“Your Grace, a chamber is being prepared for Miss Mannering. I shall post a guard outside of it to see that she is not bothered and to escort her to her ladyship in the morning.”
“Very well. Have her here at seven.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I have also locked the person in his chamber until morning. Do you have a suggestion as to when we should release him?”
A slow, wicked smile formed on Giles’s firm, well-molded lips, and a glint appeared in his eyes. “When Somerset is ready to depart, and not an instant before. I want him escorted by at least two footmen out of the house and not allowed to return.”
Thalia had never seen a servant look so—so—satisfied was the only word she could think of. Her father would have to be quiet about Sittle, as well as being duped over the settlement papers and wedding, or look like a fool.
“Do I have your permission to subdue the blackguard if he resists?”
If anything, her betrothed’s smile grew. “By all means. Do whatever is necessary. We cannot allow cravens such as him to prey upon women.”
The under-butler bowed. “Just so, Your Grace. I shall take the liberty of informing the rest of the senior staff.”
“Good man.” Giles looked at Mannering. “Go with Hamish. You’ll be safe.”
“Yes, do.” Thalia squeezed her maid’s shoulder. “You will be protected, and I shall see you in the morning.”
“Thank you, my lady.” Her maid curtseyed before leaving the chamber, but not before giving Thalia a curious look.
Giles closed the door. “Now, my love. Tell me what this is about. I thought we had agreed to wait.”
She did not know how to be a seductress, but she did know how to be herself and that he wanted her. Thalia gazed into his eyes, while she placed her hands on his strong chest and pushed his banyan off his shoulders. “I occurred to me that we will not have much time tomorrow to do more than quickly consummate our marriage.” He stood in a nightshirt that revealed a deep V of dark, curling hair. “I have been told enough to realize that a quick coupling is likely to be unsatisfactory for my first time.” She undid the four buttons that were fastened and spread the fabric apart. “Therefore, after due consideration, I decided that tonight we would have more time to engage in marital congress.”
He pushed her robe off her shoulders, and it fell to the floor. “How very wise of you, my love.” Giles pressed his lips to her neck and lightly sucked the skin beneath her ear. Her breasts grew heavy, and the place between her legs began to ache. “How did I get so lucky?”
“I do not know.” His fingers grazed her nipples, and she wanted to melt into him. “That feels so good.”
“Not as good as the rest of it’s going to feel.” He drew his nightshirt over his head and lifted the hem of her nightgown.
The next moment, they were naked. Bare skin reveled in touching bare skin. His hand skated over her back and derrière, and she caressed him in the same way. “Will it feel as good as under the tree?”
She had never seen a male body. Not even a picture. All the books with drawings of Greek and Roman statues had been removed from the library at home. But if Giles was any sort of representation, the male body was magnificent, all bones, sinew, and hard muscle covered by taut skin and dark hair. He growled as he sucked first one nipple, then the other, into his mouth, and it was all she could do not to scream with pleasure.
“Blast the tree. It will be better. As good as I can make it for you.” Lifting her into his arms, he carried her to the bed and gently placed her down before crawling in and covering her with his body.
His fingers discovered her core, she sucked in a breath, and the next thing she knew his mouth was on hers, covering her moans. The same tension she’d felt before grew, and this time she knew to let it take her on its wave of pleasure. She hadn’t finished convulsing when he entered her, and then stopped. There was a brief instant of pain, and then fullness.
“Thalia, my love. Are you all right?” Opening her eyes, she could see his concern.
“I am. I am fine.” He stayed where he was, not moving, and she lifted her hips. Or rather, her hips rose on their own.
That seemed to be enough for him to plunge more deeply into her body. She felt stretched and conquered, but she liked it. Nay, more than that. She finally knew what it was to be one with a man. With Giles. The tension she wanted grew again, and when she splintered, he groaned and plunged even more deeply into her, then collapsed, rolling off to the side, and pulling her next to him.
KENDAL’S HEART was beating so hard that he was surprised it didn’t wake the entire floor. He’d never experienced anything like making love to Thalia. Her small hand pressed lightly on his chest, and he pulled her on top of him. “Was it bearable?”
“More than bearable.” She smiled as he gathered her hair and put it to one side. “I have never felt anything so amazing.”
He wanted to believe her, but he’d heard the gasp of pain when he’d breached her maidenhead. “But I caused you pain.”
