Page 34 of Pursuing a Duke
Oh dear, what was wrong with her? Was she trying to ruin their relationship as it was just beginning? “No,” she whispered. “Never.”
His face lit up with his devastating smile. “Neither do I. So then, would you care for refreshments?”
When tea ended, the orchestra picked up the tempo with more enthusiastic country dances. They danced a set or two, and as her feet connected with the dance floor and her body twirled and sashayed, the heaviness in her chest eased. When the dancing ended she was both disappointed and excited to see how the rest of the evening would unfold.
At eleven o’clock on the dot, the carriages arrived, whisking the guests back to Waterford Manor.
Lying in bed, Emmeline’s ears strained for any little sound. A creak from a floorboard, a door opening and closing, feet shuffling quietly down the hallway, anything to confirm Andrew would come to her tonight. But there was nothing. With her heart pounding and hands shaking, she was ready to scream her frustrations out. Until she heard the faintest sound outside her door. By the glow from the candle on her nightstand, she watched, her pulse jumping as her bedroom door opened, and Andrew snuck in quickly, closing the door silently behind him and locking it.
“Forgive me for taking so long. The same gentlemen from last evening had it in their minds to corner me to pick my brain about the shipping industry. They are hoping to make their fortunes in the import and export trade. I wish them luck.”
Her eyes were riveted to him as he divested himself of all his clothing. The bed dipped as he joined her, pulling her into his arms and kissing her with a ferocious hunger they both shared. She would never tire of kissing him, tasting him, or enjoyingthe pure bliss he gave her body. Reaching down she curled her hand around his member and smiled when he moaned into her mouth. She moved her hand up and down his shaft repeatedly, feeling it enlarge even more.
Andrew tore his mouth from hers and placed barely there kisses down her neck until he reached her breasts and used his tongue to swirl around and around her pert nipple. When he sucked it in his mouth, her hips rose off the bed and she released his member. Her body wanted Andrew inside her and now. She pushed him onto his back and straddled him, taking his entire length at once.
Andrew’s eyes, dark with desire, met hers as his large hands gripped her hips urging her to move up and down his shaft. Faster, harder, until Lilly’s head rolled back as her body crested in pleasurable release. Her moans merged with Andrew’s groans as pleasure overtook them both.
Moments later, entwined in each other’s arms, satiated from their vigorous lovemaking, Emmeline felt content for the second time in as many days. Andrew’s body, warm and strong, held her close, and she sighed in relaxation. Making love with Andrew was fulfilling, exhausting, and pure magical bliss.
She fought to keep her eyes open because she knew when she awoke next time, she would be alone. But it was no use. Sleep pulled her under, and when she awoke, sunbeams were sliding between the curtains, and she sat up, alone in her bed, and stretched, then lay back down and snuggled under her coverlet again. The muscles in her body eased, and she relished the mild soreness reminding her of last night’s pleasurable events.
“Morning, ma’am,” Amanda said as she entered the room and opened the curtains. “It is another rare sunny day. The carriages will be leaving at eleven to go into Bath. You are promenading through Sydney Gardens and having breakfast in the gardens when the promenade concludes. Then you are freeto shop along Bond and Milsom Streets and visit the Pump Rooms. Which is where the carriages will pick you up to bring you back here.”
“My goodness, Amanda, how do you know all this?” Emmeline said as she pulled the coverlet up close to her chin to hide her nakedness.
“The itinerary was posted just now. The hosts changed the schedule once they saw the sunny, warm day.”
“Leaving at eleven,” Emmeline remarked. “Would you go down to the kitchens and bring me toast and tea?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Once Amanda left, Emmeline hurried from the bed, threw on her night rail and dressing gown, and sat on the bed awaiting her breakfast tray. Her stomach growled, and she realized she was famished. She didn’t usually wake up hungry, but after last night’s lovemaking, she had an appetite.
Her mind wandered to what Andrew was thinking right now. Did he remember last night with great enthusiasm? Was he looking forward to repeating it with her tonight? How silly she was being. She wasn’t a doubter or one to have fits of uncertainty, nor was she a worrier. Somehow though, when it came to Andrew, she was all those things and more. She didn’t like it one bit. It made her feel weak and timid, and she was neither. He also made her second guess herself in his eyes. Was she enough for him? Did he love her? Was he only whiling away the time until he found a young debutante to marry? Someone pure, innocent, and very young. Someone who could give him many heirs.
Wrapping her arms around her stomach, she groaned out and chastised herself, “Stop it. Stop it right this moment.”
Amanda entered with her food and sat the tray beside her on the bed. “What would you like to wear today?”
Emmeline nibbled on toast with marmalade. “The pretty pink silk day dress with the matching pelisse and wide-brimmed bonnet.”
“Good choice. And your cream parasol, which complements the dress nicely, will keep you shaded while out of doors along with your bonnet.”
A few minutes before eleven, Emmeline went downstairs to the hall, which bustled with everyone chatting. She had a moment of anxiety, finding everyone speaking at once unsettling, but it quickly eased. Finding her mother, she made her way to her. “Have you everything you need for today, Mama?”
Her mother looked at her, somewhat confused. “And why wouldn’t I? I’ve gone on many outings in my day.” She paused and looked her over with a mother’s critical eye. “Are you feeling well?”
“Yes. Just excited for today.”
“Oh, look. It’s time to leave,” Her mother said, taking her arm as the crowd was exiting the house and piling into numerous carriages. Emmeline found herself inside a coach with her mother, Catherine, and Catherine’s husband. She had yet to see Andrew. Just as their vehicle lurched forward, she spotted him entering a coach with Caldwell, Lady Clarice, and Mrs. Charlette Beauchamp.
Not until this house party had she met Mrs. Beauchamp. She was the widow of a decorated war hero who’d fought alongside the Duke of Wellington and was a close friend to Lady Clarice. Both ladies were several years younger than Emmeline and no doubt seeking husbands. They could become friends as long as Mrs. Beauchamp didn’t have her sights set on Andrew. However, she didn’t know what to make of Lady Clarice. She was an enigma. Emmeline first thought Caldwell was smitten with her, but she took that back after Andrew’s comment about herwarming his bed. They appeared friendly but not in love. She, for one, could not entertain sharing a bed with someone merely for the sake of one’s own pleasure. Her heart needed to be engaged. Which, of course, it was with Andrew.
The carriages pulled up one by one and unloaded their passengers in front of the Sydney Hotel. One must go through the hotel to enter the pleasure gardens. Emmeline looked around for Andrew. She loved her mother but would rather parade through the gardens on his arm. Just when she had given up, she saw him strolling her way. She sighed with relief. At the same time, her heart accelerated.
“Mrs. Fitzpatrick,” he said, bowing gracefully. “Would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you through the gardens? People are lining up for The Promenade.”
She curtsied. “The honor is mine, Your Grace.” She looked questioningly at her mother, who waved her off. “Go. Do not fret about me.”
