“I'm sure this isn'tâ” He bit back a moan. “What you're doing isn't p-proper.”
She paused and he almost cried. “Don't you like it?” She brushed a kiss over his aching flesh. “This part of you certainly seems to. It's grown large and hard again.”
“Ahh ...”
“I think this will be easier if you lie down.” She moved around on the bed so she could push him back onto the pillows.
He was stronger than she; he could easily resist ... but he obligingly did as she wanted. His little head was in complete control now, standing up eagerly, waiting to see what Ellie would do next.
What she did was straddle his legs, her long hair teasing his skin, breasts dangling over his thighs. And then her mouth went aroundâ
“Ahh.”
His hips jerked up.
“Ohh.”
He was done with thinking and worrying. Four years of grief and fear and guilt and deprivation flooded him, mixing with overwhelming love.
“Ellie!”
She looked up. “What is it this time?”
“I-I can't wait any longer.” It was hard to get the words out.
“Wait?” She looked puzzled. “Wait for what?”
“This.” He pulled her up as gently as he could and pushed her onto her back. Then he came above her, trying to maintain some control over his relentless need. “I'm afraid this is going to be quicker than it should be.”
Ellie grinned at him. “It can't be quick enough for me. I've waited all my life for you; I don't want to wait a minute more.”
He frowned. “I may not be able to be gentle.”
“I don't want gentle.” She tugged on his head. “Just do it, will you?”
She did sound rather anxious.
He kissed her breast and then licked her nipple. She moaned, and her legs spread wide. That was encouraging. He latched on and sucked, and her head tossed on the pillow, her hands grabbing his hair and holding him to her breast.
He slid his fingers down over her belly to the juncture of her thighs ... Thank Godâif God didn't mind being thanked in such a situation, though Ned did mean it in a most reverential wayâshe was wet and ready for him. Her hips arched up at his touch, and she rubbed against him. Perhaps she was rightâhe couldn't be quick enough.
He left her breast and kissed his way down her body, urged along by her lovely whimpers of desire. Her hot, musky scent surrounded him; he slid a cautious tongue into her cleft ...
“Oh, Ned, oh, oh, please, now, I can't ... wait ...” Her hips twisted frantically.
It clearly would be cruel to deny her what she wanted so desperately. And what he wanted, too.
He rose up over her again and slid into her tight, warm body. He tried to be careful. He knew he had to be gentleâhe didn't want to frighten or disgust her as he had Cicely. He wanted to show her how much he loved her, but he felt a tidal wave of need battering his control.
He flexed his hips and broke through her maidenheadâand heard her gasp in pain. Damn.
He paused, deflating slightly. “I'm sorry.”
She grunted. “Are you done?”
He should be, but the smell and feel of her was too much. He was swelling again. And she did say she wanted children. “Not quite.”
He moved as slowly as he could. In and out. In and out.
“Oh.” She stiffened a little. “Oh.”
Was he hurting her? He stopped though his body screamed go.
Fortunately, Ellie agreed with his body.
“Don't. Stop.” She wiggled under him, grabbing his hips. “Go. Faster. Harder.”
He flexed his hips again. He tried to pay close attention to her reactions, but he was drowning in his own response. He should ... ah.
She whimpered and dug her fingers into his arse. “Yes. Oh.” Her body grew tighter; she made a desperate little soundâand then her legs jerked. She shuddered, and he felt her pulse around him.
It was too much. He pulled back and thrust deep one last time, spilling his life and his love into Ellie.
He was home.
Â
Â
Ellie wrapped her arms tightly around Ned. She could barely breathe, but she didn't care. She wanted to stay this way forever, Ned deep inside her, his weight pressing her into the mattress. She felt gloriously married, even if law and church might not yet consider her so.
He turned his head to kiss her cheek. “I'm too heavy for you.” He sounded as relaxed and dazed as she felt.
“Mmm.” He was, but she didn't want to say so.
He lifted himself off her, and she felt chilled and empty until he gathered her up against his side. She rested her cheek on his shoulder and draped her arm across his chest while he grabbed the coverlet with his free hand and pulled it over them.
He kissed the top of her head. “Did I hurt you?”
She heard a thread of worry in his voice. “No.” She should be honest. “Well, maybe a very little at the beginning, but it was worth it.” She tightened her hold on him and kissed his chest. “It was wonderful ... better than I could ever have imagined. I want to do it all again.”
He chuckled. “Not now. You are likely rather sore.”
She moved her legs. “Perhaps a little.” But it was a good soreness.
Had they made a child? She wouldn't mention it; Ned would start worrying. She slipped a hand over her belly. She hoped they had, but she'd be happyâvery happyâto keep trying.
Ned's fingers combed through her hair. “Next time I promise we'll go slower. I'm afraid I was a bit out of control.”
She grinned at him. “You didn't hear me complaining, did you?”
“No.” He gave her a slow kiss. “You were a bit out of control yourself. I liked that.”
She kissed him back. “I didn't offend your notions of propriety?”
“Not too much.” He frowned. “But speaking of propriety, which is a bit ludicrous considering I'm lying naked in bed next to a gently-bred virginâ”
“I'm not a virgin any longer!”
He gave her a quelling look. “âthe daughter of the vicar who is notâyet!âmy wife, we should get dressed and go downstairs. I expect everyone will have noticed our absence.”
“But no one will remark on it. I'm just Ellie, your old friend, remember?” She slipped her hand down his chest and belly, but he caught her before she could reach her goal.
“You are not going to tempt me to more misbehavior.”
“Are you sure? I'd much rather stay here with you than go downstairs.”
“As would I, but we are going downstairs.” He sat up and swung his legs off the bed. “We will get dressed andâoh, damn.”
“What is it?” Ellie sat up, too, and pressed herself against Ned's back, slipping her fingers around toâ
He grabbed her hands. “
Will
you behave yourself?”
“Must I?”
“Yes. We need to get moving. I should at least offer your father the courtesy of a private meeting to ask for your hand in marriage before announcing our betrothal.” He glanced at the clock on the mantel. “If we hurry, maybe I can have a word with him before dinner.”
“Or after dinner.”
“Oh, no,” he said, getting out of bed. “I'm quite sure once everyone sees us, it will be very apparent we need to marry immediately.”
“I don't know why.” Ellie admired Ned's muscled arse as he strode over to his clothes press.
“Because I am not a lady's maid, and I don't believe we want to call Mary in to get you dressed again.” He pulled on a new pair of drawers, scooped her chemise off the floor, and walked back to her. “And stop staring at me as if I'm some special ice you want to lick allâ” He closed his eyes as if he were in pain, and she saw the lovely bulge appear in his drawers again. She reached for itâand he dodged her hand.
“Ellie, I love you, I want you, you are the dream I hadn't the courage to dream, but we
have
to go downstairs now.”
“Oh, very well.” She climbed down from the bed, took her chemise, and slipped it over her head. “But will you promise me I can come back here to sleep tonight?”
“No.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I don't know. We'll see.” He pulled on his shirt and breeches and then helped her lace up her stays.
She turned to face him as soon as he was done, and wrapped her arms tightly around him. “I love you, Ned.”
He hugged her back. “And I love you, Ellie. Thank you for having the courage to make me see it.” He stepped back. “And now we really, really have to go downstairs.”
Chapter 21
Love conquers all.
âVenus's Love Notes
Â
Â
“Do you have any idea where Ellie is, your grace?” Constance Bowman asked Venus. Ellie's mother looked around the drawing room again. “I stopped by her chamber when we arrived, but no one was thereâexcept for Sir Reginald playing with a scrap of red silk. I do hope that wasn't Ellie's Norwich shawl.”
Venus smiled. “I'm sure it wasn't.”
“You are probably right. It didn't look large enough, and I would think Ellie would be wearing her shawlâwherever she is.” She glanced at the door and then surveyed the room once more. “It must be almost time for dinner.”
“I'm sure she'll be down shortly.” Venus raised her brows significantly. “I notice Ned is missing as well.”
Constance's eyes brightened. “You don't think they're together?”
“One can hope.” And pray, but Venus had discovered over the years that the Almighty didn't respond to prayers as promptly or as literally as she'd like. In her opinion, it was much more efficient to consult a matchmaker for matters of the heartânot that anyone would say she'd been at all efficient in settling her sons' matrimonial issues.
Constance sighed and shook her head. “If they are, they are probably sitting sedately in the library discussing the weather. Oh, Venus, I don't know what I'm going to do with that girl. I'd really hoped this year she'd put aside her infatuation with Ned and find a husband, but it looks to me as if all the men you invited for her have chosen other womenâjust like every other year.”
Venus patted Constance's arm. “Don't worry. I have a very strong suspicion that my son and your daughter are not merely discussing the weather.”
Hope bloomed on Constance's face again, though it was clear she was struggling to keep it in check. “Why would you think that?”
“Mother's intuition. I've been watching them during this party.” She bent her head closer to Constance's. “
And
I had Mary make up a red silk dress much like the one you described to me.”
Constance's jaw dropped. “You actually got Ellie to wear something flattering? I've been trying to do that for years, as well you know.”
Venus chuckled. “She didn't have any choice. I, er, persuaded Reggie to ruin that rag she'd brought.”
“Well, thank Reggie for me. I
tried
to dissuade her from choosing that fabric, but she was adamant. And between you and me, poor Mrs. Wilkins, our dressmaker, has come to me in tears more than once after fitting Ellie. Frankly, I think Ellie's been determined to make herself look a fright ever since Ned married Cicely.” Constance sighed. “I thought I was doing the right thing when I refused to let her attend their betrothal ball in that shocking red dress, but now I'm not so sure.”
“And, as I've told you many times, there's no point in worrying about itâit's water over the dam. Ned was dreadfully in love with Cicely. I'd wager Ellie could have shown up naked, and he wouldn't have noticed.”
“Venus! Ellie would never do anything so shocking!”
“No, I know that, but I'm happy to report she was showing a bit more of her old, strong-willed self during this party. I was quite encouraged.”
Constance looked doubtful. “I can't imagine Ned wishes to wed a termagant.”
“I wouldn't say Ellie was as bad as that, but I do believe Ned needs someone to upend his carefully ordered life and make him feel daring and willing to risk something again.” Venus shrugged. “And if I'm wrong and Ellie and Ned don't make a match of it, you know I stand ready to take her up to London for the Season. Don't worryâI'll find her a good husband.” Though Venus really, really hoped that would not be necessary.
“But she's
twenty-six
.” Constance was actually wringing her hands. “She could hardly be more firmly on the shelf.”
“Nonsense. She'll do fine, if it comes to that. Contrary to what you hear in the country, London is not populated only by coxcombs and dandies. There are a few sensible, discerning men still available.” She smiled in what she hoped was an encouraging fashion. Where the hell
were
Ned and Ellie? “But let us hope my son proves to be sensible and discerning himself.”
“Looking for our second son?” Drew asked, coming up to them. “Good evening, Mrs. Bowman.”
“Good evening, your grace. It's lovely to be here as always.”
“And it will be even lovelier tomorrow when our London guests have departed, and we can be at peace again,” Drew said, smiling at Constance. “Though I believe we have some more excitement to endure first.” Now he was grinning.
Venus grabbed Drew's arm. “You know somethingâwhat?”
Drew's brows rose as he put on his haughtiest expressionâexcept his eyes were laughing. “My dear duchess, you are wrinkling my coat.”
She shook his arm. “I'll do more than wrinkle your blo”âDrew's glance shifted to Constance, and Venus, recalled to her surroundings, adjustedâ“blasted coat if you don't empty the bag immediately.”
“Such vehemence.”
“Drew, my patience is worn to a thread.”
“Yes, your grace, please tell us what you know.” Constance sounded as if she were on the verge of falling to her knees in supplication.
Drew bowed. “I apologize for teasing you both. I've only come to report that Dalton just approached your husband while I was speaking to him, Mrs. Bowman, and very discreetly asked the vicar to step into the library. Apparently Lord Edward wished to have a word with him.”
Constance almost clapped her hands, but stopped herself right before they made contact. “Oh, that does sound very promising.”
“I thought you might wish to make your way to the door,” Drew said, “to greet them as soon as they return. I have a feeling it will be a very brief conversation.”
Drew was correct. They had no sooner reached the door than the vicar appeared. He had a very odd expressionâa mix of delight and disapproval. When Venus looked at the couple standing behind him, she completely understood. Poor Ellie's coiffure was markedly lopsided and her dress looked as if she'd been assisted into it by a dresser who was all thumbs.
As Ned undoubtedly was.
“I am happy to tell you,” the vicar said, “that our children will be marryingâas soon as possible.”
“Wonderful!” Venus hugged the vicarâhe was a bit taken aback by her enthusiasmâand then Drew and Constance and Ned and Ellie. And then she and Constance whisked Ellie away to put her to rights before the formal announcement.
Later Venus stood in the ballroom with Drew at her side and watched Ned and Ellie waltz together for the first time as a betrothed couple.
“Happy, my dear?” Drew asked.
“Veryâas I'm sure you are as well.”
“I am, but I had complete faith the Duchess of Love would work her matchmaking magic.”
Venus snorted. “That makes one of us.” Then she smiled. “Have you ever seen Ned look happier?”
“No, but I very much fear Ned's happiness has put Jack back in a dangerous position.”
Venus stiffened with alarm. “What do you mean?”
“I believe Miss Wharton took the betrothal announcement hard. She looked almost overcome at dinner.”
Venus nodded. “I noticed that, too. I think Ned did raise her hopes a bitâhe certainly had me worried he might make her an offer. I am sorry for her, but a union between her and Ned would have been a disaster.”
“Yes, but I'm not sure she understands that. In any event, she seems to have returned to her original plan of trapping Jack into a proposal.”
“She has?” Venus would do something about that. “Where is she?” she asked as the music drew to a close.
“She's just finished dancing with Mr. Humphrey, but it looks as if Jack is asking Ellie to stand up with him, so I believe he should be safe for the moment.” Drew took her arm and led her out onto the floor. “And since I've instructed the orchestra to play another waltz, I believe this is the perfect time to steal a dance with my wife.”
The music started and Venus let herself be caught up in the joy of waltzing with her duke. But not totally caught up. Now that Drew had alerted her to the danger, she was keeping a sharp eye out.
Ah, Miss Wharton was talking to Constanceâshe seemed to be congratulating her. That was nice. The girl wasn't bad at heart, she just wasn't the girl for Jack. Venus would see what she could do for her this Season. Perhaps not Percy ... hmm. She must give it some thought.
She watched Mr. Cox waltz by with Lady Juliet, and Mr. Humphrey with Miss Mosely. Her party had been far, far more successful than she had dared hope. But not perfect.
“I wish I could do something about Ash.”
“Ash has a wife, Venus. You are a matchmaker, not ... well, not whatever it is Ash and Jess need.”
Drew was right, of course. “I suppose I'll focus on Jack, then.”
Drew laughed. “Lucky JackâI'm not certain he'll thank you, you know. In fact, if he's smart, he'll stay as far away from your blasted monthly Love Balls as he can.”
“Butâ”
Drew laid his finger on her lips. “Put your sons out of your mind for the moment, my dear duchess. Your poor husband wants your attention.”
“There's nothing the least bit poor about you, my dear duke, but if you want my attention, of course you shall have it now”âVenus grinnedâ“and later when I feel like celebrating my successes properly.”
Drew's eyebrows rose. “How interesting. I shall see if my old brain can come up with some appropriately festive ways to help you mark the occasion.”
Venus giggled. “I'm sure you can. You are my inspiration in all, my Duke of Love.”
Drew treated her to a look of disgust and then swept her, laughing, across the ballroom floor.