Page 21 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
“I understand.”
“This manor has 1,500 acres, but there are other plots of land that do not adjoin the manor. We mainly use these lands for farming. With regards to the manor house, we have a chapel and a grand hall for entertaining.”
“Hmmm,” her lips pressed together. Those plump lips. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
The footman entered the dining room to serve the final course of raspberry pudding, vanilla blancmange, bread, and butter pudding along with a selection of cheese and fruit. They ate in companionable silence and Alexander took a generous helping of port. Elizabeth had eaten heartily but she did not have much to drink.
“Will you take more wine? Is it to your liking?” She had delicate features and such arresting eyes.
“Yes, I always enjoy a Burgundy,” Elizabeth said as the footman replenished her glass.
“Since you enjoy wine, you will appreciate our wine cellar. It boasts several bottles of vintage French wines and brandies.”
“Lovely, I understand these are among the best.” Elizabeth took a sip from her glass and nodded appreciatively.
“There is more. Port from Portugal, whiskey from both Scotland and Ireland. I must say one of the best rums I have come across is from Jamaica, an island in the West Indies.”
“That sounds quite exotic.”
“You will not be disappointed.”
Alexander did not relax for the rest of the meal. Tension was curled inside of him.
* * *
Elizabeth madeher way to her bedchamber. She was despondent, filled with uncertainty and anxiety. She chastised herself for feeling so bereft for there were worse fates than a handsome eligible bachelor stepping in to rescue her when she had done something foolish. Alexander had been nothing but kind to her, but she did not love him. Although it may seem silly, she continued to yearn for another. She’d wanted the viscount and no one else.
There was a part of her that accepted that the viscount had taken advantage of her but she found she could not forget him, not in a few days, nor did she turn her hatred toward him. Elizabeth hoped in time he would vanish from her thoughts. She sensed Alexander, her husband, would come to her bed this night. He had said as much, and her nerves tensed immediately.
Elizabeth was not completely ignorant. She knew that a man and woman needed to be together in an intimate fashion, but she did not understand what transpired when they laid together. All Mama ever told her was that her husband would guide her so now Alexander would take the lead. Unfortunately, she did not want his guidance in this matter, and she secretly hoped that he would not come to her bed.
She arrived at her bedchamber and found her lady’s maid awaited her. Her nightgown had been laid out and Elizabeth could not help but stare at it. She felt a terrible tenseness in her body and she tried her hardest to will it away. The maid dressed her and brushed her black tresses until they were gleaming. They made polite conversation which Elizabeth barely heard for she could only hear the rapid beating of her heart. She wondered what this night would bring.
Elizabeth did not need to wonder for long for Alexander entered her bedchamber through the adjoining door. He was dressed in his banyan and Elizabeth quickly averted her eyes. The maid ceased attending to her, abruptly curtsied, and left the room. She was alone with Alexander and she found she could not meet his eyes. She nervously bit her lip. Alexander ambled over to the dressing table, took her hand, and led her to the bed. She did not think it was possible for her heart to race more, but it felt as though it would leave her chest.
“You’re a beautiful woman, Elizabeth. I love your hair,” Alexander said in a husky voice as he stroked her tresses.
He buried his head in her hair and inhaled. Elizabeth closed her eyes momentarily and took a deep breath to steady herself.
Her eyes flew open when Alexander pulled back and their gazes locked. Alexander scrutinized her face in the flickering candlelight as if he was searching for something, but what? She did not know. He lowered his head and kissed her lips softly and she could feel his ragged breath on her cheeks. She opened her mouth slightly and his tongue darted between her lips. He tasted strongly of port, berry flavors: raspberries, blackberries, and prunes. Heat uncurled in her belly and the soft moan that escaped her lips alarmed her.
Elizabeth did not know when his hands reached to her back but she could feel them there. She felt the strength of his touch. His hands slowly ran down to the small of her back and up to her shoulders while he kissed her fervently.
Elizabeth stood still for she did not know what was expected of her. What was she to do? Since she was unsure, she decided the best course of action was to do nothing. He would guide her. Alexander broke the kiss, took a step backward, and stroked her lips where he had kissed her. He lifted her nightgown over her head and dropped it to the floor. Elizabeth wore nothing beneath it. She felt exposed as a cool breeze washed over her skin. She was glad of the semidarkness that hid the flush of her cheeks. She averted her gaze when Alexander removed his banyan to reveal his broad, bare chest. She could feel herself stiffen and she took deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself.
In one fell swoop, Alexander lifted her and placed her onto the bed nestling himself between her thighs before he kissed her softly. His insistent mouth tasted her lips and neck before kissing her breast. He shifted his weight to her side and propped himself up on his elbow as he gazed at her body. He ran his eyes over her mound and curves, and wherever his eyes touched, his hand and mouth would follow. Elizabeth’s breath quickened and her skin became warm.
Alexander returned his lips to hers, gentle, yet demanding and then he was over her, spreading her thighs further apart. He kissed her deeply while he thrust inside the core of her and she screamed into his mouth and grabbed his shoulders, her nails biting into his skin. She had never experienced this pain and she was surprised by it. Her scream caused him to pause for a moment, while he kissed her and stroked the line of her jaw before he began thrusting inside her again. She steeled herself against the invasion of her body and as she lay there, she pondered if this was all that it would be. Would their coupling have been different if she loved Alexander?
Despite not knowing the full details of intimacy she had always imagined it would be tender and more passionate with whispered words of love. This was not what she felt with Alexander. He was oblivious to her feelings as he continued to thrust inside her and she moved deeper into the mattress.
Elizabeth did not know when the tears began to flow, but flow they did, down the corner of her eyes onto the pillow. She was so unhappy. She felt that she had traveled outside of herself and she could see a mirror image of her unhappiness. She felt Alexander grow tense and let out a loud moan before he collapsed atop her. She could hear his ragged breaths, feel the warmth of his body and the beads of his perspiration. When he was in control of himself, he raised up on his elbow before he kissed her lips and face softly. He must have felt her tears for he jerked back.
“Why do you weep?” Alexander sat up on the bed.
Elizabeth did not reply for she did not know how to explain the turmoil she felt.
Alexander stroked her hair. “I am truly sorry that I caused you pain, but next time it will not be so,” he said tenderly.
