Page 76 of Cherish and the Duke
He breathed a sigh of relief once inside Cherish’s small-but-elegant chamber, and lit a candle or two now that the sun began to fade. “Glad that’s over.”
Cherish nodded. “My stomach is aflutter. It is hitting me now that I am your wife. I’m not sure I will pass this first test.”
He frowned, taking a moment to understand her meaning. “Cherish, there is no test. There is just us getting to know each other at our own pace. Nor are there any rules on how quickly we must get to…ah, to…”
She smiled at him. “Get to the good parts?”
He chuckled. “Yes, how quickly we get to the good parts.”
Cherish’s hair shone a molten gold in the soft candlelight, and she looked incredibly beautiful. He could tell she was worried about disappointing him, but she need not have been. His blood was already on fire, and he did not even have her out of her gown yet.
However, he did not want to rush theirmoment, even if his body had other ideas. “My only concern is to make certain this marriage cannot be annulled, should your uncle ever try to cause trouble. Beyond that, we can enjoy each other at our leisure.”
Of course, this assumed his body did not betray him and have him behaving like an untried schoolboy bedding a woman for the first time.
Cherish was lost in her own concerns as she stared at the bed. “I must warn you, I am woefully ignorant.”
“You are clever and will catch on fast, I assure you.” He kept his gaze on her as he removed his jacket and then his cravat. “Besides, do you think this does not please me? You must know you married a possessive ape.”
She laughed and regarded him avidly as he removed his waistcoat. “Your apish tendencies are to be protective, notpossessive. You would not have been able to push me at Reggie if you were truly possessive.”
“It was a close thing. Every time I saw you, I wanted to pound my chest and chase away all rivals. I wanted to make you mine. I must have confused the blazes out of Reggie and put the devil’s fear into poor Fellstone.”
She laughed and shook her head. “You hid your turmoil well. Truly, I had no idea.”
“I could not hide these apish feelings from myself. I was in agony. Served me right for coming up with the stupid scheme to match you and Reggie. I suppose I even owe your toad of an uncle a debt of gratitude for pushing me toward the right decision. Will you help me with the cuffs, Cherish?”
She nodded and immediately scampered to his side.
He could have arranged for a valet to attend him and a maid to attend her, but he did not want others in here with them tonight, even if it was merely to assist them in preparing for bed.
He wanted Cherish all to himself.
But this was a flaw he needed to work on.Does not share well with others.Not that there would be others in his life or hers from now on. Theirs was already an unbreakable love match, whether Cherish realized it or not. He had no intention of ever straying. Why should he when he had the best woman beside him?
Cherish’s fingers were nimble, and she had little trouble assisting him with the task of removing his cuff links. “Where shall I put them? Atop my bureau for now?”
He nodded. “That will do just fine. Thank you.” He settled on the bed, sitting on the mattress while he removed his boots.
She offered to help, but he shook his head. “No, Cherish. I will manage it. My boots are dirty and might accidentally stain your gown. It’s a lovely gown, by the way. Or perhaps you just make everything you wear look better because you are so pretty.”
She laughed and blushed. “Perhaps it is time for you to get spectacles.”
“No, my eyesight is perfect. I see you very clearly.” After this, he removed his shirt. Since the sight of him bare chested heightened her blush and appeared to disconcert her, he kept his trousers on for now. “Your turn, Cherish,” he said softly, taking her by the shoulders to turn her away from him so that he could get at the buttons, tapes, and laces down her back.
What a body on this girl.She was full in all the right places, and soft wherever she ought to be. He meant to explore every inch of her tonight.
He kissed her neck, knowing exactly where to find the most sensitive spot. She gasped and turned to him. “How did you do that?”
“Do what, Cherish?”
“Make me tingle.”
He smiled. “I should hope I learned something over the years.”
She nodded. “Yes, your experience. I suppose all the ladies respond to you this way.”
“No,” he said with a light frown. “Everything changes when two people are committed to each other. What will pass between us is something special, shared only by us, and will strengthen our bonds. I did not marry you because you were like everyone else. Do not worry about doing something wrong or right—just be you.”
