Page 29 of The Spy and His Lady Love
“Done.”
When he stepped back, she missed his attention. He’d awakened her body, and she felt flushed from head to toe. “Thank you. You obviously have experience brushing ladies’ hair.” The moment the words escaped her lips, she wished them back. It was their wedding night. She shouldn’t be bringing up other women. “I’m sorry.”
Their eyes connected in the mirror. Her two, his one. For a second she thought she saw sadness, then he blinked, and it was gone. “No need to be sorry for speaking your mind. And the truth is I have experience with helping ladies undress their hair for bed.”
He couldn’t just lether comment about undressing hair go? His words hurt her. He could see it plain as day in her blue eyes. When he brushed her hair, her eyes had a dreamy, intimate look to them. She may not have realized it, but her wrap had fallen away, revealing her nipples through the thin fabric. His body responded, his cock hardening. And all he could think about was covering her body with his and entering her. Being inside her.
And then she mentioned him having experience brushing ladies’ hair, and it broke the spell. He wasn’t angry at her but at himself for saying something hurtful. When the truth was, he’d never brushed another person’s hair before. He lashed out because the gorgeous, delicate woman he married made him nervous.
As he escorted her to the small table set up in the sitting room, he tried to keep his eyes averted from her exposed body. Who in bloody hell would give a virgin on her wedding night a see through night rail and robe was beyond him. He would like to thank the person and ring their neck at the same time. Sitting opposite Penelope now as he was, was sheer torture to his over-sensitive emotions. The surrounding air clashed with awareness. Neither of them ate much. Just picked at their food and sipped the wine.
“Is your room to your liking?” If he didn’t start a conversation, his head would explode.
Moments ticked by as her lovely blue eyes widened over the rim of the crystal goblet. “Yes. Very much so.”
“If there is anything you need, please ask. This is your home now.”
Her eyes dropped to her hands, which rested beneath the table. “I will.”
Conversation with Penelope was difficult in most circumstances when they were alone together, but tonight proved even more so. She was his wife, his duchess. His to do with as he so pleased. So why was he hesitating taking her to bed? Rising, he held out his hand. “My dear, shall we retire for the evening?” His voice sounded strange to his own ears. What must she be thinking?
Eyes downcast, she whispered, “Yes.”
Entering her chamber, he led her to the large bed dominating the room, all the while wishing he could know what went on inside her head. Was she nervous? Afraid? Relieved? Only one way to find out.
Pausing beside the bed, he turned Penelope so she faced him. Resting his cane against the bedpost, he spread his hands on her soft, flush cheeks and lowered his lips to hers. She tasted as he remembered from their previous kisses. Sweet, soft, and fruity like the wine. After a time, he slipped his tongue inside her mouth and moaned as heat burned throughout his body. One hand moved into her thick glorious hair and the other to the small of her back, pulling her forward so his hips cradled her.
She gasped, or moaned, making him pause until her arms wrapped around his neck and she joined in the kiss. This time she took the lead. Her tongue explored, her teeth nipped, her hands clutched his hair. Christ, she devoured him, causing his knees to weaken.
Penelope gaspedfor air between Harry’s lips. In the past, his kisses had been wonderful. Tonight they went beyond wonderful. Every nerve ending in her being tingled with awareness from his kisses. Kisses she knew were meant to seduce. He was seducing her on their wedding night. Perfectly fine with her. The sooner they consummated their vows, the better. Except, she wasn’t in a hurry, her mind and body languidly enjoyed his loving ministrations. The gentle brush of his fingertips here and there. The feel of his lips against hers and the softness of his tongue inside her mouth had her reveling in the here and now, and she never wanted the feelings to end. This excitement, contentment, and need all jumbled up inside her was euphoric.
“You are beautiful,” Harry murmured into her ear as his hands untied her robe and it slithered to the floor. Before she comprehended what he would do next, her night rail joined her robe. Naked and vulnerable, she clutched his shoulders, hoping to hide her nakedness from him. It was one thing for her maid to see her thus, but Harry?
“There is no need for you to hide from me. I’m your husband.”
With eyes wide with shock and interest, Penelope stepped back, wrapped her arms across her bare breasts and stood mesmerized as Harry undressed. His capable hands slid his shirt up and over his head, revealing a hard, strong chest and shoulder muscles. His long fingers unbuttoned the front placket to his trousers, and Penelope held her breath. Heart pounding, body shaking, her eyes riveted to his fingers as he pulled his trousers and undergarment down and off his body, leaving him naked before her. His lame leg was no hindrance to the act of unclothing. She couldn’t see much of his knee because of the brace he wore, but it didn’t look hideous or disfigured.
It wasn’t the first time she’d eyed a naked man. But this man was Harry, her husband, and by his swollen and hard member she would presume he was ready to consummate their marriage. She cleared her throat, trying to speak, but nothing would exit. Instead, she gasped, turned, and climbed beneath the coverlet.
He chuckled. He actually chuckled as he pulled back the covers and joined her in the bed. As he did so, his side of the bed dipped beneath his weight, causing her to slide toward him ever so slightly.
“What are you laughing about,” she huffed as she fluffed up her pillows and sat with the coverlet up to her chin for protection.
“You, turning your back on me and hiding beneath the covers.” He fluffed his pillows and sat. Only he let the covers fall to his waist. “I saw all there is to see. You are beautiful and need not hide from me.Besides,” he grinned, “when you turned you gave me a perfect view of your backside.”
She wanted to smack him with one of her pillows, but she remained still. At least her body remained still. Her insides burned, which then heated her skin.
“Blushing becomes you, my dear.”
“Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“Just do your husbandly duty so I may sleep.”
Disappointment flashed in his one eye before he grinned and took her mouth in a kiss meant to curl toes and cause ladies to lift their skirts. Before she knew it, she was kissing him back with abandon and sighing and moaning as his hands roamed her body. When he cupped her there, her breath stalled and then she panted as his fingers played with her. Her hips rose off the bed, noises escaped her lips, and her legs opened wider, seeking some elusive release. As it crashed into her, she screamed as she shook her head from side to side, fighting and enjoying the sensations bombarding her body. Shocked at her behavior, she pushed Harry away and curled up on her side, trying to hide. Trying to find covers to cover her nakedness.
“Easy, Penelope. There’s no need to hide from me. What just happened to you is wonderful. It proves something I knew about you from the start. You are a sensual woman, and our relationship in the bedroom will be anything but boring. “Please.” He touched her shoulder. “Turn around and let me hold you. Let me love you properly.”
