Page 10 of Her Duke to Beguile: Lady Be Wicked
Eleanor wasn’t sure how to respond to that. He must be quite lonely with an outlook so contemptuous. “I’m sorry you feel that way.” She wished she could do something to change his mind. He’d done her a kindness in hosting them for their wedding. If she could find a way for him to find happiness, she would do so. Everyone deserved to find a spot of joy in his or her life. “Why do you feel so strongly against love?” It wasn’t romance that he objected to. Something told her that he could be romantic if he wished to be, but love would frighten any cynic.
“I’ve seen the damage love can do,” he told her. “It’s not a risk I’m willing tae take.” He tilted his glass as if to salute her. “That doesn’t mean I wish ye unwell in yer marriage. Quite the opposite in fact. Cranbrook is a friend, and he appears tae be happy with his choice. I hope that remains true for both of ye.”
Eleanor frowned. He didn’t sound as if he believed they would have a happy life together. “No marriage is without discord from time to time. I don’t expect him to be perfect. That would be unrealistic.” She tilted her head to the side. “There is much we don’t know about each other. That’s part of the adventure. Our journey begins here, and with each day, something new will reveal itself. Our marriage will be anything but boring, and I like to think, that even through the difficulties that might arise we will still have a measure of happiness. Not because love is easy, it’s never that, but because we are open to what it can bring us.”
She didn’t realize until that moment that she did truly love the Duke of Cranbrook. George had sneaked his way in to her heart and burrowed there. “If I were to have one wish, and I like to think on my wedding day I’m allowed one, it would be that you find a way to open your own heart, Your Grace. One day, a woman will find a way into that heart of yours, and I hope you have the good sense to recognize the gift for what it is.”
He shuddered. “In that I pray ye be wrong,” Allister told her. “I do realize I have tae marry one day, but love has no part in that future marriage. I promise ye my heart will not be a factor in that decision.”
“I suppose we will have to see what happens,” she said in a calm tone. “As you have not met your future bride yet, we won’t know until you do. Besides, I doubt fate will give you much choice. It certainly didn’t give me one.”
“That’s one way of viewing yer marriage,” Allister told her. “It appears yer husband is ready to claim ye. Enjoy yer wedding night, lass. I hope it is everything ye imagine it will be.” With those words, he walked away from her.
Eleanor didn’t know what she hoped her wedding night would be. She hadn’t allowed herself to think about it much. That would only make her more anxious with each passing moment. She didn’t have anyone to discuss it with her, anyway. She had a brief moment earlier in the day when she had considered all of it, but then quickly set it aside. It was better not to dwell on things that would only make her uneasy.
“Hello, Ellie, love,” George greeted her. “It’s done. There is no undoing any of it now.”
“Would you if you could?” She lifted a brow. “The Duke of Allister asked if I have any regrets. Do you?”
He shook his head. “Never.” His lips tilted upward into a sensuous smile. “Do you?”
She shook her head. “Regrets are for people that don’t know what they want. I want you. There is no room for doubts in my heart.”
George grinned. “Good. Because I plan to ensure that you don’t ever doubt me or what I feel for you.” He took her hand in his. “Come, wife. It’s time that we enjoy our wedding night in full.”
The day had gone by faster than George could have imagined. He had a wife. Ellie was his forever, and in a few moments he planned on stripping her bare and kissing every inch of her delectable skin. He led her to the bedchamber that they had been assigned to and pushed open the door. Candlelight filled the room and glowed around them.
Once they were inside, he pushed the door open and pulled her into his arms. He pressed his lips to hers and tasted her mouth. She moaned as he swirled his tongue against hers. George skimmed her waist with his hand and then slid his fingers upward until they brushed her breasts. He lifted his mouth and then began to trail kisses over her cheek and then down to her neck. “You’re so beautiful.”
“Kiss me again,” she demanded. She sounded almost drunk with passion. He could relate. Desire corded through him and he was strung tight with need. George wanted to bury himself deep inside of her, but he had to go slowly. This was her first time, and he had to make it good for her.
“I will,” he told her. “I plan on kissing you everywhere.” George spun her around and began to unbutton her gown. When it was loosened, he pushed it down. He removed every inch of her clothing with ease until she stood before him in nothing but her shift. That would go soon too. He kissed her shoulder as he lifted the shift and pulled it over her head. “So bloody beautiful.” He stared down at her pert breasts and licked his lips.
George pulled her forward and leaned down to suck one of those pretty pink nipples into his mouth. She moaned as he licked and nipped it, then did the same to the other one. He slid his hand down her waist and then to the apex of her thighs. George glided one finger over her sensitive flesh. She was so wet and hot. He pushed that finger into her tight center. Her moans grew louder with each of his ministrations.
He lifted her into his arms and carried her over to the bed and laid her on it. Then he stepped back and began to remove his clothes. Once he was fully undressed, he returned to her. It would be so easy to push himself into her welcome heat, but she still wasn’t ready yet. Not completely anyway.
“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than you.” He had never wanted a woman as much as he did his wife. “I need you so much.”
“I need you to.” She patted the bed. “Come, join me.”
George didn’t need another invitation. Instead of crawling onto the bed and taking her though, he walked over and stood above her. “I’m not done kissing you yet.” He raked his gaze over her flushed body. “I intend to taste every inch of you, love. You’ve beguiled me and I intend to return the favor.”
He didn’t bother to explain his intentions. George pushed her thighs apart and pulled her to the edge of the bed, then he settled his mouth at her core. With one lick, she shouted out his name and squirmed underneath him. He wouldn’t let her escape. Her pleasure was his ultimate goal, and giving it to her would bring some back to him. He brought the sensitive nub into his mouth and he sucked. Her moans grew louder and louder. She was close. George slid a finger into her and nipped on her clit, then soothed it with his tongue as he pushed another finger inside of her.
She exploded and groaned out her pleasure. “George….” Her body relaxed against the bed as her climax receded. “That was…”
“Exquisite,” he supplied the word for her. “You are all lovely and pink.” He didn’t join her on the bed. Instead, he lifted her legs and wrapped his arms around them, then he positioned his cock at her entrance. “And soon you be mine. Only mine.” He pushed himself inside of her and barely held back a groan.
“That’s…” She writhed underneath him. “More,” she demanded. “I need more.”
George pushed all the way inside of her. She froze for a moment as he breached her maidenhead. He waited for her to fully adjust to his invasion. When she started to move against him, that was the only sign he needed. She was ready for more. “You feel so good, love.” He slid out of her and then back in. With each stroke, his pleasure built until he thought he could never feel anything quite so wonderful again.
She bucked underneath him, and he quickened his pace. There were no more words. Only their desire and need spun around them. Eleanor’s climax rippled around him and squeezed his cock. Her screams of pleasure echoed around the room. His own climax was about to explode and he couldn’t hold it back anymore.
He didn’t want to.
George groaned as his seed spilled out and filled her. He’d never felt anything like that in his entire life. He was no virgin and hadn’t been for many years; however, with her it seemed as if it were his first time. Perhaps it was, in a sense. She had been made for him alone, and sex with her was life altering.
