Page 80 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
Amanda curtseyed before him, a slight tint of pink on her cheeks. “The sight of you makes me very happy as well, Lord Allerton.”
Graham cleared his throat. “What was it that you wished to speak with us about?”
Lord Allerton’s gaze took on a nervousness as it flicked to Graham and back to Amanda. Graham smiled as he guessed the man’s intention. And by the look on his sister’s face, the affection was not one-sided.
“I had hoped to discuss the matter with Miss Easterly to ensure that she was aligned with it. However, I do not wish to intrude on your wedding day any more than I already have so I will make this short. “I came to ask for Miss Easterly’s hand in marriage, that is if she is agreeable to it.”
Amanda’s hands were clasped under her chin as she turned hopeful eyes on Graham. Graham chuckled. “Well, barring her disapproval, I see no reason that the match should not be acceptable. You have my blessing, Lord Allerton.”
Lord Allerton’s face lit up in a smile as large as any Graham had ever seen. The man wasted little time in turning to Amanda. “Miss Easterly – “
“Of course, I will, you dolt,” Amanda said as she cut off the man’s proposal.
Lord Allerton gave a deep laugh of amusement. “Perhaps one day you will let me finish a sentence as well?”
“Perhaps,” Amanda agreed with a twinkle in her eyes.
*
Charlotte had endured ceremonies, well wishes, dinner guests, and now she was done. There was nothing else that anyone could possibly demand of her. She stood in her and Graham’s bedchamber and looked around.
Graham was to join her as soon as he saw off their last lingering guests, but it had been several minutes now, and Charlotte was growing restless. Her wedding dress seemed uncomfortably tight and she wished to slip out of it. Alas, she had to have help to do so.
The door to the chamber finally opened and a rather exasperated Graham came in. Charlotte smiled at the look of irritation on the man’s face. “Lord Allerton was most reluctant to leave.”
“Well, he is in love,” Charlotte said teasingly to her husband. “Come and help me with this dress and see if it improves your humour.”
The grin on Graham’s face told her that just the mere mention of disrobing her was enough to buoy his spirits. She shook her head at her grinning husband. Graham came over and instead of helping her out of the dress, pulled her roughly against him.
Charlotte was not at all opposed to the closeness, and rather thought they should be so much closer as Graham leaned over to kiss her. The kiss started out sweet, but quickly became something needier as he plundered her mouth greedily.
Graham’s hand finally found the ties and began unlacing her dress. His lips left hers as he cursed, “Why do they make these damn things so hard to get off?”
“What obstacle can some little ties be for a brave soldier like yourself?” Charlotte gave the man’s bearded chin a kiss.
Graham grumbled, “War is quite far more straightforward than the contraptions seamstresses think up to torture men.”
When, at last, he succeeded Charlotte heard him sigh in relief and she giggled at him. Graham accepted her teasing with a smile. He slipped her dress free of her shoulders and Charlotte shivered at the feel of his fingers grazing her bare shoulder.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. His lips trailed kisses down her neck and Charlotte clung to him. She was a willing accomplice as he slid her stay from her shoulders as well.
She helped him by wiggling out of the garments. The air felt cool around her body, made goose pimples rise on her skin. Graham’s hands trailed over her skin, causing her to shiver again.
He seemed quite fascinated by touching her, and as much as Charlotte was enjoying his attentions, she tugged at his jacket. “You seem entirely too clothed, my husband.”
He lifted his head from kissing her neck and she heard as much as she felt his chuckle. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” Charlotte assured him as he stood up and met her gaze. She tugged at his jacket again and he allowed her to help him out of it.
There was something in his eyes that made Charlotte quiver inside. There was a wildness in this gentle man that she found enticing. She had seen it when they came together, and she saw it now.
Only now there were no intrusions or rules to temper it, but she trusted him. He had all the restraint in the world, and she knew he would not hurt her. Charlotte unbuttoned his shirt and he allowed it as he watched her almost sedately from beneath a heavy lidded gaze.
When she finally had him bare chested, Graham’s patience seemed to run out. He pulled her back into his embrace, cutting off her movements. Charlotte could do little but ride the sensations that went through her as Graham’s lips kissed her as he saw fit. His hands grazed and caressed her breasts, coaxing soft sighs from Charlotte.
Graham broke the kiss to free Charlotte of her last undergarments. Then he swept her up into his arms. “Graham,” Charlotte exclaimed as she clung around his neck.
He gave her a mischievous grin. “I think it is finally time that you are in my bed, Lady Easterly.”
