Page 39 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
He smirked. “Is it not apparent?” He folded his waistcoat and placed it neatly in a pile. The neckcloth around the standing collar of his shirt was tied slightly off-center, in keeping with French fashion. Elizabeth’s hand had paused mid-stroke and he never took his gaze from hers as he loosened the neckcloth and unbuttoned his shirt. Recognition dawned on her face but she appeared transfixed. She did not look away. Alexander’s breeches were next. He first loosened the button at the knees before he undid the waste then he stepped out of them. He stood before her naked as at birth.
His steps did not falter as he walked toward Elizabeth but she stood before he reached him. The chalk fell from her fingers and Alexander took her hand and led her under the tree.
“It is positively sweltering and I shall take a dip in the river. I have no doubt that a dip will make me cooler. You will be joining me.”
Elizabeth gulped but she did not resist when Alexander removed her riding habit, folding each piece and placing it on the quilt. He made sure that his fingers grazed her breasts and lower belly, ever so lightly, and her entire body trembled, followed by her sharp intake of breath. He made no move to kiss her but he drank in her beauty. She had a kind of understated beauty, perhaps it was because she was so disarmingly unaware that she was exquisite. Her creamy skin was completely flawless, although perhaps it was her inner beauty that lit her eyes and softened her features.
Alexander lifted her in one fell swoop and carried her to the river and he slowly walked out until they were both immersed. He could feel the heat of Elizabeth’s body and when he rested her down the water was above her waist. Elizabeth took a few steps backward, cupped her hands, and began splashing him all over. Her laughter rang out among the trees. Alexander began to splash Elizabeth and they were soon drenched. She pushed off to swim away from him but he grabbed her ankle before he took a dive and swam ahead of her. He stood up and pulled her to him and covered her mouth in a searching, demanding kiss and she parted her lips and returned his kiss with equal fervor.
Elizabeth placed both arms around his neck and raised both legs to wrap them around his waist. The unexpected movement with its momentum sent them both crashing into the water and they came up spluttering. As his head broke the surface, he could hear the tinkle of Elizabeth’s laughter. The water was indeed cool and refreshing but it did nothing to quell his libido. Elizabeth stood and he was mesmerized by the droplets that ran down her breasts toward her sex. They stood in shallower water and he could see her thighs. His cock quickened and he raised himself from the water and stood before her. When she saw his cock, the laughter died on her lips. Those lips were begging to be kissed but he did not take them.
Alexander took his hands and ran them all over Elizabeth’s body as if he lathered her for a bath. His slow and sensuous movements aroused her and her nipples were hard with longing, but he only grazed them, denying her the satisfaction she craved. His hands dropped to her thighs and he scooped water in his hand as he washed her inner thighs and folds, barely touching the nubs of her desire. She raised her hands to caress him but he would not allow it. He lifted her in his arms and took her to the quilt. He kneeled and deposited her but she surprised him by raising up and tackling him to the quilt in a quick motion. She landed atop him with her head on his chest before she took one of his nipples and suckled it. Alexander groaned when she took the other nipple before she trailed light kisses down his abdomen. His gut clenched when her tongue darted into his navel but when she went lower, he reached out his hand to stop her.
“No, Alexander. You have given me great pleasure. Allow me to pleasure you.”
She took his cock in her hand and gently massaged it as she feathered light kisses around it before she took it in her mouth.
Alexander’s body grew taunt as he lost all sense of himself. A cold knot formed in his stomach. He heard a guttural groan only to realize that it came from him as her moist tongue gently flickered over his cock. He needed to be deep inside her and he could hardly wait. He gently raised Elizabeth’s head and pulled her so that he could kiss her lips. He flipped her onto her back in a smooth motion and he came up onto his knees. He buried his head in her sex, licking her folds as she writhed against him. He could taste her wetness and he held her hips to keep her from moving as his tongue grazed her nub. Elizabeth whimpered and grabbed onto his hair as he kissed her senselessly.
Alexander raised his head and saw the longing in her eyes. He held her hand and gently raised her to her feet. He spun her around so that she was against the tree and she braced herself as he entered her from behind. He placed both arms around her hips and held her as he slid deep inside her, her wetness easing his passage until he was buried all the way to the hilt. Their moans and groans were free and he moved one hand to Elizabeth’s nub and caressed it as she cried out and he emptied his seed inside her. They both collapsed onto the quilt.
As Alexander relived the memory his cock stirred, but there would be no time to frolic for they would be hosting a ball this evening. His mother decided that this would be ideal to present them as a couple. He could sense that Elizabeth was a bit nervous at the prospect. She had spent time with her family, visiting her friends but had few social calls. He was concerned about her, yet he had agreed to the ball. But now he was wondering if he would come to regret it. He was so distracted that he decided to abandon any pretense that he was working, for he had made little progress in reviewing the accounts for the charity. There would be time for it later. He would check on Elizabeth before he made himself presentable.
* * *
Three hourslater the ballroom was a bustle of activity. The guests continued to arrive and they were there as much for the ball as they were to see the woman that had captured his attention to become the Countess of Thornton. Elizabeth was exquisitely dressed and poised while she accompanied his mother on a round of introductions. Alexander had to admire her tenacity as earlier this evening she said she had a flutter in her stomach.
Alexander and Elizabeth had met on the ballroom floor for the first time and they had twirled and swirled across the room. Alexander thought that most of the couples were glancing at them rather than enjoying their partner’s company. What a curious lot they are. It was as though their first dance was a test to see if they met thehaut ton’sapproval. Alexander was satisfied with the warm greetings they received following the set. He was sure to touch Elizabeth’s arm discreetly and give her meaningful looks, but he would delve no further. He showed his affection for her yet, he did not wish to gain disapproval for a public display for these were frowned upon.
While they had swayed across the room and Elizabeth gazed up at him, he felt the overwhelming need to kiss her but of course, he could not. Kissing in the presence of others was deemed vulgar and unacceptable. He wondered if those who made the rules enjoyed kissing as much as he enjoyed kissing his countess. Clearly not. Although he would immerse himself in London’s milieu, attending engagements at elegant town mansions, mixing with the highest echelons of the aristocracy, he would much prefer to remain in the countryside. Instead, he had slipped his countess a note to meet him in the garden. He was quite looking forward to their rendezvous.
While he avoided public shows of affection, he was open and indulgent with Elizabeth in private. He recollected the night they consummated their marriage; he recalled her tears and lack of warmth. and it seemed like a distant memory because at that time Elizabeth did not care for him but now, he was certain she did. He was pleased about it and he could not imagine what would have happened if things had not changed between them. It is likely that they would have been living in separate homes, living separate lives. He would have taken a mistress and he wondered if she would have taken a lover. Fortunately, he did not need to find out for his countess was fiery and passionate and he enjoyed being in her bed. Alexander chuckled for he could not remember the last time he spent a night in his bed.
Alexander’s eyes shifted from Elizabeth and fell on Gilbert who was fast approaching.
“There you are, Thornton. I was beginning to think I would never see you again.”
Alexander chuckled. “You are a married man Gilbert so you should understand that my wife occupies my time.”
“Ahh. I’m very much in love with my wife, yet I’ve never missed our standing engagement at Brook’s.”
“I shall return once things are settled.”
“I hope that you are not avoiding us because you are reluctant to explain how you came to be married in such haste and to Barlow’s sister no less. You sly devil.”
No sooner had Gilbert uttered the words than Conrad entered the ballroom and made his way directly to Alexander and Gilbert.
“Gilbert and Thornton,” Conrad greeted them. “It would appear that I have missed all the important news. Thornton you have all but disappeared,” Conrad said.
“I said the very same thing to him, Conrad. He knows that we have missed him at Brook’s,” Gilbert said.
“I know that you are keen to know how the countess and I came together but you shall remain curious for a while longer. As soon as I have settled in town, I shall join you at Brook’s. As you can appreciate, I have more pressing matters.”
Gilbert smirked, “Matters of the heart perhaps?”
“Of what do you speak, Gilbert?”
Gilbert replied with a flair of his arm, “Love, my good chap. I speak of love, what else?”
