Her Devilish Marquess

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  He filled her core completely, and she recognized the part deep within her that had given her the most pleasure just moments before. He was stroking it now, something that made her moan along with him. If this was how it was going to feel from now on, she would have no trouble looking forward to the bed.

  He continued with his thrusting, his actions growing more urgent, his body getting tense. And then, there was the moment when he went still and let out a cry. She became aware of the pleasant warmth inside of her as he filled her with his seed and held him tightly to her to better savor the moment. They were connected now. From this moment forward, they were truly husband and wife, and her heart beat with excitement. Yes, it was so soon after they met, but she loved him. She’d never been more sure of anything in her entire life.

  Chapter Nine

  When Derek woke up late the next morning, his bride was still beside him. There was that brief moment upon waking that he thought he’d dreamt the entire thing—the arrangement, the wedding, and the wedding night. But as soon as he opened his eyes, Danette was sleeping on her side, facing him.

  Her black hair was spread across the pillow. Her rosy lips were slightly parted. The blanket only came up to her waist, but her arm was settled on her breasts, blocking a full view of them. The result was absolutely alluring.

  Content to watch her, he didn’t dare disturb her. It wasn’t every day he got the chance to wake up to such a pleasant sight. Would he spend the rest of his life waking up next to her, or would they eventually retire to their own bedchambers as most of the nobility did? He liked to think they would still want to share a bed after many years together.

  For now, he decided he’d enjoy the moment for what it was. There was no sense in thinking so far off into the future. He’d witnessed enough people dying to know a long life wasn’t a guarantee. The important thing was to take each day as it came and spend it with people who mattered. Danette was going to be one of those people. He had no doubt about it.

  Content, he continued watching her for about fifteen minutes until she stirred from sleep. She opened her eyes and gasped when she saw him.

  Laughing, he wiggled closer to her. “Your reaction isn’t something I was hoping for,” he teased as he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his arms. “I had imagined you might cry out in delight that you really did marry me yesterday.”

  She giggled and snuggled against him. “I am glad we’re married. I just didn’t expect to see someone staring at me.”

  “I was admiring your beauty. I couldn’t help it. I can’t get over how pleasing you are to look at. For the life of me, I’ll never understand why you didn’t have gentlemen lining up to propose to you.”

  “You needn’t flatter me. I’m already yours.”

  He gave her a gentle squeeze around the waist. “I’m not flattering you. I mean it. You have a natural beauty most ladies don’t. I can’t count the number of ladies I’ve seen who went to all the fuss of prettying themselves up with jewelry, elaborate hairstyles, and fancy gowns. You take all those things away, and there’s not much to appreciate. But with you, it’s different. You’re just as honest as you look.”

  “You keep talking like that, and we may never leave the bed.”

  He grinned. It was nice to see her emerging from her shell. “We could spend all day here.”

  “I don’t think we can.”

  “Of course, we can. I’m not due to see any of my patients for an entire week. That leaves me free to spend seven days in this bed if I want to.”

  “But we’ll go hungry.”

  “Not if we have the servants bring the food up.”

  “Surely, they’ll talk if we don’t leave the bedchamber.”

  He shrugged. “Let them.”

  “I don’t know. Don’t you think they’ll say bad things about it?”

  “They’ll think I’m an exquisite lover.” He glanced at her and wiggled his eyebrows. “It would be one of the few times the rumors were in my favor.”

  Catching the blush on her cheeks, he rolled on top of her and kissed her neck with kisses so light they tickled her. He liked it when she laughed. She had a nice, full laugh. The pitch wasn’t annoyingly high, nor did she hold back. She simply expressed her pleasure, and it was even better since he was the one who gave her a reason for the moment’s enjoyment.

  A knocking at the bedchamber door stopped him from proceeding further. “Maybe the servants are wondering if we want something to eat,” he told her. “Believe it or not, it’s already eleven.”

  “I didn’t realize it was so late,” she replied as he got off of her.

  “I’m afraid you kept me up most of the night.” He grabbed his robe and glanced over his shoulder so he could wink at her. “I’m not complaining. You were worth every sleepless hour.”

  Noting the way her face went bright red, he chuckled. From time to time, he’d get a patient’s request to visit them in the middle of the night, so she really hadn’t exhausted him. Once he secured the robe, he went to the door and opened it, making sure the footman didn’t see Danette in the bed.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you, my lord, but Mr. Robinson and Lord Edon said they must speak with you at once. It sounded urgent.”

  Derek couldn’t imagine what could possibly be such an emergency his friends had to pay him a visit, especially so early in the day. Perhaps someone they knew needed a doctor. If it was pressing, he didn’t want to make the person wait.

  “See them to the den,” Derek said. “I’ll be down there shortly.”

  The footman indicated he would do as told and headed for the staircase.

  Derek closed the door and turned to face Danette, who hadn’t budged from her spot in the bed. “I suppose we might as well get dressed. I have a couple of visitors. While I didn’t set up any visits this week with a patient, sometimes I’m asked to help at a moment’s notice.”

  “You think it’s serious?” she asked.

  “Honestly, I’m not sure, but I don’t dare take the chance in not finding out. Do you mind?”

  “No, of course not. Your job is to take care of people. I understand that.”

  With a smile, he went over to the bed, leaned forward, and kissed her. “You’re a wonderful wife. I’ll let you know what the matter is once I find out.”

  From there, he went to his bedchamber, cleaned up, and got dressed. He hadn’t been one to spoil himself with a valet. His brother had been into that sort of thing, loving to be fussed over every moment of the day, but Derek preferred to do as much for himself as possible.

  Once he was presentable, he hurried on down the stairs in time to see Christopher and Ethan standing in the den, talking quietly to one another.

  Christopher was the first to notice Derek. “I told Ethan you’d be here today,” he said, a triumphant smile on his face. “Even a doctor as busy as you would make time for your wife.”

  Derek noted the relaxed posture in both gentlemen and knew there had been no emergency after all. This was to be a social visit. Well, he supposed that was fine. Danette was probably hungry and would prefer to come down to eat rather than have a meal brought up.

  Derek proceeded further into the room and picked up the decanter. “Knowing full well I was here with my wife, you came over to interrupt us?” he asked, his tone light.

  “To be fair, it is the middle of the day,” Christopher replied. “We didn’t realize you were going to stay in bed all day.”

  Derek poured brandy into three glasses. “Why shouldn’t I? I told all my patients I’d be indisposed for an entire week so I could get better acquainted with her.”

  “You can’t do that out of bed?” The knowing smirk on Christopher’s face told Derek he was joking.

  “I can talk to her while in bed as well as I can out of bed, but why not mix the two together?” Derek put the decanter down and held out a glass to each gentleman. “I happen to think a lady is far more interesting to listen to when she’s naked.”

 
“It’s hard to argue with you on that point,” Christopher said.

  “You’re inclined to argue with me about other things?” Derek asked, taking a seat across from them.

  “Not often, but there is one thing I wish to argue.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes.” Christopher glanced at Ethan, who indicated his silent agreement in whatever Christopher had planned to say. When Christopher turned his attention back to Derek, he continued, “We want you to reconsider membership at White’s.”

  Derek nearly spit out his brandy. After taking a moment to wipe his mouth with a handkerchief, he cleared his throat and set the glass down. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Why not?”

  “You know very well ‘why not’.”

  “But we need people like you. White’s is becoming dull. Too many stuffy gentlemen have joined recently, and they’re starting to hinder us from having a good time.”

  “Sadly,” Ethan finally spoke up, “it’s true. Lord Steinbeck is leading the whole thing. Not only is he gathering support among half of White’s members to stop gambling, but he wants to stop us from talking about the latest scandals.”

  Christopher nodded and gestured to Ethan. “He’s right. If Lord Steinbeck has his way, we won’t even be able to read the Tittletattle there. It was bad enough he almost got Ethan’s book banned. You know the one. We gave you a copy shortly before your wedding.”

  “The one on how to pleasure a lady,” Derek said with a nod. “I found it helpful. Why would Lord Steinbeck have such a problem with that book?”

  “Because he doesn’t believe ladies should enjoy the bed?” Christopher guessed with a shrug. “If it hadn’t been for one gentleman voting in our favor, we would have lost. I wish I knew who that gentleman was. I’d go right up to him and shake his hand.”

  “We’ll never know who did it,” Ethan said. “All the votes were secret.”

  “I know, but I still wish I had a way of finding out.” Christopher let out a long and heavy sigh. “It’s too bad my cousin Perry didn’t take a peek at how the gentlemen were voting.”

  “That’s why he was chosen to collect the votes,” Ethan replied. “Everyone else would have peeked.”

  “My cousin is always ruining things.”

  “He could have lied and said the book was banned. As I recall, he didn’t want a copy when you dumped one in his lap and told him if he didn’t read it, he’d lose his wife.”

  “I didn’t dump it in his lap. I gave it to him wrapped in brown paper.” Christopher looked at Derek and added, “I might have mentioned the possibility of him ruining his marriage if he didn’t read it.”

  “You have a big heart, Christopher,” Derek teased then picked up his brandy and took a sip.

  Christopher’s eyes grew wide. “Why is it wrong for me to care about the happiness and wellbeing of the gentleman who practically raised me?”

  Ethan snorted. “You were tired of your wife nagging you about finding him a good wife. There was nothing selfless about it.” Before Christopher could protest, Ethan directed his gaze to Derek. “We could use someone like you at White’s. One of the gentlemen recently died, and we’ll be voting in a new member soon. Why don’t you let us nominate you?”

  Derek finished his brandy and shook his head. “I’m not popular with the Ton.”

  “Neither are we,” Ethan replied.

  “But you two aren’t banned from the balls,” Derek reminded him. “When people hear my name, they get a strange twitch in their eye. You know the kind of twitch I’m talking about. It’s the same kind you get when your father-in-law wants to engage in fencing with you or when,” he looked at Christopher, “Lord Roderick laughs about that time he made you clean out stalls and chamber pots.”

  Ethan cringed, and Christopher shuddered. All right, so their eyes didn’t twitch. But their reactions still proved his point.

  “You two would be the only ones who’d vote me in anyway,” Derek added. “Why waste your time on even bringing me up at the vote?”

  “Because some of the gentlemen are getting tired of Lord Steinbeck bullying everyone,” Christopher said. “Granted, some agree with him, but most don’t. Most are going along with it because they’re afraid of him. He has some influence, and some gentlemen stand to lose something if they lose his favor. Mark my word, some would vote for you just to see him get taken down a notch.”

  “So what you’re saying,” Derek began, “is that people would vote for me as a way of voting against him.”

  “Exactly!” Ethan snapped his fingers. “You are the extreme opposite of Lord Steinbeck. He’s uptight and overbearing. You are entertaining and fun. You’d be a breath of fresh air, and that’s exactly what White’s needs.” He leaned forward in his chair and stared Derek squarely in the eye. “Now, more than ever, you are needed to come to the aid of your fellow gentleman.”

  Derek chuckled. For goodness’ sakes! By the way Ethan talked, one would swear Derek was being recruited to join a war, not merely upset the balance of power at a gentleman’s club. “This is ridiculous. I won’t get voted in. You’re fighting a lost cause. You’d be better off finding someone else to go against Lord Steinbeck.”

  “There is no one else,” Christopher argued. “Not anyone who’s as well-known as you are for creating trouble.”

  What a shame that was Derek’s reputation. He had a lot to do to make up for it. “I’m married, and I have a title. I have a responsibility to be an honorable marquess.”

  “Don’t let others destroy what’s great about you,” Christopher said. “We love the fact that you aren’t afraid to speak your mind. And it wasn’t like you ever spread falsehoods. You pointed out things to people when they deserved it. You weren’t willing to let them get away with mistreating others.”

  Ethan nodded. “I, for one, often wished I had your courage.”

  “Courage doesn’t give a gentleman a good reputation,” Derek said.

  After a moment, Ethan ventured, “What if we voted you in on the basis you would be a different gentleman than the one you used to be? Marriage can change a gentleman. It changed me. I went from being a rake to a loving husband and devoted father. The same could be true for you.”

  Encouraged, Christopher smiled. “That’s an interesting way of looking at it. Maybe this could be a fresh start. If you can get into the good graces with the gentlemen at White’s, maybe you won’t be banned from any more balls.”

  Drats. Just when Derek thought he’d won his argument, they spun things around to suit their side of things. But really, what were the chances he’d ever get voted into White’s? Rare to none. So why not let them suggest a vote for him? The vote would be no, and they’d leave him alone about the matter. There would be no harm done. Then they’d stop this pointless conversation.

  “All right,” Derek relented. “I’ll join White’s if I’m voted in.”

  Christopher jumped up and cheered.

  “I’m not so sure I’d get excited,” Derek commented.

  “Why not?” Christopher asked. “We finally have something to wage war against Lord Steinbeck. After you get voted in, he won’t be able to bully us around anymore.”

  “If I get voted.”

  Though Derek had offered the warning, neither Christopher nor Ethan seemed to be paying him attention. They were too busy making plans on how they would nominate him at the next meeting at White’s.

  Well, there was no stopping them. When they got excited about something, they didn’t listen to anyone.

  “If you don’t mind,” Derek finally said as he collected their glasses, “I want to get back to my bride.”

  “We don’t mind at all,” Christopher assured him then patted him on the shoulder. “Do everything I would.”

  “Don’t you mean, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do?” Ethan corrected.

  “No, I mean do everything I would.” Christopher gave Derek a knowing grin. “The more adventurous, the better.”

  “I enjoy
the bedchamber as much as the next gentleman, but I don’t obsess over it like you do,” Ethan told Christopher. With a glance at Derek, he added, “It will be nice to have you at White’s. Lord Steinbeck and his kind are dampening all the fun. We’ll let you know how the vote goes.”

  Derek indicated he understood and saw them out. He’d just shut the door when Danette came down the stairs.

  “I thought the footman was supposed to get the door,” Danette said in surprise.

  “I don’t mind doing it from time to time.” Derek went over to her and cupped her elbow with his hand. After he gave her a kiss, he said, “Your timing is perfect. I was about to ask you if you wanted to join me in getting something to eat?”

  “I’d be delighted.”

  His footsteps feeling light, he escorted her down the hall.

  Chapter Ten

  A week passed before Regan came to visit Danette. Danette had been getting ready to pay her friend a visit when the butler announced Regan’s arrival.

  Danette encouraged her lady’s maid to hurry in finishing with her hair, and then she hurried down to the drawing room where Regan was sitting on the settee, sipping tea.

  “I was going to go to your townhouse to see you,” Danette greeted. “It’s positively spooky that you read my mind.”

  “That’s the second time we’ve done this, if you’ll recall,” Regan quipped. “Last time, you came to my townhouse.”

  “I did.” She sat next to her friend and turned to face her. “I was so nervous because Derek wanted to meet me. You were the first person I thought of to talk to. You’re more patient with me than my mother is. She wouldn’t have understood why I was so nervous.”

  “It was a long time since she married. I think the older we get, the harder it is to remember the uncertainty of being young.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “Where is your handsome husband?” Regan asked.