The youngest, Sir Colton Forrester, known as Baron Wolcott, had short tawny hair but equaled Garrick in size and stature. Recently wed to his mate, Jillian, they’d yet to conceive. Aisley hoped they would have children of their own, as she’d seen Colton play with his nieces and nephew and thought he would be a fine father someday.
Returning to the present, Aisley and Garrick invited all in attendance to join them in a feast. In the great hall, an elaborate meal would be provided, along with minstrels, jesters and delicious marzipan subtleties. Angelica had gone to sit beside Valiant during the meal. Although Aisley missed her daughter’s nearness, she relaxed knowing that the squire would look after Angelica.
By the time the first course was served, Aisley had begun to relax and accept herself as Lady Danford. From time to time, she became a little nervous knowing that it wouldn’t be long before she and Garrick withdrew from the festivities. Yet he never once pushed her beyond taking a bite of pork or quail or politely offering sustenance from a silver chalice. Because of his patience, her nervousness faded and Aisley enjoyed celebrating the day with her husband.
* * * * *
Aisley would remember her wedding day for the rest of her life. Now, as she waited in the master chamber while Elethea fussed with her hair and nightdress, she became nervous. Garrick would arrive and send the lady’s maid away. Soon they’d become man and wife in every sense of the word.
Aisley prayed her nervousness wouldn’t interfere with either Garrick’s enjoyment of the night or hers. She wanted to please him when they lay in their marriage bed, to prove she was worthy to be his mate.
I hear your worries, Aisley. Ease your mind and all will be well. Garrick’s voice reached her, his awareness of what she was thinking causing her to straighten her shoulders in anticipation of his arrival. She didn’t want him to find her slouched or worrying.
“Elethea, I believe Garrick is coming. I would like to be alone when he arrives.”
“As you wish, would you need anything else before I leave?”
“You’ve done enough, I am pleased.”
Scenting a touch of cinnamon through a crack beneath the door, she knew Garrick had arrived. Her sense of smell had already begun to increase, but it was a wonder she’d not known he was near before then. He claimed that he knew where she was in the manor house at any given time and she hoped someday she’d be able to find him the same way.
Your gifts will continue to grow, worry not. We shall speak of them on the morrow. For now, inform the maid you’ll not need her assistance anytime soon.
“Milady, are you all right?” Elethea asked. “You’ve become distant.”
“I’m fine. I shall summon you when I need you next.”
Elethea left through the servants’ doorway. Aisley would have liked to take a few more moments to inspect the candlelit room, the supplies brought by Garrick’s chamberlain and her appearance, but she’d only managed to brush her hand down the gossamer fabric of her chemise before her husband stepped into the room.
“You needn’t inspect anything or worry over your appearance,” Garrick said.
Dressed to suit his title, he looked both the conqueror and the gentleman in his silver and blue finery. His stance was confident, yet wickedly inviting as he leaned back against the closed door. For a moment she thought he planned to stay there all night just to watch her.
“You are beautiful, Aisley. I am proud to call you my wife.”
With a simple sentence, Garrick eased any doubts about her features. He found her beautiful and she felt that way because of him.
“I fear I’ve been remiss this eve, milord. I should have offered to assist in the removal of your cote-hardie or given you a goblet of wine.”
“You’ve done nothing wrong,” he quickly assured, pushing away from the door. The distance between them closed more rapidly than she expected and she almost stepped back until she remembered that this was Garrick. As large as he was, she knew he wasn’t going to hurt her. He was capable of gentleness and persuasive charm and he was now her husband. Feeling her heart pound at the rightness of accepting his nearness, she reached out and took his hand.
“You look lovely in the chemise Grayson’s wife made for you,” he complimented, his bold emerald gaze sweeping her length from head to toe.
“It is beautiful,” she said. “Though I think it is nearly transparent.”
“It looks like moonlight dancing across your skin.” With his free hand, Garrick touched her shoulder, his fingers caressing the shimmering fabric. It was so light, its cloth unknown to Aisley, but she too saw the similarity between the moon’s full glow and the pale chemise. “The candles behind you reveal your silhouette within the gown. I can think of little else but removing it simply to enjoy viewing you unhindered.”
Aisley smiled, warmed by Garrick’s words. He returned her smile, his beguiling, and with a flick of his fingertip, he found the cleverly hidden tie keeping the chemise in place and tugged.
One side of the gown dipped, revealing the creamy expanse of her shoulder. For once Aisley did not wince at the thought of his seeing her freckles.
“Garrick, mayhap we should sit and talk for a bit, hmm?” she suggested before he could work his magic with the opposite shoulder.
With a glance, Garrick silenced her need to talk. By his heated gaze alone, she knew beyond a doubt that he wanted her.
“Mayhap I should trust you to guide me through this night,” she said.
Garrick freed her hand and tucked his thumb and forefinger beneath her chin. “It is my sincere wish that I never do anything to betray your trust, Aisley. I’ve confessed to you the sins of my past. Knowing you accept me for what I am has humbled me.”
“I’ve humbled you?”
“Aye, and tamed the leopard within me. You are my true mate.” As he spoke, his fingers splayed outward to cup her face.
“Just as you are mine,” she claimed.
His breath caressed her face as he bent closer to pull her further into his embrace and seal them with a kiss. His lips feathered across hers, the briefest contact causing her to gasp. With her invitation, his tongue slid deep, touching hers, tangling, dueling, retreating and repeating until she could do nothing but cling and feel. She felt the persuasiveness of his kiss right down to her toes. Her knees weakened, her fingers trembled and her womb pulsed in anticipation of whatever he would do next.
His scent, so familiar now, mingled with her almond fragrance, combining the fragrances until she felt in danger of swooning. Having sensed her lightheadedness, Garrick changed his hold and kept her steady. All the while he kissed her, mimicking the cadence they would soon undertake with their bodies.
Against her will, Garrick withdrew, though not very far.
“I liked that,” she protested.
“Fear not, we’ve the rest of the night and centuries ahead of us, we’ll kiss many times before our time together ends.”
“I will hold you to that promise. Mayhap you’d like some wine or something from the table your chamberlain laid? Mayhap you could tell me what lies beneath the cloth?”
“That is for us to enjoy a little later,” he hedged, saying nothing more about the covered table sitting close to the curtained bed. “Would you like some wine, my love?”
“A little would be nice, my lord,” she agreed.
“Allow me to pour a chalice for us to share while you reposition the bed curtains.”
“As you wish,” she said.
Straightening her shoulders, Aisley headed for the bedside and fixed the silver curtains. It wasn’t long before Garrick stood beside her and offered her the first sip of wine. She reached for the goblet, but he shook his head and placed the rim to her lips.
“Drink, I shall ease your thirst,” he offered, tipping his hand until the spiced wine flowed into her mouth. The flavors tingled on her tongue, telling her they were partaking of sustenance mixed with cinnamon and spices from his homeland.
Upon quenching her thirst
, Aisley caught Garrick’s wrist and gently let him know she’d had enough for now. “Shall I do the same for you?”
“I’d rather taste wine from your lips,” he said, leaning close to take another kiss. Still holding the wooden goblet, he touched his other hand to her waist and pulled her closer. Slowly, he pushed his tongue through her parted lips and explored her mouth, humming deep in his throat when she sighed in pleasure.
“So sweet, I can never get enough,” he said upon releasing her.
“The wine is wonderful.”
“Not the wine, my love, the kiss.”
Aisley smiled at him, amazed anew at how much she’d come to love him. “I haven’t told you how grateful I am for this day. The ceremony was so much more than I’d dared to dream.”
“I wanted to please you. But let us wait until the morrow to talk about the ceremony. I have other things in mind.”
“Do as you please, Garrick.”
“You please me.” His breathing grew harsher, his right hand sweeping upward to the remaining tie near her shoulder. With a twist of his forefinger the gown melted to the floor at her bare ankles.
Aisley would have continued to stare at the satiny fabric if Garrick hadn’t caught her chin and tilted her head back. Just as she’d felt when he first walked into the chamber, she knew he found her beautiful, bare skin and all.
He really did like the freckles that dotted her shoulders, her arms, her thighs and the few splattered across her breasts. With a look, the tiny brown flecks began to tingle, as if her skin sensed his desire to kiss each and every spot, even those he couldn’t see aligning her back and shoulder blades.
“I do and I will,” he whispered, answering her unspoken question.
“Have you always been romantic?” she wondered aloud.
“I haven’t any idea if I’m romantic,” he earnestly said. “I am doing what seems right. You, Aisley Forrester, deserve my very best.”
Feeling as though her insides were melting, Aisley reached for the chalice of wine. After taking another sip, she offered some to Garrick. As he had done for her, she held the chalice to his mouth and waited for him to take enough to satisfy before lowering her hand.
It didn’t occur to her to be uncomfortable about her state of undress until Garrick took the chalice and placed it on the table. Growing flushed, she attempted to turn away, but he halted her.
“As I felt the first time I saw you naked, I find you more beautiful than I can describe,” he confessed.
Charmed, Aisley caught his gaze. “Then would you be so kind as to undress, Garrick Forrester? I’d like the pleasure of looking upon you again as well.”
Garrick nodded. “Assist me?”
She stepped closer and drew his cote-hardie off and tossed it aside. Shortly, Garrick’s gypon joined the array of clothing lying on the floor. As he stood before her, bared to the waist, she enjoyed looking upon him, especially the part of his mark visible on his shoulders that glowed as though the moon were full.
With growing confidence, she touched his shoulder, curious to feel his skin. “It’s hot,” she said, comparing the mark to the warm skin surrounding it. “How can something that looks so cold feel so hot?”
“The mark responds to my mood,” he answered, staring down at his shoulder.
“You’re feeling hot?”
“Aroused,” he said.
“Is that why the mark is glowing while the moon is not full? It hasn’t done this before when we were alone. Were you not aroused then?” she wondered, hoping she’d not failed him when they’d been together previously.
As if sensing her concern, he grinned and leaned closer. “You didn’t know about the leopard then. I thought it best to keep it hidden. But that’s no longer necessary. Look at your wrist, Aisley.”
Turning the same hand she’d used to touch his shoulder, she caught sight of the small leopard’s mark on her wrist. Like the giant one comprising much of Garrick’s back, the one on her wrist heated even as she looked at it. Heating because she wanted to lie with him, she discovered. Enjoying the warmth that flowed from her wrist to her heart, she watched the mark a moment longer, finding her new abilities as amazing as knowing that they were about to consummate the vows they’d taken earlier that day.
“Come, little one, lie with me,” he urged.
Silently, she nodded and Garrick edged her to the bed. The pillows, already plumped, embraced her head and shoulders as she reclined and made room for him to join her. It took a moment for him to arrange the covers at the foot of the bed, but he was soon lying next to her.
“Next time I shall carry you,” he said, shifting to look at her more directly. “I believe you’ve become more beautiful since I first walked into our chamber tonight.”
“You are gracious, Garrick. I’ve little doubt as to how you see me.”
“Aisley, it isn’t just how I see you. I know you’re beautiful. It’s essential for you to know it as well.”
Touched, she smoothed her hand through his hair, easing it away from his regal face. He’d become so much more to her than she’d originally thought he could be. That first night she saw him only as the compelling, mysterious Earl of Danford. Now he was her husband. He would soon be her lover, her mate, the father of their children. He was a panthera pardus Abcynian and the second eldest of his kind. Before the night was through, she would be completely converted and become more like him. The thought was a little frightening, but with Garrick, she knew he would help her adapt to what she was to become.
“You’ve given me the confidence to see myself as I always should have,” she said.
“Have I? I think you’ve always been confident in who you are.”
“As a healer, I have been, but not as a woman,” she admitted.
“There may have been a time when you disliked your freckles and birthmark, but you never let them rule your perception of yourself. When we first met, I saw a woman full of grace, courage and strength. Since I’ve gotten to know you, I believe you to be all of that and more.”
Pleased, Aisley sighed when Garrick spanned her waist with one arm and propped himself up with the other. “You are lovely,” he whispered, gazing upon her face, shoulders, breasts and forearms. “And all mine.”
“All yours,” she said.
Garrick leaned inward, dotting the freckles along her cheekbones with kisses, a curious hum whispering within her as he found each one. The hum was indistinct and came mainly from her throat, yet she felt it all over. Then she realized was happening
“Garrick, I’m rumbling like you do when you’re pleased.”
Garrick soothed her by kissing her face and chin. “Aye, do not be alarmed. Your panthera traits are making their presence known.”
“I didn’t know I’d sound like a cat. Can I control it?”
“You’ll learn. Abcynian panthers can make such a sound when they’re angry, frightened, contented or ready—”
“To mate,” she completed.
“Aye,” Garrick said.
“I like how it feels. It rumbles right to my womb.”
“I like how you feel when you tremble like this,” he teased, returning his attention to her freckles.
Dear goodness, she adored his attention and the touch of his firm, wide mouth sliding over her skin. Their combined rumbles warmed her body while he kissed her chin and jaw, laving her birthmark. Finally he found the sensitive hollow between her collarbone and throat and swiped a delicate circle with the tip of his tongue. There, he nipped, once, twice and bucked for the next, but he didn’t bite thrice. Her every nerve ending and thought centered on that spot, wanting him to bite hard enough to pierce her skin and offer his essence.
“Garrick,” she gasped.
Rubbing his nose and face against her shoulder, he moved to lie nearly on top of her. When she would have shifted her legs to grant him better access, he halted and said, “Not yet. Soon you shall have all that you want from me, love. If I bite too soon, I’ll take you before you’re t
ruly ready.”
Because she wanted more of his sensuous play, she arched her neck, giving him access to whatever he wished. Garrick’s soft hair fell across her, some mixing with her red tresses, and she stared at the mix of dark brown and red, light and dark. His torso connected with hers, chest to breasts. Her slightly crushed breasts supported his heavier mass, their nipples touching, inviting them to elongate on contact.
“Garrick, you’ve given me such beautiful moments before this night and I know it must have been difficult for you to hold back. I don’t want that anymore, do you hear? I’m ready to experience more.” Aisley grasped his head with both hands and nearly jerked him to her.
Refusing to remain passive, she kissed him with all that she was, with all that she was to become. Her desire flowed into the kiss, allowing both of them to savor the richness. Wanting to play, she caught his tongue between her lips and sucked until his entire body shivered. All the while, his chest hair abraded her breasts. His skin felt hot, the coarse hairs tickling and caressing, inviting her to groan.
A deep rumble sounded in his throat and she released his tongue. Shifting, he caught her waist and rolled her over until she straddled his hips and looked down upon his remarkable face.
“You’re still partially clothed,” she complained, feeling the significant bulge behind his breeches. “How is this fair?”
“If I wish to avoid ravishing you, it is necessary,” Garrick confessed, grinning. “Control is something I’ve mastered, until you.”
“I think that’s a compliment.”
“It is,” he said.
“In that case…oh, wait…” She lost her voice, his questing hands causing her to writhe and squirm. His fingers and thumbs found her nipples, tweaking them, sending showers of warmth to her womanhood. With each flick and gentle pinch, they grew more sensitive. Her womb wept with a longing she was only beginning to understand. She wanted him to surge inside of her, to ease the ache his fingers were inducing.
“I hear you, Aisley, but you’re not quite ready to accept me inside of you. Soon, you will.” Palming her breasts in each hand, he squeezed, kneaded and thumbed her nipples. Never had anything felt so good.
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