With This Kiss: A First-In Series Romance Collection

by Kerrigan Byrne

  How did she manage it?

  Drake expected to see the love of his life appear on deck dressed like the Sylph. But she’d found some ivory lace and had it wrapped around her head and shoulders like a shawl. Smiling, her face pure and radiant, no other woman had ever looked as beautiful.

  In her hands she carried roses. Paper roses, but they looked so real, he could practically smell them. Johnny strutted beside her protectively as if he might kick anyone in the shin if they tried to touch the bride. “I’m giving her away.”

  Drake patted the boy’s sandy curls, which were almost clean now he’d had a bath. “You’re doing a fine job. Thank you.” But he didn’t linger long on the lad. Today was Britannia’s day and he wanted to shower her with adoration. “You look stunning.”

  She smiled. “Delicious, perhaps?”

  “Delicious, stupendous, wonderous, divine…”

  “I suggested delicious because I’m festooned with a tablecloth.”

  He stifled a laugh. “No woman hath ever put mere drapery to so good a use.”

  “I’m glad you approve. Though I must say the groom is far better clad than the bride.”

  “I have nothing but my theater attire from that fateful night and a spare shirt I borrowed in Portsmouth. But I would marry you no matter what you chose to wear.”

  Her gaze slid to his chin. “You shaved.”

  “Only for you, my love.”

  “Shall we begin?” asked the captain, holding the Common Book of Prayers.

  Drake gave the man a nod. “Please.”

  “Dearly beloved…”

  He barely heard another word. As Captain Schiffer droned on about the sanctity of holy matrimony, Drake stared into the whisky eyes he’d grown to love, the pert lips he was dying to kiss, the radiant smile of a woman who would be his for the rest of their lives.

  “Drake Alexander Thomas Chadwick, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as you both shall live?”

  When Bria’s expression became inquisitive, Drake realized a response was necessary. “I will,” he croaked.

  “Britannia LeClair, wilt though have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live?

  “I will,” she said as if no one on earth possessed the power to change her mind.

  The captain looked across the crowd of sailors. “Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?”

  “That’s me, Johnny. I don’t have no surname. But I give her in holy man-a-mony all the same.”

  Drake chuckled and gave the boy a wink.

  “Sorry,” Britannia whispered.

  “Not at all. He’s perfect.”

  “You’re perfect.”

  “May I continue?” asked the captain with a sober frown.

  Johnny gave the bride a very inappropriate nudge. “There’s more?”

  “Yes, and now you must go stand by Buggie.”

  Drake pulled upon all his ducal training and swallowed a laugh. There he stood, seventh in line to the throne, eloping with the love of his life who was wearing a tablecloth, who happened to be of questionable birth, given away by a foundling who had been convicted of thievery and sentenced to fourteen years transport.

  And I couldn’t be happier.

  The rest of the ceremony continued without further incident and, when it came time to place a ring on Bria’s finger, Drake removed the unicorn signet. “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow…”

  Britannia gasped as he slid the ring onto her finger. “Your seal?”

  He bent down and whispered into her ear. “Until I find a proper jeweler.”

  “Without ado, I pronounce you man and wife!” The captain closed his prayer book. “Open a barrel of rum for the crew. Two drams per man, mind you. I’ll tolerate no drunkenness aboard His Majesty’s ship.”

  As the Hasting’s deck erupted into mayhem, Drake drew Britannia into his arms. “You have made me the happiest man in Christendom.”

  “And me the happiest woman.”

  The noise from the celebration ebbed as he lowered his chin and kissed her. “There will be far more kissing in our cabin this eve.”

  “Must we wait?”

  “The captain has a feast planned with the officers, otherwise, I’d make our excuses.”

  “Oh, yes.” She removed her veil. “He needs this back for the table.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  A few hours later, Drake closed the cabin door and faced her. Bria’s breath quivered with anticipation as he stepped forward and grasped her hands. “You are a duchess now.”

  “I am?”

  His hands slid around her, enveloped her. “You are my duchess and I will have no other.”

  “I cannot believe it.”

  “I cannot believe I found you without sailing all the way to Australia.”

  “I’m so glad you did. Captain Sands tried to…”

  “Did he force you?”

  “No. He gave me an ultimatum—used Johnny against me, but you came before I had to make a decision.”

  “Thank God.”

  She smoothed her hands up the front of his chest before her fingers slipped around him. “I never want to be separated from you again.”

  Melting into his arms, she closed her eyes and savored him. And when he captured her mouth, she went boneless, scarcely able to support her weight.

  With one hand pressed into the small of her back, Drake supported her while he slipped the gossamer gown from her shoulders and let it to drop to the floor. “Are you warm enough?”

  Hardly aware of her surroundings, she smiled at him. “Your warmth is plenty for the both of us.”

  He sucked in a sharp inhale and unlaced her stays. “I want to see you bare.”

  Bria shuddered. It seemed like an eternity since she’d last lain with this man who’d stolen her heart. So many times when she’d lain in the dark cell below decks, she’d ached to be with him, ached to join with him as God intended a man and a woman to share passion. She wanted Drake Chadwick to hold her in his arms forever and make love to her like she was the only woman in the world.

  The insides of her thighs quivered while the scant pieces of her clothing dropped to the floor. When all that remained were her threadbare stockings and garters, he grinned, slowly lowering himself to his knees. “This is my favorite part.”

  She threaded her fingers through his thick, black hair. “And why is that, Your Grace?”

  He brushed his thumb through the triangle of curls at her apex. “Because the most intoxicating scent in all the world is hidden inside this treasure.” He tugged one garter bow. “And I can sample the fragrance whilst I unmask the most perfect, most shapely legs I’ve ever seen in all my days.”

  Bria reached for him but he caught her fingers and kissed them. “One more garter, my love.”

  When she was completely naked, he took her hands, rose, and stepped back. How erotic it felt to be completely bare while he was still clothed. Drake’s gaze raked along her body. She shivered when his lips parted, his eyes grew dark and the big duke gasped.

  With a sultry chuckle, she stepped into him and smoothed her hands down his lapels. “You’ve made love to me with your eyes, now I want to feel the flesh of my husband take me to the stars.”

  A devilish chuckle rumbled from deep in his chest. “Ask and ye shall receive.”

  In less than half a minute, shoes, doublet, waistcoat, neckcloth, shirt, breeches, hose and drawers all dropped into a heap.

  Bria’s hips swayed as she stepped into him, running her fingers through the downy soft hai
r on his chest. Good glory, he defined male perfection. “And men like you think they need a valet.”

  “A valet is a requisite for any gentleman.” He pulled her into his arms, running kisses along her neck. “But I have far more important things on my mind, Wife.”

  All of him pressed into her flesh, igniting a ravening fire deep inside her. Unable to resist touching him, Bria slipped both hands over his velvety soft skin, swirling her fingers down the dark trail of hair running from his navel to the tight curls above his swollen manhood.

  But she didn’t touch it—not yet. Leaning back, she placed a finger in the center of his chest, as she drew in a hiss. “I want to ravish you.”

  He growled—a low, feral moan that told her how much he liked her idea.

  She moved her finger down, down until she met his navel, then bowed and kissed him there.

  Again, he let loose a rapturous moan—a sound that thrummed through her body as if he’d touched her between the legs. “I’ll come undone if you keep teasing me like that.”

  Drawing out the moment, she slowly moved her tongue lower and chuckled. “Oui, I want to watch you lose control.” Her voice came out deep and breathless.

  When she wrapped her fingers around his manhood, his eyes rolled back and his knees flexed. “My God.”

  She could scarcely inhale as she smoothed her hand up and down. “Can I kiss it like you did to me?”

  His thighs shuddered as he looked into her eyes. “Would you?”

  Licking her lips, Bria dropped her gaze and lapped.

  “This way,” he whispered, taking her by the shoulders and backing to the bed. He pulled her beside him. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” She slid down and took his enormous member in her hand. “It’s so soft and beautiful.” Bria pressed her lips to the tip.

  “Mm,” Drake moaned, his hips swirling. The movement was like a bellows to the flame in her belly while she took him into her mouth.

  “Yes, oh yes.”

  Emboldened by his encouragement, Bria swirled her tongue around and around, up and down. His breathing grew labored, his moans more frequent, as he shuddered in concert with her licks. As his passion rose, so did her need.

  Panting, Drake pulled her over him. “I can wait no longer. I must be inside you.”

  “Me on top?” she asked, moisture pooling between her legs.

  “Yes. You on top, you from behind, you beneath, you standing against the wall. Any way you want it, I’m yours.”

  Her body completely afire, Bria slid over him, imagining all he had said and wanting it now. Rocking her hips, she rubbed her wetness along his length. “Top this time,” she managed to say while he slid his finger over her. “Mayhap the wall next.”

  “You’re so wet.” Grasping her hips, Drake moved so his member pushed against her, hard and thick. “Are you ready?”

  Frantic for him, she grasped his shoulders and lowered herself onto him until he filled her. Looking him in the eyes, she rocked her hips. “The question is, are you ready, Your Grace?”

  Laughing, he met her pace. “If it pleases you, Your Grace.”

  Unable to stop, Bria took her weight on her arms as her body took over in the dance of desire.

  His eyelids heavy and full of lust, he looked like the god of passion. “Do. Not. Stop,” he growled, commanding the tempo with powerful fingers sinking into her buttocks.

  Ripples of wild need quaked through her body while, faster and faster, her hips rocked in a frenzied motion.

  “I’m coming,” he said, bucking into her, sinking so deep, she cried out with the most thrilling passion she’d ever felt in her life. And with one more thrust of her hips, the world shattered into ripples of stardust.

  Completely spent, Bria collapsed atop his chest.

  Drake softly swirled his hands around her tight bottom. “You will be the death of me, but I will go a happy man.”

  “Hmm? I think you will give me a challenge at every turn.” He had no idea how much so. Feeling as if she’d just danced the role of the Sylph twice, Bria’s insides still quivered.

  “Thank you for loving me,” she whispered, her heart filled with more joy than she ever dreamed possible.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  “Ah, Master John, come in.” Drake beckoned the boy into his stateroom. After the wedding, he’d made the announcement that Johnny was now the ward of the Duke of Ravenscar and would henceforth be referred to as “master”.

  The lad crept inside. “Is it truly our last morn aboard ship…er…Your Grace?” He hadn’t quite come to grips with the new turn of events and things would be even more confounding once they disembarked.

  “It is, indeed, and soon Peak Castle will be looming on the horizon.”

  “And I’m going to live in a real castle?”

  “That you are.” Drake took the boy by the hand and led him to the bed where they sat together. “Do you know what it means to be the ward of a duke?”

  “Weeell. I’ll have plenty to eat and I’ll have my own bed and toys and I can tell the servants what to do.”

  “That’s not exactly correct. We must respect servants at all times. They help us and have particular skills that are very important.”

  “What kind of skills?”

  “The cook prepares our meals. The livery staff looks after the horses, carriages and the stable. The butler oversees the servants, takes care of the silver, and manages the wine...”

  “Being a butler doesn’t seem all that difficult.”

  “Mind you, it is a very important job, and few develop the panache to become one.”

  “Pan-what? You sure use a lot of big words.”

  “I’ll not apologize for that. Dukes and their wards must be well-educated. For now, let us say a butler has style and ability to which few others can aspire.” Drake started to twist his ring and smiled when he realized it was on Britannia’s finger. “When we go ashore, things will be very busy. You will be overwhelmed.”

  When Master John scrunched his nose, Drake changed his tack. “I do not ever want you to fear me. I have committed to be your guardian. That means I will act as your parent.”

  “And Bria, too.”

  “Her Grace will definitely care for you as well. Things will not always be easy, and I want you to know that you may come to me at any time.”

  “Very well, but nothing could be worse than living on the streets and going hungry.”

  “You’re right there.” Drake scrubbed his fingers over the lad’s hair. “Now, have you said your goodbyes to Buggie?”

  “Can’t he come with us?”

  “I’m afraid not, though you may write to him. I’ve seen how you write your letters. Her Grace has done a fine job commencing your education. Soon you’ll be off to Eton with other boys your age.”

  “Can’t Bria teach me always?”

  “She will be far too busy. Remember what I said about the servants all having an area of expertise?”

  “Mm hmm.”

  “Well, so do dukes, duchesses and instructors. A young man cannot gain a better education than that which he acquires at Eton. But let us not put the cart before the horse. And today you will be seeing your new home for the first time. I want you to enjoy this day and remember it always.” Drake stood and offered his hand. “Are you ready?”

  Master John grinned, his eyes shining with excitement. “I sure am.”

  Bria gripped the rail so tightly, her knuckles turned white. “That’s not a castle, ’tis a palace.”

  Dominating a promontory that stood proudly above the sea, conical roofs on the corner towers stretched to white clouds sailing overhead. Between the towers spanned an enormous building of four stories with windows clear up to the top. At the far end, peeking above the southernmost tower stood a baronial keep complete with a crenelated wall walk.

  Pride etched Drake’s features. “Perhaps, though it has been referred to as a castle for nineteen generations. My ancestor was granted these lands by Ed
ward the First. He built the initial tower intending for the estate to be a hunting lodge, though every duke who followed fell in love with the region and added his own legacy. I believe we made it our principle residence after the fourth duke completed the east wing.”

  “It looks like the king’s castle in London,” said Johnny.

  Bria didn’t bother to ask which one. “I’ll wager you cannot wait to go exploring.”

  “I’d like it better if Buggie could go with me. I might get lost in there.”

  She had worried over Johnny’s attachment to the cabin boy. However, taking in another ward was out of the question. Not to mention that over the past month the older boy had taught Johnny some very colorful language.

  “You’ll get on fine,” said Drake.

  Being lowered to the skiff was a bit harrowing, but once they were seated, rowing ashore took no time. As they reached the shore, quite a welcoming party had assembled with more coming down the path leading from the castle.

  Drake carried Bria to dry land, while Johnny was happy to make it to the beach on his own.

  A woman dressed in a black maid’s gown and apron wrung her hands. “My heavens, Your Grace, why did you not send word of your arrival?”

  “There was no opportunity. We’ve sailed from somewhere near the coast of Northern Africa without a change of clothes among us.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I’ll explain all later. But first the news.” Beaming, he gestured toward Bria, her dress far more tattered than the traveling gown she’d worn on the day she’d met the duke. “Please welcome my new bride, Her Grace, the Duchess of Ravenscar and our ward, Master John Chadwick.”

  Of course, Drake hadn’t the chance to submit the petition to make Johnny’s name official, but he intended to do so at his earliest opportunity.

  The servants stared, their mouths agape.

  He gestured to the woman in black, introducing her as Mrs. Cole, the housekeeper. “I daresay our adventure has been quite harrowing. Her Grace will need an appointment with the modiste immediately. Fetch the tailor for Master John. And we need a governess. Are there any about?”