Page 94 of Lady for a Season
“If I undo this ribbon…” he whispered and she gasped at the sharp tug he gave, loosening the gathers, so that her breasts, freed from their support, swelled forwards, the tip of a nipple appearing at the edge of the corset. He slid his fingers along the rim of the fabric, pulling at it until both her breasts, still lifted upwards by the corset beneath them, were now fully visible to him. Maggie gazed up at him, trembling at the desire in his eyes.
“I have dreamt of this moment,” he murmured, one arm drawing her close to his body so that her bare breasts were pressed against the ridged woven silk of his waistcoat, one hand on her waist, unfastening the tie which still held her pink silk petticoat in place. The silk slipped down her thighs as it fell, leaving her dressed only in her corset, stockings and the Buckingham diamonds. She nestled into his arms, touching his jaw, running her fingers through his hair.
“You cannot undress me further,” she told him. “Or I will be late to the ball.”
“I will take you as you are,” he told her. “I have all of you that I need. I have your lips,” and he kissed her, “I have your breasts,” and he cupped one in his hand.
She closed her eyes, revelling in the touch of his hand, before opening them as he lowered her gently down onto the bed, so that she was sitting on the edge of it, while he knelt before her.
“Are you proposing to me again?” she whispered. “I have already said yes.”
He put his hands on her thighs and moved them slowly down to the ribbons of her stockings as she leant forward, wanting something from him but not knowing what it was, only that she wanted him closer to her, to feel his body against hers as it had been a moment ago, he felt too far away now, kneeling before her.
He put his hands on her knees and slowly pushed them apart. “Say yes again,” he demanded, his voice hoarse.
She did not know what she was saying yes to, only that she wanted everything that was happening. “Yes,” she breathed and gasped as his tongue began to explore her. She fell back onto the silk coverlet, writhing under his touch while his hands gripped her thighs and buttocks, one hand reaching for him, wanting more and more but he stopped, standing over her at the foot of the bed undoing his breeches while she watched him, wide-eyed,then moved backwards up the bed so that he could join her on it, crawling up between her legs until he was pressed up against her.
“Yes,” she whispered again, reaching up her arms to him, pulling him down onto her, feeling the full weight of him as he entered her, a whimper of pain escaping her lips.
He drew back. “I hurt you.”
“Yes,” she said again, but she was smiling. “I want it. All of it.”
And they were lost in each other, entwined together in pain and growing pleasure until she cried out his name and her cry brought him to a shuddering release.
Afterwards he tried to help her dress, although it proceeded very slowly, as he kissed every part of her as he did so.
“Oh,” she said, catching sight of herself in the looking glass as he did up the buttons at the back of her dress. “My dress is crumpled, and half my hair has come down. And your hair is all ruffled,” she added, reaching out to ruffle it further. “Everyone will know what we have been doing.”
He buried his face in her neck, laughing, kissing her. “You are beautiful, and I do not care that your clothes are crumpled. But I will send Celine to you so that you do not disgrace her, at least. Do I pass muster?”
She shook her head, laughing at him. “No! Your cravat is undone, and your hair is mussed, your breeches have been mis-buttoned and where even is your tailcoat? You must call for Joseph before anyone sees you.” She picked up the ostrich feathers and brushed them across his face. “One of us at least must be seen at the ball and you can be dressed more quickly than I.”
“I do not want to call for anyone,” he said. “I want to stay here with you and do it all again.”
She let go of the feathers and came to him, cupped his face in her hands. “Yes,” she said. “Yes.”
“Now?”
She laughed and kissed him, a long, lingering kiss. “After the ball. After we have danced the waltz together. We will do it all again and wake in one another’s arms. Now go.”
Celine’s eyebrows raised to see Maggie half-dressed and rumpled when she had left her looking perfect, but she only smiled a secret smile and hurried to re-pin Maggie’s hair, return the ostrich feathers to their place, straighten and smooth her gown.
“Thank you,” said Maggie when she was done. “How do I look?”
“Glowing,” said Celine. “And it is not my work that has done that to you.”
Maggie giggled. “I am so happy, Celine,” she said.
“I wish you joy,” said Celine. “I know you will bring His Grace great happiness.”
Maggie made her way to the ballroom, where Edward came to meet her at once, kissing her hand to applause and cheers, leading the opening dance with her, a graceful minuet.
“I think I should probably speak with some of our guests,” he said, as the dance concluded. “But I shall be back for the waltz.”
She watched him walk away, strong and handsome and… hers. The thought of what they had done together, that such pleasure could be theirs over and over again, real happiness lying within their grasp, was intoxicating.
“Congratulations and all that sort of thing,” said Lady Honora, appearing by Maggie’s side. “Bagging a duke in your first season, can’t say fairer than that. Inside job, though. Some of the mamaswill claim you had an unfair advantage,” she added with a grin. “Now they’ll have to pick the second-best on their lists.”
