by Amelia Grey
Her mouth suddenly went dry.
Olivia had never seen a man without his shirt and she had no idea a man’s body would be so beautiful. She had a strong urge to reach out and glide her palm across his naked chest to see if it was as firm as it appeared, as warm as it appeared, as tempting as it appeared.
“Are you enjoying looking at me, Olivia?” he asked in a low, seductive voice.
“Yes,” she whispered unconsciously and immediately realized what she had said. Heat flushed up her neck to her cheeks. Her gaze flew up to his eyes and she quickly added, “I mean, I’ve never seen a man’s chest before. That is, except in works of art.”
“But obviously you like what you see in the flesh.”
She decided it was best to ignore further discussion of his Adonis body so she said, “I didn’t expect you to get undressed quite so quickly.”
“Why not?”
“I thought you’d give me more time to get to know you before you—”
“What?”
“Before you undressed in front of me.”
“You are in my room, Olivia. This is where I usually undress.”
“Of course,” she said wishing she knew more about what was going to happen.
“You’ve had a week to get to know me.” He stretched his arms out wide from his chest. “Look at me all you want.”
And she did. He was magnificent.
But what was she to do? She’d wanted a loving husband, not necessarily a handsome one. Days ago she had made up her mind that if she had to marry him she would be a dutiful wife and not end up a lonely, discarded woman like her mother.
If he could undress without embarrassment in front of her, she could disrobe for him.
Olivia moved away from the bed. She no longer needed its support. She reached up with both hands and simultaneously untied each bow at the top of her shoulders. The bodice fell away from her breasts, exposing her low-cut off-white corset with its tiny trim of lace.
For a flashing moment she was sure Andrew looked as startled by her action as she was. Slowly he walked toward her and when he was close enough he reached out, circled her with his arms and pulled her to him. Without saying a word he dipped his head low and kissed her.
His lips were warm, soft, inviting as they pressed against hers in a slow, lingering kiss. He tasted of red wine and smelled of clean, fresh mint. His kiss was confident and commanding. She responded by instinct and parted her lips. His tongue darted into her mouth and explored the inside with slow, sensual movements.
Olivia’s stomach, abdomen, and between her legs tightened at the thrill that spiraled through her body as his kiss became more passionate with each second that passed.
She reached up and wrapped her arms around his strong, muscled back and seemed to melt into the warmth of his body. He was broad, powerful, and she stretched her arms wide. She felt small, comfortable, and safe in his big, protective embrace.
Nothing she had ever experienced in her life had prepared her for how wonderful Andrew’s naked chest felt next to hers. She couldn’t keep her hands still on his muscled back.
“Do you still want the attention of the man from Kent?” Andrew asked, his lips against hers.
“Who?” she whispered before she realized what he’d asked.
She heard Andrew chuckle, and then he deepened their kiss and Mr. Yost was forgotten.
Olivia heard a whispered sigh but didn’t know if it came from her husband or herself.
Suddenly his lips left hers and kissed their way down her cheek, over her jawline to her neck, sending little shivers of exhilaration popping out all over her skin. At the touch of his moist lips upon the fullness of her breasts, her breathing jumped erratically.
With his teeth he grabbed hold of the bit of lace on her corset and pulled the garment away from her breast. His mouth covered her nipple so quickly and sucked it inside his mouth that all Olivia could do was gasp.
The sudden pleasure caused a tightness low in the center of her womanhood. Her stomach quickened with surprise at the sensation as gasps of pleasure continued to escape past her lips. It seemed natural for her to lean her head back and thrust her chest forward to give him better access.
“Yes, Olivia, free your other breast for me,” he whispered against her skin. “You are so soft and so lovely.”
Without hesitation she reached up and yanked the fabric from her body, freeing her breast so his tongue could do those delicious things that made her want to groan with pleasure.
Something she didn’t understand made her lift her hips up to his.
Andrew moaned his approval as his large hands slipped down her back and cupped her buttocks, firmly pressing her against the hardness beneath his trousers.
Olivia had no idea what she was feeling or why she was feeling this way. She only knew that it felt right, natural, and she didn’t want it to go away.
A tremor shook his body and she realized he was as affected by these strange new sensations as she was, and that thrilled her.
Olivia had little knowledge of what was to come, but there was no doubt she was eager to continue with this wedding night.
Slowly his lips left her breasts and traveled back up to her lips for several quick kisses. The pressure on her buttocks eased and she had to fight the temptation to press harder against him again.
Andrew raised his head. His gaze swept down her face to her chest.
His voice sounded husky and raw as he said, “You are so tempting and so beautiful, Olivia.”
“Thank you,” she answered just as huskily as their eyes met and held. It pleased her that he thought her body beautiful.
Andrew’s expression relaxed and he slowly moved away from her. He took hold of her arms and gently pulled them from around his neck. She let them fall to her side.
Calmly he said, “You are inquisitive and eager for my touch and all that I can teach you.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“I like that.” He pulled up the straps to one side of her bodice and tied it in a bow as he said, “And I shall make you mine, Olivia. Make no mistake about that, but it won’t be tonight.”
Olivia blinked rapidly, not sure she comprehended what he was saying. “I don’t understand.”
“I have other plans,” he said and pulled up the other side of her bodice and tied it onto her shoulder. “I’m going out for the rest of the evening, and when I return I’ll spend what’s left of the night alone in my bed and you will be in yours.”
“Oh,” Olivia said, not knowing what to think, not knowing what to say, not knowing if she understood. “You mean you’re not going to stay here with me on our wedding night?”
“That’s right.”
Suddenly she felt rigid and empty. “Did I do something wrong?” she asked, confused by the quick change in him.
“No, you did everything right. We might be married, Olivia, but I don’t intend to change my lifestyle. I go out most evenings and I usually stay out late.”
She gasped. She was horrified. Humiliated. How should she react to him?
Did he expect her to say, “All right, please go ahead. Don’t wake me when you return”? She couldn’t say any of those things because all she could think was that he didn’t want her.
But she’d known that before she married him.
“You mean you’re not going to—to…” She stopped, unable to say the words.
“Take you to my bed and make love to you? Eventually, yes. But there will be plenty of time for that in the future. We have our whole lives ahead of us, do we not?”
She was still breathless, but for a very different reason. “Then why bring me up to your room? Why undress in front of me?”
“You led the way. I was following you. I expected you to stop at your door and tell me good night.”
How could she have b
een so naive? “So you never meant for me to come into your room?”
“No, but I’m not unhappy you did. I enjoyed kissing you and touching you.”
And making me want you.
She lifted her chin and said, “Very well. I’m sorry I misunderstood.”
“I don’t mind you seeking me out anytime you want to, Olivia, but your room with your things in it is right down the hall.”
She was stunned. She was being shown out of her husband’s bed before she even got in it.
Her heart felt heavy and the pounding in her chest slowed to a strong, steady beat. She had a husband just like her father.
“Of course. I don’t know how I could have mistaken your intentions.”
He walked over to the door, opened it and said, “Sleep well, Olivia.”
Ten
“How could you?” Olivia whispered into the emptiness of the dimly lit corridor as soon as Andrew shut the door behind her.
How dare he kiss her and leave her feeling so, so, what? So wanting of more of his kisses, his caresses, and so wishing she’d never married him?
Yes!
This was their wedding night and he was throwing her out of his bedroom. Not only that, he was leaving her alone in his house and going out.
But where? To his club? To his mistress?
What kind of man did that? What kind of husband did it?
The kind her mother had.
She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment as she stood outside his door. That was the last thing Olivia wanted to happen. She wanted to be a loving wife. She wanted a husband who loved her.
A sudden fear gripped her. Would her life be just like that of her aunt and her mother, always wanting the love of a man who would never give it?
Andrew Terwillger, Earl of Dugdale, was a scoundrel of the highest order.
She would not put up with this kind of treatment. She’d show him. She would go back to her aunt’s house first thing in the morning and never come back.
Olivia’s shoulders dropped. Her hands made fists at her sides.
But only two seconds later she lifted her head and her shoulders and whispered earnestly, “No. I will not run away. He will not do this to me.”
But what could she do? She had to think rationally. How could she force him to treat her differently? She didn’t know, but she wasn’t going to give up without a fight. She had to remember that he wanted her. She felt it inside him, but for reasons she didn’t understand he chose not to make her his wife tonight.
Olivia made her way down to her bedroom door and opened it. When she stepped inside she saw a young woman standing by a large, framed looking glass that hung on the wall near her bed.
Startled, the woman jumped and moved away from the mirror. It was clear from the way she was dressed that she was a maid, but Olivia hadn’t seen her earlier in the evening.
“Who are you?” Olivia asked, walking farther into the room.
The maid curtsied nervously. “I’m Ellie, Countess. I’m to be—that is, I want to be your lady’s maid. I heard you were inquiring about one. I’m at your service. Just tell me what you want me to do.”
Olivia had always shared her aunt’s maid. She knew that now she had to have her own personal maid and she planned to interview for one later in the week. As long as Lord Dugdale had household maids and kitchen staff she would have all the help she needed until she found a suitable person.
“I’ve planned to interview others for the job as my personal maid. I’m quite capable of taking care of myself until I hire someone.”
“Oh, please don’t dismiss me without giving me a chance, Countess.” The young lady clasped her hands together and held them under her chin. “I need this job to help care for my ailing mum and the younger ones at home. I can suit you if you’ll give me a chance. I know it. Mr. Whibbs has already said he would have to dismiss me if I did one more thing wrong. You’re my only chance to keep my job. I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t please you.”
The pleading maid was short and slight of frame. Her complexion was unusually white. A mobcap completely covered her hair and her pale blue eyes looked almost too big for her thin, long face. She had a desperate look in her expression that Olivia couldn’t ignore.
Somehow she identified with the young woman’s feeling of rejection, but Olivia didn’t know if the maid was capable of moving from household duties to being a lady’s maid. That would be a grand promotion for her.
“Surely there is something else in the house you can do. I’ll speak to Whibbs for you.”
“No, Countess. If you don’t have use for me I’m fearful Mr. Whibbs will turn me off tomorrow.”
Olivia sighed. She suddenly felt very weary. She didn’t want to have to handle anything like this after her debacle with Andrew. She just wanted to be alone in her room.
Suddenly Ellie’s eyes brightened and she smiled. “I’m not too good with household chores, but look at all I’ve done for you. I turned back the covers.”
She rushed over to the bed and pressed an imaginary wrinkle out of the sheet with a frail, trembling hand that looked much too old for her young age.
“And I’ve laid out your night rail real pretty for you.” She straightened the bow at the neckline of the garment that had been neatly folded and laid on the bed. She then hurried over to the dressing table. “And look, I brought you up some milk and a plate of apricot tarts just in case you didn’t get to eat much tonight with it being your wedding and all. I can go down to the kitchen and get you something else if you don’t like apricots.”
“No, no, that’s fine. Thank you, Ellie, all you have done is very nice.”
Ellie’s smile broadened and she said, “Thank you, Countess. I just poured hot water in the basin for you in case you want to wash.”
Olivia could see hope struggling with fear in Ellie’s face. She felt she had to smile at her and say, “That was thoughtful of you.”
“Shall I help you undress? I can take down your hair and comb it out for you without pulling it once. I’m real gentle.”
“No, no, Ellie. I can manage everything for myself tonight. You go on to bed and we’ll discuss this further in the morning.”
“You mean you’ll keep me?” she asked with a hopeful look in her eyes.
Olivia relented. “Yes. I’ll speak to Whibbs and tell him you will be my maid.”
Relief washed down her face like sunshine chasing away gray clouds. “Thank you, Countess.” She curtsied and smiled again. “What time should I wake you, and would you prefer tea, chocolate, or something else?”
“I’ve always preferred to be up and dressed before having tea. And I don’t know how long I shall sleep tomorrow, so don’t disturb me. I’ll tell Whibbs and we’ll discuss everything at that time. Right now I’d really like to be alone and go to bed.”
“Certainly, Countess, I understand. Thank you,” she said with a grateful look and softly closed the door on her way out.
By the time Olivia had dressed for bed and splashed the warm water on her face she felt drained from the day’s events. She sat down in front of the looking glass on her dressing table to take down her hair and noticed the milk and three small tarts on a plate.
Her stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten anything since morning, and the golden-colored treats looked delicious. She quickly consumed all of them and realized she actually felt better, stronger, after eating.
Somehow this servant Olivia had never seen before knew exactly what she’d needed tonight: food, warm water for washing, and a freshly laundered night rail. All these things had helped soothe her.
Olivia took down her hair and brushed it. Andrew truly felt she had tricked him into marriage. She could understand how that could make him so angry with her he wouldn’t take her to his bed even though he wanted to. Maybe that was why she couldn’t find it inside
herself to stay upset with him.
But Olivia wasn’t one to give up without a fight. She was Andrew’s wife and she would find a way to be a part of her husband’s life.
***
Andrew had every intention of spending the night at White’s when he climbed into his carriage a few minutes after dismissing his wife from his bedroom. But when his driver had stopped the phaeton in front of the nondescript building on St. James’s Street, Andrew couldn’t bring himself to get out.
Instead he gave the man another address to take him to.
The carriage clipped along the road at a brisk pace and Andrew brooded, something he wasn’t used to doing. But then he wasn’t used to getting married, either.
He was restless and wondering why in bloody hell he hadn’t stayed home and taken from his wife what she was more than willing to give. She was eager to learn and explore the pleasures between a man and a woman, and Lord knows he was willing to teach her. She had him trembling with wanting her.
Damn, she had been tempting.
He’d been so hard for her that it had been physically painful to set her away from him. But suddenly he’d remembered how she’d manipulated him from the moment he saw her, and he had to stop himself. It hadn’t been a show of strength as much as it was a challenge to himself to make sure he could deny her.
She had forced him into the marriage.
She’d responded to his touch with an eager innocence that had him hurting for release. The only thing that had given him the willpower to do it was knowing that she wanted him to take her to his bed. It was all part of her plan from the beginning. She’d marched up to his room with all ease and calm and had watched him undress.
What man wouldn’t get hard over that?
It was her way of trying to continue to manipulate him to get what she wanted. Something inside him said he couldn’t let her win again. If he’d taken her and given her the loving their bodies had yearned for she would have gotten everything she wanted from him.