Page 72 of Second Chance Prince
She felt his mouth crease in a smile.
“Was this our first argument?” she asked, leaning back to look at him.
“I think it was.” His smile broadened. “Should we kiss to make up?”
“Yes, please.”
The kiss only reminded him how much he missed the physical part of their relationship. He deepened it, and somehow his hand found the curve of her breast through the silky cloth of her bodice, where her taut nipple was an obvious sign of her arousal.
She began feverishly undoing the buttons, and with a groan, he placed his mouth over her, laving the hard bud with his tongue. She arched against him, wriggling on his lap, which didn’t help him to calm himself.
“Niki,” she gasped, reaching down to stroke him through his breeches. In a moment, he would spill, but she didn’t seem aware of that. She worked at the fastenings, sliding her hand inside and grasping him.
He said something, probably in the Holtswigger language.
She had lifted up her skirts now and straddled his lap. His fingers stroked between her thighs. Her warm, moist entrance was so close, and all he had to do was thrust and he would be enclosed in her sweetness. It was irresistible.
The head of his cock pressed past the slight resistance, and they both groaned. She ran her hands through his hair, holding his face and devouring his mouth. She was as starving for him as he was for her, and the argument had only made it even more urgent. He was fully inside now, and she rocked against him ashe tried not to lose control.
“You are so—so marvelous,” he said, hardly aware of what he said. “So perfect.”
“I want you all the time,” she admitted breathlessly, and then she threw her head back and her body clutched at him, pleasure causing her to grip him tightly, pushing him past his flimsy restraint.
For a time, they held each other, panting, enjoying the lingering satisfaction.
He didn’t want to spoil it, but he knew he would have to very soon. Francis would be seething and wanting to voice his complaints. Niki needed to deal with that. But first, he must let Roberta into the secret he had kept from her.
Quietly, breathing in the scent of her hair and their lovemaking, Niki told her what he had been keeping from her.
Matilda had informed Roberta of the order of the ceremony for the wedding day. She looked tired but pleased with her efforts. The ceremony in the church—Everyone will be there!—was to be followed by an open carriage ride through the town—So that everyone can cheer and throw flowers!—and then speeches on the steps on the town hall—Holtswiggers love speeches!A state dinner would then be held at the town hall—Mr. Hart thinks it is easier to keep a watch on everyone there, where they are in the one room—and afterward, Niki and Roberta would return to the castle and finally be allowed to retire. Together.
“It is rather a lot,” Matilda offered sympathetically.
Roberta was reading the list of speakers and guests and trying not to shudder. She would have to smile and be on her best behavior when all she really wanted to do was jump upon Arrowand ride far, far away.
“Holtswig has not seen a wedding like this for years and years. I think we have all become a little gloomy. I am hoping this will cheer everybody up. Especially when they see how much in love you and Niki are.” She beamed at Roberta. “So many of the marriages I remember attending were arranged by the council. Not a smile in sight.” She grimaced. “At least I chose my own husband, and Brooks and I were very happy.”
Roberta suspected that recently, Matilda’s flushed and smiling face was due to another gentleman. “You are still young,” she reminded the countess. “You can marry again. Is there a Holtswigger you have your eye on?”
The other woman laughed. “Definitely not. And I will be returning to England just in case Chamberlain Francis begins to get ideas.”
Roberta wanted to say something about Freddie, but she hesitated. She and Matilda got on well, but would she take offense?
As if she had read Roberta’s mind, Matilda said, “There is someone I like. I don’t know if…When one is a widow with children, then it can be awkward, especially if the child…childrenare not best pleased.”
“Your children will grow up and leave home, and you will be alone. I think you should think of your own happiness, Matilda. And you don’t want to break the gentleman’s heart, do you? Especially when he has such an important position in the government?”
Matilda’s mouth dropped open, and instead of being insulted, she began to giggle. “No, I would not want to do that!”
Chapter Thirty-Six
The wedding had finally arrived. The last few days, it had rained and the skies were gray, but that morning, the dawn sun rose in pastel pink and apricot over the castle, promising a fair day. Roberta hoped that was a good sign, if one believed in such things—which she was beginning to think she did.
Antonia had been inspecting Roberta’s dress, to make sure it was as it should be. The castle seamstresses had turned their grandmother’s old wedding gown into something magical. The creamy satin was cut to Roberta’s taller figure, with long, tight sleeves to her wrists and a lower waist than was currently the fashion. There was a short train she could hold off the ground if necessary, or else could tow behind her. The style looked almost medieval, but Roberta suspected it would suit the background of the castle and the old town very well.
It also felt as if she had the comforting presence of the dowager beside her.
As Roberta was being dressed by several attendants, a servant knocked on her door with an official-looking scroll sent by Matilda. The servant lingered as Antonia brought the scroll back to Roberta.
