“Excellent,” said Enid warmly. “I sometimes ride into town on an errand, or for some shopping . . . ”
“I need new shoes,” blurted Linnet. “Leather shoes or boots. Something more hard-wearing than my slippers.”
“Shall we say . . . tomorrow?” suggested Enid. “I could come by in our carriage and collect you?”
“That would be perfect,” said Linnet.
They both smiled widely at each other as Lady Sybilla sat up and started complaining that the afternoon sun was shining in her eyes and blinding her.
X
Mason poured more warm water into the basin and stripped to his waist. Linnet was seated on the bed behind him giving him an account of the Jaunceys’ visit. She thought he had only been listening with half an ear, but now he frowned.
“Who’s Chilton?” he asked coolly.
“The younger brother,” explained Linnet. “Enid was married to his older brother Lambert, who died.”
“Who is Chilton married to?” he asked, swinging round and narrowing his gaze on her.
“No one,” she answered. “He’s not married. He only recently came into the title and lands.”
“And why does Lady Jauncey want you to meet her unmarried son?” he asked pointedly.
Linnet bit her lip. “Well . . . Um. Enid seemed to think that, well, Lady Jauncey might have thought—” she broke off distractedly. “Just to be neighborly,” she finished off brightly.
He swung back round to finish rubbing himself down with a square of linen.
“I really like Enid,” Linnet was rambling on. “We’ve decided we shall be firm friends.”
“You’re not to go to the Jauncey place,” he said abruptly, throwing down his towel.
“What? Why not?” she could hear the dismay in her voice.
“To an unmarried man’s house. I think not, Linnet.”
“But Lady Enid and I . . . ”
“She can come here if you need to meet,” he said, sounding bored of the conversation as he snuffed out the candles on the far side of the room.
“But they invited me back to their house . . . It will seem rude if I refuse their hospitality.”
“I don’t give a damn,” he said, stripping off his smalls.
She gave a slight gasp at his rudeness. Well! “Lady Enid was telling me about her late husband and how considerate he was,” she carried on recklessly. “How he always listened to her and valued her opinion.”
“Take off your shift,” said Mason as he climbed into the bed and slid right across to her side. When she didn’t move fast enough, he reached under the blankets and drew the thin garment over her head himself. “I think I’ve been pretty considerate this last month,” he said and reached out to palm one of her small breasts. Linnet gasped. “The candles by the bed,” she choked out.
“I want to see what I’m doing.”
“But last time—”
“Last time I was feeling considerate. Tonight I’m not.”
Linnet blinked at him. Was he annoyed? She could almost swear his eyes were glowing. His other hand yanked the covers down, exposing her pale naked body to his roving gaze. Linnet cringed, but when her eyes flew to his he had a strange expression on his face that she didn’t quite recognize. It wasn’t disappointment, she realized with relief. No, not disappointment. It was almost . . . proprietary? He reached behind her and piled up the pillows.
“Lean back,” he said, his voice gravelly and dark with promise.
Again, when she wasn’t quick enough to comply, he acted, shoving her back against the cushiony softness. She fell back with a gasp as he loomed over her, his hand returning to her breast again, circling it with his fingers and passing his thumb over her sensitive nipple. His eyes travelled up to her face as he slowly lowered his head to her other breast and then opened his mouth over it, drawing it into the wet heat of his mouth. Linnet gasped again, her hand flying to the back of his head where she dug her fingers into his dark hair and clung to him, as he sucked and licked her nipple and then drew her whole breast into his mouth. All the while, his other hand was gently squeezing her other breast, and then his fingers not-so-gently pinching the nipple. Linnet let out a ragged sigh as he lifted his head away, and began to lavish the same attention on her other breast. All the while, he pressed a thumb against her wet nipple, kneading it lightly and rubbing it back and forth in a way that made her want to twist and moan, and that seemed to give it a direct connection to the area between her legs which was now pulsing with new awareness.
“Hmm, such sweet, sensitive little breasts,” he said huskily. “Do you like that?”
She bit her lip and squeezed her legs together, trying to shift against the pillows. “I—I’m not really sure . . . ” she said breathlessly.
At her slight movement, his other hand glided down, down until his fingers slid right into her curls and then the core of her, making her cry out in surprise.
He gave an approving growl. “It seems like you do, Linnet.”
She tipped her head back to look at him as his finger slid up inside her. Her cheeks felt scorched. She held her breath.
“Nice and wet for me,” he said thickly. “When you’re in my bed, that’s what I expect. You, naked and wet. Not to hear you talking about other men.”
Her eyes grew wide as they stared into his. “Naked? But I—Umm!” He’d added another finger. She squeezed her eyes shut. Oh my gods!
“Look at me, Linnet,” he said in a low, insistent voice as he moved his fingers inside her, making her breath hitch and her head toss on the pillow. She gazed up at him, her chest heaving. To her embarrassment, his eyes dipped to her breasts again, though how she could be embarrassed about that, considering where his hand was, she did not know. Then, with his eyes trained on her, he tipped forward and began tonguing and sucking on her nipples again. Linnet gave a long, low moan and then his thumb brushed against something that made her almost shout out.
“Mason!” she gasped, trying to sit up, but his weight had her pinned to the pillows. “Wha—?”
He did it again and she felt herself tighten up against his fingers, squeezing him tight. Oh my gods, everything was connected to between her legs! And she could feel every stroke of his fingers, every circle of his thumb. Biting her lip so hard she thought she’d draw blood, she turned her face to the pillow and felt herself explode.
Ragged breathing was the next thing she heard, and at first she thought it was her own, until she realized Mason’s mouth was against her ear, and he was on top of her now, solid and heavy. He’d removed his fingers from her now and filled her with something much bigger. He wasn’t moving though. Just buried in her to the hilt, hard and throbbing.
“Linnet,” he rasped. “Gods, you’re so tight, sweeting.”
She felt herself glow at the endearment and braced herself for the pain of his invasion. Strangely enough, she didn’t feel any pain yet, she thought with a frown. There was no burning sting like before. Oh, she felt the unfamiliar stretch, and the strange fullness but no pain. She reached up to grasp his upper arms and tilted her hips against him to make sure.
“Linnet,” he gasped and thrust into her.
“It doesn’t hurt,” she murmured and felt his face turn into her neck.
He planted his palm at her side, lifting most of his weight off her and onto his arms.
“That’s good,” he said richly and thrust again, harder this time. “That means,” he groaned loudly. “I don’t have to hold back this time.”
Linnet’s eyes widened as he reached down with his other arm and grasped her behind the knee, lifting her leg over his hip, opening her further up to him. She held on tight as Mason ground and swore and hammered his way to release. He was a lot louder and more vigorous this time, and though it wasn’t painful it was uncomfortable and peculiar and felt strangely raw, emotionally. She felt guilty, protective, and oddly privileged when he finally dropped his brow against her chest and collapsed his full weight against her with a
filthy curse. She stroked his hair gently as his chest heaved against hers and when he rolled onto his back, he took her with him so she was plastered against his front. Maybe he had felt the same when she had her release earlier, she mused. This marital relations business was a very strange thing. He sighed and lifted one arm up behind his head to fling out some of the pillows until he only had one. His other hand slid from her hip to her backside and lightly squeezed her there. He must be embarrassed she thought, after his loud exertions and foul language. Not that it was his fault. She herself had been unable to stop moaning and gasping earlier when he was using his hands and mouth. If she knew any curse words perhaps she would have been using them. She lifted her head to give him a reassuring smile and awkwardly patted his chest to show him that everything was fine.
“Next time,” he said. “You’ll find release when I’m inside you.”
Linnet’s head jerked back, but his eyes had already drifted shut. She stared at him in confusion, mulling over his words from earlier. “You can’t mean for me to sleep naked every night, surely?” she asked drowsily before tucking her head back into his chest.
“I do,” he answered. “And you will.”
Very, very strange, thought Linnet.
XI
Linnet woke early the next morning but had no chance to disentangle herself from Mason, as he was firmly wrapped around her this time. Instead, she lay pondering over his puzzling words the previous night. She hadn’t even been talking about Chilton Jauncey except to answer the questions he brought up, she thought indignantly. If she had told him what Enid said she could have understood it, but she hadn’t breathed a word of Lady Sybilla’s matchmaking schemes! She was warm as toast with her big sleeping husband hugging her close and before overlong, she drifted back off to sleep. When next she woke, it was a little after eight o’clock and she was alone in the bed. She knew Mason and Oswald were visiting with more of the tenants today and meant to make another full day of it, so she didn’t tarry long over breakfast and made haste to dress herself in a yellow gown with no train and puffed, rather than long draped, sleeves. If she was going into town with Lady Enid she did not want to be trailing in the muddy streets. She added her purse to the braided leather belt she wore low over her hips, and after a moment’s hesitation, a wimple and veil. She wasn’t sure how much she would need for her new footwear, so she asked advice from Nan the maid, who told her only to take a few coins, for full payment would be settled on receipt of the goods. She selected her plainest black slippers and hoped they would hold up to outdoor wear for at least one morning and then sent Cuthbert to find her a cloak she could use. She really needed to commission some outdoor wear from a tailor, she thought, adding that to her list, mentally. When her page reappeared with a serviceable dark-brown cloak for her to wear, she found he had donned his own cape in readiness to accompany her, his eyes shining with excitement at the prospect of a trip into town. As she fastened the cloak, she passed him two coins of his own to spend.
“On a new whistle, or perhaps a bun,” she suggested.
“I hear horses!” he cried, dancing over to the window. “’Tis Lady Enid. And two other men!” he added with interest.
Linnet frowned and joined him at the window. “But who are they?” she wondered aloud. One looked like it might be a footman but the other was definitely a nobleman in his scarlet hose. “Oh dear, I wonder if ’tis Sir Chilton Jauncey?” she wondered aloud. When she informed Mason of the trip the night before she had mentioned only Enid as company, not Enid’s brother-in-law. With trepidation, she remembered his strange words about her not visiting Jauncey Hall which now belonged to an unmarried man. Oh well, she thought with a shrug. She would not be visiting Jauncey Hall. Only going into town.
She held her hand out to Cuthbert. “Come,” she said cheerfully. “We shall soon find out!”
It turned out she had been quite correct in her surmising. Enid sent her an apologetic look as she approached their comfortably upholstered wagon. “Right sorry I am, Linnet,” she said hastily. “But my mother-in-law insisted that Chilton accompany us today.”
Linnet’s eyes flew to Chilton, who was eyeing her with open curiosity. He gave her a quick smile.
“Apologies for intruding on your adventure today,” he said smoothly. “I find it much simpler to simply fall in with my mother’s plans. Resistance is usually futile.”
Chilton was short and rather slim with a well-trimmed triangular beard and a neat little moustache. His appearance was immaculate and he hopped down from the wagon to give her the most elegant bow she had ever received.
She smiled at him and curtsied in return. “I am very happy to meet you, sir.”
“Lady Linnet,” he murmured and helped her up into the wagon. “And who is this fine young sprig?” Cuthbert hopped up behind her, scorning any offer of help.
“I am milady’s page,” said Cuthbert loftily. “In case her ladyship needs protection.”
Sir Chilton laughed. “Very wise. That is the selfsame reason I have bought Lawton,” he said, tipping his head towards his burly footman. “You never know when you may need some muscle.” Linnet glanced at Lawton who indeed looked much bigger and stronger than his master.
Linnet settled herself beside Enid, who pressed her hand and mouthed “sorry” with a wince. “Chilton is actually excellent company,” she murmured in a low voice. “It’s not his fault that Lady Jauncey foisted him on us.”
“I have no objection,” said Linnet politely. “I only hope that you will not be bored with the list of wares I must commission today, Sir Chilton.”
“Unlikely,” responded Chilton cheerfully. “I am very fond of buying wares. What are our purchases to be today?” He tucked his short, ruched cape around himself. Although the sky was blue there was a definite chill in the morning air.
“I have need of new sturdy shoes,” said Linnet. “And some warm outdoor clothes as I have none.”
“Ah. We must visit Hatton to order the shoes,” he recommended. “An excellent shoemaker. He has three sons, all well apprenticed in the trade. And perhaps we should visit Linneman for the lengths of material. He has some very fine fabrics in stock.”
“I have plenty of fabric,” said Linnet, remembering the chests stuffed full of the finest wares. “Rather I need to commission a tailor. Is there one in town?”
“There are several,” said Chilton agreeably. “But only two that are acceptable for such fine work. Allow me to direct you to Mr. Postner off the high street. His work is really exceptional.”
“Chilton is rather a connoisseur,” said Enid drily. “Clothes are his particular expertise.”
He gave a modest bow while seated. “I am not ashamed to admit it,” he said, running a critical eye over Linnet’s cloak. “If you will permit me to say, my dear Lady Linnet. That cloak is a monstrosity.”
Cuthbert sat up straight with an annoyed exclamation. “I borrowed that myself,” he said indignantly.
“Borrowed from whom?” asked Sir Chilton with interest.
“Mrs. Perkins, the housekeeper.”
Linnet laughed and both Chilton and Enid turned curious eyes on her. “It was very kind of her to lend it to me. You see,” she explained with a shrug. “As an invalid, I have never had need of one before.”
“Well you are an invalid no more,” said Enid warmly and she shot a look at her brother-in-law.
Chilton looked amused. “Such a fascinating story,” he said.
“I hope you don’t mind,” said Enid. “I’m afraid Lady Jauncey has been spreading the story far and wide.”
“Not at all,” Linnet hastened to assure her. “Indeed, I am heartily glad to hear it. Perhaps then people will stop expecting me to limp or have a hunched back.”
Chilton laughed again. “What a pair of villains those Jevonses were!” he marveled. “Poor Mother is most put out.”
He kept up a steady flow of conversation as they made their way into town, and Linnet found him most entertaining. Enid
was quieter today and seemed content to let Chilton lead the small talk. Once they reached town, he was a veritable godsend, hailing the shoemaker as an old friend and insisting that the oldest Hatton son, Jonathan, be commissioned to make her both a pair of outdoor ankle boots and a pair of sturdier leather shoes.
“Johnny has the lightest touch,” said Chilton fondly and Jonathan Hatton cleared his throat, blushing like a boy even though he had to be in his mid-twenties.
Old Mr. Hatton measured Linnet’s feet and scribbled down the proportions. “A very dainty foot, milady,” he said. “With delicate arches.”
It crossed Linnet’s mind he might have been expecting bunions, but she tried not to mind as she smiled at the old man and left her down payment for the work.
“Lady Linnet will no doubt have much trade for you from the castle now she has taken over from her aunt,” said Enid imperiously. “You do realize she is Linnet Cadwallader that was?”
All three of Mr. Hatton’s sons turned to stare at her in wonder.
“A miraculous recovery my lady,” said the shoemaker. “Allow us to congratulate you on your restored health.”
“Er, thank you,” said Linnet breathlessly, she could feel her face filling with color. It must look quite hideous with all her freckles! “You’re very kind.”
Mr. Postner the tailor greeted Sir Chilton just as warmly as the cobbler and agreed to visit Castle Cadwallader in a week’s time to measure Linnet for a full set of outdoor wear. He was goggle-eyed at the idea of making clothes for the Cadwallader invalid bride. “A fur-lined hood and gloves,” he murmured, jotting down notes. “To keep Lady Linnet snug and warm.”
“He will dine off this tale for weeks,” murmured Enid.
“A very elegant figure,” he pronounced. “And now your health is stabilized, who knows, perhaps you will need a full court wardrobe in time?” he rubbed his hands together in anticipation of new commissions.
“I am quite sure that Lady Linnet’s social engagements will necessitate many new gowns,” said Sir Chilton with confidence as he leant against the counter, looking through sketches. “As for myself, I find myself in need of a new tunic for Lawton. This current one really does not make the most of his remarkable physique.”
Her Baseborn Bridegroom (Vawdrey Brothers Book 1) Page 10