“The night has come, do you not agree?” He winked at her, and stroked up her arm, agonizingly slow.
“It is dark,” she replied coyly.
“Come with me!” He walked with her to the side entrance of the house, to the room where they would spend their first night married, together. Their guests would stay at the house as well, and they could hear the din of the laughter and chatter from downstairs.
He led her into the room, closing it securely behind them. They stood in front of each other in the darkness. Jasper closed the gap between them, and his hand rested on her waist. His lips hovered over hers, teasing her.
“Kiss me!” She breathed, and at once, he crashed into her, kissing her with force and passion. He held her tightly, and she squeezed his strong arms.
Finally.
Jasper pulled the strings at the back of her white gown, one by one, until it fell to the floor. She stood in front of him, dressed in nothing but her chemise.
“You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen.” He walked her to the bed, pushing her back slowly. Hastily, he removed his jacket, and she unbuttoned his shirt, stroking over his shoulders, making it fall to the floor. His chest was broad and muscular, and she spread her fingers over the hairs above his heart.
He moved his hand to the hem of her chemise and undressed her. She now stood in front of him, completely naked. She laid on the bed, pulling him down with her. The sensation of his bare chest against her breasts caused her to gasp. He kicked off his pants and moved them both further up the bed.
“You are perfect,” he growled, kissing her neck and sucking on her pulse point. She squirmed at the sensation, touching him wherever she could. His skin was warm and hard, and her hand moved down to his hips.
His erect manhood was slightly frightening, but her body ached for it. Her fingers touched the tip, and Jasper bucked at once. “I want to feel you,” she gasped in his ear, stroking him up and down.
The sounds he made were sinful and tantalizing. He moved, and now he lay over her, holding his weight off with his arms.
“I love you, Caroline.” He kissed her, and his tongue danced against hers. She moved her legs apart, opening up to him. Jasper looked her in the eyes, and she nodded her head. His hip moved closer to her, and his member slid inside her.
She gasped at the sensation of fullness. He kissed her again and began moving. The feeling of him inside her was overwhelming, but only for a short moment. As he moved faster, her wet center began quivering with desire.
She moaned loudly, his thrusts causing her to ache with pleasure. He moved his hand down their joined bodies and stroked over her womanhood. She panted wantonly, the trembling inside her magnifying. Suddenly, without warning, spasms of pure pleasure washed over her. Her hips pushed up, and she dug her fingers into his back as wave after wave pulsated between her legs. An almost animalistic force seemed to take over Jasper. He pounded into her, gasping with her moans. He spilled his seed deep inside her, and they collapsed together in a hazy euphoria.
The following morning, Caroline woke feeling a deep calm contentment surround her. She was still naked, and Jasper’s arm held her waist securely. The birds sang outside their window, and the sun had just begun to shine.
“Good morning, my lovely wife,” Jasper said, his voice muffled.
“Good morning, sweet husband,” she replied and laughed as he began kissing down her back. There was no need to get up from bed yet.
This was the first day of their life together, and they were going to enjoy it thoroughly.
The End?
Extended Epilogue
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Preview: Improperly Enticed by the Rascal Earl
Chapter 1
His leg jogged up and down as his anxiety made his heart race. He hated this. Hated feeling this way. Hated feeling so out of control.
What is taking so long?
Edwin Bolton, the Earl of Morrington, sat in his godmother’s formal parlor, awaiting her arrival. Elizabeth Rochester, the Duchess of Cantham, tended to keep herself to an agenda all her own, as her lofty position often allowed her to make others wait. Edwin usually didn’t mind her occasional delays, but this day he found himself in very unusual circumstances that did not leave much room for patience.
Please, Godmother, if there was ever a time not to keep me waiting, it is now.
As if his pleading thoughts had summoned her, the door to the parlor flew open and the Duchess swept into the room with a wide smile.
“Oh, my darling Edwin, I am so sorry to have kept you waiting.” She moved toward him with her hands extended. Edwin rose and took hold of her hands. She pulled him in to kiss both his cheeks.
“Good day, Your Grace,” he said, his tone demonstrating a state of calm he did not feel. He escorted her to a seat by the fireplace.
They had a standing appointment when his godmother was in town. Every Sunday, he would join her for high tea and then escort her to either the opera or ballet. Edwin was a very doting and attentive godson. It just so happened that today he was in need of a favor from her.
As he sat across from her, the door to the parlor opened again and a servant entered with a tea service. Edwin waited until the service had been arranged on a low table between him and his godmother before he spoke.
“Your Grace, I am afraid my being here today is not only for a social call.”
“Oh?” She picked up her cup and saucer, her gaze curious. “What else brings you to my door?”
“I was wondering if you would allow me the use of the Manor in Laurelborough”
She didn’t bother to hide her surprise.
“Cantham Manor? Edwin, you haven’t been to the country estate in years.”
“I know. I…I find myself in need of an escape now.”
“Well, I suppose it could be arranged,” she said with a furrowed brow. “I had not anticipated opening the house for at least another month.”
“Would it cause too much of a fuss to open it early?”
She shook her head, setting her cup and saucer down on the low table. Though nearly seventy years in age, the Duchess was still a handsome and glamorous lady. She kept abreast of the latest fashions and held herself with the regal air that her lofty station granted her the right to. However, despite her rather intimidating exterior, she was a kind soul and full of love and compassion for those she cared about.
The Duchess and her husband, the late Duke of Cantham, had not been blessed with children of their own. After Edwin’s parents’ tragic death when he was but a boy, the Duchess had taken on the task of his care, raising him as though he were her own flesh and blood. There was no one in the world he was more loyal to, and no one who loved him more.
“No, darling, of course it is not,” she insisted with a wave of her hand. “I will simply need to send notice to the steward to prepare things ahead of schedule.”
Edwin released a breath of relief. “Thank you, godmother. You are helping me more than you could possibly know.”
She studied him for a minute, her lips pursed in concentration.
“Tell me true, Edwin. Is there any foundation to the terrible rumors I’ve been hearing about you and the Countess of Pimperton? I will not abandon you if they are, but I must know if I am to properly defend you against the vultures of the ton.”
He felt a flash of annoyance, but not toward the Duchess.
“No, Godmother, I can assure you, there is no truth to them.”
She released a breath of relief. “Oh, thank goodness. My dear, it is not that I believe you capable of such impropriety, but you and th
e Countess have always been so close, I could not help but feel…”
He held up a hand. “It is all right, Godmother. I cannot blame you for your doubts. The Countess and I are close, but never in that way.”
Edwin would readily admit he was no saint, but he’d never done something so egregious as to compromise a lady of high birth. Especially a married one, yet that is what he was being forcefully accused of.
Edwin had known Emma Quarterbow, the Countess of Pimperton, nearly his whole life. Her parents had been close with his, and they’d grown up together. Even after his parents’ deaths, she had remained a loyal and true friend. He had always suspected it was both their families’ hope that the two would one day wed, but they were too like siblings for either to develop romantic feelings for the other.
Lady Pimperton had eventually met Phillip Quarterbow, the Earl of Pimperton. Though he was her senior by several years, they had fallen deeply in love and married five years prior. Their marriage was a happy one, save one aspect. In the years they had been together, they had never produced a child. Edwin knew it had been a heavy weight on the Countess’s heart. She had always dreamed of becoming a mother.
So, after so many years without a single pregnancy, her current condition had come as more than a shock to the elite of London. The Countess was with child at last, but no one believed her husband to be the father. Fingers were being pointed to Edwin, one of her closest friends. He was being accused of seducing the lady, though nothing could be further from the truth.
Unfortunately, he knew the actual truth of the matter, but had sworn to the Countess that he would never utter a word.
“Well, I suppose you need a refuge away from the gossips all the same,” the Duchess said, pulling Edwin from his musings. “Fear not, My Lord. Cantham Manor is yours. I will send a letter to my steward to prepare the estate by the end of the week. Will that be sufficient?”
Edwin wanted to drop to his knees in thanks. “Yes, Godmother. That will be sufficient. Would it be all right if I brought my friend, Lord Habtage, along with me? So I am not completely alone, confined to the country.”
The Duchess offered him a gracious smile. “Of course you may take Lord Habtage with you. I think it will be very good for you to have a companion.”
“You are most generous, Your Grace. I cannot begin to express my gratitude.”
“Not at all, My Lord. Now, on to more pleasant topics of discussion. Have you heard the rave reviews of the ballet we are seeing tonight? I am quite excited for it.”
Edwin allowed himself to relax for the first time in days and granted his godmother an indulgent smile.
“I have not heard, Your Grace. Please, enlighten me.”
Cantham was a grand structure built of red brick with two wings extending from either side of the main building. Fifteen acres of land encircled it, with another five acres of forest along the estate’s back border. Stables, which matched the house in color and design, stood to one side of the manor, and a magnificent garden that was his godmother’s pride and joy could be found behind it.
Edwin had spent many of his childhood summers at Cantham in the company of his godmother. He had not visited as often in his adulthood. With his multitude of responsibilities, it had served him better to remain in town. His godmother had given up her efforts to cajole him out to Laurelborough years ago.
As he and Lord Habtage alighted from their carriage parked in the drive of the great house, they were greeted by the estate’s large staff. Edwin recognized a few familiar faces from his boyhood, though they were significantly older in appearance now. The butler, who Edwin remembered was named Corbin, stepped forward and bowed to both gentlemen.
“My Lords, welcome to Cantham Manor,” the older man said as he raised himself back up straight. “I trust your trip was a smooth and pleasant one?”
“Indeed, Corbin, it was,” Edwin replied with a smile and nod. He made his way to the front door, Habtage beside him, Corbin right behind him. The other servants bowed and curtsied as he moved past them. He gave them each a tilt of his chin, his smile remaining in place. When he crossed the threshold into the manor, he stopped to remove his gloves and hat.
“As impressive inside as it is outside,” he heard Habtage murmur in awe. Marble floors and columns framed the large foyer of the house. A grand staircase led up to the second floor, and a landing encircled the top half of the room. Fresh flowers stood on nearly every surface in delicate china vases, and portraits in elaborate frames hung on the walls.
Edwin chuckled softly as he turned back to Corbin. “Is all prepared for us, Corbin?”
The butler nodded. “Yes, My Lord. As per Her Grace’s instructions, we have prepared the blue and green rooms for each of you in the west wing. We are fully staffed, and the kitchen has been stocked.”
“Excellent.” Edwin handed his gloves and hat to Corbin. “Our wagon will be along shortly. My valet, Harrison, will assist you in unloading and will handle unpacking my own luggage.”
“Very good, My Lord. Shall I show you to your rooms?”
“Yes, thank you. It has been sometime since I have been in this house, and I fear I may get us lost if left to my own devices.” The interior of the house was a maze of corridors and rooms of various use. He had always enjoyed finding different hiding spots as a boy and making the rest of the household search for him. He had never had to hide in the same place twice.
Corbin turned and took Habtage’s riding gloves and hat, then handed them off to a waiting footman before leading the gentleman through the cavernous foyer toward the grand staircase. They made their way up to the second floor, and Corbin took them in the direction of the west wing. They first reached the green room, which was reserved for Habtage.
“Ah, it will feel good to shed these filthy clothes,” he said, stepping through the door that Corbin opened for him. He moved further into the room, toward a bureau with a wash basin and pitcher atop it. “Look here! Hot water, ready and waiting.”
Edwin smiled as he stepped from the threshold of the room. Corbin shut the door behind him, then led him down the hall to another door. Opening it ahead of the gentleman, the butler stepped aside to allow Edwin to enter. The blue room lived up to its name perfectly. The wallpaper was a light blue with a darker floral print. There was a deep blue rug spread across the floor, and the bedding of the large four-poster was a lush cerulean.
The butler bowed his head before backing out of the room, pulling the door closed as he went. Edwin released a sigh of relief when the latch clicked shut.
At last…some true peace.
He wandered to the room’s large window and push the thick, blue curtains aside to gaze out at the estate. His room overlooked the garden, with its thick hedges and bushes on the verge of bloom. Several stone fountains stood guard throughout the area, though their spouts had yet to be turned on. There wasn’t a soul in sight and he took comfort in that fact.
Here, he would not be plagued by the scrutiny he had endured in the city. No one would bother him. No one would whisper about his misdeeds or force their matchmaking schemes upon him. Edwin looked forward to his summer of near solitude. He had left his scandal behind him in London. There was no need for more drama or excitement in his life.
He was confident he would find none in quiet Laurelborough.
Chapter 2
“Oh, Tabitha! Guess who has come to call on you again!”
With a small groan, Tabitha Walters raised her gaze from the pages of the book she had been consumed by to glower at her youngest sister, Sophia. Her other sister, Unity, was at her side as they hurried to where Tabitha sat on a bench in their garden. She felt a flare of annoyance and dread as she had a very good idea of who it was they had come to warn her of.
“Please do not tell me Lord Burrows has returned,” she said as her sisters came to a stop before her.
The two girls exchanged a glance.
“Very well…we will not tell you,” Unity replied, her gaze sympathetic.
Tabitha snapped her book closed. “Why does he keep up his pursuit? I have turned him down so many times now, I have lost count.”
“The gentleman is smitten,” Sophia shrugged, as if his behavior was normal. “He believes himself in love with you.”
“Well, he had best recognize the futility of such belief before he makes a further fool of himself,” Tabitha grumbled. She pushed to her feet with a deep sigh. “Where is he?”
“Unity had him escorted to the parlor,” Sophia replied.
“Does Papa know he is here?” Tabitha asked, praying he did not.
Unity shook her head. “No, Papa is in his study, and I gave the servants strict orders not to tell him.”
“Thank you for that.” Tabitha patted her sister on the shoulder and attempted to smile to show her appreciation. She did not think she succeeded.
“I will come with you,” Unity said, grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze. “You need a chaperone, after all.”
“Yes, thank you. That will make this encounter somewhat more bearable.”
“I will make sure Papa does not leave his study,” Sophia piped in, her desire to be useful as well clear.
Tabitha looked from one sister to the other, so grateful for them both. She could not imagine what it would be like to deal with the Viscount on her own. The gentleman was relentless in his pursuit of her, and no matter how hard she worked to dissuade him, he continued to pester her. It was as if he believed he could wear her down into accepting his hand if he dogged her enough.
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