Page 28 of Wicked With You
Finally he rose above her, reached between them, fitted his cock to her sex, and thrust deep. Exquisite pleasure rushed through her. They stilled, and their gazes collided.
“I love you,” he said raggedly. “More than I will ever be able to express, but I vow to show you every day of our lives, Henrietta,every day.”
“I love you too,” she whispered, touching her mouth to his. “So very much.”
He started to move within her, and Henrietta held Simon to her as he loved her tenderly and fiercely until bliss ignited within her. He overwhelmed her senses with love and delight until she shook and cried out beneath him. Simon made love to her several times before they departed to her grandmother’s estate, walking hand in hand. Henrietta touched the rose quartz, a secret smile hovering above her mouth, her heart bursting with happiness as she walked beside her love.
EPILOGUE
Lady Marlow was overjoyed; she had to use her smelling salts several times as she helped Henrietta get dressed for the ceremony. And when her mother was not fainting from the wonderful occasion of Henrietta’s wedding to such a wealthy and handsome lord, she was wetting handkerchiefs with tears of joy.
Henrietta was not nervous. She was certain that Simon would not let her down. It was the happiest day of her life, and even her mother’s histrionics could not upset her. She had chosen a simple cream silk gown trimmed with golden lace. A small coronet of white roses settled upon her auburn locks, and the rose quartz necklace was around her neck.
She was ready well in time for the journey to St George’s Hanover Square. It was to be a fashionable wedding; although as her mother repeatedad nauseum,it would be better if they waited until the following year’s season when everyone who was anyone would be sure to attend. Neither Simon nor Henrietta wanted to wait most of a year before the wedding, and now the wedding was taking place three weeks after they both returned to town.
Henrietta and her maid spent the rest of the time before the carriage was due, trying to calm her mother down and supervising her dressing, the arrangement of her hair and a very subtle application of make-up to reduce the appearance of the sustained weeping she had done. Henrietta knew her mother was happy with her marrying, but she was making a meal of being the sobbing mother of the bride. Finally, her father knocked, “Are you ready? The bridesmaids are all downstairs and looking lovely, and the carriages are at the door.”
Her mother tried to set up another sob, but Henrietta and her maid propelled her through the door and into the viscount’s arms. Her father handed her a bouquet of roses of every color, which Henrietta accepted before gracefully descending the stairs and boarding the first carriage with her father. The second carriage would take her bridesmaids: Annie, Lilli, Eva, and Ellen, her new sister-in-law, who would be her matron of honor. Her mother would travel with Gran in her carriage. All the carriages were festooned with flowers and white ribbons and looked very grand.
Henrietta composed herself on the church’s porch and tried not to grin like a loon. Her mother and gran made their way to their seats, and her father sneaked a look through the doors to check that her groom was present. The bridesmaids were being marshaled by Ellen into order and were all carrying smaller versions of her bouquet. “Thank you, father, for the bouquets. They are beautiful. I forgot to order any.”
“So did I, but it seems that your Lord Hardwick has a practical streak as he sent them over, and corsages for your mother and myself. And he has lavished a sultan’s treasure on the flowers decorating the church. He seems to be utterly besotted. Just as it should be, his outrage at your mother’s suggestion of delaying the wedding managed to keep her quiet for all of an hour. Threatened to carry you off to Gretna at once if we delayed any further.”
Henrietta grinned and diplomatically murmured, “He didn’t. I am so sorry, father.”
“It made me laugh. The earl certainly knows his own mind and knows that he has a gem above price in my precious daughter. I’m proud of you, Henrietta,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Well, I think we are all ready. Shall we proceed?” he asked, offering her his arm to escort her down the aisle. They set off at a sedate pace with the brides’ attendants following behind.
Then Henrietta spied Simon waiting at the altar. He smiled at seeing her, and Henrietta laughed joyously. Some of the society matrons frowned at her joy, but she did not care.
This was a love match, and society could disapprove as much as it wanted, but she would marry her lustful rake and they would be disgustingly happy together.
* * *
Thankyou for reading WICKED WITH YOU. If you would like to read the other cousins stories please see their books below.
Forever My Rogue by Amanda Mariel
A rogue that cannot be ignored…
Lady Annabelle Lindlowhas high hopes that the magic of the rose quartz will lead her to her true love. Until the stone puts her in the path of a well-known rake, the Duke of Rutland. Convinced the quartz cannot mean for her to fall in love with a notorious rogue, she dismisses the idea and sets her sights elsewhere. But when Annie once again finds herself in close quarters with the duke, she is forced to reconsider. Perhaps the stone knows best?
A lady far too enticing…
Evan Colborne, The Duke of Rutland, is captivated by Lady Annabelle Lindlow. The striking beauty with a quick-witted tongue may be his perfect match. Too bad the lady seems resistant to his charm. After a series of events places him in her path, making him impossible to ignore, she comes willingly into his arms. And Evan vows to never let her go.
True love’s test …
When Lady Annabelle and the Duke of Rutland embrace their feelings, disaster strikes. Can true love triumph? Or was the match destined for failure?
Courting a Christmas Wallflower by Dawn Brewer
Miss Evangeline Paynehas not lived the charmed life she would have liked. Her father is mean and neglectful at best. He sends her to stay with her aunt who plans to marry her off to an old man. Sebastian, the Earl of Somerset has been pretending to be unintelligent most of his life. The subterfuge has aided his spying activities. Bas has one mission left and he can then do as he wishes. Eva and Bas cross paths at a house party. He has his mission, and she has hers. If luck and love have their way those two things will collide for both of them.
Only the Valet Will Do by Sophie Barnes
A fated love destined to test their devotion…
When Lady Lillianagets stuck in a hole and Mr. Tristan Henley comes to her rescue, sparks immediately fly. Unfortunately, instead of being a fellow peer, Mr. Henley is merely a valet. So as much as Lilliana would like to pursue a romantic attachment with him, she must refrain, lest she ruin her reputation. Something she probably should have considered before she welcomed his kisses.
