure he had just shown her. In all her life, she’d never known such bliss and she’d certainly never felt so entirely at one with another person.

Gently, he sank onto the bed and pulled her into his arms. As he cradled her, she felt so cared for. . . And it was frightening. For in all her life, she’d never felt the first hints of love, but here in her husband’s arms, the first sparks bloomed within her. So, she savored the feel of his body pressed to hers and did her very best not be concerned about tomorrow.