by Vikki Vaught
Once they ate the confection, Melody helped William open his presents. It was so cute to watch him try to tear the paper off and see his expression when he saw what was inside. Noticing the time, they end the celebrations and went to the drawing room for tea.
The men joined them and devoured their tea and biscuits. Since she and her husband were staying for dinner, they retired to her old room to rest. After they entered, Jonathan pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I’ve wanted to do that for the last hour. Before I climb in bed, I need to treat my knee.”
Bolstering her courage, Kathryn took a deep breath. “I shall massage the ointment into your knee. Where do you keep it?”
A look of surprised pleasure swept across his face. “I will get it for you.” He retrieved the small bottle from his valise, handed it to her, then removed his pantaloons. Once settled on the bed, she took a seat beside him and worked the salve into his skin. Her hands trembled slightly as she stroked and kneaded.
“Let me know if I hurt you,” she stated, as she continued her ministrations. “I’ve never done a massage before, and I’m not sure how much pressure to use. When I see your scars, I’m amazed you didn’t lose your leg. I imagine it’s terribly painful to bend your knee.”
“It is, that’s why I walk with such a limp,” he told her. “Are you bothered that I’m a cripple?”
“I don’t think of you that way, and no one who knows you does,” she protested. “You get around remarkably well. I only wish it didn’t cause you such pain. Do you need your laudanum?”
He gave her a rueful look. “I was waiting until you fell asleep. You said it would bother you to see me take it. I shall be fine for a while longer. My knee feels much better since you applied the ointment. I can loosen your stays, so you can slip off your gown…if you like.”
“Please.” Kathryn stood still as he helped her. “You need the laudanum. I shall turn away while you take it.”
Relief swept across his face. Clearly, he’d masked his discomfort. “As you wish.” She removed her gown and lay with her back to him while he took his medicine. When he rejoined her on the bed, he pulled her close and whispered, “Pleasant dreams.”
After they awoke, they dressed and went to the drawing room. Shortly after they entered, the butler announced dinner. It was splendid as usual. The duchess had a wonderful chef, so the food was always superb; everyone was in good spirits. When it came time to leave, Kathryn hugged Melody and Henry. “Thank you for coming to my wedding. We look forward to seeing you at Christmas. Have a safe trip.” Then turning to Helen and Matthew, she added, “I shall see you in November.”
After more hugs and kisses, Kathryn entered the carriage, and as it pulled away, she waved, then the carriage turned toward St. John’s Wood.
The children slept the entire way home. When they arrived, they carried them to the nursery and tucked them in. By the time they reached their rooms, she could barely keep her eyes open. Jonathan left to give her privacy. Sarah was waiting, and she soon had Kathryn ready for bed. Once her maid departed, she snuggled under the covers that her maid had warmed before she left. As she drifted off to sleep, her husband entered. He climbed in with her and pulled her close. He kissed her cheek as she closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.
CHAPTER 23
Early November 1823
Over the next two weeks, Kathryn worked on Roderick’s portrait in the morning, and played with Frankford and Jane in the afternoon. Her nights were filled with sensual delights. She still had not found the courage to touch her husband. Each time she tried, she remembered what her uncle had forced her to do.
Her feelings grew stronger each day they spent together, but she still did not know if she was in love with him. After dinner most evenings, they would spend time in the music room or their sitting room. Kathryn was content with her life.
They were leaving the next day for Helen and Matthew’s estate. The children were excited about seeing their friends again and constantly asked when they were leaving. Elaine was not coming because she needed to concentrate on her studies, since she’d neglected them since the wedding.
That evening Jonathan came to her. She steeled her nerves. She wanted to give him the pleasure he’d so generously given to her. Before he climbed into the bed, he removed his robe, only leaving him in his small clothes. After he slid in beside her, he pulled her into his arms. She snuggled close and met his kiss with enthusiasm, parting her lips to allow him access. She slid her tongue into his mouth, twining it with his, luxuriating in his taste.
Desire blossomed in her belly as she melted into his embrace. His fingers slid over the soft orb of her breast, turning her nipple into a tight little bud. His lips followed the path his hand had taken as he gently suckled.
Then nibbling his way to her navel, he swirled his tongue around it. “Ah, sweet nectar.” His hand found her core. The muscles tensed in her belly as his mouth followed where his hand had gone.
Jonathan kissed her inner thigh. He licked his way up to her mound and caressed the moist, pink folds with his mouth and hand. Although shocked by his actions, she did not stop him as stronger sensations than she’d experienced before filled her body.
As he licked her tight bud, her escalating cries filled the air. His tongue circled the sensitive flesh around the entrance of her sex. Pressure built until she shattered into a million little pieces.
As she floated to earth, Jonathan moved up her body and rolled to the side as he kissed her. She tasted her essence on his lips as she reached for him and rubbed his taut male nipples.
She heard him gasp. Encouraged, she slowly trailed kisses across his shoulder and chest, nuzzling her nose through the silky hair on it until she licked his nipple, mirroring what he had done to her. She laid her hand over his heart as she suckled and felt it pounding at an astounding pace.
Jonathan rubbed her back and pulled her close as she continued suckling his flat male nipple. His throaty cries of passion filled the room, and her inner core throbbed. He covered his shaft as he jerked.
She watched in amazement as he slumped back against the pillows. Although stunned by what had happened, she loved the expression of sheer bliss on his face, and she’d caused it.
He groaned. “I’ve wanted you to touch me for so long. You’ve brought me great pleasure. Thank you, my darling.”
“You’ve sent me to heights I never imagined.” She met his warm gaze. “I hope that in some small way, I have given you the pleasure you richly deserve.”
Jonathan pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. “Pleasure beyond my wildest dreams.”
As she watched his handsome face, his blue eyes slowly closed. His breathing grew steady and deep as he fell asleep. Kathryn lay still, shocked by what had happened. She had given him pleasure, and he had experienced release. She never expected that fondling his chest as he had done hers could cause that.
As she watched him sleep, it dawned on her…she had fallen in love with her husband. Her heart swelled, and tears rolled down her cheeks. Part of her wanted to awaken him and tell him she loved him, but fear raised its ugly head, and images of her uncle kept her silent.
Oh, Lord, please help me overcome these fears. While she pondered the events of the night, she slowly drifted off to sleep.
* * * *
When Jonathan awoke the following morning, Kathryn still slept beside him. Love for her swelled his heart to bursting. He could not believe she had touched and fondled him the night before. He was amazed over experiencing such a powerful release from so little, but it had been so unexpected.
When she’d allowed him to give her the most intimate of kisses last night, his desire had risen to fever pitch. He could still taste her essence on his lips. They had crossed a line of intimacy he’d expected would take months to reach. His hope had risen that eventually she would overcome her fears and give herself to him completely.
Jonathan slipped from the bed, leaving his beloved to her dreams, and returned to his bed
chamber. Hatton was there to help him dress for the trip. Once he’d shaved, he went downstairs. He had Goodman send Sarah up to help Kathryn dress. Upon entering the breakfast room, he filled his plate high with kippers, sausages, coddled eggs, and thick slices of toast slathered in butter, and took his seat at the table. As he ate, he perused the morning paper, more relaxed than he’d been in years.
Elaine entered, filled her plate and joined him. “I still think you should let me come. You’re bringing Frankford and Jane, and they have avoided their studies as well. It’s not fair. I want to go too. I promise I will behave, and I would help with the children. Please…let me come.”
He sighed. They’d had the same discussion the previous evening, and he refused to change his mind. “This is not a holiday. Kathryn’s going to Devonshire to work. She’s painting a portrait for the Marquess and Marchioness of Ralston. Frankford and Jane are coming because Kathryn does not want them left alone so soon after their loss. Although you are good with the children, there shan’t be anyone your age to keep you entertained. Miss Tilton feels you have fallen behind in your studies and you need to catch up.”
“You’re taking the children’s governess with you, so why can’t we take Miss Tilton too?” she pleaded. “If she comes, I can still do my studies. I shall be so lonely without you. I miss Roderick and Allison too. I should not be left alone either.”
Tears rolled down her pretty pink cheeks and guilt assailed him. Obviously, being alone was distressing her more than he’d thought. Perhaps it was not fair to leave her behind. Helen and Matthew would be fine with her coming. He just did not want her to think she could have her way all the time. But, if they left her feeling so resentful, she might get into mischief.
“All right,” he relented. “But Miss Tilton comes along, and you will do extra work each day. This will not be a holiday. Now, if you’re coming, I need to let Kathryn know and tell Miss Tilton she will need to pack. Finish your breakfast and change into your travel clothes. We leave in an hour.”
Jonathan strode from the breakfast room and met Kathryn. “Against my better judgment, I have allowed Elaine to talk me into bringing her with us. I’m going upstairs to inform Miss Tilton. My sister is finishing her breakfast.”
She beamed. “I’m glad you’re allowing her to come. It’s for the best. She misses Roderick and Allison dreadfully, and she would have been so lonely without any of us. Helen and Matthew will be delighted to have her. See you in an hour.”
There was quite an entourage ready for the trip when Jonathan finally had everything organized. He, along with Kathryn, would ride in the main carriage, while the governesses, children, and Elaine rode in the second, and then Hatton, Sarah, and Elaine’s maid, Kitty, would travel in the third carriage. The trip would surely take four days instead of the three they had originally planned. At least the weather was clear, if a bit cold. Once all Kathryn’s art supplies and canvas were loaded into the third coach with the servants, they were off.
The coaches traveled for four hours before they made the first stop for a light repast at a coaching inn Collingswood had recommended. He’d planned the trip based on information he’d gathered from his brother-in-law.
By the time everyone had seen to their basic needs and eaten, they lost another thirty minutes of valuable time. Dark, angry clouds filled the sky and dampness was in the air. And of course, his knee throbbed. It always bothered him when the weather turned foul.
Once they were on the road, he relaxed as Kathryn read some of Shakespeare’s sonnets to him. She was a pleasant travel companion and made very few demands.
An hour after they left the inn, rain started, and it slashed down on them, rocking the carriage from side to side. The coaches slipped and slid in the mud. The roads became mired in muck, and the weather showed no signs of improving, so he made the decision to stop for the night. It could have been worse—at least the inn was clean, and the rooms were spacious.
The governesses settled the children and Elaine for the night, and after he and his wife told them goodnight, they had dinner in the private parlor. While plain country fare, the food was well-prepared and appeased their appetites.
He glanced out the window and saw that rain no longer beat against the glass. “Thank God the rain is finally stopping. It’s slowed us quite a bit. At this rate, we may not make it to your sister’s until Thursday. If the weather is fair tomorrow, perhaps we can make up some of the time.”
“I hope we can.” Kathryn stifled a yawn. “I’m exhausted, so I’m off to bed. Are you ready to retire?”
“I shall be up in a moment. I will just relax in this chair before I turn in. See you in a bit, my dear.” Kathryn stood and came around the table, then kissed his cheek before she left the room.
Jonathan’s knee throbbed abominably, so he took his laudanum with a glass of port, but before he realized it, he’d drunk an entire bottle. Feeling pleasantly mellow, he called for another. Eventually he passed out and never made it up to bed.
Hatton woke him the next morning, and he saw the disappointment in his valet’s eyes. Although his head pounded like the very devil, he refused the man’s offer to fix him his old remedy. Bile churned in his belly, and, figuratively speaking, he kicked himself for his stupidity.
When Kathryn entered, she asked, “What happened last night? You never came to bed. I was worried when I awoke without you this morning.”
She deserves better than this. “I’m not feeling well, but I shall be fine. I’m going to our bedchamber to change. Please have breakfast without me. Can you organize everything so we can leave in an hour?”
Her eyes shone with concern. “Certainly. I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well. Are you sure you’re up to traveling today?”
“Once I have a wash and a shave, I shall be fine. Thank you for handling everything this morning. I shall see you outside.” He turned and slowly made his way upstairs.
Deuce take it, it’s been weeks since I drank myself into a stupor.
Once they were on the road, Kathryn cleared her throat. Clearly, she was not letting his abhorrent behavior go unnoticed. “What happened last night? Your eyes are bloodshot, and the lines around your mouth are more distinct than yesterday.”
Remorse slammed through him. “I behaved very stupidly last night. After you went to bed, my blasted knee was aching badly, so I took my laudanum with a glass of port. The next thing I knew, Hatton was waking me up. I overindulged and have a sore head this morning. I thought I could handle a few glasses of port, but obviously, I cannot. I’m sorry. I shan’t let it happen again.”
“You should have told me your knee was bothering you. I would have been happy to massage it. Instead of drinking too much, let me help you next time. You need sleep. Sit beside me and lay your head on my shoulder. Once you have slept a while you should feel better.”
Grateful for her understanding and kindness he did not deserve, he moved beside her, laid his head on her shoulders and closed his eyes. His last thought before sleep took him away¬—he’d married a saint.
After sleeping for three hours, he woke up, feeling much improved. Obviously, port was too strong for him, and he would have to leave it alone, along with the whiskey and brandy.
Travel was easier that day, and they made up some of the time they’d lost the day before. By the time they stopped for the night, the children were famished. The governesses took their charges upstairs and requested trays for their rooms.
Equally exhausted and hungry, they retired to their room, having ordered trays as well. He played maid for her, and she rubbed his knee then wrapped cold compresses around it. Once Kathryn finished her ministrations, she went behind the privacy screen to undress.
After she joined him in bed, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He was so grateful he had such an understanding wife. Before sleep completely took him away, he sent a silent prayer to God, thanking Him for bringing her into his life.
* * * *
When Kathryn awoke the
next morning, Jonathan had left their bedchamber. Sarah must have already been there because her travel dress was brushed and draped over the chair. While dressing, she recalled her husband’s problem. He’d been so embarrassed over his slip. Her heart ached at his distress.
Traveling had to be incredibly difficult for him. He’d sat for such long periods of time. He was too much of a gentleman to stretch out in the carriage to relieve his discomfort. Today, she would convince him to recline on his side, which should help.
When she entered the dining parlor, she filled her plate and joined Jonathan. “How much farther do we have to travel?”
“If we make as good a time today as we did yesterday, we should arrive early Thursday afternoon, well before dark,” he assured her.
Excellent.” Kathryn took a sip of tea, then set it on the table. “I spoke with Miss Mills, and the children are fine. She says Elaine has been ever so helpful. I’m glad you allowed her to come.”
“I pray she continues to behave when we are at your sister’s.” He pushed away from the table. “I need to make sure everything’s ready for our departure. I shall see you in fifteen minutes.” He kissed her cheek and hurried from the parlor.
The weather held, and they arrived at Helen and Mathew’s residence at two on Thursday. Her sister and husband greeted them as they climbed out of the carriage.
Helen hugged her. “I’m so pleased you’ve come. Did the children travel without mishap? Oh, and I talked to Cassandra. We’re supposed to go to her home tomorrow. That way you can discuss the particulars.”
“Excellent.” As they walked to the house, Kathryn added, “We brought Elaine. I hope that’s all right.”
“Certainly. She’ll help entertain the children.” Once they entered the house, Helen introduced her to the butler. “Wells will provide you with anything you need. Let me show you to your rooms.”