Page 102 of An Unwilling Earl
Charlotte thought it was very decent indeed. And beautiful.
She studied her short hair, wishing with all of her might that she had her long hair back. But Mrs. Smith had curled it so that it bounced around her head, and a pink flower peeked out from behind her right ear.
“Oh my,” Mrs. Smith had said. “This will be the new style. Mark my words. Girls will be begging to cut their hair like yours.”
Charlotte had blushed at the extravagant compliment but didn’t believe a word of it.
Some day she would have long hair again.
Through the looking glass she watched Jacob enter, and she caught her breath. He was magnificent in black tails and a white tie. His shoes shined so that she could see the room’s reflection in them.
He stopped short.
“Well then.” He cleared his throat and looked her over from head to toe with a gleam of admiration in his eyes. “Well then,” he repeated.
She was suddenly afraid that she didn’t look good enough to be on his arm. Maybe the dress was the wrong color, although Sarah had exclaimed over the richness of it.
Jacob visibly swallowed. “You are a beautiful woman, Lady Ashland, but this is beyond beautiful. This is exquisite.”
“Do you think so?” She plucked at her skirts nervously.
“Oh, I know so. When Mrs. Smith said I would be shocked, she was understating it.” He opened his arms wide and shook his head. “I have no words.”
“Thank you. You look amazing yourself.”
“I wasn’t too sure about the style but was told it was appropriate.”
“I think you did well.” There was an awkwardness between them, as if they were two different people. There were Charlotte and Jacob, and then there were Lord and Lady Ashland. They weren’t accustomed to playing the role of lord and lady.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. Nestled inside was a stunning sapphire on a thick silver chain, and on each side of the necklace were teardrop sapphires for her ears.
“Oh, Jacob.” She put a hand to her chest, not daring to touch them.
“Mrs. Smith told me the color of your gown. I must say they’re almost an exact match.”
“They’re gorgeous. But I can’t wear these. They’re fit for Queen Victoria, not a former street urchin.”
“You are not a former street urchin. You are my wife, and you are Lady Ashland, and you deserve these and so much more.”
Hesitantly she reached out a finger and touched one of the cold stones. “What if I lose one?”
“I doubt you’ll lose one.” He put the box on her dressing table and lifted the necklace out. “Turn around.”
She turned to face the mirror and watched as he lowered the necklace over her head. The large sapphire settled, cold and heavy, on top of her breasts. She could feel his breath on her neck, and goose bumps formed on her arms. He was intently studying the clasp, his fingers skimming her bare neck and making her shiver.
Their gazes locked in the mirror, and a small smile tilted his lips. Without losing eye contact he lowered his head and put his lips where his fingers had touched, and she shivered again. Her body became heavy, and she instantly recognized the signs that she wanted him. He closed his eyes and moved his lips to kiss her again on the back of the neck. She closed her own eyes and leaned into him, tilting her neck as his kisses traveled over her trembling skin.
He kissed her bare shoulder, running his hands up her arm, and he turned her around to face him. She looked up at him as he lowered his head and kissed the exact spot where her bosom disappeared into her gown.
She was breathing heavy now and could see the rigid outline of his erection.
“We should go,” he whispered.
“We have a little time.”
He grinned. “You’ll be the death of me.”
She smiled and touched him outside of his trousers. He winced, but she knew now that meant that it felt good. She unbuttoned his trousers and pulled him out, cupping the full length of him in her hands, wrapping her fingers around him.
