Reese's Bride (12 page)

“I’m sure you will, if that is your wish. Just as I’m certain you’ll be able to help your friend. You were always good at coming up with solutions.”

“Like our marriage?”

She glanced down at her lap, picked up her glove and tugged it back on. “I suppose that remains to be seen.” She lapsed into silence and so did he, which gave him the chance to study her.

Beneath her simple black wool traveling gown, her breasts rose invitingly, though the bodice was buttoned to the neck and a warm woolen pelisse draped over her shoulders. Her waist was small and though he had never seen the sweet curves below, he imagined they would be as tempting as the rest of her.

His body clenched and his loins began to fill. Bloody hell, tonight was going to be torture of the very worst sort. He had given Elizabeth a week to get used to the idea that
he would be her husband in every way, and though it was killing him to wait, he would not break his word.

Still, he intended to spend the night in her bed. Rooms had been reserved for their party at the Roving Bull Inn, including the one they would share. Tonight would set the tone for the way he meant to go on and that meant starting with the upper hand.

Elizabeth was a passionate woman, even if she didn’t know it. Tonight he would give her a glimpse of what the future held in store for them.

He leaned back against the velvet seat, tilted his head back against the cushions and watched her from beneath half-closed lids. He imagined himself pulling the pins from her glossy black curls and running his hands through her hair. He remembered the lush feel of her breasts and he wanted to put his mouth there, to suckle and taste them until she begged him to take her.

His arousal stirred, pressed painfully against the front of his trousers. Tonight would challenge his strength of will, and yet there would be certain…rewards.

Reese looked over at Elizabeth, thought of the goal he had set for himself, and vowed to see it done.

T
he Roving Bull Inn on the road to London was a welcome respite from the long, cold journey. Whenever Elizabeth had traveled to town with Edmund, he had insisted on making the exhausting trip in a single day.

Instead, Reese had taken measures to insure her and Jared’s comfort, stopping several times along the route and arranging an overnight stay at an inn. It was amazingly clean and well appointed, she discovered as she walked next to her son and Reese into the whitewashed, thatch-roofed building. Low-beamed ceilings hung over the taproom, and a warm fire blazed in the hearth along the wall.

While Reese went to see to their quarters for the night, the rest of their small group of weary travelers huddled around the fire, warming their chilled hands and feet.

Reese returned a few minutes later. “They’ve got our rooms nearly ready. In the meantime, they’ve a nice kidney pie for supper. Or there is roasted quail.” He looked down at Jared, who shrank back only a little. Her son was still adjusting to the change, uncertain what all of it
meant, and her heart went out to him. She waited for Reese to send him off to dine with his nanny as Aldridge would have done, but he surprised her, as he had so many times in the past few days.

“Why don’t you have supper with us tonight, Jared? Your mother has been deprived of your company all day. I think she would enjoy the chance to see how you fared on the journey.”

Jared looked up at him with wide, soulful brown eyes. “All right,” he agreed, as if he actually had a choice.

Reese clamped him on the shoulder. “Fine, then, let’s see if we can manage to get ourselves something to eat.”

He ushered Elizabeth and Jared into the dining room and seated them in a private alcove he had previously arranged. The others took tables in the main part of the taproom.

“The food is quite good,” Elizabeth said, halfway through the meal. She looked down at her son. “Don’t you think so, Jared?”

He smiled and nodded, tucked back into his kidney pie. Several times Reese had tried to draw him out, but mostly he had given simple yes or no answers. Elizabeth prayed Reese wouldn’t get annoyed with him as Edmund would have done.

Jared was just finishing his last bites of food when Mrs. Garvey arrived at the table. “The innkeeper says our room is ready. With your permission, my lord, I think it is time I took Jared upstairs and got him into bed.”

Elizabeth leaned toward him as he rose from the wooden bench where he had been sitting. “Ask his lordship if you might be excused.”

Jared obediently complied. “May I be excused, Lord Reese?”

Reese frowned. Elizabeth wasn’t sure why. But Jared took a step backward, might have gone even further if he hadn’t been blocked by Mrs. Garvey’s enormous skirts.

“It’s all right,” Reese said gently. “You’ve finished eating. Of course you may be excused. Sleep well, Jared.”

“Good night, sweetheart,” Elizabeth said, smoothing back an errant strand of his dark hair. “I’ll be up to say good-night in just a few minutes.”

Mrs. Garvey led Jared out of the dining room and the two of them headed upstairs.

“What was it Jared said that upset you? He tries so hard to do everything just right.”

“It wasn’t Jared. I just…soon he is going to become my son. Perhaps once he is, we can discuss the matter of how he should address me.”

“He asked me what to call you. I—I wasn’t exactly sure.”

Reese rose from his chair, picked up his ebony walking stick, and drew her to her feet. “This is all going to work out, Elizabeth. We just need to take our time.”

Her throat tightened. He sounded so certain. And yet tonight was his wedding night and she was denying him. She wondered just how much patience he had.

Reese led Elizabeth upstairs, following the swaying hips of a buxom chambermaid.

“’Ere we are, milord. The grandest room in the ’ouse. Nice fresh linens. Water’s in the pitcher next to the basin on the dresser. Fire’s a-blazin’ in the hearth. If there’s anythin’ else ye need, just let me know.” She gave him a saucy wink. “There’s a bellpull right there in the corner.”

“Thank you, Molly,” Reese said.

“’Tis me pleasure, milord.” She flashed him a glance that promised she meant what she said. If he needed anything—anything at all—Molly would be happy to give it to him.

Reese clenched his jaw. He needed a woman—and badly, but the only one he wanted refused him the comfort of her body.

“I presume this room is yours,” Elizabeth said, nervously glancing around. “Where…where am I to sleep?”

The time had come. Reese led her farther into the room and firmly closed the door. “I told you I would give you a week and I intend to keep my word. I also said I expected your cooperation.”

“Yes, but—”

“We are married, Elizabeth. This is our wedding night. I intend for us to share a bed.”

Her breathing grew shallow and faster. He could see the fear creeping into her pretty gray eyes.

“Listen to me, Elizabeth. I am not going to force you in any way. I gave you my word and I don’t intend to break it. Now turn round so that I may help you undress.”

She only shook her head.

“We’re married, Elizabeth. I’m your husband and I want to see your beautiful body. At least you can grant me that much.”

For several long moments, she just stood there. Finally, she nodded. “All right, if that is your wish. But I need to call Gilda.”

“You won’t need the girl tonight. Tonight I’ll act as your ladies’ maid.”

More seconds passed and she made no move, just kept her gaze on his face. Then she squared her shoulders and
turned her back to him so that he could unfasten her buttons.

Relief filtered through him. Tonight was only a first step, but it was a very important one. “I’m going to undress you completely. I’ve already seen a good bit of your delectable body so there is no need for you to be embarrassed.”

She started to tremble.

His jaw tightened. In the past, she had longed for his touch, often been the one to initiate their passionate kisses. He wondered what had happened to the woman she had been.

Aldridge
, he thought bitterly, and pity welled inside him. Reese turned her to face him and eased her into his arms.

“We’re going to do this together, Elizabeth. I’m going to help you get over your fears. You trusted me enough to come to me at Briarwood. Trust me in this.”

She inhaled a steadying breath and some of her trembling eased. “I do trust you, Reese.”

It was true. Elizabeth trusted Reese as she never had another man. There was something about him that had always made her feel sheltered and protected. And he had given his word.

She released the breath she had been holding. They were married. He deserved a wife who pleased him in bed. She would do her best to give him what he deserved.

Instead of hurrying to undress her as she had imagined, Reese bent his head and kissed her, a tender, gentle kiss meant only to ease her fears. But liquid heat poured into her stomach and a kernel of desire bloomed inside her.

Moving of their own volition, her arms slid around his
neck and she leaned toward him. Reese’s arms went around her and the kiss turned hot and fierce.

Elizabeth trembled but not with fear. She opened to him, parting her lips to allow him entrance, and his tongue swept in to taste her. Inside her corset, her nipples hardened, rasping erotically every time she moved.

He had shed his jacket and waistcoat, and she could feel the lean slabs of muscle moving beneath his shirt. Wavy black hair, always a little too long, curled round the tips of her fingers.

“Reese…” she whispered, pressing herself more fully against him. She nearly stumbled when Reese pulled away.

Tenderly, he cupped her cheek. “You see? This isn’t going to be nearly as hard as you think.”

Not as hard? The word had her glancing down. Reese was fully aroused, and from what she had felt through her skirts, obviously far larger than Edmund. She shivered.

“Turn round, sweeting. Let me help you with your clothes.”

The endearment washed over her. He had called her that when she was a girl. She obeyed his command, her lips still burning from his kisses, her nipples still erect. She stood unmoving as he eased her wrinkled traveling gown off her shoulders, then unfastened the tabs holding up her heavy black skirts.

Soon she would be wearing bright colors again. Reese had no idea the favor he had done her.

“Come, let me help you.”

Taking her hand, he urged her out of the heavy pile created by her petticoats and full silk skirt. He lifted her corset cover over her head and started on her corset, amaz
ing her how expertly he dealt with the strings then dispatched her whalebone stays. She tried not to think how many women he must have made love to over the years.

“Sit down on the stool and I’ll take off your shoes.”

She wore only her undergarments, garters and stockings, and a pair of soft black leather half boots. Beginning to grow uncertain again, she perched on the edge of the stool and Reese slowly bent his stiff leg to kneel in front of her. He removed each low-heeled boot, then unfastened her pink satin garters and rolled down her black silk stockings.

When he looked up at her, the heat burning in his eyes made her breath catch. No man had ever looked at her the way he was, not even the young Reese she had once known.

“Stand up so I can take off your chemise,” he said gruffly, his voice thick and husky.

Beneath the thin lawn fabric, her breasts swelled and her nipples tightened almost painfully. Moisture settled in the place between her legs. It occurred to her nothing like that had happened since Reese had made love to her all those years ago.

She stood up slowly, breathing too fast, wanting him to touch her. Afraid of what would happen if he did. Reese moved behind her, began to pull the pins from her hair, allowing the ink-black curls to tumble round her shoulders. His suntanned fingers combed through the curly strands and he lifted a curl and inhaled the scent.

“Like roses,” he said. “I remember you always smelled like roses.”

Her stomach contracted. He remembered that about her, remembered the scent of the rosewater she bathed in. But then she had remembered things about him, as well. The way the edge of his mouth curved when he smiled,
the small indentation in his chin, the rich sound of his laughter that once had come so easily to him.

Reaching up, she slipped the straps of her chemise off her shoulders, let the garment slide down to her waist. Her breasts were full and round, the areolas a dusty rose. His gaze fastened there, took in the plump shape and diamond-hard nipples, and his eyes turned a fierce shade of blue. Her heart was pounding, hammering away inside her chest. Her body thrummed with heat.

Reaching down, Reese pulled the string on her drawers, then slid them along with her chemise down over her hips. Though she tried not to be embarrassed, she could feel a flush burning into her face, spreading down her neck and across her shoulders. No man had ever seen her naked, not even Edmund.

“Beautiful,” Reese said gruffly, his gaze as hot as the tip of a flame. Bending his dark head, he kissed the side of her neck, kissed her shoulders, trailed scorching kisses down to her breasts. It felt so good. So hot and sweet. She had forgotten how good his touch could feel.

Reese cupped her breast, lowered his head and took the fullness into his mouth, and a wave of desire tore through her. Elizabeth found herself clutching his shoulders, arching her back to give him better access. The shadow of his evening beard abraded her skin and her stomach quivered.

Reese turned his attention to her other breast, thumbed an aching nipple, then ministered to it, as well. Heat and moisture slid into her core. An ache began there and her legs became unsteady. Reese kissed her deeply, stirring the flames, drawing her into the passion. She forgot to be frightened, thought only of his kisses, his magical
caresses—until his hand cupped her mound, parted the soft folds of her sex, and a finger slid inside her.

Elizabeth bit back a cry of sheer terror and jerked away. She stumbled against the stool in front of the dresser, trembling all over, fear clawing at her insides.

“Easy,” Reese said, as if he were gentling one of his mares. “Everything’s all right. I want you, but it isn’t going to happen until you’re ready. I promise you that, Elizabeth.”

Her throat tightened. She wanted him, too, she had just discovered, and yet she was afraid. Grabbing her chemise off the floor, she held it protectively in front of her, still trying to control her trembling limbs. Reese swore softly, walked over and opened her satchel, drew out her warm blue quilted wrapper. Limping slightly, he returned to where she stood and draped the garment round her shoulders.

“I promised we’d go slowly. I didn’t mean to rush you. Now get into bed. I’ll join you there as soon as I finish undressing.”

Elizabeth released the breath she had been holding, hurried to the bed and climbed up on the mattress. Snuggling beneath the fluffy covers, she felt the warmth of a brick beneath the sheets and sighed in sheer pleasure.

“As you see, the bed is warm. Now take off that damnable robe.”

Her eyes flew wide. “But I—”

“Do it, Elizabeth. Remember you made promises, too.”

She had promised to cooperate, but it wasn’t that easy. Wishing she had been less amenable to his terms when she had agreed to the marriage, she shed the robe. She wasn’t truly afraid of him. At least not at the moment.

Comfortable in the big feather bed, determined to gain something for herself tonight, Elizabeth watched in fas
cination as Reese began to disrobe, removing each of his garments with military precision, draping them over the back of a wooden chair.

She told herself to close her eyes, that it wasn’t proper to stare. But as he stripped off his shirt, leaving him naked to the waist, her gaze remained riveted on the lean bands of muscle across his wide chest, the thatch of curly black chest hair that narrowed to a thin line down his flat stomach, his solid arms and powerful biceps. He removed his trousers and she admired his long, sinewy legs, noticed the scar running from his left knee up his thigh, disappearing inside his drawers.