They left the celebration amid shouts of encouragement and much laughter and good wishes, some of which made Jemima’s blushes scorch her cheeks. Not that she minded. It was wonderful to see everyone was enjoying the day and celebrating their happiness, and a few good-natured ribald comments could not spoil that.
“Thank heavens,” Solo said in relief, once he’d pulled her into the quiet of his bedroom, far from the revelry and closed the door firmly on the outside world. “I’ve been longing for this moment since… God, Jemima, for all my life, it seems.”
“Well, then,” Jemima said, moving into his arms and sighing with pleasure as they closed around her. “We’d better not keep you waiting another moment, had we?”
They both had to wait rather longer than they wished to, as getting Solo out of his dress uniform took a little longer than anticipated, nervous fingers fumbling over the gold brocade and stiff buttons on his coat for far too long.
“I love this gown,” Solo said, once he’d been stripped down to his small clothes and could concentrate on disrobing his wife. “Get it off at once.”
Jemima giggled as he muttered and cursed over the number of buttons and layers of petticoats, but eventually only her shift remained.
“Is that the last layer?” he demanded, sounding impatient, though amusement and warmth filled his eyes.
“Why don’t you find out?” she teased, running away from him and leaping onto the bed.
“Well, that’s nice, running away from a wounded soldier,” Solo huffed, watching her go. “What if I’m too feeble to chase you, my wicked bride?”
Wondering how she dared, Jemima knelt up in the middle of the bed and tugged the chemise over her head, throwing it to one side.
“Too feeble?” she repeated plaintively, pressing the back of her hand dramatically to her forehead. “Oh, woe is me,” she sighed, and pretended to swoon against the pillows.
She cracked her eyes open a moment later as the mattress dipped, and squealed as Solo tugged her down the bed, settling between her thighs as he lay over her.
“I thought you were old and feeble?” she said, giggling and shrieking as he tickled her.
“Feeble? Me? My lady, I believe you must be thinking of someone else.”
Solo moved against her, his arousal caressing her intimately and making her breath catch in her throat.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, winding her arms about his neck. “I believe you are right my lord. Not in the least feeble, oh… do that again.”
Solo chuckled and indulged her and Jemima gave herself over to him, to his care, trusting in him utterly as he kissed and caressed, and made her body sing. Though they had only been intimate a few times she had missed this fiercely, missed his touch, his mouth, the feel of his body close to hers. That she could enjoy it now, enjoy him, with no more lingering feelings of guilt, was beyond anything she had dreamed of.
“So, so beautiful,” he murmured, kissing his way down her stomach. “I have dreamt of this every night since you were last here, my darling girl. If I’m honest I’ve dreamed of it much of every day too.”
Jemima gasped as he parted her legs, still moving inexorably down her body. Though he had touched her intimately before, very intimately, surely, he did not intend… he could not be thinking….
Her breath caught in her throat, her mind growing hazy and dim as she realised, yes, yes he really did intend to touch her there… with his mouth. Her disbelief and shock evaporated as pleasure undid every knot of apprehension until she was languid and pliant beneath him, her entire being shrinking, the world diminished to the place his mouth was intent on pleasuring. Little by little that languor dissipated, to be replaced by a simmering tension. Her body bowed, arching towards him, demanding more as sounds of desperation were torn from her. She clutched at his dark hair, holding him in place, pleading with him as the shimmering light beckoned her. His mouth was hot, burning against her intimate flesh, his tongue lapping, teasing gently until his fingers joined the equation. They slid easily inside her liquid heat, first one, then another, until she bucked and cried out, dissolving under his touch in a rush of sensation that left her gasping and spent, bright lights still dancing behind her eyes like fireworks.
She could have remained there, blissful in her lazy stupor, except her husband had other ideas, and she gasped anew as he moved back between her thighs. His hard member pushed at her, nudging inside the place where his fingers had slid so easily. The dimensions were somewhat different, however, and Jemima tensed at the strange invasion.
“Jem, darling,” Solo said, his voice sounding oddly husky. “Look at me.”
She did, smiling as she focused upon his beloved face and feeling the tension fall away at once, remembering that she was loved, cherished, and that he would never hurt her if he could help it.
“I love you,” he said, and she made a soft sound of surprise as he thrust inside her, once, hard, and held her as she caught her breath, staring up at him with wide eyes. “Sorry,” he said, an apology in his eyes. “I’m sorry. Does it…?”
“No,” she said at once, shaking her head as the pain had been fleeting, had already been forgotten as she held tight to him, relishing his heat and his strength, the power within him that had seen him through so many challenges and trials and triumphed over every one of them. “I love you too.”
He let out a breath of relief and Jemima clung to him as he lost himself in pleasure, in her. Somewhat to her surprise, his enjoyment of her was every bit as arousing as his undivided attention. The softly muttered curses and groans fired her blood as his body thrust harder and faster, quickening that gathering feeling at her core, bringing back the desperate need that had made her cry out like a mad woman and demand more and faster and now.
“Oh God,” he moaned, his hands clutching at her bottom so hard she expected to see the imprints in the morning, tilting her hips just so. “Oh, Christ, Jem, yes….”
He shuddered and jerked violently, such primitive sounds ripped from him as he spent inside her that she was overwhelmed, overcome by his reaction to her and followed in his wake, gasping and laughing and clinging to him as another mad surge of joy tumbled her over the edge into bliss.
It was some time before either of them could find anything sensible to say, not that they cared. It was enough to lie in each other’s arms, contemplating fate and luck and happily ever afters that were worth every moment of waiting.
“How many children shall we have?” he asked, tracing a lazy circle round and round one breast as he contemplated the question.
Jemima shifted so that she could look up at him. “How many do you want to have?”
He grinned then. “I don’t mind. As many as we’re blessed with, but I want to try for at least a dozen.”
“Good heavens!” Jemima said, a little alarmed. “You’re not serious?”
“No,” he agreed, tumbling her onto her back. “I just want an excuse to keep you in my bed as often as possible.”
Jemima laughed. “Foolish man. We’re married, we don’t need an excuse.”
“Hmmm, just as well,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck. “Though I have heard rumours of balls and garden parties, and I fear I may not keep you here as often as I might like.”
“Oh,” Jemima said, serious at once. “But I shan’t arrange anything you don’t like or approve of, Solo. I know you don’t much like society and—”
He pressed a finger to her lips before she could explain any further.
“I shall look forward to seeing the old place come alive again. It’s been standing too long all alone with only me to haunt the ghosts. I want the place to ring with laughter and music, and for it to be brought to life the way you have brought me to life.” He hesitated and then gave her a rueful smile. “Though perhaps not all the time.”
Jemima laughed and reached up to press a kiss to his mouth. “Of course not all the time. I want you all to myself, you foolish man, but a garden party in the summer, and perhaps a Christmas bal
l, would not be too much for you to endure, I think?”
He grinned and waggled his eyebrows at her like a theatrical villain. “So long as I can drag you into the bushes and have my wicked way with you at the garden party, and debauch you under the mistletoe at the Christmas ball, I shall look forward to it.”
“I promise, you may,” Jemima said solemnly, drawing a cross over her heart.
“Excellent,” Solo replied, as though they’d reached an important agreement. “In the meantime, however, I think we ought to get in some more practice.”
And, as Jemima could find no fault whatsoever with this idea, they did.
Girls who dare– Inside every wallflower is the beating heart of a lioness, a passionate individual willing to risk all for their dream, if only they can find the courage to begin. When these overlooked girls make a pact to change their lives, anything can happen.
Eleven girls – Eleven dares in a hat. Twelve passionate stories. Who will dare to risk it all?
Next in the series
To Ride with the Knight
Girls Who Dare, Book 10
A reckless beauty…
Lady Helena Adolphus is no stranger to scandal. Her brother may be a duke, but his black reputation once threatened her own chances of making a good match. Now returned to the bosom of the ton, Helena is feted and courted as much for her loveliness and wild green eyes as for her hefty dowry. Yet the eligible bachelors leave her cold and respectability is deadly dull. There is only one man who makes her pulse leap, and she knows she’d be a fool to pursue him.
A ruthless man…
Gabriel Knight understands desperation. Born into poverty and raised in a foundling home, Gabriel used every opportunity to claw his way out of the gutter. Now one of the wealthiest men in England, wicked Knight is dismayed to discover his success has not bought him happiness. Restless and bored, he blames his ennui on the pompous aristocrats he despises, those who still close doors in his face.
An imprudent affair …
Though Helena is aware of Gabriel’s animosity for the ton that shuns him, the sinful man tempts her beyond all reason. He is out to ruin her, and she knows it, but her stupid pride won’t let her back down from each scandalous challenge he sets her.
As the heat of attraction flares hotter between them, the risk of getting burned only makes riding with the Knight ever more enticing.
Available May 29, 2020. Pre-Order your copy here: To Ride with the Knight
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About Me!
I started this incredible journey way back in 2010 with The Key to Erebus but didn’t summon the courage to hit publish until October 2012. For anyone who’s done it, you’ll know publishing your first title is a terribly scary thing! I still get butterflies on the morning a new title releases but the terror has subsided at least. Now I just live in dread of the day my daughters are old enough to read them.
The horror! (On both sides I suspect.)
2017 marked the year that I made my first foray into Historical Romance and the world of the Regency Romance, and my word what a year! I was delighted by the response to this series and can’t wait to add more titles. Paranormal Romance readers need not despair however as there is much more to come there too. Writing has become an addiction and as soon as one book is over I’m hugely excited to start the next so you can expect plenty more in the future.
As many of my works reflect I am greatly influenced by the beautiful French countryside in which I live. I’ve been here in the South West for the past twenty years though I was born and raised in England. My three gorgeous girls are all bilingual and the youngest who is only six, is showing signs of following in my footsteps after producing The Lonely Princess all by herself.
I’m told book two is coming soon ...
She’s keeping me on my toes, so I’d better get cracking!
KEEP READING TO DISCOVER MY OTHER BOOKS!
Other Works by Emma V. Leech
(For those of you who have read The French Fae Legend series, please remember that chronologically The Heart of Arima precedes The Dark Prince)
Girls Who Dare
To Dare a Duke
To Steal A Kiss
To Break the Rules
To Follow her Heart
To Wager with Love
To Dance with a Devil
To Winter at Wildsyde
To Experiment with Desire
To Bed the Baron
To Ride with the Knight (May 29, 2020)
To Hunt the Hunter (July 3, 2020)
Rogues & Gentlemen
The Rogue
The Earl’s Temptation
Scandal’s Daughter
The Devil May Care
Nearly Ruining Mr. Russell
One Wicked Winter
To Tame a Savage Heart
Persuading Patience
The Last Man in London
Flaming June
Charity and the Devil
A Slight Indiscretion
The Corinthian Duke
The Blackest of Hearts
Duke and Duplicity
The Scent of Scandal
The Rogue and The Earl’s Temptation Box set
Melting Miss Wynter
The Winter Bride (A R&G Novella)
The Regency Romance Mysteries
Dying for a Duke
A Dog in a Doublet
The Rum and the Fox
The French Vampire Legend
The Key to Erebus
The Heart of Arima
The Fires of Tartarus
The Boxset (The Key to Erebus, The Heart of Arima)
The Son of Darkness (October 31, 2020)
The French Fae Legend
The Dark Prince
The Dark Heart
The Dark Deceit
The Darkest Night
Short Stories: A Dark Collection.
Stand Alone
The Book Lover (a paranormal novella)
Audio Books!
Don’t have time to read but still need your romance fix? The wait is over…
By popular demand, get your favourite Emma V Leech Regency Romance books on audio at Audible as performed by the incomparable Philip Battley and Gerard Marzilli. Several titles available and more added each month!
Click the links to choose your favourite and start listening now.
Rogues & Gentlemen
The Rogue
The Earl’s Tempation
Scandal's Daughter
The Devil May Care
Nearly Ruining Mr Russell
One Wicked Winter
To Tame a Savage Heart
Persuading Patience
The Last Man in London
Flaming June
The Winter Bride, a novella
Girls Who Dare
To Dare a Duke
To Steal A Kiss
To Break the Rules
To Follow her Heart (coming soon)
The Regency Romance Mysteries
Dying for a Duke
A Dog in a Doublet (coming soon)
The French Vampire Legend
The Key to Erebus (coming soon)
Also check out Emma’s regency romance series, Rogues & Gentlemen. Available now!
The Rogue
Rogues & Gentlemen Book 1
1815
Along the wild and untamed coast of Cornwall, smuggling is not only a way of life, but a means of survival.
Henrietta Morton knows well to look the other way when the free trading ‘gentlemen’ are at work. Yet when a notorious pirate, known as The Rogue, bursts in on her in the village shop, she takes things one step further.
Bewitched by a pair of wicked blue eyes, in a moment of insanity she hides the handsome fugitive from the local Militia. Her reward is a kiss that she just cannot forget. But in his haste to escape with his life, her pirate drops a letter, inadvertently giving Henri incriminating information about the man she just helped free.
When her father gives her hand in marriage to a wealthy and villainous nobleman in return for the payment of his debts, Henri becomes desperate.
Blackmailing a pirate may be her only hope for freedom.
Read for free on Kindle Unlimited
The Rogue
Interested in a Regency Romance with a twist?
Dying for a Duke
The Regency Romance Mysteries Book 1
Straight-laced, imperious and morally rigid, Benedict Rutland - the darkly handsome Earl of Rothay - gained his title too young. Responsible for a large family of younger siblings that his frivolous parents have brought to bankruptcy, his youth was spent clawing back the family fortunes.
Now a man in his prime and financially secure he is betrothed to a strict, sensible and cool-headed woman who will never upset the balance of his life or disturb his emotions ...
But then Miss Skeffington-Fox arrives.
Brought up solely by her rake of a step-father, Benedict is scandalised by everything about the dashing Miss.
To Bed the Baron (Girls Who Dare Book 9) Page 24