Beth stood before the adjoining door wearing just her night garment and her dressing robe. Anna had helped her out of the dress she had worn at the ball, and she had been most grateful, almost as grateful as when she bade the last guest goodbye, and hugged her aunt and the Dowager Duchess goodnight.Both women had been ecstatic and almost reluctant to leave. Aunt Marrily did remember to assure her that the ball would be the talk of town for many days. Beth should hope so, after all, the balls at Carlisle Crest were always profoundly beautiful.Lord Carlisle had left the ballroom as soon as their dance was over though.After he had kissed her.She had sat on her bed for a while, wondering why he had left in such a hurry. He had endured the greater part of the evening, why not dwell more for a few more minutes? Some of the guests had been unbearable, but they had survived.In the past, she would retire for the night, worried, seeking answers but never going after them. She was a changed
She kept her eyes on him too. "I do not mean to, but you kissed me in front of so many people and left. Why?"Something in his gaze shifted. "I left to speak with one of my men." She knew immediately that he was telling the truth."I…" He let go of her wrists and stepped away. In that instant, she realized she had hurt him. She would give anything to return to what they had. No! She would give it to attain more.She missed the warmth his hands provided her wrist, missed his closeness and she missed him. He was standing before her and she missed him. Her love for him was overwhelming and it was starting to frighten her. She would never demand him to love her, still she wished he would.His hands returned to his pockets. "Did you come to quarrel? As charming as it is to always quarrel and reconcile, Beth, I am not in the mood to entertain it." His voice was unkind. He started away, back to his table.There had been pain when Eric died, pain so great and paralyzing she could still not fo
Those were not the words but he would make do. Charles kissed her softly, testing and she replied accordingly. It satisfied the barbarian in him. She wanted him.He kissed her face, her cheek, the side of her mouth and her neck. When she responded to each with a sigh, he bit his lips. He pushed her robe off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor, pooling by their feet.Charles's eyes travelled the length of her body. Her soft skin was heated underneath his touch and her heaving breasts threatened to undo the seam of her nightdress.She shrugged her shoulders shyly. "The night garment is pretty."His lips tugged. Did she think he cared for her night garment? "You are prettier." He held himself say. Her smile stole his breath. He kissed her again and carried her away from the door. Beth wrapped her legs around him, holding onto him.Walking in the general direction of the table, Charles continued to kiss her until he sat her down on the table.Beth was small against his larger frame
Charles pulled his shirt over his head and Beth was privy to his bare body. He was well-built and she again was reminded of how much his clothes hid away.. Her hands lifted of their own accord and came to rest on his chest.Beth had seen him before but she had been under the influence of alcohol, she was not sure she had studied him so intently. He was so masculine and firm.Her hands travelled his body and he waited, standing evenly still as her gaze moved slowly over him and her hands did the same. She touched the square of his muscles and tendons of his stomach, surprised he had no fat to spare.Beth was admiring him as he had admired her. She was completely mesmerized by him and was unashamed. His chest was broad and dusted with dark hair. Her trip ended by the tip of his trousers and returned to his chest. She dared herself and kissed him on his left breast.He moaned.Surprised by the sound, she glanced up and found that he had closed his eyes. The invitation was clear and compe
But she was crying."Did I hurt you?" He murmured against her hair, running one hand over her back.She was shaking violently. "No. No, you did not." She said, chuckling, tears in her eyes.Charles felt his heart expand.Beth was a force, and like a ship hit by a massive wave, he was thrown out of balance, cursed to drift upon her feisty waters. He did not hate it.When her convulsion ended, he felt her still pulsing against him. "Bethany.""Charles…" She mewled, giving him the most seductive smile he had ever seen. Red passion blinded him. He was not done and neither was she.Still joined with her, he carried her from the table, placing his hands firmly on her buttocks. She yelped when they crashed onto the bed, his body covering hers."You are the greatest thing to have ever happened to me." He declared.The tears made her eyes glisten. She raised her head and kissed him. He began to move.She gasped with pleasure.His lips tugged against hers.Charles's hand found her breast and he
Charles opened his eyes to the most beautiful sight he could ever imagine – Beth in his arms.She had her hand flung carelessly over his abdomen and her beautiful face pressed to his naked chest. One of his hands was wrapped around her waist and it felt like the rightest thing in the world.His heart soared.She was here. Beth was here in his arms and he was never letting her go. He would no more ask to touch her, nor wish he could. She was his wife and his lover now. She was his and he was hers.The morning sun was streaming into the room through the tiny opening as best as it could, as no one had dared to come to pull the curtains. The bed cover was up to their waist but no higher. All was suddenly so perfect with the world.'She was the most perfect person in the world.' Charles thought, his heart giddy. He inhaled her scent and felt his heart expanding. Lightly, he caressed her face and played with her hair.Many nights he had laid in bed, sleep driven from him, thinking what she
Beth immediately understood her worries. Lady Marjorie worried she might be leaving Charles. She would never. "Yes, I have, and Charles has agreed to it."A pause. "Charles? You call him affectionately now." Her hand went to Beth's face. She smiled. "I had not mentioned the glow you have as I did not want to pry, but I must now." She leaned forward and whispered, her brows furrowed. "All is well between you and him?"Beth's smile deepened as her heart rejoiced. She had never been happier than she was at the moment. Her husband was the kindest of men and the most patient. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful lover. She was surprised and ecstatic to find that there was a part of him that wanted her. A mighty part."All has never been better, Lady Marjorie." She replied, choosing to indulge the woman. Beth did not think she could call her Mother, but she could do away with the excess civilities.It gladdened the older woman.Lady Marjorie gaped, astonished, then burst out laughing. She
He noticed her hesitation, and how fixed her smile was. His heart was scared. "Evening Beth.""How has your day been?""Good." His morning had been excellent. Charles hoped his night would not become the opposite."Lovely. I would like to have a word with you."He nodded that she continued, but she would not speak, rather, she remained by the door, gaping at him, leaving him to wonder the state of his face.Her expression was odd and she appeared troubled. For a moment Charles didn't recognize her, standing there almost a stranger. She stood as the woman he had met when he came to Westside Manor, not the one who had erupted from intense ecstasy in his arms the night before.Was she about to utter words to ruin their day? Their lives? He wouldn't allow her; he had made a promise to them. He would not stand on the bylines and watch things go up in flames, again. And he would not let her go, even if they disagreed.Charles waited patiently and when he could no more, he beckoned to her. "