Page 56 of Duke in Shining Armor
Catherine had become rather animated during the conversation, and James watched as her chest rose and fell during her passionate discourse.
“Now, I am not for one moment condoning his behavior, if he was indeed a criminal, but you will admit their approach to this matter was dastardly.”
“I take your point, Catherine,” James replied with a serious expression.
“I pale to think of the cost to the crown in pursuing such spurious drivel for ambitious and selfish reasons. While he was fortunate that justice prevailed, he still suffered for it.”
“I was sympathetic when I learned, years later, what had transpired,” James replied.
“We have much to be grateful for, after all, the Lords existed to do the honorable deed.”
“Hmm.” James murmured.
“Who knows. Perhaps there will be some reform to the Commons.”
James chuckled. “I gather that will be no easy feat, Catherine. Both houses have been divided on various issues these past years.”
James turned to face her, at the same time she gazed at him, and their eyes locked.
Neither James nor Catherine moved for what felt like an eternity, but was merely seconds. James reached his hand up to Catherine’s lips, where he could feel her breath on his finger as he traced it over her lips. He replaced his finger with his lips, kissing her intensely, with such passion he felt he must break for air.
“My Cath,” he whispered as he pulled her closer.
He trailed kisses over her neck and shoulders. He felt her fingers in his hair and heard her soft sigh. He broke the kiss, rose to his feet, and took her hands until she stood before him. He kissed her deeply before removing her night dress and undergarments, which fell in a heap at her feet. She stood naked before him, and he moved his hands all over her body. He paused to remove his garments, never taking his eyes off hers. He could see her desire burned bright.
James sat on the chaise longue and took her in his arms, so that she sat astride across his knees. He took one nipple into his mouth, gently kissing on it before moving to the other.
“James,” Catherine said in a heady breath, as she pulled at his hair.
He reached down to her mons and stroked her until she was slick with need. She writhed against his fingers as he stroked her while he kissed her nipple. She was ready for him.
He lifted her as he placed his manhood between her thighs, just at her opening. He felt her pause, and he took both nipples into his mouth, kissing them before taking her hips, and guiding her to ride him.
Catherine gasped as he entered her, but she soon adjusted to him, and she slowly moved in the direction he guided her. He kissed her lips while she found her own rhythm, taking each nipple into his mouth, as he guided her to take more of him. His breathing was ragged, and perspiration gleamed on their bodies.
James began to thrust his hips from below as Catherine increased her tempo. He wanted to meet her, and he felt he could not have enough of her. He wanted more, he wanted all of her. Catherine moaned as he thrust deep inside her and held her hips. Her tempo grew frantic as she cried out his name in release, and James gave a final thrust before following her. They both fell limp against each other.
“Catherine, look at me.”
She raised her head from his shoulder and gazed into his eyes.
“I knew that you were extraordinary from the first day that I set eyes upon you. For the period you were here at Pembroke Estate, I felt alive. I did not just … exist. My life had more meaning.”
“Oh, James—”
“Please, let me.”
James held on to her hand.
“When you were here, I always looked forward to being with you, whether it was a meal, a game, or a conversation about the latest news inThe Spectator. I have always thrown myself into the affairs of the estate, and oftentimes the responsibility consumes me, but then I realized I wanted more. I wanted your companionship, and I wanted to be with you.”
He felt her squeeze his hand.
“You are unlike any other lady I have met; after all, none of the others threatened me with a pistol. You are smart, determined, yet compassionate, for you cared about the welfare of the children on the farms.”
James cupped her chin. “Truth be told, Catherine, I was devastated when you left without a bye your leave. I was frantic, and at that moment I knew that I did not want to lose you, and I could not accept your marriage to another.”
James looked into her eyes, and he was silent for a moment. “I love you. I can’t imagine my life without you, and I would like you to be my wife. Will you have me?”
