Colonel Albermarle waited for his moment and, seeing it, lost no time in taking Falconbridge aside to wish him happiness. The two shook hands heartily.
‘I thank you for your good wishes.’
‘Look after her, my boy.’
‘I intend to, sir.’
‘And be sure to make her happy.’
‘I promise to do my best.’
Albermarle’s eyes glinted. ‘You’d better.’
‘I know.’ Falconbridge smiled wryly. ‘I am also much attached to my liver and shall not give you any reason to try to remove it, sir.’
The older man beamed. ‘I think we understand each other very well.’
‘I believe we do.’
The meal progressed in an atmosphere of conviviality. Later there were speeches and numerous toasts were drunk to the bride and groom. Then, somewhat unexpectedly, Lord Wellington got to his feet. As the conversation faded he turned to the newly-weds.
‘I shall not repeat what others have said before, although I share their sentiments unreservedly. It merely remains for me to give you this.’ He drew a heavy, sealed pack of official papers from the pocket of his coat and handed it to the groom. Then, as the latter stared at it and him in silent bemusement, he added, ‘Congratulations, Lieutenant Colonel Falconbridge.’
For a moment there was silence before the import dawned and the room erupted with cheers. Gathering his wits, the recipient got to his feet and shook the proffered hand. ‘I really don’t know what to say, my lord, except to thank you.’
Wellington raised an eyebrow. ‘You may wish you hadn’t when we make our push for Salamanca.’ For a moment the hawk-like gaze rested on the other man. ‘In the interim, you will want to be with your lovely wife. Take three days’ leave. That’s an order.’
‘Yes, my lord.’
Sabrina who had been following every word felt only swelling joy. Three days! Never would she have foreseen anything like this. It was a gesture as generous as it was unexpected. Before she had time to do more than add her thanks, her husband gathered her in his arms and bestowed on her a resounding kiss. She smiled up at him, eyes shining.
‘Congratulations, Robert. I’m so proud of you.’
‘I could not have done it without you.’
‘I keep thinking I shall wake in a moment, and find all this a dream.’
‘No dream, my love, but the start of our life together.’
‘A wonderful start,’ she replied. ‘I little thought to be as happy as I am now.’
‘I want you to be happy, Sabrina. I will try by every means to make you so.’
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him softly on the lips. Suddenly he found himself longing for the time when they would be alone. The touch of her hand in his, the scent of her perfume, the warmth of her smile went to his head like wine.
Sabrina saw the intent expression and regarded him quizzically. ‘You seem rather pensive.’
He grinned. ‘You’re right. Indeed, I could get locked up for the thoughts in my mind at this moment.’
Her eyes danced. ‘Not more unprofessional thoughts?’
‘Shockingly so.’
The implications set every sense alight and the knowledge that she would share his bed this night added spice to what had been the happiest of days.
* * *
In fact it was not until much later that they returned to the house. Her father had retired long since and the place was quiet. At last they reached the sanctuary of her room and locked the door behind them. Then he took her in his arms for a long and lingering kiss.
‘I’ve wanted to do that all day,’ he said then. ‘Amongst other things.’
The green eyes expressed apparently innocent interest. ‘Oh? What other things?’
Never taking his eyes from her face, he shrugged off his jacket and tossed it over a chair. It was followed by his neckcloth and shirt. At the sight of the hard-muscled torso beneath, her breathing quickened. He moved towards her. Then, turning her gently, he reached for the buttons of her gown and unfastened them. With slow care he slid the fabric over her shoulders and drew off her gown, laying it aside before returning to her petticoat. He unfastened that, too, sending it the way of the gown. With the same unhurried care he removed the pins that held her hair and let it fall, shaking it loose and sliding his fingers through its silken length.
She saw him bend his head and felt his lips on the hollow of her shoulder, travelling thence to her neck and throat and then the lobe of her ear, nibbling gently and sending a delicious shiver the length of her body. He drew her closer for another kiss, his free hand brushing her breast, gently teasing the nipple. She shivered again but not with fear, drawing him close, her hands exploring the muscles of his back, breathing his scent, tasting his mouth on hers.
She could feel his arousal but now there was no fear or disgust, only desire and an answering heat in her loins. She felt him lift the hem of her chemise and then the warmth of his fingers on her thighs and buttocks, stroking, caressing, raising sensations of delight that she had not known existed. He moved to the place between her thighs, drawing a finger slowly through the slippery wetness it encountered there. He heard her gasp, continued stroking, teasing, feeling the shudder through her body and his own hardening response.
An arm slid around her waist and another under her knees, lifting her with consummate ease and carrying her to the bed. He removed the rest of his clothing and came to join her, resuming what he had begun, restraining his passion to increase hers. Very gently he drew the chemise upwards, letting his gaze drink in the details.
‘You are so beautiful.’
A rosy flush bloomed along her skin. He pulled the garment higher and she moved to accommodate him, so that he could remove it altogether. The immediacy of her nakedness against his both thrilled and shocked her as the length of his body pressed against hers. His hands resumed their caresses, gentle, sure and infinitely disturbing. With thumping heart she felt him part her thighs, and slowly he entered her. It hurt and she experienced a moment of panic, fighting him. With infinite patience he brought her back, stroking her gently, whispering reassurance. Then the moment was past and he pushed deeper until she had the length of him. She felt him move then, slowly at first but gradually with stronger and more powerful strokes. The movement sent a series of shivers through her body’s core. Instinctively she raised her knees, closing her legs around him, moving with him, surrendering completely to the mounting fire in her blood.
He felt her shudder but held back, controlling the urge that would give rein to lust, knowing he must do nothing that would frighten or disgust; tonight she would know only pleasure at his hands, and the desire for more. For a moment or two he was still, holding her there, making her wait. He felt her writhe beneath him, panting, her fingers clutching his arms, her eyes darkened to emerald now as she yielded to her own passion. Slowly he resumed, rocking gently against her, stroking internally, hearing her sharp intake of breath. He continued until another, deeper shudder shook her body; then another and another. He bit back a groan, thrusting into her, letting the rhythm build. He heard her cry out, felt her nails rake his back as she arched against him. And then restraint was gone and power surged in the sudden hot rush of release. He cried out, experiencing a sensation of delight so fierce he thought it might stop his heart. For a little while he remained inside her, not wanting to let this go. Then, breathing hard, he lowered himself onto his forearms, brushing sweat from his forehead, and slowly withdrew to collapse beside her.
Sabrina lay still, her mind oblivious to everything except joy. She had wanted this but had never imagined how marvellous it might be, for nothing in this experience had borne any resemblance to what had gone before. Deliciously sated, she closed her eyes and smiled.
‘That was wonderful.’
‘Yes, it was,’ he replied. ‘And it will become more wonderful still.’
It was the truth. Having wanted her from the first he had expected to enjoy this, but had neve
r anticipated the intensity of the joy he would feel.
She turned her head and smiled. ‘More unprofessional thoughts?’
‘Quite disgracefully so.’
Far from alarming her, the words gave rise only to a sense of pleasurable anticipation. This love-making was so different from anything she could have dreamed. Sated and drowsy she snuggled closer and closed her eyes, letting herself drift. She was vaguely aware of a light kiss on her shoulder and smiled faintly, slipping into a blissful doze.
For some time he lay awake, watching her sleep, his gaze taking in each loved detail of her face and the soft rise and fall of her breathing. As he did so the last shadows of the past dissolved and vanished. What took their place was a soft, warm radiance that filled his heart and soul with hope. Life had given back far more than had ever been lost. He smiled; what he had won was treasure beyond counting and he would guard it with his life, for without it his own meant nothing. Taking care not to waken her, he curled his body around Sabrina and held her close. Thus embracing his future, he, too, slept.
ISBN-13: 9781460349427
HIS COUNTERFEIT CONDESA
© Joanna Fulford 2011
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His Counterfeit Condesa (Historical Romance) Page 25