by Rose Haven
This is why Rebecca’s reaction to his mother’s story surprises him. Did she believe in love? No, an intelligent woman like her would know better than that! Love is an overrated emotion that sometimes forces a man to make illogical decisions. He has successfully avoided it till now and he has no plans to fall in love any time soon.
“Please, tell me what happened after that?”
“He properly wooed me after that; and I must confess, he didn’t have to try too hard,” she giggles. Henry can’t believe his ears. His Mother, the Dowager Duchess of Southampton is giggling like a schoolgirl! “I had already fallen head over heels in love with him!”
“Mother, I really don’t think you fell in love with Father. It must have been a strong attraction, maybe,” Henry interjects.
“Attraction? No, not at all. We were in love, not merely attracted to each other,” she states firmly.
“How can you tell the difference between the two?” Henry asks.
“Attraction fades after a while. But love…..it never fades. Rather, it grows strong with each passing day. If we’d been merely attracted towards each other, our relationship would have withered after some time, but it did not! Love nourishes a relationship, makes it bloom. Yes, it can come with a lot of sacrifices, but they seem negligible in front of the little joys that it encompasses.”
“I am not sure I understand all that. I personally feel that love is an overrated emotion and we human beings can just do fine without it.”
Her Grace smiles at him. “You are saying this because you are unaware of what love is all about. Son, you will not even realize when you’ll fall into its grip. And once in it, there is no looking back!”
Rebecca, who was sitting quietly until hearing the mother-son conversation, gives out a silent prayer that whatever her mother-in-law is saying turns out to be true. She’ll be waiting for the day her husband falls in love with her. She just hopes it comes very soon because maybe, just maybe, she has already started falling in love with him!
Chapter Nine
After a sumptuous meal and a light-hearted conversation, everyone decides to retire for the day. Once in her bed, Rebecca wonders why Henry finds the idea of love so repulsive. She had seen in her own family how devastating love could be, but still she’d not given up on the feeling. In fact, she’d always believed that a relationship can stand the tests of life if it is based on love.
Rebecca herself is not sure if what she is experiencing is actually love. She tries to think of some way by which she can make sure if she’s really fallen in love with Henry or not. One way could be to consummate their marriage….. If she still has the same feelings for him, she’ll understand that it is not just a passing attraction but something deeper than that.
Rebecca gets out of her bed and plans to seduce her husband. He has promised not to touch her till she asks him to, right? Tonight, she’ll make him go crazy with desire without even asking him to touch her. She quickly rummages through her luggage and finds the garment she’d been looking for: A slinky piece of sheer fabric that she’d found too scandalous to wear until now. It had been given to her on her eighteenth birthday by one of her ‘forward’ friends and she’d always kept it well hidden. Tonight, however, she’ll have to find the courage to finally wear it!
The nightgown is made of gossamer georgette and delicate silk gauze and is a pale shade of purple. It has intricate lace trimmings and strategically placed embroidery that is capable of instantly drawing one’s attention. She takes a close look at the garment for the first time and is shocked to notice that the embroidery on its front is exactly where her breasts would be if she chooses to wear it. This makes her nervous and she rethinks her decision to wear this wicked piece of clothing.
You have to Rebecca! It is not that you are doing something inappropriate. He is your husband after all! says the same little voice at the back of her mind. Taking a deep breath, she decides to go ahead with her plan. She wants to put an end to this growing sweet tension between them once and for all. The physical aspect of their relationship is bound to happen sooner or later; Henry has married her to produce an heir, hasn’t he? And if she really loves him, her love for him will grow further once they take their relationship to the next level. Yes, this one night of togetherness will help her in finding answers to a lot of questions.
Drawing a deep breath, she finally shimmies into the almost-transparent fabric. As she had thought, the delicate embroidery on the front conceals nothing at all; rather it draws one’s eyes to her pink nipples! She is mortified as she looks at herself in the mirror! The wide and deep neckline of the gown shows a ridiculous amount of her cleavage and the sheer fabric reveals even the soft curls protecting her womanhood. Before she can change her mind, Rebecca quickly goes towards the secret door that connects her chamber to Henry’s. The door opens with a small click.
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Henry does not know if he is dreaming or if the sight before his eyes is actually a reality. He pinches himself to make sure it is not a dream. Ouch! It is not a dream then! The woman standing in front of him wearing next to nothing is actually his wife, Duchess Rebecca Northwall!
THE END
Regency Romance
A Prize to Be TREASURED
Defiant Lords Series
Rose Haven
Regency Romance: A Prize to Be TREASURED
Chapter One
Gathering every ounce of courage that she possesses, Lady Rebecca Northwall finally opens the door that leads to her husband, Lord Henry Northwall’s, chamber. As soon as she steps inside, she sees that he is standing near the gaslight reading some papers. He is naked from the waist up and, in the dim light, he looks like no less than some Greek God, his body chiseled to perfection.
Henry looks up immediately upon hearing the click of the knob. Although he knows that there is a door that connects his chamber to Rebecca’s, he is a little startled as he’d not expected it to open in the middle of the night. When he sees a lady looking suspiciously like Rebecca emerging out of that door wearing nothing but a negligee, his heart skips a beat.
Henry finds it difficult to believe his eyes. Is it really Rebecca standing in front of him wearing that exotic piece of clothing? He actually pinches himself to make sure he’s not in some wonderful dream.
When Rebecca slowly moves towards him, he realizes that it is not a dream. His heart rate quickens as he notices that the sultry seductress is actually trying to tempt him by batting her eyelashes! Good Heavens! What is wrong with her? Just last night, she wanted him to close his eyes while she changed clothes, and tonight she’s standing right in front of him wearing almost nothing!
“Are you alright?” Henry finally finds his voice and manages to clamp shut the jaw that has hung open since the time he’d spotted her.
“Yes, Henry. It’s just that I was feeling a little lonely, so I thought maybe you wouldn’t mind keeping me company for some time,” replies Rebecca, her voice dripping with honey. Once again, she bats her long eyelashes! Henry swears that he’ll eat that little chit alive if she does that one more time!
“Uhhhh…yes, why not! It is natural to feel a little …restless….in a new place. You should get used to your surroundings in a day or two.” Henry is trying to avoid looking at his wife. He is damn sure that he’ll break his promise if he continues to look at her luscious curves and heaving bosom any longer.
“I think so too.” Rebecca looks away, suddenly shy. “Ummm… Do you mind if we talk sitting on that bed? My feet ache terribly after moving about the castle this afternoon.”
“Sure,” Henry says and regrets it the moment he sees Rebecca sitting on his bed, her glorious form peeping beneath the sheer fabric, assaulting his good sense. Worse still, as she sits on the bed, her nightgown (if that scandalous garment qualifies to be called that!) rides further up her thighs, exposing her long, slender legs to his hungry eyes. Sweet Heaven! He is about to explode with lust!
�
��What do you want to talk about?” he asks her rather gruffly. He wants her gone from his room. Now! Otherwise, both of them will have to bear the repercussions of his actions.
“No need to be so rude. If you want me to leave, you can just ask me to,” Rebecca says in mock anger.
“I am sorry. It’s just that…nevermind. May I ask you something?”
“Of course! I am all yours for tonight!”
Henry is shocked at her words. He shakes his head vigorously to ensure there is nothing wrong with his head or his ears.
“Excuse me?”
“I am all ears. You can ask me anything!”
Henry hesitates. “Ah…. I just wanted to know if you wear such…exotic night garments frequently or if is there some special occasion tonight?” he asks, his lips curved in a devilish smile. He’s finally regaining his composure; this little seductress had caught him off guard.
Now it is Rebecca’s turn to feel a little uncomfortable. Get a grip, girl! You are here to seduce him. Don’t get flustered by his words. Give him a reply that will make him crazy with desire. Rebecca is thankful that this inner voice helps her overcome her dilemmas.
“I know this may sound a little scandalous, but I prefer to sleep naked. Since night garments like these almost make me feel naked, I like wearing them.” She looks straight into his eyes while making the bold statement. She really can’t fathom where she got the courage to say such a shocking thing, but the effect it has on Henry is makes everything worth it!
Henry has had enough! If Rebecca is so hell bent on inviting trouble, then so be it!
Chapter Two
"Do you have any idea, lady, what you're doing to me?" Henry growls. “Are you doing this on purpose or are you really so naïve?"
"And what exactly am I doing?" Rebecca asks him innocently, folding her arms in front of her so that her ripe pink nipples that are clearly visible from under that damned piece of nothing.
Henry gets up, starts towards his closet and fishes out one of his robes. "If you want to stay here even a second longer, wear this robe. That thing you're wearing is wreaking havoc with my senses!"
Rebecca looks at the robe for a few long moments before replying, "I don't think I want to wear this velvety thing. I am sure my small frame will get lost in it."
"Still better than your small frame getting lost under mine!" Henry says through clenched teeth. She is impossible! There has to be something behind her outrageous behavior.
"I beg your pardon, my lord." Rebecca's plan is finally proving successful. It is looking like Henry is losing the last shreds of his battered self-control.
"Listen to me, Rebecca, if you stay here a moment longer, I will not be responsible for my actions. You have two options you: either wear this damned robe or go back to your room.” Rebecca feels a little intimidated by the gruffness in his voice and the unrestrained passion that she can clearly see in his eyes. She doesn’t have much idea about what goes on in the marital bed. Of course, she has seen horses in the act, but a friend of hers told her once that with humans, it is entirely different. They do it face to face, she’d said. Rebecca has no idea how that would happen!
Henry is patiently waiting for her answer.
“I don’t understand why you are making so much fuss! Don’t you like what I am wearing?” Rebecca asks him innocently and gives him the look!
That is it! Henry has had enough! He throws away the robe that he’d offered Rebecca and pulls her roughly out of the bed and right into his arms. Without giving her a second to realize what’s happened, he crushes his mouth to hers.
It is a kiss of passion, hunger, and days of yearning. He wants Rebecca to feel what she does to his senses. Rebecca is too stunned to respond initially, but she soon finds herself enjoying every bit of it. Her entire body is shaking with a feeling that she can’t put a name to. When Henry finally tones down the kiss and gently explores her mouth, she sighs. He finds this the perfect opportunity to thrust his tongue in her mouth and deepen the kiss. Rebecca is overwhelmed by this new sensation as their tongues meet and his unique scent fills her senses. She’d never known a kiss could be so powerful, so intoxicating!
When Henry finally releases her, both of them are breathless. She looks at him dazedly, her mind too numb to form any coherent thought. It is a good thing that he is still holding her in his arms, or she would’ve collapsed; her knees seem to have turned into jelly.
“This is your final warning, Rebecca. If you still want to leave, you can.” Henry makes himself say the words even though his entire being pleads with her to stay. Rebecca merely stands on her toes and kisses him tenderly on the lips. This is all the invitation that he needs!
Henry bends his head so that he can properly take her mouth, and both of them get lost in sensations that make them forget the world. As her body presses against his, Rebecca can feel his arousal pressing against her belly. She feels proud of the fact that she’s having this effect on her husband. Henry gently rubs his hands over her back, and her skin seems to come alive under his touch. When his hands drift lower and cup her bottom, she almost goes mad with desire. There is a deep yearning in the pit of her belly and she desperately wants to put an end to it.
“You are so soft, my dear. Just as I had imagined,” Henry whispers in her ear and gently nips her earlobe. This little gesture sends shock waves throughout her body. He then begins to kiss the sensitive skin behind her ear and moves lower towards the hollow of her neck. Rebecca arches her back to give him better access as he slowly but surely moves toward her heaving bosom.
Chapter Three
“Exquisite as it is, this piece of clothing must go. I want to feel you naked under my hands, my dear,” he tells her and, without giving her time to object, he swiftly pushes the delicate straps off her shoulders. Rebecca’s nightdress falls in a heap around her feet in less than a second. It exposes her round, firm breasts to his hungry gaze and Rebecca’s heart begins to pound when she sees his eyes go wide with desire.
“Sweet Heaven! You are so beautiful.” Henry steps back and looks at her gloriously naked body reverently. Suddenly, Rebecca feels too shy under his intense gaze. He bends down to sweep her off her feet and gently puts her on his huge bed.
He takes off the rest of his clothes in record time and joins his lovely wife in bed. Rebecca moves her hands over his chest, amazed at how smooth his skin is. She gently touches the soft curls at the center, something she’d been dying to do since last night at the inn. Henry lets her explore his body, his eyes shut tightly as he feels her small hands roam about his chest, shoulders and arms. He opens his eyes as he hears her gasp. To his surprise, he finds her directly staring at his member.
“Is that thing supposed to come inside me?” she asks him, her eyes filled with amazement and, perhaps, a little fear.
Henry tries hard to restrain his laugh. “Yes, but you don’t have to worry about it just yet.” He takes her in his arms so that she can no longer see him fully and painfully aroused.
“I don’t think that’s possible. It is so…big! Is that why women find love making so painful?” Rebecca is now really worried.
“Whoever told you that love making is painful?”
“Well, a friend of mine once told me that it really hurts when….”
“Is that friend of yours married?” Henry interrupts her.
“When she told me that, no,” confesses Rebecca.
“Why would a girl who has not experienced something as beautiful as love making conclude that it is painful? You should’ve consulted someone with experience,” he teases.
“Well, I didn’t ask her anything. She probably just heard it somewhere and shared it with me. And for your information, I don’t usually go about asking people about their love lives,” Rebecca replies defensively. Henry stifles a laugh and kisses her so that she forgets everything about pain and hurt.
“I promise not to hurt you, sweetheart. Yes, you might feel a little uncomfortable in the beginning, but I shall stop if
you hurt, alright?” he reassures her while gently kissing her face and neck. Rebecca simply nods her head, her throat too thick with emotion. She is enjoying every bit of their passionate union.
Henry moves lower towards her chest and soon he is licking and suckling her aching peaks of desire. Rebecca feels she is about to explode with pleasure. Her tingling breasts become unbelievably tender and his every touch, every flick of his tongue, makes her mad with desire. She badly craves something, but what, she can’t comprehend. Once again, Henry recaptures her lips and she gets lost in the passionate kiss. She feels his hands slowly moving down her body and parting her legs. Before she can understand what he is doing, he touches her in the most intimate place and she gasps in surprise.
“What….ohh….what are you doing?”
“Open up for me, my dear. I promise to be gentle. Trust me.” Rebecca slowly opens her legs and Henry’s chest swells with pride when he realizes that, at last, he has won his wife’s trust. He gently brushes the soft curls that surround her womanhood, and when she gives out a moan of pleasure, he gets even more aroused. Very soon, Henry finds that Rebecca is wet and ready for him. He positions himself over her and then with one powerful thrust, he enters her sweet body.
Rebecca freezes for a moment, her eyes wide, with pain or wonder, Henry can’t tell. She moves a little, as if adjusting her body to his.
“What happened, my dear? I am so sorry I hurt….”
“Please don’t stop. Please…..keep moving,” says Rebecca. She had felt pain for a fleeting second but when she adjusted herself a little, that pain was replaced by an emotion so profound that her heart filled with sheer wonder at the beauty of it all.
The sensation of being inside Rebecca is proving too much for Henry. She is so hot and so tight! When she asks him to go ahead, Henry can’t stop himself. He begins to move inside her and when small moans of pleasure escape Rebecca’s lips, he fears that he might reach his climax. Both of them move rhythmically for a few seconds before Rebecca’s body finally erupts. She holds him tightly life as her body shudders violently in the aftermath of what is the most wonderful and magical experience of her life. After a few more thrusts, Henry too finally finds his release.