The earl had allowed Alistair a good deal of leeway in redesigning and adding onto part of the building that had been the stables. Now it was more than just a mews and carriage house. There was enough carriage space to house all of the earl’s equipage as well as more stables to accommodate the addition of the filly and colt that were in the parkland behind the mews. Another structure held the tack and saddles.
“What brings my lady out here?” he wondered, noticing she wore neither a pelisse nor a bonnet but his favorite teal blue gown. The afternoon was chilly, but unlike most of the days of the summer of 1816, it wasn’t raining.
Julia gave him a teasing smile. “As you are no doubt aware, my parents just left for their ride in Hyde Park,” she said as her head angled toward the retreating forms of Lord and Lady Mayfield.
“I know. I helped ready their horses,” Alistair said with a shrug. And then he suddenly realized what she was inferring. “I’ll be right there,” he added with a sense of urgency, tying the yearling’s lead to a post. “And you’re going to learn patience,” he said in a hoarse whisper to the yearling.
Giggling, Julia was already running through the garden, making her way to the back door. Alistair caught up to her before she made it into the house. By the time they reached their bedchamber, Alistair had his shirt off, and Julia’s gown lay in a heap on the floor.
“You minx,” Alistair breathed as he nipped one of her ears with his teeth. He could feel her fingers undoing the buttons of his trousers, feel them sliding between his smalls and his hips so she could push down his garments all at once. Stepping out of his boots, he found he could also step out of the trousers.
Left naked, he regarded Julia as she seemed to admire his body, her small hands reaching up to caress his shoulders and skim down his chest, barely touching the dark, crisp hair that covered it. They finally made their way very slowly to his erection, one hand gripping him while the other cupped his sac.
Alistair had to suppress a louder than normal gasp, but with her hands occupied, it meant he could undo the ties of her corset. Through her chemise, his lips found their way to her nipples. Still red from his earlier ministrations, they puckered at his touch, the touch made more erotic with the fabric pressed against them. Julia inhaled sharply, her spine arcing back so that he could have his way with her breasts. Using his chin to lower her chemise below each nipple, Alistair laved his tongue across each hardened bud, inciting a series of sighs and gasps from his wife.
Who would have ever guessed Lady Julia would be such an enthusiastic bed mate?
When her hold on him loosened, her attention having been diverted to the sensations his lips were creating around her breasts, Alistair took the opportunity to lift her into his arms. Kissing her until she allowed a moan to escape, he lowered her to the bed, turning her on her side. He curled his own body behind hers, his thighs pressed to the back of hers as his hardened manhood slid between them. Wrapping an arm around to the front of her body, he grasped one of her breasts.
Her breaths coming in short gasps, Julia was suddenly aware of his manhood slipping inside her tight sheath. She arched her back a bit, allowing him to penetrate her deeper. “We’ve never … done this … before,” she whispered, her words broken by her panting breaths.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Alistair whispered back, his teeth nibbling her earlobe. “We’ll soon have to do it this way if you want me to continue visiting you every night.”
Julia smiled, thinking Alistair didn’t so much as visit her in her bedchamber, but rather lived in it for the entire night.
Not that she would have allowed him to go to his own bedchamber.
Unless she was with him, of course.
“Oh?” she managed to respond as his ministrations were causing all sorts of pleasant sensations deep inside. She felt his hand open and caress her belly, sending skitters of pleasure beneath her skin. “Ooh,” she whispered, and then realized to what he referred. She’d missed another round of monthly courses, and the Harrington family physician had confirmed she was expecting. “Do you think it will be a boy?” she wondered, dimly aware that his breathing had turned to moans, and his quickening thrusts into her were sending the bed rocking into the wall.
He did something – Julia wasn’t quite sure what – that sent her body over the edge so she was suddenly engulfed in a tide of pure pleasure, her body at once riding atop and then toppling about and coming back to start its ride on the wave of pleasure all over again.
At some point, she spoke his name, gripped the hand that held her to his body, clenched on his hardened manhood deep inside her body. She smiled when she felt as much as heard his release as he groaned and spilt his seed in her, and then suddenly pulled her harder against the front of his body.
The mere movement of his fingers sent the skittering sensations coursing through her again. She nearly giggled, knowing Alistair would need a few minutes to return to his own body – and then he would doze for a few minutes. This time after their couplings was precious, for they used it to speak of their future and tell one another their secrets.
“A girl,” he murmured sleepily, pulling her body up and onto his as he settled onto his back. He kissed her cheek before allowing his head to sink into the pillow.
Not used to being held atop Alistair, Julia forced herself to relax as she moved her head into the small of his shoulder and her bottom between his thighs. Her hands went to her own belly, her delicate fingers smoothing over the skin before drawing intricate circles that tickled just under the skin. “Why a girl?” she wondered, surprised he wouldn’t be hoping for a son.
Alistair moaned. “Our son will need someone to teach him how to dance,” he explained with a grin, his thoughts once again coherent. “And if he’s anything like me, I rather doubt a younger sister will be able to manage him,” he added in a teasing tone.
Grinning, Julia turned her head and kissed her husband on the corner of his mouth. “But you’ll teach him how to bow, I hope,” she murmured, remembering how perfect his bow to her was when they first met.
Cocking an eyebrow, Alistair agreed with a nod. “But who, my sweeting, will teach him how to kiss?” he whispered playfully, just before he suddenly felt a bit of alarm.
Julia smiled before letting out a giggle. “You need to ask, darling? A Trenton girl, no doubt,” she said happily.
It was a long time before Alistair could sleep again.
About the Author
A self-described nerd and lover of science, Linda Rae spent many years as a published technical writer specializing in 3D graphics workstations, software and 3D animation (her movie credits include SHREK and SHREK 2). An interest in genealogy led to years of research on the Regency era and a desire to write fiction based in that time.
Now running the front office of a busy print shop, she’s developed an appreciation for pretty papers and spends time using them in her scrapbooks. She can frequently be found at the local cinema enjoying the latest movie. During the winter, she enjoys junior hockey and the San Jose Sharks, and an indeterminate number of tropical fish live with her year-round. She makes her home in Cody, Wyoming. See her upcoming books on her website: www.lindaraesande.com.
My Fair Groom (The Sons of the Aristocracy) Page 30