The Marquess's Christmas Runaway
Page 26
An arm went around her and Max bent his mouth to hers. His other hand burrowed underneath her cloak and caressed her nipple through the thin fabric of her evening dress. When she thought she could bear it no longer he released her and pulled her onto his lap. With both hands free he started a double assault, caressing both breasts. She gasped with need and wriggled until she could feel the evidence of his arousal. Max groaned and she could feel him moving underneath her. The coach started to slow down before turning a corner.
Max lifted her back onto the seat. “We’re nearly home. I’m so desperate for you I’m almost tempted to have the driver take us around the block.”
Georgie laughed. “I know exactly what you mean.”
She rearranged her cloak as the coach pulled up at the front of Hargreaves House. Max leant towards her.
“I hope your maid doesn’t take too long to help you undress. I’ll hurry Jepson up as much as I can.”
***
Georgie sat on a chair in front of the fire wearing nothing more than a flimsy nightgown. She was doing this all the wrong way around but her need for him was all consuming. The door opened and she shuddered with anticipation, the rising tension pooling deep within her abdomen almost unbearable. Max sat on the edge of her bed, wearing his banyan and nothing else if the dark sprinkling of hair visible above it was anything to go by. Why didn’t he take her in his arms?
“Georgie, I’ve been a prize idiot. I hope you can forgive me.” His voice was gentle, more like the Max she had known to begin with.
He sounded as if he was trying to get into a discussion and her hurt was still too raw to cope with that. She immediately threw her nightgown off. Her tactic worked. He dropped his banyan and they fell into bed locked in an embrace. She raised her mouth to his and kissed him. Max returned his attention to her breasts and she turned her attention to the silky length of him pressed against her thigh. He threw back his head and bucked as her hand closed around him.
He pressed his hand between her thighs and slowly stroked her sensitive spot.
“I think you are ready, my darling.”
She opened for him and he entered her in one strong thrust. Their need was so great there wasn’t time for anything slower. They reached their release together and lay back exhausted. Georgie was wrapped in a warm glow. He had called her his darling. Perhaps he would grow to love her in the way she knew she already loved him.
This time he didn’t immediately remove to his own room afterwards as he had before. He pulled her into his arms and when her head was resting on his chest stroked her hair. It was the most relaxed she had been for days and she felt herself drifting off to sleep. The next thing she knew it was dark and the bed felt cold without him.
***
She entered the breakfast room the next morning to find Max waiting for her. There was an air of suppressed excitement about him.
“I’ve told the servants we are not at home this morning. Not even to Augusta. There are some things I want to take you to see. Come on, eat your breakfast. There is no time to waste.”
Georgie munched her toast. She could get no more out of him and her imagination was running riot. Once she was ready, Max sent her to find a warm pelisse suitable for travelling in. He was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs when she returned.
“It’s a lovely day so I suggest we walk to the mews.”
He opened a side door and led her through a surprisingly large garden for town. There seemed to be a kitchen garden as well as a lawned area. The day was bright and sunny. The plants in the kitchen garden were coated with a silvery layer of frost. Glistening apple trees rose above fruit bushes and herbs. Even the lawns shimmered in the sun. No wonder Max had told her to wear something warm. When they reached the mews, Larkin was waiting for them. He led out two beautiful matched greys. They were lively but they looked good natured. Georgie was entranced and edged towards them until she could pat the neck of one. She spoke softly to him and he nuzzled at her.
Georgie laughed. “Do you have anything I can feed them with?”
Larkin called to a groom who came back with two small apples from the stores. The horses munched on them happily as Georgie looked across at Max.
“They’re beautiful. Are they for the town carriage?
“No, if you like them, they’re for you. You did say you would like to try driving a phaeton, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I’ve never driven a pair but I would love to learn how.”
Max signalled to Larkin who took the greys back to the stables. “We’ve found a good carriage maker with a phaeton suitable for a lady already made. Would you like to come and have a look?”
“Yes please.”
They waited for Larkin to bring out the town carriage. Max put his hands around her waist and lifted her in, laughing up at her as he did so. Max refused to tell her any more about the phaeton on the journey.
“Wait and see. I like it but it’s up to you if we buy it. I’ve ordered a spare curricle.” He looked around the coach as it rolled along. “We may need a new carriage as well. Now I’m committed to taking my seat in the house we will have to spend a fair bit of time in London. Modern coaches are better sprung than this one.”
Less than half an hour later Max led Georgie into the yard of the carriagemakers. She stood for several minutes staring at the phaeton. It was superbly crafted. Max watched her with an anxious expression.
Georgie smiled up at him. “It looks well balanced and quite light for a vehicle like this.”
“Shall we buy it?”
Hope filled her at the expression on his face. Finding love eventually felt a lot more likely.
“Yes please.”
“I’ll have Larkin fetch it home later.”
He walked her back to their carriage. “I promise to teach you how to drive a pair. That will mean we make time to be together so we can learn more about each other as you wished.” He gave a rueful laugh. “Things will be hectic soon, especially now I’ve promised to join Cathlay and his friends in the House of Lords.”
Georgie laughed back at him. “It’s the least you can do. I had quite a chat with Augusta when we went shopping. You wouldn’t believe the trouble they’ve taken to smooth our way. It’s not just because of Cathlay’s position either.”
Max declared all the travelling around had given him an appetite and they ordered a luncheon to be served in the breakfast room when they returned. They chatted and laughed and Georgie felt her day was still as enchanted as the frosty garden of the morning. Max broke the spell when the servants left them to their coffee after they had eaten their fill.
“Georgie, I know there are things you have held back from me. You don’t have to tell me but I would love to talk about anything that is bothering you.”
Georgie let out a breath through puffed cheeks. She was the one who had said they needed to be honest with each other.
“It’s hard to explain. I was in turmoil after I agreed to marry you. I had gone against all my family’s teachings on love and marriage but, with my defences lowered by exhaustion, I couldn’t help myself. I felt so drawn towards you.”
Max smiled at her. “I felt that pull between us too. I can understand you having doubts when we were strangers but there is something more isn’t there? I can sense it.”
“It sounds silly but Mrs Powell’s attitude when I arrived affected me badly. She said such awful things and I began to wonder if I was a wanton,” she studied the floor, “when I, when we, you know.” She glanced at him and was surprised to see two spots of colour in his cheeks.
“If we’re being honest, once my doubts about you crept in, I did wonder if your enthusiastic response meant you were more experienced than you admitted.” He gasped. “I’m so sorry, Georgie. I’ve managed to insult you in every possible way now.”
He tried to take her hands but she pulled them back. Tears threatened in earnest and she didn’t want him to see. They fell on her skirt and she went to brush them away only t
o notice Max scrubbing at his own eyes.
“My darling, I’ve been so cruel. I’ll make it up to you, I promise. I love you so much I don’t want anything to hurt you ever again.”
Georgie studied his face and burst into tears. Max pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair. “Don’t cry, my love. I can’t bear it.”
“Oh Max, I think I’ve been in love with you ever since you carried me all the way to Hargreaves House, despite your sore head.”
He nuzzled at her cheek. “I can beat that. I fell for a little brown nymph the first time I saw you. It’s taken me a long time to realise it. My stupid fear of being tricked stood in the way. It was you who saved me, not the other way around. I love you my darling.”
“It was just as much my fault, Max. I convinced myself a church mouse like me could never hold the attention of a man like you. I was worried about how you would feel if I didn’t produce an heir.”
“Oh Georgie, I love you. How could you think that? You are worth ten of me. I shall rely on you to help me know how to proceed in the Lords.”
“That’s not all. When you started withdrawing from me, as the move to Town drew nearer, I was convinced you would ignore me for a mistress when we arrived.”
“You’re the only woman for me, Georgie.”
Max embraced her and set about proving it.
Epilogue
October 1807
It was just before dawn. Max paced up and down his bedroom outside Georgie’s door. The servants had told him to wait in the library but he wanted to be nearby if she needed him. The cries of a baby reached him and he ran into her room without invitation. Georgie looked exhausted and triumphant all at the same time. They tried to shoo him out but he placed a chair by her side and held her hand, until a still crying bundle was placed in his arms.
He looked at the little red face in wonderment and passed the bundle over to Georgie at her insistence.
The doctor patted him on the back. “You have a fine daughter, my lord. Your wife needs to rest now.”
Max stayed for a lingering look at the two of them. Georgie glanced up at him and smiled.
“I’m well Max. You can stop worrying. You look as if you could do with a brandy.”
He dropped kiss on her forehead and obeyed orders. That was so typical of his Georgie. Always thinking of others first. He was such a lucky man. He decided against the brandy and threw himself on his bed fully clothed. At last he could take some rest, now he knew she was safe.
Later that day he was allowed back in to see his family. The baby was fast asleep in her cot by Georgie’s side. He smiled at Georgie only to realise she was crying. He rushed to her side.
“What is it, my darling?”
“Oh Max, I didn’t give you an heir.”
He rocked her in his arms. “Georgie, I don’t care about that. You’re the most important thing in my life. I would be lost without you.”
He stared at his daughter. “She’s wonderful. What shall we call her?” He wiped away Georgie’s tears and she smiled at him.
“My mother was called Caroline and my aunt was called Anne but I think we need Augusta in somewhere to make up for her missing our wedding.”
“My mother was also called Augusta. Do you think Caroline Augusta Anne Lovell sounds suitable?”
“Perfect.”
The End.
Afterword
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