Page 161 of Feathers in the Wind
“Stop talking,” Deliverance said with a laugh. “I’ve waited too long for this night for you to squander it on words.”
She pulled at his jacket and he shrugged it off letting it fall to the dusty floor as she unlaced his shirt and ran her hands through the hair on his chest. She kissed the naked flesh.
“Mmmm…you smell nice,” she said.
It was his turn. She wore no collar and her shoulders were bare. He bent his head and kissed the sensitive spot at the base of her throat, and she threw her head back as shivers of delight ran down her spine. Supporting her with one hand, he let his fingers trail across her chest, running lightly across the top of her bodice. The laces were at the back of the bodice and tied in a simple knot that came away with one practiced tug.
The bodice fell away revealing a simple white chemise.
“You are beautiful,” Luke murmured as she tore at his shirt, running her fingers across his chest, sculpted to hardness by his years of soldiering.
With shaking fingers, she undid her petticoats, letting them fall in a scarlet cloud at her feet. Luke gave the sleeves of the chemise a tug and Deliverance stood before him, naked and glowing in the candlelight.
“You are beautiful,” he said, and she knew he meant it. She could see herself reflected in his gaze…the small, pointed face to narrow waist and the full womanly breasts and hips. A little thinner than she had been, but still a woman, Luke’s woman.
He stepped forward and lifted her in his arms, depositing her on to Sir John’s magnificent bed. Deliverance ran her fingers down the line of dark hair from his chest.
“For a virgin,” Luke muttered. “You are acting in a manner most unbecoming.” Deliverance stopped what she was doing and looked at him.
“Luke,” she whispered. “It’s true, I'm a.. .I've never... am I doing it wrong?”
He folded her in his arms and hugged her close. “Oh, Deliverance, hush. I want to teach you. I want you to remember this night for the rest of your life.”
He released her and slid down beside her, propping himself up on elbow. She closed her eyes and her lips parted as she surrendered herself, a thousand thoughts and sensations coursing through her blood. She tightened her arms around him, drawing him closer, with a fierce desire never to let him go again. She had never thought it possible for her heart to be so full.
They lay together, tangled together in the sheets. Luke touched her cheek.
“You’re crying,” he said. “I’m sorry. I tried not to hurt you.”
She shook her head, temporarily bereft of words. “That’s not why I’m crying. I’ve never been so utterly happy in my entire life.”
He lay beside her and a languor settled on her. She just wanted to sleep.
The last thing she remembered was the touch of his lips on her hair and a whispered voice. “Deliverance Felton, I love you. I am never going to let you go.”
* * *
Deliverance wokewith a cramp in her leg. It was still dark and a heavy weight lay across her. She gave a squeak of alarm as she realised she was completely naked and there seemed to be another body in her bed. The other body mumbled and turned over and Deliverance lay back, allowing herself a silent laugh as she remembered where she was, why she was naked, who the man in the bed was and, more importantly, what they were doing there.
She closed her eyes and smiled as she remembered also the place where Luke's skilled fingers had taken her. Who could ever have imagined such a glorious sensation existed? At the memory, a warm glow spread through her body and she realised she wanted to do it again... and again. She propped herself up on one elbow and kissed Luke's ear, the only part of him she could reach. She nibbled his earlobe until he stirred, rolling on to his back and pulling her over on top of him
“What do you want?” he teased.
“You,” she said. “All of you.”
“Deliverance, you will probably burn in the eternal fires of hell, for your wanton behaviour.”
“I don't care. I've faced death too many times in the last few weeks to concern myself with my eternal soul.”
It was too dark to see his face, so she let her fingers trace the curve of his lips, sensing the smile.
“You are an extraordinary woman, Deliverance,” he said.
“Stop talking and kiss me.”
They made love again. She understood now that two people could become one and she knew that whatever happened she did not ever want to be parted from Luke Collyer.
“You will have the whole garrison in here,” Luke said, silencing her with a kiss. “I’m sure no one is under any illusions about what we are about tonight.”
