Epilogue
Giles strode to the window, looked out at the rolling hills of his country estate, then paced back to the door of his bedchamber, his hands clasped behind his back. He repeated the action several times as he awaited a summons from Mildred, the new lady’s maid Suzanna had hired, to let him know his bride was ready for him. The flaps of his banyan billowed out as he turned in one direction, then the other.
It had been a hasty wedding, soon enough to keep Giles from absconding with Suzanna and heading for Gretna Green, but distant enough from the signing of the marriage settlements to—almost—appease Mrs. Blake, who insisted on a wedding worthy of a woman who was not marrying a man with a title, but was nevertheless the son of the lovely Earl of Wexford and his charming countess.
The marriage ceremony itself had been attended by his parents and siblings, Cam, the Duke of Bedford and his duchess, as well as Lord and Lady Montford. Strangely, Hawk had disappeared from his cousin’s estate, and no one seemed to know where he had gone.
Close to a hundred guests attended the wedding breakfast following.
The way Mrs. Blake had behaved, flitting from guest to guest, and gushing over her daughter’s marriage, one would never know how hard Giles had worked to garner her approval.
A light scratch at the door drew his attention. “Sir, Mrs. Templeton is ready.” Mildred’s voice broke into his thoughts, speeding up his heart.
He opened the door partway. “Thank you, Mildred. Mrs. Templeton will summon you in the morning when she is ready.” He did not want to be awakened and pulled from his bed by a maid. He had plans to make love to Suzanna throughout the night.
“Good night, Mr. Templeton.” She dipped a curtsy and left.
He downed the rest of the brandy he’d poured himself earlier and walked through his dressing room to the door to Suzanna’s bedchamber. After tonight, they would have no need of two bedrooms. He had full intentions of sharing a bed with his wife. No typical ton marriage for him with Suzanna in one chamber and him in another. She could decorate her bedchamber the way she wanted, but she would sleep in his.
Suzanna stood in the middle of the room, her hands clasped together. Her glorious golden hair had been brushed to a glow, cascading down her back, and over her breasts. She licked her lips and took a deep breath. His eyes were immediately drawn to her breasts and then down her body.
Her fine muslin white nightgown, with pink roses embroidered along the neckline and hem, was practically transparent as she stood in front of the burning fireplace. His cock came to immediate attention.
He made his way across the room and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You are so beautiful, Suzanna, you take my breath away.” Bending his head slowly, he placed his lips on her warm, plush ones. He opened his eyes, and she gazed back at him with such love it filled him with warmth. Which soon turned to a burning desire to make love to her, make her his in every way.
“Come.” He held out his arm, and she placed her small, delicate hand in his large one, still staring at him. Once they reached her bed, he kissed her. Again, she stared directly at him.
“Would you care for a small drink before bed?”
She nodded her head so fiercely, he feared it would fly off her shoulders. It appeared despite their earlier intimacy and her enthusiasm at the time, she now viewed their coming activity with trepidation.
“I will be right back.” He had been foolish. He should have arranged for them to have wine or champagne in their rooms. Grabbing two glasses and the bottle of brandy from the sideboard in his bedchamber, he returned. She still stood in the spot he’d left her. He waved toward the settee, in front of the fireplace. “Let’s make ourselves comfortable there.”
Suzanna settled herself, sitting on the edge of the settee as if she intended to leap up and run for her life. He poured two glasses and handed her one. “Here’s to a long and happy marriage.”
His breath caught when she cast a bright smile in his direction. She was such a beautiful woman, he could scarcely believe she was truly and finally his.
He watched her closely as she took the tiniest sip and placed the glass on the low table in front of the settee. He picked the glass back up and held it out. “Drink more, sweeting. You need to relax.”
“I am relaxed.” Her fingers twisted enough to turn her poor tortured knuckles white.
“Darling, I have seen a more relaxed animal facing a double-barreled flintlock during hunting season.” He took her hands, separated them, then placed the glass in her hand. “Trust me. This will help you be at ease.”
Thinking a bit of conversation might help, he leaned back and rested his foot on his bent knee. “This might be a good time to tell you about my surprise.”
That got Suzanna’s attention. “What surprise?”
“I know you didn’t win our wager, but I still want you to have what I offered if I lost.”
A slight smile played around her lips. “What?”
“I have donated the thousand pounds in your name to the orphanage.”
She threw her arms around him. “Thank you so much. They are dreadfully in need of the money.”
“Also, if you wish to contribute time to help at the orphanage when we are in London, you may. Just make sure you take a footman with you. ’Tis not the best of neighborhoods.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes. “You are truly the finest husband ever.”
…
Suzanna could not believe how nervous she’d been about tonight, but Giles’s generosity had certainly taken her mind off her worries and calmed her down. She loved Giles, he loved her. They had already been intimate, and she knew she would enjoy what was coming. However, the idea of her and him naked in bed did strange things to her insides. Good and bad things.
When he appeared at her door dressed in just the red and black silk banyan, she thought her heart would jump from her throat. His muscular calves, dusted with light hair, were visible below the hem of the garment, making her wonder what the rest of his leg—and beyond—looked like.
Her breath had hitched at that thought, while her hand had itched with the need to touch the golden skin peeking out from the top of the banyan—just as she’d done in the folly.
He nodded at the glass in her hand. “Drink.”
She took another sip and then realized the few sips she’d already had were warming her, making her feel even more relaxed. She gulped the rest of the drink down and was seized with a coughing fit.
“Easy, sweeting. I want you to relax, not make yourself sick.” Giles took the empty glass from her hand and placed it on the table alongside his. He rubbed her back as she continued to cough.
Giles drew her to his chest, still rubbing her back, even when she’d stopped coughing. “That’s it, my love, relax.”
She drew back and regarded him. “I meant to ask before now why Lord Hawkins was not at the wedding.”
Giles frowned. “I have no idea. I met him on the road when I was traveling to my estate a few weeks ago. He was headed to his cousin’s home for a visit. From what I understand, he disappeared from there, and no one is sure where he is.”
“How very strange.”
“Indeed.”
Suzanna did feel a lot better, and in fact the brandy had warmed her so much, her nightgown grew heavy, and hot. “I think I will remove the dressing gown. I’m feeling quite warm.”
The glow in her husband’s eyes, and the smile on his face, pleased her. She tugged on the end of the ribbon holding the garment closed and shrugged out of it, Giles watching her every move.
She rather enjoyed him regarding her with such intensity. Feeling a bit wanton, she flipped her hair over her shoulder and allowed the strap of her nightgown to slide down her arm, almost baring her breast. “Aren’t you warm?”
His eyes widened. “Oh, yes, my love. I am quite warm.” He turned, taking her in his arms. His kiss was soft, easy, gentle, then he covered her cheeks with his warm palms and tilted her head in such a way that her lips parted, and his tongue swept in.
Oh my. This was ever so wonderful. She placed her palms on his shoulders and slipped her hands under the flap of his banyan. His flesh was warm as his muscles rippled under her touch. She drew circles with her finger on the crinkly hairs on his chest.
Giles pulled back and flicked the other strap off her shoulder, the garment pooling in her lap. Instead of embarrassment she felt beautiful, loved.
The look in his eyes as he slowly reached out to cup one of her breasts and thumb the nipple brought tingles to her center, where moisture had gathered. “Perfect. You are absolutely perfect.”
Giles dipped his head and took her breast in his mouth, suckling like a babe, then scraping his teeth against her nipple. She moaned and fidgeted at the incredible pleasure.
“Stand up, sweeting, it’s time to go to bed.”
She stood, and the nightgown dropped to her feet. Giles sucked in a breath, wrapped his arm around her waist, and drew her body to his.
Feeling her naked skin against his robe, made her heart speed up, as she enjoyed the shameless desire washing over her. His lips took hers as his hands wandered to her bottom, where he cupped her flesh, and pulled her against him. His manhood was hard, swollen, and hot.
Without a word, and with their mouths still joined, he picked her up and strode to the bed. She was dizzy with need, clinging to his shoulders as he laid her on the bed, his large body covering hers. His familiar scent, and the brandy he’d drunk, swirled around her, adding to the giddiness his hands created.
He released her mouth and scattered kisses along her jaw, her neck, and the soft skin under her ear.
“Why am I the only one undressed?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. Let’s remedy that.” Giles stood and, watching her the entire time, released the belt and dropped the robe to the floor.
Suzanna’s eyes grew wide, and she licked her lips.
Giles groaned. “Don’t do that.”
She continued to stare at his manhood, standing proud and thick. How in heaven’s name had that thing fit inside her?
“Stop thinking.”
She shook her head and tore her eyes away. “What?”
He joined her on the bed, his arm encircling her waist. “I said stop thinking.” His deep voice slid over her, bringing shivers to her skin.
“How did you know—?”
Her words vanished as he kissed her with such intensity she forgot her question and her concerns. Skin-to-skin felt wonderful. She rubbed herself against him as his warm palm caressed her flesh. Slowly, his hand wandered down her body to rest right at the throbbing between her legs.
She threw her head back and sighed. “Yes.”
His finger circled her opening, then slid inside, the heel of his hand resting against the nub that would bring her the pleasure she’d had before. He ducked his head and took her breast into his mouth, his tongue circling her nipple, licking, tasting, nipping.
She just had to touch him, hold his manhood in her hand once again. Reaching down, she wrapped her hand around it, squeezing slightly. Giles groaned just as everything inside her exploded, and waves of pleasure washed over her from her center, up to her breasts. She moaned and pressed hard against his hand as the waves continued.
When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her. “I love watching you.” He moved up her body, taking both of her hands in his, and raising them above her head.
She felt him nudging at her center, and she spread her legs farther apart. He kissed her as he rocked back and forth, easing his way inside. He thrust forward, and Suzanna’s breath hitched. The familiar fullness brought new, enjoyable sensations.
He kissed her forehead and began to move back and forth, his member sliding in and out. “I love how tight you are, how your body and mine fit so well together.” He smoothed her hair back and nibbled on her ear as he whispered words of love, her beauty, and his happiness.
His movements grew harder as he continued to thrust. “Wrap your legs around me. It will help you reach an orgasm again.”
Suzanna did as he said, and within minutes another wave of spasms had her calling out his name, as he slammed into her one more time and pulled her close, murmuring in her ear.
For a few minutes she could not move, could not think, didn’t even realize how heavy he was, until he rolled to the side and lay flat on his back. He turned to her. “I love you, Suzanna.”
“I love you, too.”
He grinned and shifted to raise himself up, resting his head on his hand. “I won the wager, Mrs. Templeton.”
“Yes, you did, Mr. Templeton. Yes, you did.”
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