“Well....,” Janey blurted impatiently, shaking Anne out of her reverie.
“Well...what?”
“What do you think his darkest secret is?” Janey baited.
“I doubt he has one,” Anne shrugged. Truthfully, she did not much care.
Sophia Stafford knocked on the door just then to see to the girls' progress. The sight of her eldest daughter dressed in light blue silk filled her eyes with tears and she shook her head, shaking away her foolish nostalgia.
Crossing the room toward Anne, Sophia tried to swallow the lump in her throat, to no avail. She couldn't help but hug her daughter, albeit carefully. She could not mess up her hair.
Sophia turned to Janey and smiled.
“Would you please give us a minute?” Sophia tilting her head to the door, indicating her youngest daughter should scoot this second.
Turning to her eldest, she took a deep breath and knew it was time.
“Anne, I suppose we need to have a talk.”
The look of confusion on her face said Anne had no idea what was coming.
“You do know what your duty is on your wedding night?”
Anne's face broke into a smile. “Yes, mother.”
Suspicious, Sophia wanted to know just how she knew.
“Do you remember the old housekeeper, Mrs. Berkley?”
At her mother's nod, she continued.
“She told me one night when I was fifteen. She was a little tipsy on sherry. I believe it was New Year's Eve,” Anne tilted her head in thoughtful contemplation.
Mother and daughter laughed together and Sophia relaxed.
“Anne, I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you. All those years you took care of the house, of me. When your father took ill, I didn't know what to do. I just...fell apart. I'm sorry.”
The admission hit Anne square in the chest and took her breath away.
“Why did you push this engagement?” Now that Sophia was being honest, Anne was going to squeeze as much information from her mother as she could.
“To give you everything I took from you,” she admitted.
Puzzled at this statement, Anne started to ask her mother what she meant when Sophia stood suddenly and coughed.
“We need to get to dinner,” she said brusquely.
Anne followed reluctantly but felt better. A part of her heart healed and was put to rest. She supposed even that small confession had been difficult for her mother. After all, Sophia had been giving orders without explanations all of Anne's life.
Dinner was excellent and everyone put in their ideas for the wedding reception. Anne found herself genuinely excited about this wedding. She just didn't want to think about what that meant.
**********
Wives, daughters, and sons of the plantation workers were hired on to help with the wedding preparations. Guest lists and invitations were written, dinner party menus were planned, and material for a wedding gown was carefully chosen for the bride-to-be. Through it all, Anne's head spun with excitement, as her intended spared no expense for their upcoming nuptials. It wasn't just the money he spend, although Anne was flattered he would spend so much to make their day special, but it was the attentiveness to details that made her heart soar.
Another matter she could not get off her mind was his body. His wonderful, strong, hands as they roamed all over her. His mouth as he kissed her over the edge of ecstasy. The hint of chest she could see peeking out from under his open collar. It all made her want more. So. Much. More. The mere suggestion of his hand brushing against her made her blood pound furiously in her ears.
These things combined warmed her to her fiance. Keeping her distance was no longer an appealing option. At least keeping a physical distance wasn't exactly what she wanted.
Alex found he had a problem when it came to his future wife. He wanted her like he had never wanted another woman in his life. Not even Louisa. While this notion scared him a bit, he was also thrilled at her presence in his home and the prospect of a very satisfying marriage. Now that he knew her passions ran as hot as his, he was infinitely please with his choice for a wife.
The wedding was small, with only a handful of people in attendance. Jack stood up with Alex and Janey served as Anne's bridesmaid. Charles escorted Anne down the aisle while Sophia looked on with pride and approval. Don Francisco was a nice surprise. His wife, daughter, and son-in-law were a welcome addition to the celebration. While a happy occasion for most in attendance, Anne still had her doubts. Remembering little of the ceremony, she was surprised to feel the heavy weight of her wedding ring long after Alex slipped it on her finger.
Anne wore a lavender silk gown for her wedding. Specially made for this occasion, Anne wore it with pride. She certainly had never pictured a wedding like this. She had never attended an afternoon wedding and never imagined she would be wed at that time of day. She also had envisioned a grand breakfast reception afterwords. Instead, a small dinner reception was held immediately following the ceremony because the grand reception wouldn't take place for a few weeks. Guests were traveling in from different countries and needed plenty of time to arrive for the house party.
The whole thing took no more than a hour and a half. Most of that time was taken up by the dinner. In a matter of minutes she became the Countess of Redbridge and her whole life changed. She had married Alex, for better, for worse. Now she had to live with the heartbreaking reality that this might be a miserable marriage. Fear gripped her as she thought of the possibility he would change. That he wouldn't be nice to her anymore because he had won her. Then she told herself she was being foolish and refused to believe her doubting heart.
Later, Anne could not recall walking across the grounds to the private chapel for the wedding ceremony, however, she could recollect that Janey's dress was the prettiest yellow she had ever seen. She could not remember Charles handing her over in marriage to Alex, but the vows she spoke echoed through her memory. The ceremony was so brief that she scarcely believed it had ever happened, yet, Alex's kiss to seal their union was so vivid in her mind.
Everyone jaunted happily back up to the house in the hot afternoon sun after the ceremony. There was so much joy, so much happiness in this occasion. Anne tried to keep that happiness in her heart and remembered how much her husband's touch thrilled her. Surely lust was better than anything she could have possibly hoped for?
A wedding feast was prepared for them when they arrived. Pheasant soup, lamb, green peas and fish pie were served with cherry compote and plum pudding for dessert.
Dinner was happy with strained undertones, as the guests became acquainted with each other. Don Francisco and Sophia Stafford argued over religion and Janey felt the need to attempt to lighten the mood. Normally her sister's antics amused Anne but under these trying circumstances, she wanted nothing more than a little peace and quiet. Her wish would not come true.
“Well, does it really matter who is right. I mean, we all believe the same thing, don't we,” Janey began. Her tone was sarcastic and broke the heavy discussion at the dinning table. All those in attendance had tried to stay out of the touchy debate and none wanted to speak up. All in all, the whole conversation was uncomfortable.
Alex sat at the head of of the table; desperate to make this a happy occasion but since his mother-in-law and uncle were arguing so fiercely, all he could do was to take to drinking wine like a sieve. Anne sat to his left, pushing her lamb around her plate. She had no taste for food at the moment and was terribly embarrassed by her mother's antics. Jack sat to her left, fidgeting, unrestrained, in his chair. Ava, Don Francisco's daughter, sat between him and Charles. Not knowing anyone very well, she concentrated on her plate and pretended not to notice the palpable tension in the room.
Charles sat at the other end of the table, stuffing food in his mouth so as to render himself speechless. Next to him, Don Francisco's wife sat as she picked at her food in silence, barely meeting an eye. Ava's husband sat between Sophia and his mother-in-law. Finally
, Don Francisco and Janey sat beside each other. It was Janey who seemed intent to relieve this torturous affair. When she spoke up, Ava seemed to acquire a sudden coughing fit, however, she was the only one who saw amusement in this ordeal. Since no one responded to her comment, Janey pressed the issue.
“Well, if you ask me, we really do believe the same things.”
“Janey,” Sofia finally interjected, “Since no one did, indeed, ask your opinion, I kindly suggest you remain silent on the issue.”
Janey started to protest, but one look at her mother silenced any additional thoughts she might wish to share.
Alex decided to speak up at this point since he just realized that it was his house and his wedding day.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please, a toast to my bride! Let us be happy today. It is truly a blessed day.”
He raised his glass and clinked it with his bride, offering her a tender, reassuring smile. It warmed his heart to see the light touch her eyes.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“I wish I had been able to spend my life with your mother. She was the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Everyone wished the happy couple well as the newlyweds departed the main house. The guests were to continue their celebration as long as they wanted with Alex's blessings. He just needed to be alone with his wife.
Excitement bubbled in his chest and he couldn't remember when he had been so happy.
The sun was setting softly on the horizon and the island breezes had started blowing, cooling off the air to a more comfortable temperature.
Alex and Anne rode their horses down the beach in comfortable silence. He couldn’t deny he was thrilled with the prospect of getting her alone. As soon as the guests had arrived, he had scheduled the ceremony. Thoughts now flooded his head as he imagined pulling her toward him, kissing her insensible, and then making passionate love to her. He was going to lay her down softly on his bed and explore her body with his tongue and his fingers. He wanted...well...he wanted too much, too soon. He would have to wait a bit. Wanting to make this night special for her, Alex schooled himself, cleared his throat, and asked Anne something inane. He didn’t even know what the question was until she answered.
“The meal was wonderful, thank you. Mrs. Bainbridge is always accommodating. She went out of her way, again I have specially requested several meals and she always smiles and tells me it would be a pleasure. The local fare is really quite wonderful.”
He murmured something non-committal and noticed that Anne was fidgeting. He must be acting like a boar. But he couldn’t concentrate. Not when she was so close to being truly his.
Finally reaching their destination, Alex jumped down from his horse and assisted his bride.
Carefully lowering herself from the horse, Anne's body brushed Alex's. Tingles shot through her and desire pooled hot between her legs.
Before her was a bright-colored cabin. Before she could protest, Alex swooped her off her feet and carried her to the door, kicking it open and taking her into the one-room cabin.
At least fifty candles, scattered over various surfaces, lit the room, illuminating it in a magical glow. A large canopy bed with crisp white sheets lay in the far left corner. A small stone fireplace lay empty in the center of the room. To the right was a small table with two chairs, adorned with a two bottles of wine, fresh fruit, and tarts.
“When...?” She asked, breathless.
He shrugged, pride shinning in his smile, “I have my ways.”
The newlyweds sat down to enjoy dessert but neither one could fully concentrate on treat in front of them.
Anne asked about the cabin and her new husband said it was where he lived when the house was under construction. Fascinated more with his hands at the moment, she nodded politely as he regaled her with stories of his initial arrival on the island.
Meanwhile, Alex was trying desperately to focus on his stories instead of his bride's mouth. Specifically, the way her fork was moving in and out of her mouth, making his mouth go dry. The sweet dessert had no taste. He could care less what was on the plate. He wanted to taste her skin. Seeing her in pieces at the moment was not helping. He couldn’t see her hair piled atop her head in a chignon, he only saw a few strands curling around her face. Couldn’t see how the soft periwinkle of her gown brought out the lavender in her eyes, he only saw the sparkle in them. He didn’t notice the fashionable cut of her gown, he only noticed the rise and fall of the cleavage beneath. His hands itched. He downed his glass of wine, but that only fanned the flames in his body.
“Is the fare not to your liking?” Startled, his head snapped up from her bosom, immediately noting the puzzled expression on her face.
“I beg your pardon, what did you say?”
He thought she had asked him if her body was not to his liking.
“Is the fare not to your liking?”
“It is a wonderful treat,” he averted.
“You haven’t touched it.”
“I am not hungry at the moment,” he replied, his eyes turning a sultry shade, darkening into emerald.
“Oh,” she said simply.
“However, there is something I would very much like to sample.”
She looked wide-eyed as he pushed his chair back from the table and stalked toward her.
She thought he meant to kiss her, but his tongue darted out and gently licked her chin.
He pulled back, “You had some mango juice dripping down your chin.”
Anne, horrified, quickly brought her napkin up and dried her chin.
Well, this is going just great, Anne thought. I am making a fool of myself!
Ready to throw her napkin across the room, Anne breathed deeply, calming her nerves, fighting the humiliating tears that threatened. Perched on the edge of the table, Alex picked up a freshly sliced mango half from the center of the table and gently squeezed some more juice on her lips. She was confused until he softly licked her lips. Then he plunged. And suddenly she understood.
She is surely doing this on purpose to drive me wild. Alex was convinced Anne had deliberately allowed the juice to drip down her chin to push him over the edge. He couldn't stand the temptation any longer. Needing to taste that sweet nectar dripping down her face, he had taken what he wanted and then he had determined that she should feel the sweet torture he was feeling. He hardly knew what he was doing when he picked up that mango slice.
Pulling her to her feet and into his arms, he kissed her long and deep, letting his body tell her everything he wanted to say. This was their moment and he wanted nothing to break the spell.
Kissing and touching her, his lips and hands never settled in one spot. He had wanted her for so very long, he was not about to waste this night with her.
Dying to see her naked before him, he quickly rid her of her dress, unhooking every button with lightning speed. Her silk chemise, stockings, and slippers were all that remained. Eternally grateful she had forgone the corset tonight, he slipped his hands down the curves of her shoulders to the straps of her chemise, lowering them to reveal her body. Nothing could come close to the way she glowed and shimmered in the candlelight. She was so beautiful that Alex had to stop and stare.
And, in that moment, he forgot to breathe.
“Oh, Anne,” was all that he could muster.
Smiling, she took his hands and guided them back to her hips. Her curves fit into his hands as if they were pieces of a divine puzzle. She needed his touch right then and there.
They began to move to a secret rhythm, a song only they could hear, as they melted together in a longing kiss. Desperate to feel skin on skin, Alex tugged impatiently on his clothes. Miraculously, they came off with little effort. He was afraid he would not be able to get them off, not be able to feel the wonderful sensation of his naked body on hers. His fears unfounded, he once again melted with her.
She let her hands roam freely now, exploring a new plane she had previously been denied. Her curiosity reigned, and she touched parts of him she ha
d only glimpsed before. This was her chance to touch him properly. He had taken the sole pleasure of wandering hands on their picnic. It was her turn now. She touched him in ways he had never been touched before. He had bed women, but none with the desire to know him so intimately, to touch him with such care. He enjoyed being on the receiving end of this tenderness.
Touching his chest, his arms, she found muscles all hard from his years of manual labor. She touched his stomach, finding it softer after his time spent in England as a pampered aristocrat.
Touching his hands, she laced them with hers.
I love you, he wanted to say. But he dared not speak it. He didn't know where that thought came from, anyway. Supposing he simply loved her body, he continued touching her reverently, allowing his body to tell her what his heart was afraid to express.
Pressing soft kisses to his chest, she moved lower, desperate to please him. When she was about to enfold him in her mouth, he placed a tender hand under her chin and brought her eyes up to meet his.
“I don't think I could last a second if you did that, sweetheart.”
For a moment, she was confused until he explained.
“I already want you beyond my restraint. If you did that, I would not be able to make love to you properly tonight. And I want to make love to you oh-so-properly.”
She smiled at that and he decided it was time.
Determined to be gentle with her, he picked her up and carried her to the bed.
“Are you afraid?”
“No,” she assured him.
“You are trembling.”
“So are you.”
He smiled. How well she knew him. He felt the shivers of anticipation too. But he would not rush her. No way. He wanted to take his time.
Anne's head resting comfortably on the pillows, Alex began to love her. From the top of her head, to her earlobe, to her nipple, to the curve of her hip, to her knee, to her ankle, to her toe; everything was kissed and caressed. He left nothing untouched.
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