SoundsofLove (30 page)

He rose quickly, and she knew she’d struck a chord. “She’s a
master of the sword?”

“Yes. Would you like to sit beside her?”

“Yes, please.”

“After lunch, we’ll get you back to Lincoln. You can spend
your nights there if you like, but I think the accomplishment will be worth
your days at Bradford Manor this term.”

“Yes, my lady. It will be a pleasure working with you, my
lady.”

“Excellent. Why don’t you go pack your belongings and meet
us for lunch?”

“Yes, my lady, and thank you, my lord.” He bowed on his way
out.

She faced Julian, and the magnitude of what she’d done
washed over her. “I didn’t think I had that in me, standing up to the duke.”

“Without offending him. You did very well. He would be a
terrible enemy.” He dismissed the remaining footman, and they were alone. His
voice held delicious promise. “You’re the perfect wife for me. I’m sorry I lost
sight of that fact.”

“Perhaps we could spend tonight at Gorham House, and finally
enjoy the baths.”

The first view of the Gorham baths literally took Cathryn’s
breath away. Brilliant azure walls with high rows of massive stalactites
reflected pink afternoon light, resulting in a surreal lavender glow. The
bubbling springs of the huge cavern sent wisps of vapor dancing across the
water. Outside the mouth of the cave, the sky was paler blue and a lake could
barely be seen in the intense sunshine. “It looks like a postcard of the Blue
Grotto I received once.”

“I believe that was Melina’s intent. Of course she’s
embellished the natural beauty a bit.” A single enormous body of water
dominated the main chamber, with life-size statues of Greek and Roman design
circling the space, looking down on the bathers with neutral expressions worn
thin by centuries of exposure. Open clay stoves heated the air near the
entrance to a comfortable temperature. “She hosts grand parties here in the
summer—the whole district soaks in these waters.”

Cathryn sniffed the air. “A bit of sulphur?” The smell was
cleaner than she’d expected.

“All the good minerals. It’s a rich spring, and the reason
Melina bought the property. Cold this time of year, though.”

Cathryn dragged her fingers over colorful mosaics that added
texture to the high walls. “These are beautiful.”

“You are beautiful.” He came up behind her and wrapped his
arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck as he whispered, “I missed you so,
Cathryn. Let’s never sleep apart again.”

“Agreed. I never slept in a colder bed.” She turned in his
arms and looked up at him. “We are much better together than alone.” His
tousled hair and roguish features enchanted her.

He kissed her lightly. “I was never lonelier than the week
we were apart. I should have listened to your full explanation.”

Embarrassed, she turned her face away and stared at the
wall. “I have little defense. I was unfaithful to appease my loneliness, and I
lied to save my pride.”

He touched her chin and turned her face towards him. “I
might have done the same, love. I saw that when I considered your situation
fully.”

Relief flooded her. “If it’s any consolation, I did learn
that Hedges paid the doctor to seduce me.”

“Truly?” Julian stepped back. “That bastard. He didn’t want
children—I suppose he was testing your fertility.”

That stung. “And my fidelity.” She took both his hands. “I
promise to be faithful to you, Julian, and I’ll not wed until I conceive.”

“We all do things we regret later, especially when sedated
or foxed.” He squeezed her hand. “And I will wed you as soon as possible.” He
let go of her hands and loosened the tie on her robe. “I want you as my wife,
in sickness and in health.”

She loosened his tie and his robe dropped open, displaying
his thick urgency. “I want you as my husband, for better or worse.” He cupped
her breasts gently, stroking his thumbs across the nipples until they peaked.

A shudder of desire passed between them. He slid her robe
off her shoulders and shrugged out of his own. “I will be faithful to you, and
cherish you, until death us do part.” He removed the pins from her hair and
dropped them on the floor, arranging her heavy locks around her shoulders and
breasts with long strokes, frequently grazing her nipples with his fingers as
he positioned the curls with great deliberation. Cathryn began to quake at each
intimate contact, but all too soon, he stopped. He took her hands in his and
kissed the backs of her knuckles as he gazed at her.

Standing naked in the pagan cathedral, suffused by the
amethyst glow and rich earthy smell of the waters, Cathryn filled with pure
primal bliss at his clear adoration. Still, she could not be the first to say
what she most wanted to hear. Tears welled in her eyes as she waited.

He bent over her and brushed his lips against hers. “I’m in
love with you, Cathryn. Deeply in love.”

Her soul expanded and it took a moment to catch her breath. “Oh,
Julian. I’m in love with you, too. Desperately.” She lifted her lips, and he
answered her prayers with a long, deep kiss that sealed their vows.

Her knees were weak when he pulled away and whispered, “It’s
a fine feeling, being in love and being loved in return.”

“Nothing could be finer.”

He held her close for a long moment, and she savored the
elation of finally having expressed herself. Now she could say it whenever she
wished, what a welcome relief from the tension of restraint. His skin was cool
as she stroked down his muscled back.

He must have noticed the same on her as he rubbed down her
spine and cupped her buttocks. “You’re chilled.” Taking her hand, he scooped up
their robes and started walking towards a side doorway she’d failed to notice
before. “There are warmer private baths.” He pulled back a dark curtain and
urged her into the chamber beyond. The light was dim and she stood still for a
moment to let her eyes adjust. He lit several more candles, and Cathryn stepped
farther into the warm aquatic den. Tiles in shades of green and mirrors of
various sizes lined the walls and low ceiling. The effect simulated a jungle
feeling, with light shimmering through the thick brush. Rows of wooden benches
and several open clay stoves surrounded a small pool of gently steaming water.
A charming waterfall cascaded quietly at the far end of the bath, adding a
tropical murmur to the air.

Julian opened a cabinet along the wall and bent over
something inside. His fine hips and thighs shone white in the candlelight and
reflected in several mirrors at odd angles.

Cathryn’s heart quickened. Something about his comment on
being loved struck her, and she hoped to delve deeper. Perhaps a stab at
levity? “You’re not shagging any of your housekeepers, are you?”

To her relief, he barked a laugh. “Not a one. Not even a
parlormaid. I plan to sleep in your bed every night and as many afternoons as
possible.” His voice warmed. “And I did not sleep with any women when we were
apart, in case you were wondering.”

She was glad for the reassurance and quickly offered her
own. “Thank you—nor did I. Sleep with any men.”

“Good.” He approached her with a champagne bottle and two
glasses in his hands. “Do you fancy my father?”

She laughed aloud. “No!”

“Then we have no more worries.” He wore a broad smile as he
handed her the glasses and loosened the cork.

This was how she would always remember him. Naked and
laughing, loving her completely in their decadent underground lair.
He’s
magnificent, and he’s mine.
She drank in the image and impressed it upon
her memory. “I hope we always love one another as much as we do at this moment.”

“I’ll do my best.” He popped the cork and poured the
champagne, setting the bottle on the floor before taking his glass from her. “I
suspect I’ll grow to love you even more, as we share our joys and sorrows
together.” He raised his glass. “I vow to do my best to earn more of your love.
I want you to be proud of me.”

Cathryn’s breath caught.
That
was all she could ask of
a man. “I vow to do my best to earn more of your love and respect.” Eyes
locked, they drank the toast, each draining the glass. Threads of bubbling
warmth spread to her fingertips and toes.

He took her glass and set it aside with his own, then
circled her waist and kissed her with cool lips, teasing her with his tongue,
his erection growing between them. Both of them were breathing heavily when he
broke away, holding her gaze. “We’ve exchanged vows, Cathryn. I consider us
married. I will never leave you again.”

Tears flowed unbidden down her cheeks. “Thank you, Julian.
It’s very kind of you to gamble on me, but you need an heir.”

“I have an heir—a second cousin from Sussex.” He wiped a
tear from her cheek. “And he’s happily married with six children, so you’ll
never be forced to marry him.”

Caught between a sob and a laugh, Cathryn hiccupped. The
scent of champagne drifted between them and they both laughed again.

He stepped back and appraised her openly. “You have all the
appearances of a fertile woman—fine broad hips, generous breasts and a loving
nature. Yes, love, I’ll wager on you.” He took her hand and led her to the
water. “And I’ll win—I know it.”

She flushed from her toes to the tips of her hair. He had
placed his wager. It was time she placed hers. “A moment, sir.” She wiped away
her tears and assumed what she hoped was a cheeky pose, hands on hips, as he
stopped in place. “I should like to appraise your…assets…as a fertile man.” She
winked and grinned. “Show me, please.”

That pleased him tremendously. “As you wish.” He faced the
candles and gave his cock a few long strokes before he puffed out his chest and
stood proudly, hands on hips.

She heated from her toes to the tips of her hair. “Yes, I
think you’ll do quite well.” She pried her eyes from his stiff shaft, growing
larger by the moment, and looked up to his smiling eyes. “I’ll wager on
you…husband.”

He shook his hips and his cock bobbed. “The race is on, my
lady.” Reaching out, he grabbed her hand. “Into the water.” She followed him
down a stair into the bath, relieved at the warm temperature. “I need a long
soak to get the kohl out of my pores.”

She put her hand on his shoulder. “Thank you again, Julian.
I know that was a great sacrifice.”

“It ended well—that’s what matters.” He let go and floated
out into the pool, diving down for a long moment. He rose like a feline water
sprite, brushing back his hair from his face. “That feels better already.” He
swam away from her towards the waterfall. “If you want the water warmer, I can
add more hot stones around the edges.” He pointed to a clay stove and she
noticed large rocks on top. “Don’t step on the stones in the water—they stay
hot for some time.” He stopped and stood, the water coming to the middle of his
chest. “Can you swim?”

Not really. “I had lessons as a girl.” She glanced around
and noticed a ledge near the stairs. “I think I’ll sit for a while and watch
you.”

He walked towards her, holding out his hands. “You’ll feel
better if you soak.”

His boyish smile melted her reservations and she dove
forward, eager to be in his arms. The water was deeper and the distance farther
than she’d judged, and she went under rather less gracefully than she would
have liked. Her foot hit bottom at the same moment that Julian reached her and she
lunged into him, sending them both floating into deeper water. His hands lifted
her as she struggled to untangle her hair from her arms, sputtering mineral
water but relieved she hadn’t inhaled any.

“Slowly, love, easy. Don’t kick, I have you.” His smiling
face was inches from hers. “I have assets to protect.”

She relaxed and let him hold her up. He cradled her as she
arranged her hair behind her.

“You have lovely hair. I should like you to keep it long.”
He stiffened for a moment. “Unless you want to cut it, of course.”

Tears sprang to her eyes again. Perhaps the champagne made
her weepy, for it wasn’t her normal state. “I’m glad you like it. I’m happy to
wear it any way that pleases you.” She smiled. “You’re the one who will look at
it most often.”

“Wear it down when we’re alone.” He didn’t hesitate, and she
noted the preference.

“As you wish. I like yours long or short equally—both suit
you.”

“Thank you. I plan to let it grow.” He guided her towards
the ledge. “You incite me, Cathryn. Simple phrases make me want to pleasure
you, everywhere.” He lifted her out of the water and set her down on a shallow
ledge of smooth rock. She wiggled her bottom on the stone and wondered what he
had in store for her. “‘Show me’, ‘as you wish’.” He stood between her legs, coming
face to face with her. “This could make shopping a constant erotic adventure.”

She giggled.

He began with a kiss and she sighed, melding with him. He
wrapped his arms firmly around her. “I love you, Cat.”

“I love you, Julian.” How wonderful to have the words flow
freely. Sweet sounds of love. “You call me Cat when we’re in the bedroom—or
naked.”

“I call you Cat when your hair is down and I want…intimacy.”
He cupped her breasts, sending waves of desire surging throughout her. “Does
that bother you?”

“Nothing about you bothers me…at the moment.” Her nipples
hardened and the surges increased in intensity. A whimper escaped. “Violet
called me Cat, and it annoyed me at first, far too frivolous for how I saw
myself.” His magical touch drew new pleasure forth with each caress. “But, now
I see it…as my lighter side.” She leaned back on the stone edge of the pool to
give him full access. All thoughts ceased as she gave herself over to the world
of sensations.

“A fine side of you it is, Cat.” Julian lapped at her
breasts with his tongue, adoring each in equal measure. This woman, this
beautiful body, was his to care for, and he intended to do her right. He laved
her bosom, glad to hear her whimpers of pleasure. That was his intention for this
evening—extreme pleasure. For both of them. But his cock was starting to ache,
and Cathryn couldn’t be terribly comfortable lying on the rocks.

He backed away and squeezed her breasts from more of a
distance.
Glorious. And mine.
He huffed his approval as he backed away farther.
“You’re a beauty, Cat.” He saw her wince when she rose from her elbows. “Let me
get towels for us.” He left the pool by the stairs and headed for the linen
closet, retrieving an armful of towels before returning to her, still seated on
the side.

“You’re very thoughtful, Julian.” She took a towel and
placed it behind her. “I should find an endearment we both like—dear, perhaps?
Thank you, dear?”

He hovered over her, admiring her natural splendor,
perfectly in harmony with the beauty of the surroundings. Most of his
mistresses had called him “dear”. “No.”