by Lucy Langton
Once thoroughly dried, Marcus took the towel and draped it over the back of a chair before leading Catherine to the large four-poster bed. Candlelight shown all around them as he helped Catherine into bed, having her lay on her back so that she could experience the simplest forms of intimacy. Marcus knew there would come other times where he would show Catherine the more experienced forms of love making. But for tonight, he only wanted Catherine to feel the most intense pleasures for her first time.
As Catherine laid on her back, Marcus climbed on top of her and settled in-between her legs as she parted them. He leaned down and began to kiss her neck as she slightly arched her back, giving him the space he needed to kiss her. He took her hands and draped them over her head as he kissed her, causing her to moan softly in response. Her little mews of pleasure really sparked his desire as the head of his manhood pressed into her wet core.
“I’m afraid of the pain,” Catherine said, causing Marcus to be pulled out of his haze of pleasure. He leaned forward so he was looking down into Catherine’s eyes to see the worry there.
“It may hurt for a moment,” Marcus said honestly. “But I promise it will be short lived.”
“But you appear so large, Marcus. I can’t even comprehend how you shall fit,” she said as she bit her lower lip. The sight made him almost delirious with desire as he focused on calming all of her fears.
“You have nothing to be worried about, my dear. All shall be as it should,” Marcus said in a soft voice. He reached between them and guided the head of his manhood into her wet opening. He could tell she was as eager as he was by the smell of her sex and the slickness of her wet core. She started to pant as he slowly slipped inside of her. With his manhood in position, he let go of his shaft and pressed his fingers against her sensitive nub and began to rub small circles there.
“Oh, Marcus!” Catherine moaned loudly as she arched her back and rocked her hips forward. Marcus smirked, glad to see how well she reacted to his touches of pleasure. He slowly inched his way inside of her tight core, loving the way her inner walls clamped down on him till he was being squeezed tightly. Such tightness would surely cause him to lose his seed quickly if he didn’t remain focused on causing Catherine pleasure first.
“This is the part that will hurt for just a moment,” Marcus hissed out as he felt her inner resistance. Catherine nodded her head once as she panted, encouraging Marcus to press forward. And with one swift motion of his hips, Marcus buried himself inside of Catherine until their hips met. She whimpered for a moment, but Marcus never stopped rubbing her sensitive nub. And once Marcus was sure she was comfortable, he started to thrust in and out of her wet core.
Catherine’s moans began to fill the room as Marcus panted hard. He’d never felt this way with a woman before and wondered what strange emotions were coming over him. Perhaps it felt different because they were properly married. Or maybe it was the fact that this was Catherine’s first time and that he was the one that was able to share this moment with her. It pleased Marcus no end to know he would be the only one she would ever be with. He took much pride in that thought as he quickened his pace.
“Oh, Marcus! Please, don’t stop. I feel some sort of building in my core and need to feel a release,” Catherine panted as she started to rock her hips to meet his thrusts.
“Catherine, I’m almost there myself,” Marcus said through gritted teeth. He was trying to hold out for Catherine, to let her feel the peak of her climax first. She felt so warm and wet that he wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold on. He rubbed her sensitive nub as fast as he could, his own climax fast approaching.
“Oh, yes! Yes, Marcus!” Catherine cried out as she raised her legs and wrapped them around his waist to encourage him to slip inside her even deeper. That was his undoing and he sank all the way inside of her core as it began to spasm. Catherine cried out as she rode the waves of pleasure, his own seed filling her as he climaxed as well.
They were both panting hard as they came down from their peaks. Marcus was still buried inside her, still hard and eager for more. But knowing that this was Catherine’s first time, she was bound to be sore in the morning as it was. Slowly, he slipped out of her as she moaned softly and then came down to lay beside her. It was then that he gathered her in his arms and held her tightly to his chest.
“That was truly amazing,” Catherine said after a time. Marcus chuckled, glad to hear such a positive response.
“It really was,” Marcus said as he held her close. “I am saying that quite honestly.”
“Well, I do appreciate your humble feedback,” she said with a chuckle. Marcus felt like he could stay that way for a long time. It had been many years since he’d lain with a woman, and already he was eager to do so again.
“I should return to my bedchamber,” Catherine said as she tried to stir from between his arms.
“There is no need. You can stay with me this night,” Marcus said as he leaned up on his elbow and looked down at her, her cheeks still flushed with the passion they had just experienced.
“Thank you, Marcus. For everything. But now I wish to be alone and reflect on this. Thank you for being so gentle with me,” Catherine said, her voice soft as she smiled up at him.
“I understand,” Marcus said as he removed his arms from around her. He stood up with her from the bed and watched as she pulled on her shift and collected her gown in her arms. He pulled back on his long underwear, a part of him disappointed that she didn’t want to sleep in the same bed.
“Good night, Marcus. I will see you in the morning,” Catherine said as she came up to him and lightly kissed him on the check. He stood there and watched her go, listened to the sound of the door being shut, and then to the sound of her door opening on the other.
As Marcus got back into bed, the air still fragrant with their passion, he wondered why he felt so. He had just experienced intimacy with Catherine for the first time and consummated his marriage with her. He respected Catherine and actually looked forward to spending his days with her. And the fact that she was so taken with Beth helped him feel at ease that his niece would surely be raised well and he would still have a connection to his deceased brother after all.
However, a part of his chest felt pain at the idea of now being alone after experiencing such pleasures. Granted, he’d never fallen asleep in the arms of a woman even after seeking release from his desires. He had wanted to share that special connection with Catherine, to lay vulnerable with her and fall asleep with her near.
The only thing that Marcus could reason was that perhaps his heart was feeling more for Catherine after all, and it wasn’t just his body desiring her. As the candles burnt out, he forced himself to sleep instead of pondering such things for the rest of the night.
Chapter 10
Catherine certainly felt different after her night with Marcus. When she had accepted to be with him, to allow him to guide her through their first experience together making love, she had gone with the idea with the knowledge that she had wifely duties to perform.
After all, she would feel betrayed if she denied Marcus pleasure and he was forced to find it elsewhere. Though she was certainly knowledgeable about the existence and purpose of mistresses, she liked to think that Marcus wasn’t that kind of gentleman. Therefore, she wanted to secure her future reputation by being willing and able to be with her husband.
What Catherine hadn’t expected was how immensely delightful it would be. She had lost herself in the throes of passion as she let Marcus have his way with her body. The explosion that had soared through her body from her core from their love making was more than Catherine would have ever expected or imagined. Marcus had certainly been gentle with her and allowed her to feel such pleasures along with his own desires.
But after all was said and done, though she enjoyed lying with Marcus and feeling his strong arms around her, she also knew her place. She had returned to her own bedchamber to wash and dress for bed. After all, it wasn’t like they were
in love with one another. She had fulfilled her curiosity and her desires for Marcus. Surely that was all there was to it?
Come the morning, Catherine felt a delicious soreness between her legs that reminded her of the events the night before. She could easily imagine being with Marcus for an entire night but believed it would be best to take things slowly. After all, their marriage was just beginning and surely there was no rush in these matters of being intimate. She had to remind herself that such things would lead to bearing children and therefore she had to be careful.
Catherine dressed quickly and went to go check on Beth in the nursery. Mrs. Denton was there caring for the child while Mrs. Sims finished up her morning duties. Being in the country seemed to raise everyone’s spirits, and the women smiled at Catherine happily as she came in to check on the little one.
“How did we sleep?” she asked Beth who wiggled in her clean cloths, raising her arms and stretching.
“Miss Beth did almost sleep through the whole night,” Mrs. Denton answered proudly.
“What wonderful news. I like to think this could last forever, but children never stay the same for long,” Catherine said with a smile as she reached into Beth’s crib and picked her up. The babe cooed as she did so and Catherine couldn’t help but chuckle at her way of speaking. She carried Beth down to the dining hall, wanting to enjoy breakfast before writing her letter to Denver.
“Good morning,” came Marcus’ voice as she entered the room. Catherine looked at him seated at the head of the table and immediately blushed. Her desire for him returned and she was surprised by the intensity of it. She had been certain she wouldn’t feel this way for him for some time because they had just been together last night. But it seemed that there was much she needed to learn about her own body and its desire for Marcus.
“Good morning,” Catherine happily replied as she sat down and placed Beth in a small bassinet beside her and Marcus. “Mrs. Denton says that Beth slept through the night last night.”
“That is certainly good news,” Marcus said as he leaned over the bassinet and played with Beth’s small hand for a moment. She seemed delighted and quickly wrapped her little fingers around his finger. “My word, she is so strong for someone so little.”
“I think she likes you,” Catherine replied as she allowed the footman to serve her. “I will be writing to my brother this morning. Shall I write to any of the other ball guests?”
“I’m sure Aunt Daniella would appreciate hearing from you. I will leave that letter to you as well,” Marcus said as he managed to free his finger and return to his breakfast. Catherine kept an eye on Beth, who seemed to simply watch them as they ate.
She wasn’t sure what to do or say to Marcus now that they had been intimate. She figured that life would simply go on, and from time to time they would experiment with such pleasures when she would be called upon to perform such duties. But as she watched Marcus from the corner of her eye, she wondered how often she would impress upon him for such things. Now that she had experienced pleasure, she looked forward to doing so again.
After the breakfast was finished and they parted ways, Catherine sighed and picked up Beth from the bassinet before heading to the drawing room. She wanted to focus on her letters and enjoy the day, but her mind kept returning to Marcus. She didn’t want to ruin the wonderful night they’d had together, but she wondered why Marcus hadn’t acknowledged their love making at all. Surely it wasn’t something to discuss in front of the staff, but they were a married couple, after all.
Catherine walked over to the writing desk in the drawing room and laid Beth on the carpeted floor to move her arms and legs. She appeared to be interested in rolling and for a moment Catherine simply enjoyed watching the child as she cooed and moved her body. Catherine then sat down at the desk and removed a sheet of writing paper. She tried not to feel so terrible as she wrote her brother, but just the thought of seeing him again in a month made knots in her stomach appear.
Dear Denver,
My husband is hosting a ball in my honour since I am now a countess. We are inviting all of our family and friends and will extend the invitation to you as well. The Ralston Estate is open to you, if you so wish to stay with us during your visit. I simply hope you’ll be on your best behaviour if you choose to come.
Sincerely,
Lady Kingston
As Catherine looked down at her letter, she reasoned that it looked rather formal and not something that would be normal between a brother and sister. As children, they had been rather close.
It was this closeness that had helped Catherine decide that one day she wanted a large family of her own. But that all seemed to fade away when her parents had died, and he’d received the title and fortunes of their father. With that much money at such a young age, Catherine knew that only a few would have been able to handle it professionally.
“Little Beth. If I am ever to produce a son, you must help me in raising him right. He must be prepared to be earl one day and not to be so wasteful,” Catherine said as she looked down at the child. Beth only cooed in response as she played with her fingers, seeming to enjoy whatever words Catherine gave her.
Catherine smiled down at the child, her heart feeling whole as she thought about her life and how blissful it had become. She had a husband, a secure future, and a beautiful little girl she could claim as her own.
As Catherine’s thoughts turned to the ball, she could easily say she looked forward to it. There would be dancing, elegant food, and she would be able to visit with Lady Evergreen once more. She only hoped that her brother wouldn’t ruin it for her or plague her with his money issues. Catherine was confident that if Denver could get himself into this mess, then one day he’d find a way out.
Catherine’s only hope as her life progressed forward was that Denver would somehow find a way to restore their father’s name. Then she wouldn’t have to live in fear of Denver somehow ruining her. At least she was married now to a good man. But no matter how wonderful her life seemed to be now, she would always fear her brother’s poor choices until something could be done of it.
Chapter 11
The afternoon air was crisp as Marcus rode across the countryside with Lord Hunter. His dear friend had come at once upon receiving his invitation to the ball and had agreed to stay at the estate a week in advance. Marcus always enjoyed his time with Lord Hunter as they talked of their days at sea and the life they would have both had if life situations and injuries hadn’t got in the way.
But none of that seemed to matter as they road along the trails, past the homes of his tenants and the places he used to frequent as a boy. He and Marvin used to ride out to the pond and fish for hours, competing against each other to see who could produce the largest fish. Riding to that same location now brought back wonderful memories that he had long forgotten, making the day even more splendid.
“My word, this landscape is breath-taking. For a moment, it makes me think that the countryside is more appealing than Town,” Lord Hunter said as they slowed their mounts to look out over the pond.
“It is certainly much quieter. And the glare of the Ton does not exist here,” Marcus remarked.
“Though you are no longer watched with a careful eye, Lord Kingston, you are still talked about amongst several social circles,” Lord Hunter said then as they dismounted and tethered their hoses to a tree branch.
“And, pray tell, what does London say about me?” Marcus asked with a chuckle, though inside he was afraid that Beth had been discovered somehow.
“Lady Kingston’s brother has quite the reputation at the gambling halls. Once word circulated that you had been married, and people discovered who Lady Kingston’s relations were, they started to speak about you as well.”
“The only thing I understand from Lady Kingston is that her brother was not able to support her. It is why she was Lady Evergreen’s companion for a time,” Marcus explained. With Lord Hunter being such a close friend, he felt safe speaking any truth to
him.
“That sounds like a realistic story. All the reputable gaming halls have barred Lord Hall from attendance due to his gambling debts,” Lord Hunter explained, peering at Marcus from underneath his top hat. This was news to Marcus, but not an uncommon form of gossip amongst those that spent their months in Town.