by Skyler Grey
Lord Townsend looked directly into Eric’s eyes, unblinking. “Rumors are known to come and go, and I usually pay little heed to them. Unless, it affects someone I love. For this reason alone, I must address a sensitive subject. Are you agreeable?”
Eric barely smiled, as he knew what was to come. His aunt had warned him that his roguish ways would one day come back to haunt him. And he had a feeling that this was exactly what she had meant.
Catherine’s father continued, when Eric nodded. “My daughter is innocently naïve in many ways, as I’m sure you know. But I am not, as I am aware of your past and your love of the fairer sex, so it is only natural I be concerned regarding your true intentions toward my Catherine. She can be easily hurt, even though she pretends all is well. She is so much like her sweet mother it is almost haunting.
So I ask you as a gentleman, man-to-man. For right now, there is no prince, nor lord in this room, only two men who share the love of one woman. Will you be a faithful husband to my daughter? For she deserves nothing less. And tell me what is it about my sweet Catherine that has caused a man whose roguish reputation with the ladies, to suddenly change?”
Eric had expected this question. It was one he himself had not been able to answer. Every since he’d met Catherine, he had not looked at another women. She was all he could think of every waking moment. When she was near him his blood would heat, his loins ache and his heart beat like thunder in his chest. When she smiled at him, he found himself grinning like a silly schoolboy. His senses and thoughts scattered about like a flock of wild geese whenever he touched her, all emotions that not only excited him, but scared him as well, for he’d always been in control of his feelings.
Eric looked at the man who was to be his father-in-law and slowly smiled.
“I don’t know. I can’t even explain it to myself. But this I do know – she is my heartbeat. Life without her would be non-existent. When we are in a room full of people, I see no one save her. Catherine is my moon and my sun. I have no other explanation than that.”
The older man sat quiet for a long while, his eyes never leaving Eric’s face. Then slowly, he grinned in understanding.
“Eric, you have far better explained love than I ever could have. Your feelings are identical to the ones I felt toward her mother so many years ago. It is indeed love that fills your heart, a deep, devoted love that will change your life forever.”
Eric chuckled. “I embrace the change willingly.”
Catherine could hear the men laughing as they stepped through the doors of the study. She had just finished the last arrangement and turned to face them, her hands wrapped anxiously in her skirt.
“Ahhh, there she is, my precious flower among flowers, looking as radiant as the morning sun even in the moon’s soft light.” Lord Townsend crossed the room and placed a tender kiss on her forehead as he gave her a gentle hug.
He turned and with a light laugh asked, “It seems, My Dear, this handsome young man has had his heart stolen. Anyone you might know?”
Catherine kept her eyes on Eric, not daring to look away as a smile slowly crept across her face. “I think I might indeed know the culprit. But in all fairness, the thief’s heart has been stolen as well,” she teased.
Lord Townsend threw back his head and laughed heartily. “Then I suggest we remedy that, and quickly. What say you, Prince Eric?” Lord Townsend asked happily.
Eric eyes softened as he looked with unabashed love to the woman across the room. Slowly he walked toward her. He spoke softly in earnest, “I say I see an angel in white lace and silks, standing among blades of green grass on a pond’s edge, her beauty veiled by a thin shimmer of gauze, hiding her from his gaze. But he knows what lies beneath as his heart beats in wild anticipation, his hands reach to lift the veil and feast upon the beautiful maiden who had stolen his heart, only to gladly let her keep it, forever.”
Catherine felt her voice catch in her throat. She coughed to clear the sudden fullness lodged there. “And I see a prince, whose heart now belongs to only one. His long hair pulled tightly back in roguish fashion not yet popular among the Ton, but very popular with his lady. As they gaze deeply into each others eyes, she sees the future of their unborn children, this beautiful man who has held her heart from the first day they met.”
Eric took her face gently between his hands and kissed her tenderly. When he released her, she clung to him, her head resting against his chest as she inhaled his scent. A scent she would carry with her forever.
Chapter Eleven
Catherine laughed as the crowd tossed rose petals at them, a request she herself made prior to the wedding. The ceremony was as they had both pictured. Set among the grassy slopes near the pond, disregarding the rules of polite society.
Eric was not one to cave to the wishes of the Ton, nor was Catherine, so when they had made their decision, it was all Lavinia could do not to clap with glee.
As the couple made their way toward the grandly decorated carriage, they stopped before Eric’s father, King Fredrick. His eyes were soft as he looked at his son.
Turning to Catherine, he smiled. “It appears my son has met his match, or so I’m told,” he teased as his eyes slipped to Lavinia.
Catherine nodded as she curtsied low before the king. “I believe it is I, Your Majesty, which has met her match.”
The King chuckled as his eyes danced with mirth.
Eric stepped to his mother, a woman Catherine thought to be the most beautiful she’d ever seen. She watched him kiss her lightly on the cheek as her hand rested gently against his face.
The Queen spoke in a gentle voice. “My son, my heart is filled with joy for you both. Your young bride is assuredly the most beautiful in all London.” Then to Catherine’s surprise she turned, holding out her hand as she smiled.
Catherine stepped forward as she curtsied again.
“My beautiful new daughter, I do not doubt your love for my son. I ask that you soon come to Dublin where the King and I may throw a feast in your honor, celebrating this most glorious day.”
“It would be a pleasure, My Queen.” Catherine answered, feeling the sting of tears as she thought of her own mother.
The king smiled as he bent, allowing Catherine to kiss his cheek. Then standing tall, he looked at them both with a raised brow. “I expect my first grandson this time next year.” Then winking at Catherine, he added, “Or granddaughter, it makes no difference to me as long as I have a fat little cherub to bounce on my knee and spoil.”
Catherine blushed as she bent her head discreetly, causing her husband to laugh.
“It is with pleasure, Father, that I see to your request immediately.” With that, Eric scooped up his new bride, carrying her to the carriage and placing her gently inside.
She had said her goodbyes to her father earlier as she waved at him from the window, blowing him a farewell kiss. He reached out to catch it in mid air, causing her to laugh.
The guests began to clap and cheer as the carriage sped off, lead by a team of six white horses laced in black ribbons and one magnificent gray gelding leading the front.
Snuggled inside the carriage, Catherine slipped closer to her husband, resting her head on his shoulder as she sighed contently.
Looking down, Eric felt his heart swell. Aunt Lavinia was right. There was a woman out there who would bring me to my knees.
Placing his hand on a silken thigh, he began to inch her gown upward, causing her to take a deep breath. As he cupped a full breast through the silk, lace bodice he instantly felt the hard tip of a firm nipple struggling to push through the fabric.
He pressed his lips against her ear, whispering, “If I were to touch you, My Love, would you be wet for me?”
Catherine blushed prettily as she closed her eyes, a content smile playing across her face. “For a price, you may find out,” she teased in answer.
Eric chuckled as he kissed her deeply, his hand slipping higher beneath the silken gown, searching for the warm, moist treasu
re his body so hungrily craved.
Already Catherine felt her body begin to respond as it climbed the waves of ecstasy in which her husband was so skilled at mastering. Sighing, she moaned against his lips.
“For a price, you say?” he asked his voice husky with desire.
Catherine smiled at him seductively, her eyes clouding with desire. “Yes, everything comes with a price, My Prince…or is it the rogue who’s asking?” she teased.
Eric swept her into his arms, holding her against him as he kissed her hungrily, leaving her breathless. Then pulling back, his eyes danced wickedly. “It’s both, my young wife, and they are demanding their payment in full, one which they have so patiently waited on.”
Catherine giggled in blissful contentment as her roguish prince laid her back across the plush cushions; no longer was she to crave the desire of complete fulfillment as she watched her husband shed his clothing. They were both eager to fulfill what each had longed for as he helped her out of her gown, tossing it carelessly to the carriage floor.
She watched his eyes darken with hunger as they roved across her naked flesh, causing her body to shiver with excitement. He was magnificent as she absorbed the beauty of his body. Muscles rippled across his toned chest, arms and stomach, causing her chest to rise and fall in anticipation for she’d never seen a naked man before and could not take her eyes off him.
Unawares, she licked her lips as her eyes traveled the length of him whispering, “Perfection.” But it was the enormous size of his manhood that caused her breath to catch as he slipped gently between her open thighs.
Catherine relished the feel of his naked skin against hers as he pressed his body into her, flattening her breasts against his chest. She bit the corner of her lip when she felt the bulb of his shaft slip between the damp folds of her sex. Hungry to feel more of him, she spread wider, enabling him to fit perfectly between her legs.
She listened to the sharp intake of his breath as he held himself rigid above her. Then slowly he pressed the thick head of his cock into her opening. She knew she was tight as he struggled to ease himself inside.
Catherine cried out when he suddenly plunged his swollen shaft deep within her. The searing pain that burst throughout her body caused her to scream against his lips as he kissed her cries away.
Then, as quickly as it came, the pain was gone, replaced by something else. As she began to relax, Catherine felt a tingling sensation ignite between her thighs as he gently stroked her clitoris with his long shaft.
It was as if her body suddenly came to life as a swirling sensation of extreme pleasure began to grow, causing her to catch and hold her breath as it rapidly increased. Then in a burst of electric explosives, she cried out, her body convulsing in a wave of wild orgasms as he plunged repeatedly until she felt him explode deep within her, his voice roaring in ecstasy.
As they lay together, gently swaying to the rumbling of the road beneath them, Catherine found herself amazed at the wonderment of their lovemaking. With a smile of complete serenity, she wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and pressed herself fully against him.
In a voice laced with desire and fulfillment she teased, “Husband, can a woman become a rogue as well?”
Eric chuckled as he pulled her tightly to him, cradling her possessively in his arms. “Beautiful Catherine, I believe you have tamed the rogue and it is now I who has awakened a fiery wench, one I am most willing to tame.”
Catherine giggled as she snuggled under his chin. “I think, my roguish prince, you might have your hands full.”
Eric laughed as he playfully smacked her backside. “Is that a challenge, Wench? For I am fond of a good challenge.”
With a wicked chuckle, Eric brought a gasp of pleasure from his wife as her body shivered beneath his touch and once again they soared to the heavens in ecstasy.
The End
http://skylersromance.tripod.com/skylerscove
Author Bio:
Skyler Grey, is 4th generation Floridian. As a child she has always had a creative imagination from being a prankster to writing composition stories for her fifth grade class and winning the weekly contests.
Living off the west coast beaches of Florida allows for Skyler to carry her laptop to the salty shorelines, which helps to get her creative juices flowing while listening to the lazy tumble of waves lapping at her feet. When not writing, you can usually find her floating in the pool or entertaining friends.
Writing in several different genres allows her creativity to know no bounds. Visit Ms Grey’s website for future writings, upcoming releases and WIP. Ms Grey, had her first novel, a time-travel, published in 2005 which was nominated for the, Ecataromance Reviewers Choice Award in 2006. Since then, she's had several shorts, novellas and a few poems picked up along the way.
Writing in a variety of genres from, sweet romance to erotica, westerns to sci-fi, suspense to horror and contemporary to paranormal, Ms Grey has allowed her creativity to open many doors.
Being a member of the Florida Published Authors Tour Group, The Wicked Women of Romance, Lovers of Romance net ring, Hot Erotica web ring and attending the, Romantic Times Convention held once a year throughout the country, has allowed Ms Grey to make many friends throughout the writing industry.
Living off Florida's west coast, you can sometimes find Ms Grey lounging by the pool with her laptop, pecking at the keys while the Florida weather stirs the muse inside her, thus creating the romance and adventures found between the pages of her books.
Red Rose Publishing
The Black Rose
A Tangled Web
Chamberlain’s Knight
The Feel of Lace
To Tame A God- coming soon
Phaze
413 Remembrance Lane
Diary of a House anthology
Whiskey Creek Press Torrid
A Christmas Candy anthology, coming soon, Sci-Fi anthology