Page 44 of The Virgin in the Rake's Bed
He smiled at her, their lips meeting once again in a kiss.
“We are alone, and even if we are disturbed, we are betrothed. There is no scandal in it,” he said, his hands running down the small of her back and down her dress, his lips on her neck, kissing her gently.
“And would we care if there were a scandal?” she asked.
“I would not,” he whispered.
A shiver of delight ran through her, his hands now moving up her back, pulling at her dress. Her head was on one side, his lips at her neck, and she pulled him close into her embrace, their bodies entwined. There was a chaise lounge by the fire, and he pulled her down to sit, tugging at her dress and exposing her breasts, which now he kissed, his tongue encircling them, his hands seeking her out.
“I want no more ruses between us,” she gasped, as his hand slid beneath her skirts.
“Does this feel like a ruse? There is no need for further pretending, no more rules, only what our hearts desire,” he whispered, and Catherine shuddered at the sensation now rising in her.
She had never known such a touch, though she had heard Rebecca and Samantha speak of the pleasures of the flesh. But no words could describe the sensation that now filled her body, a building heat which seemed to rise to bursting point. She gasped again, clutching at him, his touch intense and almost overwhelming.
“I…” she began, but he brought his finger to her lips, kissing her on the neck, his other hands searching her out again.
She could feel him stiffen against her, and she tugged at his breeches, exposing him, and causing him to gasp as she clutched at him, their pleasure rising together. She pulled him close to her, her skirts pulled back, his body arched over her, the touch of his fingers causing Catherine to shudder and cry out in delight.
“More… more, Catherine,” he cried, and with a cry she gave in to the feeling building inside her, a sudden burst of ecstasy, which filled her with delight such as she had never known before.
He too gave into his pleasures, and together they fell into each other’s arms, each overcome with the pleasure they had shared.
“I… I never thought it would be like that,” she said, smiling up at him, and he nodded, sitting back, and fastening his breeches.
“The seduction is complete,” he said, and she smiled.
“But who has seduced whom?” she asked.
He looked at her for a moment and pondered, a smile playing across his face. “Perhaps it not a case of whom, but of both. Have we not each played our little games and both to the satisfaction of the other?” he asked.
She smiled at him, nodding, her finger twirling in the ringlet of hair which had fallen from her French bun. She pulled her dress up and sat up, as Ian rose and hunted out a decanter of brandy which sat on a table by the window.
“Will you have a drink?” he asked, and she nodded.
Their tryst had made her thirsty, and now she took a sip of brandy, sighing and sitting back in the chair, watching as he sat down on the rug by the fire. There was no doubt she had fallen for him, she loved everything about him, desiring him again even now.
“And what happens now?” she asked, and he looked at her in surprise.
“Well, nothing,” he said, and she looked puzzled.
“I mean now that we know how we each feel?” she said, and he took a sip of brandy, his eyes fixed longingly on her.
“Is our betrothal not already announced? We are to be married, are we not? It is only you and I who have changed. To the outside world, we leave this library as we entered it, though everything has changed for us,” he said, and she smiled.
“I suppose you are right,” she said, but he shook his head.
“There is one thing, though, and in what we have just shared it makes me long the more for it,” he said, sitting up and reaching out for her hand.
“Name it,” she said, and he brought his lips to her fingers, kissing them each in turn.
“Marry me now, as soon as possible. There can be no delay. I could not bear a moment more to wait for you. I must have your hand, and know your desire mine, too,” he said.
His words – though entirely pleasant – took her by surprise. Before, she had been worried their ruse would be discovered when time elapsed and no marriage was forthcoming, but now they were truly betrothed, it seemed all so sudden to speak of marriage in such a way.
“We would need a special license from the bishop, it will take time,” she said, but he shook his head.
“Not if we elope. We can go to Scotland, marry there on the border at Gretna Green. Others of our class have gone before us. Your father will never permit this marriage. He did not when it was a falsity, and he will not now in truth. We must make it happen for ourselves, Catherine,” he said, and he rose from the floor and came to sit next to her, putting his arm around her and drawing her close.
