Page 53 of A Tempting Maid for the Beastly Duke
Aunt Cora reached out and gave Rose a quick, affectionate hug. “Of course, dear. This is a day to celebrate love and family. And speaking of celebration, shouldn’t we join the dancing?”
Rose laughed, nodding enthusiastically. “Absolutely, Aunt Cora. Let's make the most of this wonderful day.”
Aunt Cora took Henry by the hand, while Rose did the same with William. They joined the other dancers in the middle of the garden, enjoying themselves under the blossoming flowers and a million little fairy lights. As the evening wore on and most of the guests had departed, the manor gardens settled into a serene and intimate atmosphere. The soft glow of lanterns illuminated the space, casting a warm and inviting light over the remaining revelers. William stood with Rose, enjoying the quiet end to their joyful day.
Just then, a nervous-looking Mr. Hancock appeared, approaching with a hesitant but determined expression. He cleared his throat and addressed Cora, who was standing nearby. “Mrs. Roberts, would you do me the honor of a dance?” he asked politely.
Aunt Cora suddenly looked flustered. She blushed, her eyes widening in surprise. Rose couldn’t let out a small laugh, thoroughly amused by her aunt’s unexpected reaction. “Aunt Cora,” she teased gently, “it looks like you should take your own advice and give the man a chance.”
William had to admit that he had never seen Mr. Hancock in such a state of nerves as well. The man had always been a stoic, solemn and confident. Yet now, he appeared as a little boy, wearing his heart on a sleeve. William immediately understood what was happening. He knew that feeling all too well.
Aunt Cora’s flustered demeanor softened as she met Rose’s warm and encouraging gaze. She nodded and took Mr. Hancock’s outstretched hand, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. The sight of the typically composed Cora being led in a dance by the equally reserved Mr. Hancock brought a smile to William’s face.
“Did you ever think that such a thing would be possible?” Rose mused, as they both gazed on in the direction of the dancing couple.
“No,” William admitted, wrapping his arm around Rose’s waist and pulling her closer to him. “Then again, I never thought this would be possible either,” he said, gesturing at the two of them.
“No?” she echoed, blushing. “Why not?”
He smiled. “Just… look at you. You shine, Rose. You… you have made me happier than I ever thought possible. I believed I was destined to be isolated, hated, and scorned forever. And perhaps I deserved it. But then, you came into my life and changed everything.”
Rose looked up at him, her eyes shining with affection. She squeezed his hand gently, feeling the depth of his emotions and the sincerity of his words. “William, you deserved happiness all along. I’m just glad I could help you see that.”
He smiled, leaning down to kiss her forehead. He couldn’t wait a moment longer. “Thank you, my love. For everything.” He paused, then asked softly, “Are you ready to leave the party for the night?”
Rose nodded, a contented smile spreading across her face as she understood what he wanted. “Yes, I am. Let’s go.”
***
Rose thought she would be stiff. She thought her body would be afraid of what was to come, taking into account what she had heard of that infamous first time a woman gave herself to a man. Yet, she felt no fear, no stiffness of limbs. Instead, she melted into William’s arms, knowing that was exactly where she belonged.
The moment he closed the door to his chamber, he wrapped his arms around her and started to kiss her passionately. She reciprocated in the same manner, feeling those same flames incite her. There was no more time to waste. The right moment had finally come. There would be no more interruptions.
“You taste divine,” she heard him say as he pulled away for only a moment, then his tongue crashed inside of her mouth once again.
His skilled fingers unhooked, moved, slid buttons, relieving them of their duty. Moments later, her heavy gown pooled at her feet. She was freed from everything that was keeping her away from him, and now she stood before him, just herself, with nothing to offer but her heart and soul.
“I love you so much,” she whispered, as she felt his lips on her neck. She knew that she had fallen under his spell the moment she opened her eyes in this place, the moment she knew that he had saved her.
His teeth gently nipped her throat, a sensation that sent shivers down her spine. Heat exploded somewhere inside of her, her hands flying towards him in a frantic desire to keep him close to her, closer than he had ever been before. She surprised even herself with the desire she felt for him. It consumed her completely, body, mind and soul. She didn’t even try to fight it. Why would she?
He slowly guided her back to the bed, taking off his own clothes in the process. She helped him; her hands not really certain what they were doing, but they were on him and that was all that mattered. His hands clasped around her waist, lifting her onto the bed as he leaned over her.
She inhaled sharply, taking in the sight of him. Just like hers, his own body was marred with scars, but that only made him more beautiful in her eyes. Her fingertips traced the lines of his chest, his nipples, his muscles. Everything about him was breathtakingly beautiful, and it was all hers. She couldn’t believe that.
All those weeks of waiting were utter torture. Now, they were free to love each other and claim each other. She could feel his fingers trailing down her breast, her stomach, all the way down to her most intimate place, which throbbed with need.
“Oh, William…” she moaned softly, biting her lower lip. He liked that. He smiled as he gazed at her lovingly.
“Should I stop?” she heard him tease her.
“No, never…” she moaned again, grabbing his wrist and keeping it in place where it was.
His fingers caressed her softly at first, sliding between her wet folds. She felt as if her insides were on fire, yearning for more. So much more. As if he were able to listen to her most private thoughts, he started to touch her with more pressure, creating more friction. He stroked firmly, sliding just a little inside of her as his mouth gently sucked on her nipple. She thought that she would come undone immediately, but every time she was close,he would soften the pressure, pulling her back. He must have known how much she was enjoying all of that.
Deciding not to torture her again, his finger started to move faster and faster, pressing exactly that right spot that made her insides tremble harder and harder, until she felt as if someone had pushed her into an abyss and she was falling endlessly.
No description could have prepared her for that sensation. It was something she had to experience for herself. His fingers continued to swirl over her wet, swollen bud and she knew that was the bliss she was expecting to feel. Her heart was pounding inside her ears. Her entire body was awash in sensation, so many that she would not be able to describe them all.
