by Lucy Langton
As he passed down the corridor, he saw Mrs. Denton coming up the stairs with two plates of food in her hands, a happy expression on her face.
“The wife has made a lovely minced meat pie,” Mrs. Denton said. “I have brought up two plates for you and your bride, My Lord.”
“That is rather kind of you, Mrs. Denton. Keep them for you and Mrs. Sims. I am going down myself right now to take care of the errand,” Marcus explained.
“Very well, My Lord,” she said before passing by him and disappearing into her own room.
Down in the boisterous main room, Marcus made his way towards the serving counter, thinking he could have a plate of food sent up to Catherine so he could remain in the main room and simply give Catherine some space until it was time to retire for the night.
They’d spent practically the whole day together and he thought a little space would do them some good. Marcus wasn’t sure if his thoughts were reasonable, because they were bound to be spending much time together moving forward. But he was sure he needed some space at that moment.
After having a good portion of what the innkeeper was offering that night sent up to Catherine, he settled down at an empty chair near the window to enjoy his own dinner. He watched the sun setting in the distance through the windowpane, knowing his first night as a married man was upon him. He reasoned that normally a man would feel excitement for such an occasion, but all Marcus felt was dread. He wasn’t sure what to do or how to accommodate Catherine. Surely, she didn’t expect anything from him tonight. Yet, he remembered how she had flirted with him earlier that day after the wedding ceremony.
As Marcus turned his focus to his food, he decided that he would let Catherine set the pace for their relationship. He knew he would be comfortable being intimate with his wife because his body was attracted to hers. But there was much more concerning intimacy than just desire. He had to live with Catherine for the rest of his life and would always choose to be an honourable man.
The time came when Marcus couldn’t prolong the inevitable any longer. He stood from the small table and made his way through the main room, which had grown quiet over the last hour as the patrons either left for home or retired to their rooms. Marcus took to the stairs, wondering what to expect when he returned to his room with Catherine in it. When they arrived at his country estate, they would have separate bedchambers. But tonight, on their wedding night, they had no other choice but to sleep together.
When he opened the door with a nervous hand, Marcus peeked his head inside to see that the candles had all been snuffed out. Only the moonlight shown in through the windows, giving him a little bit of light to enter the room and shut it behind him. When it was properly locked, he went to the bed to see that Catherine was already tucked underneath the covers and appeared to be asleep.
Marcus took a deep breath as he reminded himself that he was being silly. This was his wife, after all. Not just a stranger off the streets. He started to pull off his Navy uniform, knowing that tomorrow he’d be back in the clothing that now fit his status in society. To Marcus, it was like wearing a different type of uniform.
As Marcus slipped underneath the covers in nothing more than his long underwear, the air hot from the day and the tension in his body, he was quick to turn away from Catherine and face his back to her as though to imagine she wasn’t there so he could get a decent night’s sleep. But when he heard and felt her move in the bed, his eyes sprang open and he was immediately reminded of his wife.
“I feel foolish for feeling so nervous,” came her soft voice, a whisper in the night. Marcus smirked, feeling a sort of relief at knowing he wasn’t the only one to feel such a way.
“We are married, after all,” Marcus said over his shoulder.
“And these covers are dreadfully hot,” Catherine replied. He felt the shift in the covers as though Catherine had tossed hers away. Marcus dared to peek as he looked over his shoulder and saw in the moonlight that she only wore her shift. Her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, the many pins now removed to let her hair flow freely. Marcus swallowed hard, thinking she was the more beautiful creature he had ever beheld. Not wanting to be caught staring, he turned back over and focused his gaze on the wall.
“Marcus, may I ask you something?” came Catherine’s sweet voice once more. He felt her shift in the bed as though she had rolled towards him, and, looking over his shoulder, she saw that he had. Gathering his courage, he rolled around as well to face her.
“Yes?” he asked, unable to keep his eyes from roaming over her body.
“Do you believe that I am attractive?” she asked. Marcus fought down his mirth, understanding that women often took such questions quite seriously.
“Catherine, you are an extremely attractive woman,” Marcus said honestly. Even in the dim light, he could see the bright smile that appeared on her face. “But you must answer me a question in return.”
“Of course,” she said.
“Do you find me attractive as well?” he asked, his courage wavering as he waited for her reply.
“The first time I saw you, I decided you would be a perfect match for me on appearance alone,” Catherine said. “I am a very lucky woman to be married to such a handsome man.” Marcus thought about her words, deciding shortly afterwards that she did truly find him attractive.
“Perhaps then we shall have a decent marriage since we both find each other attractive,” Marcus reasoned.
“I have faith that our marriage shall be more than just decent,” she replied with a smile. Then, she did something that Marcus wasn’t expecting. She reached across the space between them and placed her hand on the side of his face. At first, Marcus went rigid, wondering what this sign of affection could mean. He felt his member twitch to life and was curious to know if Catherine felt comfortable enough to be intimate on their first night together.
“Good night, Marcus,” Catherine said when she removed her warm hand from his cheek. He blinked, surprised by his desire for her and how much he was hoping she would continue exploring his body. But as she rolled away from him, he was forced to take several deep breaths before rolling away as well. He wanted to scoop her into his arms and hold her tight, to allow her to feel his stiff manhood and how much he desired her.
However, Marcus knew he would always be a man of his word. He tried to relax, to still the raging desire inside of him. He knew the day would one day come when Catherine would be comfortable with intimacy. They were already attracted to one another, and Catherine appeared bold enough to go after what she wanted. Marcus only hoped that she wouldn’t wait too long to come to him so they could truly become man and wife in every sense of the word.
Chapter 8
Catherine thought Marcus’ country estate was the most magnificent place she had ever been. And the thought that she was now mistress over it caused Catherine to think that perhaps she was dreaming. The estate lands were vast and as far as she could see.
The house itself was rather historical looking, but well-kept as though it had been recently constructed. Roman pillars framed the front of the manor where a large courtyard had been created to receive a line of guests. The white façade was done in elegant designs that reminded her of ancient architecture she’d seen in picture books.
The inside of the manor was just as impressive. Unlike many of the townhouses that had marble floors, inside were dark mahogany floors that were polished to the point that they reflected light and objects. And where the floors were dark, the walls were a light crème colour. All the sitting rooms had plush carpet that seemed new. And her own bedchamber was the largest one she had ever occupied before. It was really all a dream come true.
With the days becoming quite warm, Catherine didn’t like to spend very much time inside. The outdoor breeze was cooling as she wore simple cotton gowns with only one petticoat. Without having to worry about being in Town and constantly being watched, she let her hair flow down her shoulders, and she wore few layers underneath her gowns to stay
cool.
She would go out in the gardens and carry Beth, and lay her out on their picnic blanket underneath an oak tree for plenty of shade. Sometimes she would hold the child while she slept, sometimes carrying her through the gardens and introducing her to different blooming flowers.
Other times Beth would be awake and she would talk to the child as her little eyes clung to Catherine’s. Catherine would only pass Beth off to the wet nurse when she was hungry, or to Mrs. Denton when she needed to change or take care of her own personal needs. But even at night Catherine kept Beth close by in a bassinet as she enjoyed becoming a mother to the child.
When it came to her husband, they met for every meal and talked about the day together. Marcus would share with her some of his concerns when it came to the Earldom. Catherine was more than happy to help and thought it was rather kind of Marcus to include her with these matters of business and the estate. It seemed to be one of the few topics they could talk in-depth about.
Catherine tried to reassure herself that it would take time to form a relationship with Marcus. After all, they had been thrown into this marriage rather quickly and unexpectedly. Therefore, she did not press Marcus for his time. She was sure that eventually they would grow together as husband and wife, and for the time being she was content with the time that they did spend together.
However, Catherine often thought about their wedding night when she lay down at night in her own bedchamber. She remembered how she had been filled with such great desire when she’d shared the bed with Marcus.
Her body had become so hot that she couldn’t bear to sleep with the covers on. And when she had reached out and touched Marcus’ face, she had almost given herself to him with the knowledge of how close they were. Seeing his bare chest in the moonlight, the way his muscles rippled down to his waist, all of it had caused a fire to come alive inside of her that only seemed to build each day.
She was outside with Beth on a lovely day, enjoying a plate of cucumber sandwiches that had been placed on a porcelain plate. Catherine was starting to get used to her new status and the wealth that came with being a countess. It was familiar to her, something she had seen her mother enjoying when she had been little. In all honesty, Catherine had very little to worry about besides how well Beth was doing each day and night.
“Care if I join you?” came a voice from behind her. Catherine titled her head back towards the voice and smiled when she saw Marcus standing behind her, wearing a simple pair of trousers and a muslin shirt. She thought it was a good sign that he was dressing comfortably around her. He looked ever so dashing in his clothes, and those thoughts about their wedding night were quick to return to her mind.
“You don’t have to ask permission, Husband. You may join me whenever,” Catherine said, clearing her mind of all her thoughts of desire. He smiled in response and settled down onto the blanket beside her, leaning over and peeing down at the sleeping Beth.
“Is she fine in the sun?” he asked.
“Of course. The bonnet protects her head and face from the sunlight, and the shade from the oak tree does help. It feels rather cool out here compared to inside the house where the air seems to sit still,” Catherine said.
“It was one of the reasons I wanted to be outside today. It’s stifling in the house, even when I’ve ordered for all the windows to be opened.”
“Well, I don’t know how much cooler it is outside, but the wind is breezy today. It feels rather nice when only wearing a few layers of clothes.” Catherine smiled, enjoying when she was able to tease Marcus. She found it enjoyable how shy he sometimes became when she would flirt with him.
“For the longest time, I never thought I’d marry and have children. I felt bound to the Navy and figured I’d one day die at sea while my brother handled the family name and estates,” Marcus said, his honest and deep words surprising Catherine. “I always thought children seemed frightened of me, anyway.”
This caused Catherine to laugh so hard that she woke Beth, who squirmed awake and seemed to want to roll over. Settling herself, she picked up the child and cradled her in her arms to sooth her once more.
“I don’t think children are frightened of you as much as you are frightened of them. The first time I saw you holding Beth in Auntie’s sitting room, you looked rather awkward,” Catherine said as she settled Beth and then handed her to Marcus, helping him to cradle her properly.
“She feels so small and fragile. I’m afraid I’ll do something wrong,” Marcus said, looking a bit panicked.
“Don’t worry so. I’m right here and won’t let you make a mistake,” Catherine said in a comforting voice as she kept her hands and arms where they were on Marcus, helping him feel the proper places to support Beth the most.
“You seem like a natural at this,” Marcus mused once he seemed to relax. His eyes were on Beth as he talked, and Catherine thought that Marcus looked rather well as a father.
“I have wanted a family since I was young. I was determined that one day I would marry well like my parents expected of me, but I would marry a man that I loved and who would want to have dozens of children with me, who I would then raise all myself. I always envisioned myself as an independent mother, much like my own had been,” Catherine said.
“So, what you are really saying is that you only needed a husband to sire the children so you could be solely focused on them,” Marcus teased.
“I suppose you could say that. I have needs and wants of my husband as well,” Catherine admitted.
“And what visions did you have for this husband of yours?” Marcus asked. She could tell that he was opening more up to her and she reasoned this was a good thing if their relationship was going to continue moving forward.
“Well, I had always pictured my husband to be outrageously handsome. He would be cunning and witty, so much so that we would constantly banter if only to prove who was the most intelligent. And though I would be eager to have children, we would enjoy our private moments together because he would also be ridiculously romantic as well.”
“My word, such a man I have never beheld before,” Marcus said with a chuckle. He stilled, however, when Beth began to squirm in his arms. Catherine guided his arms once more and showed him how to rock her gently until she was resting once more.
“I think you have many qualities of the husband I have always dreamed about,” Catherine then said. She looked up as Marcus looked down at her, their faces becoming rather close. Catherine thought about the way he had kissed her on their wedding day and wondered if their kiss now would feel more passionate.
“And what amiable qualities do I possess?” Marcus asked, his voice soft as he looked down at her lips.
“You are rather handsome and intelligent,” Catherine said as she thought about leaning forward and pressing her lips against his. But it seemed that Marcus beat her to the idea, as he leaned down and pressed his lips upon hers.
Catherine closed her eyes and eagerly accepted his sign of affection. At first, the kiss was rather gentle as though Marcus was trying to guess if she was willing. It was she who parted his lips with her tongue to deepen the kiss and give him no doubt in his mind that she wanted to be kissed. She became lost in the feeling of his lips and the taste of his tongue until Beth interrupted them by crying quite suddenly.
They both moved apart then and looked down at Beth, who seemed to be in want of new cloths. Catherine chuckled as she took the babe from Marcus and slowly stood.
“I will go and see to her needs,” Catherine said as she smiled down at Marcus. “Then I will be back while Mrs. Denton takes a turn.” Marcus only nodded as she turned. Catherine made quick work of taking Beth inside and passing her on to be cared for so she could return to Marcus, eager to see where the kiss would lead to.
As she returned outside, she found Marcus pacing back and forth around the picnic blanket, making her wonder what was on his mind. She smiled at him as she walked up to him, wondering what his mind was trying to reason.
&n
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