“Come with me.” Giff lifted Alice into his arms and brought her to bed. She was so perfect he could look at her all night.
She reached up and brought his head down to kiss him. “This feels so good. So right.”
His erection strained toward her. Distracting her with kisses, he stroked his fingers over her softly rounded stomach until he reached the curls below. She moaned, and he dipped lower until he found the core of her pleasure. Lightly he rubbed. Her hips lifted, and she moaned again.
“I want something.”
“I know. Be patient, my love.” Giff entered her with one finger, and she bucked.
“That is good. There is more.”
“Yes.”
She was so tight. He inserted two fingers and rubbed her nub at the same time. Alice’s breathing changed, and her body tensed. She was close to her climax. Suddenly she spasmed, and he positioned himself at her opening. “It is time.”
“Yes.”
He pushed forward, breaking through the thin barrier, entering her passage. She gasped and clenched him. “Are you all right?”
After a few moments, she nodded. “I will be fine.”
Slowly moving inside her, he kissed her until she started moving with him. “Wrap your legs around me.”
Alice clung to him as he pumped faster and faster until she came again, and he followed her into oblivion. This was what he had always wanted. To make love to a woman he loved. He cuddled her next to him. “How are you?”
A soft smile appeared on her face. “Perfect.”
“Give me a moment. I’ll be right back.” He went to the wash basin and wet the piece of linen, then went back to her. “Let me wash you.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “What? Why?”
Giff grinned. “We have made a bit of a mess.”
“Oh. No one told me about that.” Alice lifted herself on her elbows and looked down. “Blood.”
He hoped she wasn’t frightened. “I’m afraid it’s a necessary part of this. Only the first time.”
She looked so disgruntled.. “I have been told. But somehow I missed the cleaning-up part.”
He tried to hide his laughter and couldn’t. Thankfully, she laughed as well. He threw the cloth over the bed and cuddled her to him and kissed her again. “I think this might be the best night of my life.”
Alice reached up and stroked his jaw. “I know it is mine.”
She curled up next to him and slept. He hadn’t given any credence to what Normanby had said. Giff knew it wasn’t true. Still, he was glad she was his. Forever.
Alice was wrapped in a warm cocoon and fought opening her eyes. She almost gave in to the desire to remain where she was. Yet something told her she needed to move. Light barely rose over the horizon. Was it time to ride? No. There was a heavy, warm arm over her. She needed to go to her bedchamber before the servants were up. From the other side of the room, she heard a maid setting the fire. Even in summer, mornings usually required heat. If the servants were preparing the house for the day, it was too late. She closed her eyes again and snuggled into Giff’s arms. She would have to tell him she did not want separate chambers. How had they missed putting that on the list?
“My lady. You must rise.” Bertram’s insistent whisper roused Alice.
Alice did not want to get up. “I am comfortable.”
“I’m sure you are, but you must come back to your bedchamber. It is time to dress for breakfast.”
The dresser’s words finally penetrated Alice’s brain. “My robe.”
“Here.” Her maid held it out. “I have your nightgown.
She tried to rise, and Giff’s arm tightened. That was a problem. She hated to wake him but needs must. “I have to go.”
“A little while longer.”
She took his chin between her thumb and forefinger and shook it. “Now.”
His eyes popped open. He must have seen her maid. He dragged a hand over his face. “Oh, right. I will see you in the breakfast room.”
Alice hastily donned her robe and left the apartments. She did not know quite what to say to her dresser. Probably the less said the better. Bertram had a bath set up and ready behind a screen. The bed hangings were still closed. It was still her secret. Well, a secret if you counted her maid, and Giff’s valet, and the laundress. Less than two weeks now and they would not have to worry about it. She sank into the bathtub. But did she really have anything to worry about? Discretion was necessary. They were not yet married, but they were betrothed, and no one would condemn them for anticipating their vows. Parts of her that she had not known existed were sore. That would fade. Otherwise, her sisters would have told her. There was absolutely nothing to mar her happiness.
She had donned her earrings when a knock came on the door. Bertram opened it. “My lord.”
“Good morning, Bertram, is it not?”
“Yes, my lord.” She curtseyed.
Giff poked his head into the room. “Is her ladyship ready?”
Alice almost laughed as he tried to look around her maid who moved to block him. “I am.” She strolled to Giff. “Do we know if anyone else is awake?”
“The younger set is demolishing the offerings on the sideboard.” He held out his arm.
