Page 79 of Gambling with the Earl
There were days when he could not believe his good fortune.
Kitty treated her sister to a wide, beaming smile and then flicked her eyes to his with a private message of approval.
Guy and Rosalind paused by the altar and Richard Erkine stepped forward to greet his bride. As Guy placed Rosalind’s gloved hand onto Richard’s arm, a shaft of sunlight burst through the stained-glass window like a blessing.
“Well done,” Kitty whispered to him, when he had taken his place next to her in the pew.
He placed his arm over her shoulders and knew a flash of desire as she moved imperceptibly closer to him. If he lowered his gaze, he could see a glimpse of creamy flesh where the embroidered bodice of her gown met her clavicle. Kitty bit down on her lower lip; no doubt aware of the direction of his thoughts.
His fingers beat a gentle rhythm on her arm. “You look beautiful in that dress,” he murmured.
She looked up at him with dancing eyes. “I thought you’d like it.”
He leaned closer and whispered directly into her ear. “I’ll like it even more when I can take it off you.”
He heard her breath quicken in response, but the look she shot him was one of calm admonishment. “Behave yourself.”
“I’ll try,” he growled, obediently rising to his feet to sing the first hymn.
The bride and groom faced one another for their vows, both promising to love and care for one another until death should part them. Their voices were young and strong, their faces eager for the life ahead of them. At one time, Guy would have been uncomfortable with such unencumbered optimism, but now his smile was wide and genuine. He was happy. And he wanted happiness for those he loved as well.
The service ended with the couple proclaimed man and wife. Kitty squeezed his hand, and he brought her knuckles to his lips, remembering that pivotal moment in their own wedding. The day had carried an autumnal chill and Kitty had worn a gown of lace trimmed with fur, to stand beside him in the great hall ofRossfarne Castle and receive her countess’s coronet. Candlelight had danced all around them and Guy had thought he might well dance for joy as well.
They followed the rest of the congregation out onto the sun-dappled village green to congratulate the newly wedded couple. Kitty flung her arms around her sister and Guy shook Richard’s hand.
“Am I not the luckiest man in all of Christendom?” the young man demanded of him.
Guy smiled widely in return. “Mayhap you are, although I would contest you the title. Tell me, was it worth the wait?”
“At times, no,” Richard laughed. “I thought the repairs to Shoreston would never be completed. These past two years passed with terrible slowness. But now I have a beautiful bride and a beautiful home to start our married life in.”
“I know Rosalind is thrilled to be staying in the house where she grew up.” Guy watched Rosalind and Kitty laughing excitedly together. “And Kitty is delighted that you shall both be near us.” He clapped Richard on the shoulder. “Time now for feasting,” he declared, pleased to be opening up Rossfarne Castle for such a joyous occasion.
Carriages were waiting to take the wedding party across the causeway to the castle. Once Guy had helped Kitty into theirs, and fastened the door closed behind them, he could wait no longer. The desire he’d held at bay throughout Rosalind’s wedding surged in his veins, blurring his thoughts and making speech impossible. Kitty leaned back against the plush velvet, divining his intentions.
“Do we have enough time?” she asked, a smile flitting around her lips.
“Not to do what I want to do with you,” growled Guy.
“Then we shall have to make the most of the time we have,” Kitty smiled, a smile that would be his undoing. “But first,close the blinds.” His hands trembled so much he struggled to secure the fastening. Kitty pushed him back onto the seat with a bejewelled hand. “Stay where you are,” she ordered.
Guy had longed to take her in his arms, but her natural air of authority was impossible to resist. It made his desire for her even stronger. Kitty sank gracefully to her knees and ran her fingers down from his waist, dancing around the ties which only just constrained him. Her rings flashed in the narrow bands of sunlight filtering through the blinds. Guy leaned back his head and felt delicious desire ripple through him.
“Kitty,” he whispered. Her name a caress. She didn’t answer. Her fingers were busy with the fastenings of his breeches. He gripped the edge of the seat as she released him. Then came her tongue, small and warm. He wanted her. Needed her. His hands went to her hair. “Don’t make me wait,” he begged.
He was powerless to act. All he knew was how much he wanted her. She pushed aside her skirts and straddled him, her mouth coming down to meet his own at the same time as he slid easily inside her. Her body was all around him, taking him deeply into her core and holding him a willing prisoner. She rocked her hips once, twice, and he was done for.
“Forgive me,” he said, his lips pressed against her creamy flesh.
“Forgive you for wanting me?”
“For wanting you so much it strips away my self-control.”
She laughed. “That was my plan all along.”
“But now I must give you the same pleasure.” He rained kisses down her neck, but Kitty reached out to lift a corner of the blind and shook her head.
“We are almost at the castle.”
