by Golden Angel
Once they were in London and the Season was upon them, that would change, but for now, at a small wedding, the guest's assumptions were in her favor.
Turning his attention back to Cordelia, a small, satisfied smile tipped his lips. She was laughing at something Felix had said, looking entirely comfortable, whereas she had initially been a bit hesitant when he’d sat beside her. Dressed in a flattering bottle-green dress with copper trim, she was quite striking, especially with the sun bringing out hints of red and copper in her dark hair.
"I assure you, my lady, no matter my many misdeeds, I am the very model of propriety in comparison to my brothers," Felix said, his dark eyes twinkling merrily.
Cordelia only laughed again. "Then I shall have to keep far away from your siblings, sirrah."
Holding his hand over his heart, Felix lifted his gaze to the heavens. "You wound me cruelly!"
"Quite unfair of you, sweetheart," Philip said, joining in the conversation. Cordelia turned her head to him in surprise, and he grinned at her. "Felix is telling nothing but the truth. His brothers are quite awful."
"You see?"
Giving both of them disbelieving looks, Cordelia giggled. "Your poor parents, with such scoundrels for sons. And you have no sisters?"
"Thankfully not," Felix said with a shudder. "I can only imagine what kind of hoyden my parents would have created. Mother always says that they stopped after me for a reason."
This rejoinder received another delightful peal of laughter from Cordelia. Felix had certainly taken Philip's command to be charming to heart. He could tell that Felix was charmed by her as well. Without her stepdaughter's presence causing her anxiety and quashing her personality, Cordelia had quite come out of her shell.
Once the luncheon was over, the guests began to depart to make the short trip back to London. The smaller events preceding the Season already begun, and many of them would be attending various soirees that evening in the city. Later this week, Philip, Cordelia and Gabrielle would join them, as the smaller affairs were the perfect opportunity for Cordelia and Gabrielle to get their feet wet in Society before the larger crushes began. Upon departing, the Countess of Irving had secured a promise from Cordelia to call upon her when they arrived in London. Philip knew she was looking to help establish her friend creditably from the very beginning, as his cousins would be. After having been sequestered in the country for so long, the ton was likely to be very curious about his new Marchioness.
It would also be a good opportunity for Gabrielle to learn how to behave. Small transgressions in a debutante were forgiven much more easily in the weeks preceding the Season. By the time the Season opened, it was expected that they be more polished, and any small misstep could tarnish a young lady's entire Season.
That evening, dinner was a quiet, private meal between just Philip and Cordelia. Despite Felix's departure, Gabrielle was still sulking in her room. Philip theorized that she meant to punish them with her absence, and perhaps stir feelings of guilt in Cordelia. Neither of them missed her, however, and he did his best to distract Cordelia from feeling any such emotion.
******
Dinner with Philip was almost strange, after the way his manor house had been bustling with guests for the past few days. To be alone now was very different. Philip had even had the footmen arrange their place settings next to one another, rather than at opposite ends of the table as would be considered more formally appropriate, so they could converse easily.
Cordelia was somewhat flustered by the sweet gesture, as it wasn't anything like she'd experienced before. It fed into the hope Eleanor and Irene had raised in her, that her marriage might be something more than an alliance for breeding the heir. She'd seen the way the ladies had interacted with their husbands, and the marked difference in how other married couples behaved. Edwin and Hugh certainly weren't led by their noses, they were strong men within their own rights, but they kept a weather eye on their wives and, if either lady seemed in need, it was their husband who saw that her needs were met. Both men, although quite devastatingly handsome, brushed off any amorous advances from the ladies, and eyed askance any gentleman foolish enough to approach their wives in a flirtatious manner.
She'd overheard more than one conversation about how unfashionable their attitudes were, the old adage that the most loyal husband was a reformed rake, and the curiosity over whether Philip might follow his cousins' examples. Cordelia had immediately squashed down the hope that he might. After all, she had no reason to expect he would, and they had married rather suddenly, whereas Edwin and Eleanor had known each other all their lives, and Hugh and Irene had gone through a more traditional courtship. She and Philip had only known each other for a few weeks.
Finer emotions played no part in their marriage.
Oh, but how she wished... and it did seem that he must feel some kind affection for her. He'd danced attendance on her all day, although that could also have just been a show for the guests, as they were newly married. But he hadn't had to have the footmen arrange their place settings together. And he'd been quite understanding about her consternation over Gabrielle's accusations, despite the fact that they'd involved his best friend.
"Are you feeling all right, my dear?" he asked, putting his hand on her wrist, and Cordelia came to with a start, blushing as she realized that she'd completely wandered off in the middle of their conversation. She'd been staring off into space, her strawberry tartlet untouched on her plate.
"I'm so sorry," she said immediately. "My thoughts got away from me... it's been quite a day. Perhaps I should retire early this evening."
Meeting Philip's eyes, she was startled to see the anticipatory smolder in his blue eyes, as if her words had lit a flame within.
"I should be happy to retire early with you, sweetheart." His voice had deepened, imbuing his words with a deeper meaning, and his fingers stroked across her wrist. Cordelia's blush turned brighter, and her body flushed with warmth as she remembered just how pleasant retiring with him could be. How strange that in the course of just a day she could swing from being an anxiously reluctant bride to being quite eager to engage in their bedroom activities!
The warmth that filled her body pooled between her legs, making her tighten her thighs together as Philip's finger slid under her glove to the bare skin beneath.
Not being versed in flirtation and unsure what to say, Cordelia took a bite of her tartlet instead of responding. But she didn't move her arm away either. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see her new husband watching her eat, which made the sweet strawberries seem utterly tasteless. It was as if he'd ensnared every single one of her senses completely and nothing else could impinge on them.
Slowly, keeping his eyes on her, he began to pull her glove down.
Now, she did snatch her hand away. "Philip!" she whispered, scandalized. "Not at the dinner table!"
Chuckling, Philip rose, holding out his hand. "Then, perhaps you will accompany me to the bedroom, my lady?"
The strawberry tartlet, as good as it was, had no comparison to what her husband was offering. Even if Cordelia wasn't the type to follow her husband's lead, she would have immediately agreed. Since she was, there was no hesitation as she put her hand in his and allowed him to lead her from the dining room.
As they departed, the flashing grins of the footmen followed them. The staff was very happy with the Marquess' choice in a wife; after all, a happily settled master made for a happily settled estate.
******
As they passed by the hall where Gabrielle's suite of rooms was located, Cordelia's footsteps slowed as a small pinprick of guilt nudged her. She glanced down the hall.
"Perhaps I should-"
"No, sweetheart," Philip said firmly, keeping her hand securely on his arm by covering it with his free hand. "Mrs. Pennyworth delivered a tray to Gabrielle herself, so she's had a splendid dinner. I'm not of a mind to let her interrupt our evening with a tantrum. She's about to embark on her first Season, after all, a
nd must rise to the occasion of behaving like a young lady."
Mrs. Pennyworth was his housekeeper and not entirely approving of Gabrielle, as she was already a staunch supporter of her master's bride, but she was much more sympathetic to the young woman than Philip was. Hearing she'd attended to Gabrielle herself soothed Cordelia's conscience. Gabrielle had not been left utterly alone. Philip was correct, as well; Gabrielle had chosen her own course of action for the evening, and she should endure the consequences of it.
It was hard to break the habit of concerning herself with what Gabrielle wanted or needed and to put herself first, but she felt a rush of relief as Philip gave her permission - nay an order - to do just that.
"You're right, of course," she said, smiling up at him almost shyly. Despite the pleasure last night - and this morning! - as they neared the bedroom, she still felt a small trickle of trepidation. Not because she thought it would be painful or unpleasant, but because she realized that he was much more experienced in such matters and there was so much that was unknown to her.
But none of that mattered when Philip closed the door and caught her up in his arms. Her body tingled as he held her close against him, her soft curves crushed against the hard line of his body as his tongue thrust into her mouth. It was shockingly exciting to be so quickly overcome by him. With his arms about her, her toes barely touched the floor as he moved them towards the bed. She could feel the heat of his body even through their clothing, making her feel almost feverish.
Philip was a very thorough kisser, able to sweep her senses away from her as she was lost in the dizzying pleasure of his hands and lips. He tasted like sin and seduction, leaving her breathless. She barely even noticed as her gloves and his jacket fell to the floor. Thus it was, she had no idea of his intention before she found herself suddenly gasping for breath and upended over his knee as he drew up her skirts.
"Philip!"
"Don't worry, sweetheart, you haven't been naughty, I promise this won't hurt. Not really."
******
He'd meant to wait to introduce Cordelia to more exotic bed play, he truly had, but having her over his lap earlier today had excited him greatly. While it hadn't been the time or the place then, he had no qualms about spanking her now. Just a light one, enough to turn her creamy cheeks a blushing pink and introduce her to the pleasure a hint of pain could bring.
Unsurprisingly, despite her verbal protest, Cordelia didn't try to struggle or escape him. She was too inherently submissive for that, which, of course, was part of her draw. There was a passionate, spirited woman at her core, but it was also a woman who yearned to have an alpha male take control of their erotic encounters. The Baron had used that need to tromp on her, but he had not broken her. Philip intended to cultivate that need and introduce her to all the pleasures the marriage bed could bring. He'd spent some time observing his cousins' marriages and had come to the conclusion that their easy happiness in public must be a result of their private satisfaction with each other.
Therefore, he would see to every one of Cordelia's needs, which just happened to be his own as well.
With her skirts up around her hips, he groaned as he saw that she hadn't put on any drawers when she'd dressed for dinner. It had been bad enough knowing - hoping really - that she'd been uncovered during the day, it hadn't occurred to him that she might continue the practice once she'd changed.
"Good heavens, you're perfect, Cordelia," he said, reverently, as he caressed her bare thighs, sliding his hand up to the curve of her bottom. "If I'd known you were bare, I would have never been so calm during dinner."
"You said you didn't want me to wear them" she replied, her voice slightly muffled and very embarrassed.
He grinned. She was even more submissive than he'd expected, continuing to be led by his desire.
"What did your maid say when she helped you dress?"
Cordelia muttered something, and he gave her bottom a little smack. Not hard at all, just enough to make the soft flesh of her buttocks ripple, and to get her attention. "I couldn't hear that, Cordelia."
"I waited till she was gone to take them off."
He couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. On his lap, he could feel Cordelia's body shake as she started giggling. The idea that Cordelia was hiding her lack of drawers from her maid... well, she certainly had propriety driven into her! It was doubtful her maid would have blinked an eye at the request, after all, it wasn't her place to do so. But his darling Cordelia cared what even the staff thought.
Still chuckling, he ran his hand over her buttocks. She stopped giggling as he caressed her ivory skin and he was quite sure she was holding her breath. His cock was already hard as a rock and poking into her stomach, which didn't have quite as much give as it had a moment ago.
SLAP! SLAP!
One blow to each cheek, followed by a little gasp from Cordelia. It wasn't a pained gasp, and not quite a shocked gasp, but more like she didn't know quite what to make of the situation. Mindful of his intention to go slowly with her introduction to these more exotic pleasures, Philip rubbed his hand over the slightly pink spots he'd just spanked. This elicited a little moan from his new wife as she squirmed slightly on his lap.
He let his hand slide down so that his fingers could tease the soft folds between her legs, and he grinned as he realized that she was already a bit damp. Perfect.
SMACK! SMACK!
******
The little spanks Philip was giving her wasn't at all what Cordelia had imagined when he said he'd spank her. But then, as he'd said, she hadn't been naughty. This was supposed to be pleasurable.
Surprisingly, it truly was.
The little rubbing caresses that followed the slight sting of his smacks soothed away what little pain there was, making the temporary bite more than worth it as her skin heated. Her inner muscles clenched with every slap and she quivered with every caress. When his fingers slid down to stroke her feminine folds, she found herself spreading her legs farther apart to give him easier access.
It felt quite wicked, really, to be fully clothed but with her skirts bundled up, while her husband spanked her upturned bottom. Especially as there was almost something playful about the way Philip was doing it.
SMACK! SMACK!
"Just a hint of blush in your pretty cheeks," he said approvingly, his hand rubbing over the spots. "Do you think I can make your arse match the pretty rose of your pussy?"
"PHILIP!" Even though her body tightened at his crude language, the admonishment came automatically. Heat flushed in her cheeks, and she helplessly wondered if her face now matched the color of her bottom.
He just laughed and spanked her some more.
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
As the blows rained down, his hand snapping against her tender skin, she couldn't stop herself from squirming as the heat in her bottom began to rise. It wasn't entirely unpleasant, despite the stinging bite every time his hand connected, as she felt a steady throbbing begin between her legs. Even though the spanking stung and burned, her body was responding to the pain the same way it did when he stroked or caressed her.
Of course, he was doing those things too, in between delivering firm slaps to her jiggling flesh.
Spanking, then stroking, leaving her bottom half burning as he alternated between the two, giving her less and less time to catch her breath on the intervals before he began spanking her again. She thought it should hurt by now, but it didn't. At least, not exactly. She wasn't sure anymore if it hurt or not, her body was so confused by the intermixing sensations.
This time, when he stroked her wet folds, his fingers slid inside of her, and she gasped, quivering as her inner muscles clenched around him. Philip groaned, as if in pleasure, and pumped his fingers in and out of her. It felt... incredible.
"Please... oh please..." she whispered, her hips lifting to meet his stroking fingers as the pleasure welled inside of her.
When he'd promised her that he would always make her feel good whil
e they were in bed together, he'd certainly been truthful. Even now, after being spanked, she felt like she was flying.
With a groan, Philip pulled her up off of his lap and practically tore the clothes from her body, in between frantic kisses and groping. She found herself just as immersed in divesting him of his garments. More than one seam was ripped in their rush. She gasped and moaned as his hands squeezed her breasts, her hips, her sore bottom... it felt utterly delicious when he gripped her reddened backside. Last night he'd started to turn her into an utter wanton, and tonight he was apparently going to finish the job.
She squealed when he tossed her onto the bed, her sore bottom bouncing on the sheets, which sent all sorts of tingles through her body.
Crawling onto the bed, lusty hunger in his bright, blue eyes, Philip placed himself between her legs - but not where she expected. Instead, his hands slid under to cup her bottom, her cheeks hot against his palms, and his broad shoulders forced her thighs apart.
"Philip?" she asked, confused.
The look in his eyes was utterly sinful as he lowered his mouth to her other set of lips.
"Philip!"
He was wicked.
The slide of his tongue against all that sensitive flesh had her writhing, her hands going down to grip his sandy locks as she cried out in shock and pleasure. This went far beyond anything her imagination could have supplied and it was... blissful.
******
The taste of his wife's honey was sweeter than any dessert. She'd responded so beautifully to a pleasurable, light spanking that it had been all Philip could do not to turn her over and take her then and there. But he'd promised her pleasure, and he was damned if he was going to rush her on their second night of marriage. While she'd been quite wet by the end of her spanking, he wasn't taking any chances. She was lost in passion, overcome by her body's response, and so it was up to him to ensure that she remained that way.