"You may sit." Elise announced. She felt him set her back as the water in the tub rose and crashed back and forth. The servants won't be pleased, she thought. Elise went to wash Gilles' hair but he grabbed the soap from her and dropped it into the tub. He hauled her against him, raising her so he could feast on her breasts. Elise threw her head back as his tongue lashed at her nipple. He pulled one into his mouth and suckled hungrily causing her to clutch at his head and moan. He switched to the other as Elise reached beneath the water and wrapped her hands around him and began stroking.
"Jesus!" Gilles yelled as he grabbed her thighs and lifted. He brought her down and thrust his hips upwards, impaling her on one smooth stroke. Elise let her head fall back and sighed. She loved how full she felt when Gilles was inside of her. He rubbed places that nothing else could ever touch and when he pounded against her, she felt it all the way to her hair and the tips of her toes, like waves rippling out from her core.
Elise gripped Gilles with her thighs and began riding him as he continued to lap at her breasts. She squeezed around him and began moving faster. Water sloshed against the side of the tub, splashing over the sides. Elise pushed her hands through Gilles' hair and gripped his scalp. She could feel the tension coiling within her. She rocked her hips forward and felt the hair at the base of his cock rub against the sensitive spot just above the place where they joined. She continued the motion and Gilles grabbed her bottom and helped press her more firmly against him. Elise panted and moaned his name. She was going to lose her mind, she thought.
Gilles lifted her off of him and Elise protested. She felt him set her down on her knees away from him. He guided her hands to the edge of the tub. He parted her thighs and slid in easily. Elise sobbed his name and his thighs pressed against hers. Gilles hands closed about her breasts and kneaded and he began thrusting into her. Her knees stung against the hard bottom of the tub but Elise ignored them. Gilles pinched her nipples and she gasped as she felt her muscles tighten and her nerves tingle. Everything inside her pulled into itself and he continued stroking within her. Elise sucked in a deep breath and held on to the side of the tub for dear life. It felt as if goosebumps spread on the inside of her skin and everything clenched and froze for a second before she exploded. Elise screamed Gilles' name and shook violently.
Far away, she heard him yell "Yes!" over and over as he swelled and then pulsed within her. His lips clung to her shoulder as she felt the heat of his release filling her. Gilles' arms wrapped around her and his breathing was as fast as hers. Elise smiled as she felt him slide down her back into the tub as he pulled her backwards against him. She let her head fall back against his shoulder.
"I'm helpless, Siren." He sighed against her ear.
Elise giggled drunkenly and nuzzled his cheek. His arms locked around her.
"And I cannot resist you." She whispered.
Gilles found the soap and bathed her. After, he helped her from the tub and dried her and then himself. Once Elise was perched on her stool, Gilles began brushing her hair. For some reason when he did it, her scalp felt warm and her body relaxed.
"Anna should be here soon. I wanted to tell you before you heard it at dinner from The Mothers or Mirabelle: Lady Gasden and Lady Hathewaite will be coming for tea tomorrow. Both are considered dragons within the ton but have great influence. Neither are unreasonable and are friends of maman and Madeline. Gaining their favor will go a long way towards smoothing things over within the ton."
Elise felt flutters in her stomach. She pressed her hands to it and breathed slowly, trying to calm them.
"So, I have to make a good impression."
"You only have to be yourself and let Mirabelle and The Mothers handle the rest. I'll be close by and plan to make an appearance. I have to play the besotted husband, you know?" Gilles nipped her ear, causing Elise to shiver. "All they have to do is see you and spend some time with you. They'll see that the rumors are nonsense. People will listen to them."
Just then, the dressing room door opened and Anna entered.
"Oh! The state of that room, you two! I've got four maids with towels trying to save the floor."
Elise heard Gilles throw himself on the bed and chuckle.
"Once again, I blame her ladyship. I merely intended to help her with her bath." He sounded so innocent. She wasn't about to go down alone.
"Really, my lord? Anna, do you find it necessary to join me in the tub to help me?"
Anna stifled a laugh. Elise heard Gilles shift on the bed.
"I like to be thorough, my lady." He tried to sound superior. Elise giggled and there was a knocking at the door at the far end of the room.
"That will be Matheson. Off with you, my lord." Anna made a shooing sound and moved about the room before Elise felt a chemise fall over head.
"Are the floors really ruined?" Elise asked.
"They'll be fine once they dry but if the two of you keep it up, he'll be replacing them within a few months. I'm sure he won't complain though. He's increased your wardrobe allowance to replace all the garments the two of you have ruined." Elise felt her cheeks flood with heat.
"I'm sorry, Anna. We get carried away. Gilles says you're partly to blame. If you didn't make me look so irresistible, he would be able to control himself."
Anna chuckled. Elise knew that tact would work. Complimenting her work was a sure way to earn her favor. Not that he hadn't blamed her wardrobe many times. A dress slipped over Elise's head and shoulders. She found the sleeve holes and pushed her arms through. Anne pulled the bodice and made a "humph" sound. She tugged again.
"What?" Elise asked as Anna paused.
"The bodice is quite tight around this bit." Elise felt her press her chest and tug on the dress. "It'll have to do. I'll grab a fichu."
Elise felt her breasts, they did feel a bit bigger. She let her hands glide down her waist and thighs. Was she gaining weight? She had been hungrier lately. Things had calmed since arriving in London and she walked less. The garden at Spencer Place was not as extensive as Longwood. Elise bit her lip. Gilles hadn't seemed to notice. Or, maybe he did and hadn't commented. She'd ask him soon. It had to be close to time for dinner.
Anna finished preparing Elise and she made her way to the stairs, congratulating herself on her progress. She sensed Gilles at the bottom and counted as she descended.
"That's an interesting addition." He remarked as he kissed her hand.
"Anna thought it was necessary for modesty. Have I gained weight since we've arrived at Spencer Place?" Elise asked as Gilles led her towards the parlor. He was silent for many moments. Was it because she had and he didn't want to upset her? Elise wondered.
"Now that you mention it, you seem pleasantly fuller in certain areas." He murmured. Elise felt his body harden alongside hers.
"Fuller?" She was alarmed.
"I didn't mention it because I didn't want to upset you and I certainly didn't mind." Gilles pulled her against him. Would someone see?
"What do you mean fuller?" Elise grimaced. That had sounded shrill. "Fuller where?" She asked calmly.
"If you'd like to go back upstairs, I can give you a detailed description." His hand squeezed her backside suggestively.
Elise gasped and pulled away.
"I'm not eating the pudding tonight."
Chapter 47
Later, in their bed, Gilles rolled off of Elise. She had fretted all night about her body and he'd spent the better part of an hour worshiping it. He looked at her chest as it rose and fell in the aftermath of their lovemaking. As soon as he caught his breath he pulled her close.
"Your breasts are definitely more heavenly." He sighed contentedly and attempted to gather one in his hand. She slapped him away.
"Gilles, I'm serious. You have to tell me if something isn't right!" Elise scolded as she began feeling various parts of her body. Gilles groaned and pulled her to him. Mirabelle and The Mothers had already warned that the following morning would start earlier. He wouldn't get to sleep an
y time soon if her hands kept wandering all over her body.
"Darling! Everything is more than right. If I'm not complaining, then why are you worrying?" As if it understood their conversation, Gilles' cock sprang to life. "Now look at what you've done." He thrust against her hip. "Do I seem displeased?" He asked as his lips brushed her shoulder. Gilles pushed Elise on to her stomach and lifted her hips.
"Let me show you how pleased I am with your body." He whispered as his fingers parted her damp folds. She shuddered and lifted her rear in invitation, moaning as the head of his cock nudged into her entrance, Gilles closed his eyes and sighed as his head fell back. Every time he entered her, he felt bliss beckon and a missing piece of himself fall into place.
He rode her hard and they shattered together. Gilles cradled Elise in her arms and promised that she was perfect. He felt her fall into a sated sleep. Eventually, he relaxed and dreamless sleep welcomed him.
Gilles woke up several hours later and remembered his promise to the other women in his family. He kissed Elise's shoulder and whispered her name. She came awake slowly and stretched. He felt himself harden as she rubbed along the length of him. Suddenly she sat up and squeezed his arm. She swayed forward and gasped.
"The bell pull!" Elise yelled as she dove for the foot of the bed and reached beneath it. Gilles saw the basin slide out and Elise slid off the side. "You have to go!" She called before she retched over the bowl.
Gilles was around the bed instantly and squatted next to Elise.
"Are you alright, love?" He brushed her hair back as her body tensed and spasmed. She heaved over the bowl.
"Please! You have to go! I don't want you here!" She cried as she gagged.
"I won't leave you like this." Gilles whispered as he stood and looked for anything that might help. He ran into her dressing room and found a washcloth. He wet it and ran back in. He pressed it to the back of Elise's neck and she shuddered. A moment later, the door opened and Anna entered. She rounded the bed and quickly turned her back.
"My lord! Good morning to you too! Perhaps you'd like to find your robe while I tend to Her Ladyship?" Anna laughed as Gilles bounded over the bed and grabbed his robe. Elise continued to hug the bowl and cough.
"Poor dear! I should have known with you swelling out of your dresses!" Anna passed Elise a glass of water to rinse her mouth. "It's a good sign though. Means the baby is taking." She pushed the hair from Elise's face and chuckled.
"Baby!" Both Elise and Gilles exclaimed.
Anna laughed as she took the robe Gilles passed her and draped over Elise's shoulders.
"I'd bet my life on it. her ladyship hasn't had her courses since you married. She's weeks late and her bust's spilling out of everything. Now, she's casting up with the sun." Anna rose and pulled the bell again. She helped Elise to the bed. Gilles paced, his emotions out of control. He wanted to laugh, cry, scream, pray, scoop Elise into his arms and make love to her, run to his mother's room, kill an animal... He sunk into a chair and watched as Anna answered the door and whispered commands as she passed the basin out,
"A baby!" He whispered, stunned.
Anna cast him a long look and laughed.
"You weren't expecting it? The way you've been at her... Didn't they teach you how to count, my lord?"
Gilled nodded. He added up the weeks. Why hadn't he realized? He'd married Elise over six weeks ago. He'd been so distracted... by her, the attack, the move to London... He looked at Elise. She had her hands against her stomach. She was pale and looked as if she was in shock. Gilles rose from his chair and stumbled towards the bed. He crawled to her, careful not to disturb the bed.
"Is it safe to hold you, my love?" Gilles whispered.
Elise pulled herself from whatever trance she was in and nodded. Gilles settled his shoulders next to hers and pulled her against him. He settled his hand atop hers and she jumped.
"I'm sorry you don't feel well but I'm overjoyed at the news." Gilles rested his chin on top of her head and breathed in the scent of her. Silently, he prayed that the pregnancy wasn't difficult and that she would be unharmed. All he could think about was that her mother had died giving birth. He felt Elise pitch forward, then pitch forward again.
"Oh, dear! Looks like she's not to quite finished!" Anna rushed over with another basin. She placed it in Elise's lap.
"Off with you, my lord. Let me tend to her ladyship."
Unsure, Gilles crawled from the bed and stepped out the door. He stood in the hallway, stunned. He looked around and wondered what he was supposed to do next. His feet carried him to maman's room and he knocked softly.
"Un bebe!" Maman cried as she stumbled from the bed, reaching for the bell pull. "We must send for Madeline!"
"She'll be here for breakfast, won't she?" Gilles asked as he fell to a chair. "She's quite ill, maman."
"Mon petite! But that's to be expected. I was sick for weeks with all of you." Maman peeked her head out of her door.
"I'm worried. Elise's mother didn't survive her birth." He said softly. Maman shut the door and looked at him. She crossed the room and pulled her son into her arms.
"Mon fils! I am not at all worried. She is small but strong. It is a good sign that she is sick now. Better now than later, no?" She nodded decisively and Gilles repeated the gesture. "Go and dress. We must tell Mirabelle." She froze and gasped.
"What, maman?"
"The Ladies Hathewaite and Gasden!" She chewed a fingernail and then shook her head. "It is too late to cancel. We must prepare and help Elise pull herself together. They must love her as we do, mon garçon."
Later, Gilles, Alastair and Lucien sat in silence, each staring at their coffee. Elise was still in bed, Anna had ordered tea and toast on a tray and the women were rushing about upstairs. Gilles imagined they were gathering items for a nest. What did women do when they were pregnant? He wondered.
"I'll have no peace now, you realize?" Lucien sighed as he drank from his cup. "Mother will be unbearable. Perhaps I should move out. You've got room at Burton Place, Alastair. Fancy a new housemate?"
Alastair's brow furrowed for a moment but he nodded.
"You're welcome to it but I can't see how that will help. Madeline will just come to you there."
Lucien groaned and sunk in his seat.
"You know she's never been subtle. I'm mildly frightened."
Alastair snorted.
"Mildly frightened? How does one go about being mildly frightened?" He asked as he rose to make a plate.
"Let me apologize in advance for any inconvenience this might cause you, Lucien." Gilles had his head in his hands.
"I would have thought you'd be pleased. You wanted children." Lucien said carefully.
"I do and I'm very pleased. But I'm more than mildly frightened."
Alastair sat and watched his brother for a moment.
"You're afraid she's going to die like her mother." He stated. Gilles nodded, he closed his eyes and swallowed. Panic turned his gut to lead.
"She was fine yesterday and now she's so sick."
"Elise said that her mother had always been sickly and that she was ill through most of the pregnancy. Not the way Elise is now, I believe what she has is very common in expectant mothers. A typical indicator of pregnancy, in fact. I believe Elise's mother had violent fevers and was at risk of dying a few times while she carried her. Elise told me that she's only had one mild fever in her life. She's a small woman but otherwise very healthy. While there is always the risk of dying in childbirth, I believe it is very low with Elise." Alastair turned his attention to his plate and speared a piece of ham. He began cutting it and paused. "I'm going to study childbirth. I think I will have a complete understanding but the time Elise is due to deliver."
Gilles had been comforted by Alastair's assessment but was shocked but the last part. Lucien too, apparently. Both began coughing, spraying coffee across the table. Alastair looked up, alarmed at their reaction.
"While I won't deny that you're as capable
as any surgeon with battlefield injuries, I'm not sure I would be overjoyed at the idea of you tending to Elise in that manner. I'm not sure she would allow it, honestly." Gilles looked at Lucien, he appeared to be in a great deal of pain, trying not to laugh.
"Is it a question of my competency?" Alastair asked, he was making the "question face".
"No! I have no doubt that you could make yourself a more capable than any doctor in London."
"But men generally don't want their brothers that familiar with their wives... intimate areas." Lucien cut in. "And can you imagine if it got out if you did? The scandal would be epic!" He laughed as he went to the sideboard to fill a plate.
"You two have already seen more of my wife's body than is acceptable." Gilles added, remembering the incident in their room after the attack. Lucien turned with his plate and smiled dreamily as he sat.
"That reminds me. Congratulations again!" He laughed as he slapped Gilles on the back. Gilles shook him off.
"I might kill you."
"You can't blame me for admiring. I tried not to look but what I did see was..."
"Exceptional." Alastair smiled as his cheeks colored slightly.
"See!" Gilles pointed at both of them. "This is why you can't help her give birth!"
Alastair's face became serious.
"I understand why it would be improper and I mean no offense, Gilles. Elise is beautiful but I would never look at her as anything other than a sister. But if she needs help and a doctor can't make it in time, I will help her. I believe that would be the most likely scenario that would cause her death. I do not doubt that I can put aside those baser male tendencies and approach her academically and professionally."
Gilles nodded and grabbed his brother's shoulder.
"Fine. Learn what you will. But with the understanding that we will send for a doctor and you would only be required in case of an emergency."
Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One Page 25