When he finally broke from her, Rosalind was panting as if she had run a race.
“Know this,” he said his breath short as well, “you will be my wife.”
She blinked up at him trying to clear the fog of desire from her mind. Had she just heard him correctly? “No.”
He stilled. “What do you mean, no?”
“You can’t marry me.” What would people think if he married the daughter of a whore? At least her four other brothers knew who their father was, and they were legitimate. She could not claim the same. “I thought you understood who I am. A marquess does not marry someone of my birth.”
“Nobody will ever learn.”
She jerked from his arms and walked away. “Eventually they will. If not from Lady Jillian, then they will find out from me or someone else. In time, the truth will become known.”
“I don’t care,” he bit out.
Rosalind wheeled on him. “I do!” she cried. “Think of your family. Your children. If we marry, you need an heir. I will not have my children shamed because of their mother.”
He came forward and gently grasped her arms. “I don’t care. I will protect you and them.”
She had to make him understand. “I may have been only six when I was taken in by Vicar Grant, but I still remember what it was like in St. Giles. Even there, with the worst living conditions in London, I was called bastard, by-blow, future whore. People can be cruel, and I will not have my children suffer the same fate and have to listen to their mother called those names.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way,” Noah said quietly. “Would you rather live an empty life taking care of someone else’s children? Would you deny yourself the chance of happiness? Of love?”
Was he saying he loved her? Rosalind closed her eyes. It was too painful to think that he might love her, and she could never be his. It was worse than when she thought he might wish to make her his mistress.
“I love you Rosalind Valentine,” he smiled. “Rosey, or whatever your name is.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “I can’t,” she cried. “It is unfair to you and to your family.”
“Look me in the eye and tell me that you don’t want me,” he ordered. “Tell me that you don’t want to spend your life with me.”
A sob burst from her lips. She couldn’t because it would be a lie. Why was he making this so difficult? He had no comprehension of what his life could be like married to her and the vile and filth people would spew at them.
“Don’t you love me?” He asked quietly.
It was her undoing, and Rosalind could barely see his handsome face with his kind blue eyes watching her through her tears. “But I do,” she choked out. “I love you so very much.”
The moment the words left her mouth, Noah was once again crushing her to him, his mouth pressed against hers. His tongue probed, and his hands caressed up and down her back. He angled his head and deepened the kiss. Heat ignited within, and Rosalind clung to him as if he was her anchor. Surely she would drift away on a sea of sensations if she didn’t cleave to him.
His mouth broke from hers, and Noah trailed kisses across her cheek and down her neck as he scooped her into his arms. Rosalind could do nothing as his lips trailed a blaze across her skin heating her blood. The room grew warm and though she wore only a light nightdress and wrap, she was suffocating. Her body wanted to be free of the confines to let the air cool her skin.
Her body came to rest onto the softness of the mattress beneath her, and a pillow cradled her head. Felding came down upon her. His lips once again returned to hers as he braced himself above her, demanded, and gave no quarter. Her arms went about his neck holding him close. She was not ready to break from him and might not ever be prepared to do so.
He fell to her side, and she turned toward him. His lips never left hers as his hands roamed up her side and down to her hip and back again.
Rosalind’s breasts tightened and ached as need pulsed at the junction of her thighs.
She had never experienced the likes of it before and wasn’t sure what would come from it at the end. Was this desire? Passion? Would it go away, or would she remain in this state forever? Such would surely drive her mad.
* * *
Noah slid his hand higher and cupped her breast. The fullness overflowed, and the nipple tightened begging for attention. Noah groaned as Rosalind moaned. One taste, and then he would leave her. He pushed her wrap aside, but her thin night dress still kept her skin from his. It was all he could do not to rip the thin material from her body and make Rosalind his once and for all. The delicate ribbon fell between her breasts, and he gave it one quick pull undoing the neat bow. The bodice loosened, and he shoved the gown down her shoulders until her breasts were bared to him. Perfection. The creamy skin was accented by the deep coral, and he bent taking a tip into his mouth and gently sucking then teasing with his teeth. Rosalind groaned once again, and the lower portion of her body squirmed on the bed. Her desire was burning as hotly as his. Noah moved his thigh between hers and pushed against her womanhood as he turned his attention to her other breast.
Rosalind pressed against him and arched her back. All he had to do was lift her gown, free himself, and they would be one.
She loved him and he loved her more than he thought it possible. They had a future, and they could be like this every night forever. All he needed to do was marry her, and nothing could tear them apart.
He caressed her thigh bunching her nightdress until he touched the silkiness of her skin.
Patience, he reminded himself. She was a virgin, and to do this too quickly would bring Rosalind no pleasure.
He shifted, kissing her neck as he pulled the gown up further, until it was over her hips and ran his fingers across her flat belly. She jerked, and Noah bit back a smile at her sensitivity. The curls tickled the back of his fingers, and he delved deeper coming to her folds. She was already damp waiting for him.
He groaned and took her lips. He sank deeper teasing and rubbing as she swelled beneath his fingertips. Rosalind broke from the kiss; her breaths were in short pants. She arched against his hand as her fingernails dug into his shoulders
She was close, so very close, and with one flick, she spasmed biting down on her bottom lip as she arched her head back into the pillow. Noah had never seen anything more beautiful in his life.
He slowed his touch and fell on the bed beside her. As much as he wished to make love to Rosalind at this moment, he would not. The pain and need that ached may be with him for days, but he could not take what was not yet his.
Thirty
Rosalind blinked at the ceiling trying to catch her breath. What had just happened? She slowly turned her head to look at Noah. He lay on his side, a self-satisfied grin on his face, and she couldn’t help herself and chuckled.
“That was…” How did she describe what had just happened? Goodness, she would never be the same.
“Yes, I know,” he said and gave her a peck on the lips.
Was this all there was? Surely there was more. Noah was still clothed and despite the blinding explosion within her womb she just experienced, she still ached as if something was missing.
“I should return you to your room.”
Rosalind blinked at him. Just like that. He shows her incredible pleasure and is now going to send her away. She wasn’t ready. “Why?”
“Because if I lay here much longer, I am not sure I can keep myself from making love to you.”
Heat washed through her body at his words. “What if I wish you to?” Where had such boldness come from?
“You are not my wife yet and as much as it pains me to part from you, it is the right thing to do.”
Rosalind didn’t care about right and wrong at the moment. She needed him. She wasn’t quite certain what her body craved, but she was not leaving this room until she discovered what it was. Her hands went about his head, and she pulled his mouth to hers. Rolling, she brought her body against his. All of him was hard
especially the part that pushed against her lower abdomen. She knew this is where they would join, and her ache for him deepened.
She moved her thigh over his hip to bring him closer.
Noah groaned. “Don’t.”
Rosalind knew he was trying to be honorable, but she was already ruined for anyone else. And she wanted this and wanted it now.
She trailed a hand down his chest and to the flat plains of his stomach. Noah hissed in a breath. She continued until she grasped the rigid length of him through his pants. He groaned and thrust against her hand.
“This is wrong,” he bit out.
“Not when we both want it,” she argued.
“Rosalind you can’t know what you are doing, or what will happen.”
She tightened her hold and rubbed her hand up and down. “No, I don’t,” she admitted. “But I want to know, now, with you.”
Noah blew out a breath and rolled away from her. Panic surged.
He wasn’t leaving was he? Had her boldness disgusted him? As he sat, Noah ripped the shirt over his head and stood. Turning, he faced her and began unfastening his trousers. His eyes bore into hers. “There will be no turning back.”
Her mouth went dry at the sight of his chiseled chest and the way his muscles tightened across his abdomen. Were all gentlemen so finely sculpted?
His thumbs hooked into the top of his pants, and he pushed them down over his hips before kicking them away. When he straightened, Rosalind saw for the first time what she had been caressing through his clothing. His firm manhood jutted out. Tentatively, she reached out to touch him. She ran her fingers over the length amazed at the soft skin above the solid strength. Noah pushed his hips forward, and she grasped her hand around the length of him. How did one give a man pleasure as he had done for her?
His hips jutted back and forth, and Rosalind moved with and against him. He grew thicker and harder as moisture beaded at the end. She smoothed it across the tip with her thumb.
“Rosalind, I can’t take this,” he ground out before bending and pushing her back on the bed. He paused only long enough to yank the night dress, twisted about her waist, up and over her head so that she was as naked as he.
She swallowed at the mixture of fear and excitement that coursed through her body.
He came down upon her. His hips cradled between her thighs and braced himself above her. Noah looked in to her eyes. “Are you certain?”
Rosalind couldn’t speak and simply nodded. He lowered his mouth to hers as his manhood nudged against her womanhood.
* * *
Noah knew he should not take her. He should have never laid her on the bed, but it was too late to turn back now. He needed her, and if he did not possess Rosalind at this moment, he might very well perish.
Yes, it was melodramatic, and he would survive but be miserable. He nudged her thighs further apart and brushed the spot that brought her pleasure. Shifting, he touched her with the tips of his fingers rubbing until she moved beneath him. Her hips rose and within moments she arched and shattered. Noah didn’t give her a chance to recover this time and pushed inside. Her moist heat enveloped him, and it was all Noah could do to keep from coming at that moment. Slowly he stretched her making her virgin body as ready as it could ever be. What he was about to do could never be undone.
Pulling back, he lowered his mouth to hers and thrust forward. Rosalind stiffened beneath him, and he stopped moving waiting for her to become accustomed to his body. Her warm, damp walls pulsated around him, and Noah gritted his teeth keeping a tight rein on control.
When her body relaxed, he moved slowly not wishing to hurt her any more than he already had. Slowly, she began to move with him. Her breaths were panting again, and her body tightened, held, and pushed. He lifted her hips, and Rosalind’s legs went about him drawing him even deeper into her body.
He let his head fall to the side of hers against the pillow and thrust over and over. She met and retreated moving with him as if they were made for each other. Her fingernail clawed into his shoulder as her moans became louder. Noah kissed her as his tongue mimicked the movements of his body. Her body tightened, squeezing, as she cried out into this mouth, and Noah lost all control and released his seed deep inside her womb.
He lay there a moment as the power of his release slowly abated, and her legs dropped back to the bed. Noah fell to his side drawing Rosalind close.
He would never be the same again.
Rosalind snuggled against him, and Noah drew the covers over their bodies as he kissed her temple. His heart had still not returned to a normal rhythm, and perhaps it never would.
“I want to be wed before Christmas,” he announced. Hell, he wanted to be married now so that he never had to be parted from her again.
Rosalind tilted her head back and looked at him. “Perhaps you should ask your family first.”
“What do they have to do with this?” Surely she knew they all liked her, and there would be no issue with Rosalind becoming his bride.
“They deserve the truth.”
Perhaps she was correct. One day the history may be learned, and his family would need to be prepared.
“They may object to you marrying the likes of me.”
Noah sat up and looked down at her. “Do not ever refer to yourself as if you are not worthy of those around you.” He kissed her gently. “My family will support you, and they will weather any storm if Society decides to embrace the potential scandal.”
“Is it fair, though?” she argued. “Three of your sisters have not wed.”
He hadn’t considered those consequences. “It won’t matter.”
She swallowed and bit her lip staring up at him. “I will marry you only if they have no objection.”
“You will marry me because I want you to.”
“Not if it will harm them.”
“What about what we have just done. There could be consequences.”
She sighed. “We will address that if and when the time comes.”
“As we celebrate our marriage.”
Rosalind narrowed her eyes at him. “Not until your family has all the facts.”
Noah sighed and fell back on the bed. Clearly Rosalind was going to be stubborn, but he was confident his family would embrace her as a new sister regardless of her birth. She just needed to see the proof. As they would arrive at his home tomorrow, he could wait until then before calling on Vicar Grant and requesting her hand.
Rosalind rolled to her side and laid her head on his shoulder. The tip of her finger circled his nipple. If she continued to caress him, he would make love to her again which would be unfair because she was probably tender. He covered her hand with his stilling it.
“We still need to deal with Lady Jillian.”
Noah groaned. Why did Rosalind have to mention her at a time like this? “Once we are at the estate, I intend to enlist my sisters, step-mother, and Sandlin in helping me rid myself of her without bringing destruction to your family.”
Rosalind lifted herself up on an elbow and looked down at him. “The Sandlins are at your estate now?”
“Yes, I sent word before we left. They will probably arrive before we do.”
A smile graced her lips as she settled back down against him. “I am glad I won’t be leaving you alone with Lady Jillian.”
He chuckled. If he didn’t know any better, he would have thought her jealous. “You wish to protect me?”
“And more,” she purred.
Thirty-One
Rosalind checked her appearance one last time trying to keep the smile off her face. It was difficult when she was so utterly happy. Noah loved her! Her silly dreams were coming true even though she never believed it would be possible.
She closed her eyes and sighed. Last night had been beyond divine. She had no idea that making love could be so spectacular, and if she and Noah married, they could do so again and again. Rosalind was fairly certain that was one marital duty she would never tire from.
&n
bsp; A giggle escaped, and she quickly bit her lip and glanced around even though she knew she was very much alone.
Rosalind schooled her thoughts and her face and straightened her spine. The others were breaking their fast, and if she did not join them, she would not have the opportunity to eat. And this morning she was famished.
Penelope eyed her suspiciously as she entered the private dining room, and Noah rose to assist with her chair.
Demetrius studied her. Goodness, could they tell what she had done? Was there some sign she was not aware of that revealed to all she was no longer a virgin?
“You look well this morning, Rosey,” Demetrius said.
“I am.” She smiled and sipped from the cup of tea placed before her.
“How long before we reach your estate, Lord Felding,” Lady Jillian inquired.
Not even the presence of Lady Jillian and her brother could dampen Rosalind’s spirits today.
“We should arrive in the afternoon.”
“Will we be passing the Sandlin home on the way?” Lady Jillian asked.
“We will,” Noah said politely.
Lady Jillian glanced at Rosalind. “Then we shall be parting ways, Miss Valentine.” She offered the happiest and most genuine smile Rosalind had yet to see on her face.
“We won’t be stopping there,” Penelope offered.
“What?” Lady Jillian asked in surprise. “Miss Valentine works for the Sandlins. Surely they wish for her return.”
“My sister and brother-in-law will be joining us at the estate. As their children will be with them, they require Miss Valentine’s presence.”
Lady Jillian’s eyes widened just a fraction, her nostrils flared, oh so delicately, and her lips parted in what Rosalind could only assume was surprise.
Rosalind brought the tea cup to her lips to hide the smile she was afraid she could not hold back at Lady Jillian’s anger that Rosalind would not be leaving them as quickly as she wished.
“Still, I doubt we will see much of you given you will be confined to the nursery floor.” She smiled sweetly. “It is a shame.”
His Christmas Match (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time) Page 23