Читать книгу The Complete Regency Surrender Collection - Энни Берроуз, Louise Allen - Страница 85

Chapter Twenty-Six

Three weeks later

Wedding breakfasts could be so tedious.

Julian took a sip of champagne and wondered how long he and Katrina were obligated to stay at their own celebration. Surely they did not have to remain until the last guest departed? That could be hours from now—hours that would be better spent by him exploring the enticing curves of his new wife’s body.

Fortunately for Julian, the Russian Ambassador could carry on a conversation with a potted palm. Julian nodded periodically, to keep up the pretence of interest, but his attention was fixed on Katrina, who was visible to the left of the Russian Ambassador’s shoulder.

Once she had agreed to marry him, he had found himself constantly preoccupied with thoughts of bedding her. He wondered how tight she would feel when he entered her for the first time. Would she cry out her release or remain silent? Would she allow him to explore every bit of her?

His thoughts were interrupted when Hart nudged his shoulder. ‘I was hoping this fixation you have with your wife would end once you were married. But I suppose you will need a few days alone with her before you are cured.’

Julian glanced around, wondering what had happened to the Ambassador. And how long had Hart been standing by his side?

‘He walked off about five minutes ago,’ Hart explained. ‘I thought I would come to your rescue. If you’d been standing alone much longer I fear Madame de Lieven would have approached you. She has been regaling everyone with tales of how she was responsible for bringing you and your bride together. I’m certain she would enjoy sharing them with you.’

‘Madam de Lieven? I had assumed my grandmother would have already made certain everyone thought it was her doing.’

The look of surprise on Hart’s face made Julian laugh.

‘In truth, the only reason you and Katrina are together is due to some careful planning by Miss Forrester and myself. If we’d left it to the two of you, you would still be sending her weeds.’

Julian glanced at his beautiful wife and recalled the first time he had called on her at her home. ‘Do not discount those weeds. I think they may have helped win her love.’

‘Love!’ Hart spluttered into his glass of champagne.

‘Yes, love. We are in love. She is all I will ever need.’

‘You say that now. It is your wedding day. It would be poor form to say otherwise. But no woman can hold a man’s attention forever.’

Julian studied his friend, wondering if he truly believed that. ‘Some day, Hart, you will meet a woman and find that you cannot stop thinking about her. You will try, but to no avail. She will frustrate you, and excite you, and make you feel as if you are losing your mind. Then one day you will wake up and realise you never want to stop thinking about her, because if you did your life would be empty. There will never be anyone else for me.’

Hart was about to reply when Julian’s grandmother approached his side. ‘Lord Hartwick,’ she said, ‘you surprised me this morning. I had a wager with my maid that we would need a search party to find you. Well done—you arrived before the ceremony began.’

‘Had a search party been required, I can promise you, ma’am, that I would not have been found.’

She narrowed her eyes at him and Julian was grateful he was not on the receiving end of her assessing gaze.

‘Why don’t you see what is keeping Miss Forrester? I believe I saw her step onto the terrace some time ago.’

Hart rocked back on his heels and gave her a cocky grin. ‘I’m certain Miss Forrester is clever enough to find her own way back inside.’

‘Then fetch me a glass of champagne. I don’t want you spoiling my fun.’

‘It would be my honour.’ He bowed flamboyantly and walked away.

Julian wasn’t certain if he was relieved that the odd exchange had ended or wary because his grandmother felt the need to speak to him with no one else about.

‘That was hardly subtle,’ he said.

‘That man needs a woman to take him to task.’

‘Do I dare ask what fun you were referring to?’

She smiled up at him, clearly pleased about something. ‘He did not tell you? Capital! I was certain he would not be able to resist exposing my secret.’

The idea that Hartwick and his grandmother shared any sort of secret was making Julian’s head ache. ‘Is this a secret you’d care to share with me?’

‘Of course. That’s why I came over here. Your wedding gift from me has been placed in the study. You may do with it as you wish.’

‘Would you like me to ask what it is?’

‘I would.’ She tugged his arm and Julian brought his head down so she could whisper in his ear. ‘Do you recall that caricature printed of you and Katrina together in your carriage? You are now in possession of the printing plate.’

Julian jerked his head back and stared at her. ‘How did you acquire it?’

‘When I had someone I trust inform Cruikshank about your carriage ride, I specified that I wanted the plate in return for the information.’

He could not have heard correctly. ‘You gave Cruikshank the information that fuelled that caricature? Why? Why would you do that?’

It was a struggle to keep his voice down.

‘He was not aware I was the one providing him with the information. I am careful about such things.’

‘You never answered me. Why did you do that? Katrina could have been ruined,’ Julian said through his teeth.

‘Nonsense. I needed to force your hand. You did not see that you loved her, but I did. I expected you to do the honourable thing. Instead you took a different approach, you frustrating boy.’

Julian closed his eyes and began to count to ten. Hopefully by eight he would no longer have the desire to pack his grandmother’s bags and send her off to his mother’s house—right now.

‘How did you come by this information?’

‘I live in this house with you. I notice things. While I wasn’t certain you would actually go on a carriage ride with her, I suspected you were spending time with her. You were much too cheery. I was correct in my assumption, was I not? Hartwick would not confirm or deny anything to me. However, that boy does not hide his amusement well.’

Julian was back to counting. He took a deep breath. ‘So you have been in possession of that plate all this time?’

‘I have—and now it is yours. You may thank me by producing a number of great-grandchildren for me.’

‘You might want to consider remaining far away from me until Katrina and I return from Devonshire.’

She laughed and looked past his shoulder. ‘Very well. However, remember I don’t have many more good years left. A house filled with children would have me dying with a smile on my lips.’ She tapped her fan on his shoulder and walked away.

He scrubbed his hand across his brow and shook his head. How he wished he could leave for Devonshire now. Once more he eyed his wife. How many days of bedding her would it take until she was with child? His child.

Katrina was deep in conversation with Winter’s wife, and her tempting lips were raised in a warm smile. His gaze skimmed down her long neck to the swell of her breasts, searching for that beauty mark he knew was barely visible over the silver edging of her gown. Would her skin taste salty when he slid his tongue along that edging? Would her nipples grow hard?

This. Was. Torture.

As if sensing his gaze, Katrina raised her head and caught his eye. Slowly she sank her teeth into her plump lower lip. His control snapped. There were advantages to being a duke. Leaving his own wedding breakfast early with his beautiful duchess was one of them.

When he finally reached his wife’s side, he took her hand, and brought it to his lips. It was all he could do without raising too many eyebrows and embarrassing her. ‘You ladies seem to be enjoying yourselves.’

The Duchess of Winterbourne smiled congenially. ‘We were discussing a new portrait painter I’ve recently become acquainted with. I believe you would find his work most pleasing, Lyonsdale.’

Julian looked back at Katrina. ‘Of course—we will need a portrait of you for the gallery.’

The women shared an indecipherable look and Julian’s eyes narrowed as he caught the exchange.

‘I will leave the choice of artist up to you, although I assumed you would use Lawrence,’ he said.

‘Mr Lawrence is going abroad with a commission from the Prince Regent,’ Katrina said. ‘Olivia has been kind enough to offer me other suggestions. Although I do not know if this one particular painter’s work is suitable for the gallery.’

The Duchess of Winterbourne tried to hide her smile, but was unsuccessful. ‘Please excuse me, I believe I am needed across the room.’

Once she was far enough away, Katrina leaned towards Julian. ‘Perhaps you should stop looking at me as if you plan on having me for dinner,’ she said into her champagne glass.

‘But I do plan on having you—as soon as I can manage it,’ he said, brushing his lips against her ear. ‘Now that you are finally my wife, we can be alone for longer than a few brief moments at a time. And, Katrina, I plan on being alone with you for a very long time.’

There was a catch in her breath. ‘Are you trying to frighten me?’

She tried to nudge him away, but Julian tugged her back. ‘I don’t believe you frighten easily.’

‘Then what are you trying to do?’

‘I am attempting to make you want me as much as I want you at this very moment.’

She took another sip of her champagne as she glanced at the people around them. ‘I don’t believe any effort on your part is necessary.’

Julian could see the rise and fall of her breasts. Knowing what they looked like under her gown had Julian imagining all the different things he wanted to do with them.

He cleared his throat, trying to summon his voice. ‘One of the advantages of being a duke is that I can escort my wife upstairs right now and no one will question me.’

His voice sounded low and hoarse, even to his own ears. Moving his head away from Katrina’s, he drained the rest of his glass and tried to regain some of his composure.

‘What are some of the other advantages?’

Katrina’s voice had acquired a husky quality. The minx knew exactly what she was doing.

Bending his head back down towards her ear, he let out a low, warm breath. ‘Another is that I can taste every inch of my beautiful duchess’s body for hours.’

To his satisfaction, Katrina wobbled ever so slightly against him.

‘Have you been thinking up ways to scandalise me?’

‘No...not exactly...possibly...’

Chuckling against her ear, he heard her harrumph.

‘Then you’re going to have to do better than that.’

Ah, a challenge! What would she do if he told her what he had wanted to do from the moment he’d first seen her?

‘At this moment all I can think about is sinking into you and filling you. Do you understand my meaning?’

This time there was a more distinct wobble. It was probably visible from across the room. Before he even had time to gloat about what his words had done to his bride she had placed her glass down on the tray of a passing footman and tugged on Julian’s arm, propelling them to the doorway.

As they passed her father’s questioning gaze she gave the worst performance of a woman with a headache. In less than two minutes she was dragging him up the stairs towards their suite of rooms.

When they reached the landing Katrina let go of his arm and slid her gaze boldly down his body. ‘Now, what was it that you were saying about all the things a duke can do?’

He imagined taking her right there, on the floor at the top of the stairs—or, better yet, bent over the banister. She must have realised his sense of urgency, because her sweet lips parted and she began to step backwards.

There was nowhere for her to go. The hallway led directly to the end of the house, and if she wanted to escape him her only choice was to enter one of the rooms that were connected to the hall. If she did, he would lock the door behind them and take her on or against the nearest possible surface.

It didn’t matter to Julian which room it was. He was finally going to make love to Katrina. And he was going to do it now!

Stalking her slowly, like a tiger after its prey, Julian began to unbutton his jacket. The faster his clothes were off, the faster he could get her out of her gown. What would she look like in just her chemise? Was her chemise plain or did it have frills? Was it thin enough that he would be able to make out the shade of her nipples through the cloth?

Katrina made a sound resembling a squeak. ‘What are you doing?’

Looking down, Julian noticed his navy tail coat was open and his fingers were already unbuttoning his waistcoat. ‘Undressing.’ Flashing her a devilish grin, he arched his brow. ‘I suggest you do the same.’

‘In the hallway?’

Yes, her voice had definitely squeaked. She was still backing away from him, although her pace had slowed considerably.

‘What if someone should see us?’

‘News of our early departure will have reached the servants by now. I’m sure they know enough to stay away. Take your hair down.’

She hesitated.

‘Take it down,’ he repeated, undoing the knot of his neckcloth.

He froze as silken strands fell to her shoulders and down her back. Just like that day in Richmond, urgency drove Julian. In two strides his body was pressed against her. His hands were in her hair and he was kissing her—claiming her—exploring her mouth. She tasted like champagne and...Katrina.

She tasted like heaven.

He might have groaned, or maybe it was Katrina.

Pins fell from her hands, scattering silently on the rug. Her fingers twisted in the linen of his cravat, which now hung around his neck like a scarf. She was pulling the cloth towards her, and Julian could not have moved his head away from her even if he’d wanted to. She kissed him back hungrily, her lips dancing with his.

Julian pushed her up against the closest door. If he didn’t turn the knob soon he might very well be lifting Katrina’s skirts at any moment to taste her. Soft, warm hands found their way under the collar of his shirt, and she ran her palms against the hot skin near his collarbone. He cupped her breasts. They were a little less than a handful, and they were perfect. Her smooth skin tasted salty against his tongue. She moaned, and his breeches grew even tighter.

He kissed her again, needing to sink himself into her warmth. He turned the door handle and they stumbled into the room. There was just enough common sense left in him that he remembered to kick the door shut behind them.

Almost immediately Katrina pushed off his tail coat and her fingers fumbled to unbutton his waistcoat. ‘I want to be closer to you,’ she murmured between kisses.

He was painfully hard. He needed to slow things down or it would be over much too quickly.

Breaking the kiss, Julian tugged his shirt over his head. Katrina’s eyes widened. Her graceful fingers skimmed across his chest. His heartbeat quickened..

Leaving their wedding breakfast early had been a brilliant idea!

* * *

They might have been in a closet for all Katrina knew. Her entire focus was on the man making her tremble all over. His rounded shoulders were broad, and his chest had a light dusting of hair. Wondering at the feel of him, Katrina trailed her fingers across his chest to the thin line that led to the band of his breeches. There was a distinct bulge in the fabric. She traced her fingers over it and discovered it was thick and very hard.

His body shivered. She met his intense gaze and Julian gave a hard swallow.

‘Need to see you,’ he rasped, and he motioned for her to turn around.

It felt so good to finally be able to touch him that Katrina just continued exploring the contours of that bulge.

Throwing his head back, he groaned, and then grabbed her wrist. ‘Turn around.’

This time she turned her back to him. Within no time he had unbuttoned her dress and helped her step out of the delicate creation. He pulled slowly on the ribbon of her corset. The confining fabric loosened, and then it too was on the floor, followed by her petticoat.

His gaze travelled over her body and settled on her breasts. The longer he looked at them, the tighter her breasts felt. It was as if her skin was too small for her body. Julian’s raised his right hand and his fingers grazed over the swell of her breast. Then he rubbed his thumb back and forth over her nipple. It strained against his finger and began to ache. It was becoming difficult to breathe, and Katrina tried to pull air into her lungs.

His fingers slipped under the silk ribbons at her shoulder. ‘You look lovely.’

The idea that he liked her in such a flimsy garment made Katrina smile. Slowly he untied the ribbons at each shoulder and it slid down her body. He ran his tongue across his teeth and then dropped his head, rubbing his brow.

Her smile faltered. ‘Is something wrong?’

Shaking his head, Julian met her gaze. ‘I’m trying to convince myself that I should lay you down before I taste you.’

She hesitated as she tried to understand why they couldn’t continue to kiss while standing up. But before she came to any conclusions he’d lifted her into his arms. The next thing she knew, she was lying naked on a bed in her stockings. Julian slid her shoes off and tossed them over his shoulder. Kneeling at her feet, he let his gaze burn a trail over her body. When their eyes met, Katrina’s stomach flipped and her body tingled with restless energy.

‘Do you trust me?’ he asked, running his fingers along the inside of her calf.

She nodded, uncertain as to why he was asking. When he parted her legs and crawled between them she almost asked him. But before she could, Julian had lowered his head and slowly slid his tongue between her thighs.

Katrina almost jumped off the bed. He was still watching her while he tasted her again. There was no way to describe what he was doing. She had licked honey off her fingers in the same way he was licking her now. Katrina didn’t want to think about what he was doing, she just knew that what he was doing felt so very good.

When he slowly slid his finger inside her she tried to scamper up the bed. With his free hand he held her down. He moved his hand faster, and her legs trembled uncontrollably.

‘Don’t be frightened, Kat, just relax.’

That was easy for him to say. Every nerve in his body wasn’t being pulled into a tight mess. He lowered his lips to join his finger and she shattered into a million pieces.

When she could think clearly, she realised that Julian’s lips were brushing against her neck. The weight of his warm body was comforting, and his heavy breathing was blowing warm air against her hot skin.

‘What happened?’ she managed to ask, confident he would be able to offer an explanation.

Julian brushed his nose against her neck. ‘Your body let me know that it liked what I was doing to you very much.’

After kissing her several times, he pulled himself up and sat at the edge of the bed, taking off his shoes and stockings. Needing to watch his every movement, Katrina rolled to her side and propped her head in her hand.

When he stood, Julian turned, and appeared surprised to find her watching him. ‘Would you like to do the honours?’ he asked, gesturing to the buttons on the placket of his breeches.

Feeling as if she was about to unwrap a highly anticipated present, she rose to her knees and crawled towards him. Kneeling before him on the bed, she stroked the pads of her fingers over his warm chest. She didn’t think she would ever grow tired of feeling his skin against hers.

He caressed her arms and kissed the sensitive area where her neck met her shoulder. Dropping her hands lower, she ran her hand over his hard length. He was breathing more deeply into her neck, and when Katrina had opened the last button on his breeches she took him into her hand.

Wanting to see all of him, she moved back a bit. Their foreheads touched. They both watched Julian cover her hand with his and show her how to give him pleasure. Was this part of him always this hard?

The tip of his length grew slick. Lifting her hand, she marvelled at her wet finger. She wasn’t the only one growing wet from all this touching and kissing. Wondering what it tasted like, Katrina licked her thumb.

‘Oh, God...’ Julian groaned.

She looked up at him, worried she had done something wrong. ‘Should I not have done that?’

He answered by pushing her back onto the bed and stretching his body over hers. ‘Please tell me you know what occurs in the marriage bed.’ His chest was rising and falling as if he had run a far distance.

She nodded. Julian closed his eyes, and Katrina held her breath. Then he thrust himself inside her.

Her body stiffened at the invasion and she clutched his shoulder. His motionless body felt like marble above her. She wished he would go back to doing what he had been doing to her earlier. It had felt much nicer.

She shifted a little, to adjust her position. Julian lifted his eyelids slightly and looked down at her. ‘Please, Kat, don’t move.’ He let out a breath and closed his eyes again.

Was this painful for him? Having him inside her was very uncomfortable. She was certain she was going to be sore afterwards. But Katrina refused even to twitch.

‘How long do we have to stay like this?’

Julian opened his eyes, a questioning look on his face.

‘For there to be a child,’ she explained.

He started to laugh, and it reverberated throughout her entire body. Grinning, he kissed her forehead. ‘We need to do a little more than this.’

Well, that wasn’t an answer. Would they stay like this for a few minutes? Surely he couldn’t mean an hour?

He must have noticed her confusion, because he lowered his head and kissed her slowly. Then he pulled his hips back. Katrina thought they were finished—until he thrust into her again. This time she grabbed his hips to hold him in place. That had felt good—very, very good! Her eyes dropped to where their bodies were joined and her lips parted.

When she looked back up at him, Julian arched his brow. ‘You like that, do you?’

Unable to form words, she nodded and wrapped her legs around him, trying to bring him closer. What had started off as gentle soon became urgent.

He seemed to grow even larger inside her.

Katrina’s muscles tightened again.

The veins in his neck became more pronounced and he let out a loud groan.

She might have made a noise. She wasn’t certain.

Suddenly his body dropped down, pressing her into the bed. They were each struggling to catch their breath and the sound was loud in her ears.

He eventually propped himself up above her on his forearms and she wrapped her arms around his waist. She felt safe and secure.

His gaze was laced with concern. ‘Did I hurt you?’

Shaking her head, she traced his lips with her finger. He caught it between his teeth and drew it into his mouth. His warm, wet tongue twirled around it before he began to suck on it the way he had sucked on her nipples—pulling and drawing. There was a ripple from her finger down to where they had been joined.

‘Oh, you’re very good at this, aren’t you?’ she said.

He grinned and released her finger.

‘I’m glad you convinced me to leave our wedding breakfast early,’ she said, drawing circles with her nail on the small of his back. ‘I find I am very content with you here.’

He lifted his head from where he was nuzzling her neck. ‘Did you just say you were content with me?’

‘Yes, I believe I did.’

‘Content. Content? That seems a bit...insulting,’ he said with a twitch of his lips.

‘Forgive me. I did not intend to injure your pride. Perhaps I should say I’m pleased with you.’

‘Pleased? Yesterday you said you were “pleased” with the book you were reading.’

She grinned. ‘Very well. Perhaps you should tell me what you think of me. It may serve as inspiration.’

‘Somehow I believe you are simply looking for pretty compliments.’

‘And you are not?’

His eyes sparkled with amusement. ‘Had I only known I would be facing discourse such as this across the breakfast table each morning, I might have reconsidered speaking with you on the de Lievens’ terrace.’

She recalled that night, and how they had bumped into one another in the drawing room. What if her father had never been asked to come to London? And what if Julian had stood somewhere else? If it had been raining, would they even have spoken? They certainly would not have done so on the terrace.

He kissed her temple. ‘I love you, Katrina.’

‘And I love you, Julian.’

Life could be strange that way. Moments you thought were mundane could be the moments that change your life forever.

* * * * *