Chapter Twenty-Four

A riadne felt someone nudging her. She opened her eyes, blinking several times, realizing she had fallen asleep in the carriage. Lifting her head from Julian’s chest, she asked, “Are we almost there?”

“Yes. We are approaching my lands now. I wanted you to be able to see them with me this first time when you caught sight of your new home.”

It struck her that home was no longer Millvale. From now on, she would reside with her husband either here in Surrey or at his London townhouse. Though she loved her new husband deeply, a wave of sadness crossed through her. She would never again be in the bosom of her family, being able to go down the hall and jump into bed with Lia and Tia or share late night confidences with Val over a game of chess.

Still, she was incredibly happy about the choice she had made. Becoming Julian’s wife made her happier than she could imagine. She could not wait to spend more time with her new husband.

Especially in bed.

His kisses had been addicting, and Ariadne knew there was so much more to come between them. Thanks to Val, she had a much better idea of what to expect. Once she understood more about coupling with her husband, she would share what she could with her sisters, not wanting them to go completely unprepared into their own marriages.

As they passed the rolling grassland, Julian pointed out things to her. Their carriage arrived at the main house, and she instantly fell in love with her new country home as they disembarked. She was a bit taken aback at the two long lines of servants waiting for them, though, and tried to compose herself. She would be their mistress and wished to make a favorable impression upon them.

A couple stepped forward. “My lord, my lady,” said the man. “I am Briscoe, your butler, Lady Aldridge. This is Mrs. Briscoe, who serves as housekeeper.”

“Thank you for such a warm welcome,” Ariadne replied. “It was thoughtful of you to assemble the servants so that I might meet them. Shall we go down the line and do so?”

Briscoe introduced everyone to her, and she made certain to say something to each servant.

The final person they came to was a young man who looked to be between her age and Val’s. Deducing who he weas, she said, “You must be Mr. Ross.”

“Aye, my lady,” the steward said. “My father is employed by yours. Lord Claibourne recommended me to Lord Aldridge, and here I am.”

“It is good to have someone so capable in charge of the tenants,” she said. “It will allow Lord Aldridge and me to come and go freely, knowing Aldridge Manor is in good hands.”

“We can meet tomorrow afternoon, Mr. Ross,” Julian said. “I will send word to you when.”

“Yes, my lord,” the steward replied deferentially.

As the Briscoes led them into the house, Ariadne told her husband, “I was afraid you were going to want to meet with Mr. Ross first thing in the morning.”

Julian cocked one brow. “Why meet with a steward when I can have all the attention of my wife?” His wicked grin caused her belly to flip crazily.

Mrs. Briscoe halted and faced them. “I know you have had an unusually busy day, my lord. Would you like a light supper brought to your rooms?”

“Yes, Mrs. Briscoe. That would be delightful.”

She saw Tally starting up the stairs and called her over, saying, “This is my maid. Tally has been with my family a good number of years, but she agreed to come with me once I wed.”

“See to unpacking Lady Aldridge’s things, Tally, and then come to the kitchens. Supper will be waiting for you, and then I will take you to your own room.”

“Yes, Mrs. Briscoe,” her maid replied, heading up the staircase.

“Let me show you your rooms and then we can go to mine for supper,” her husband said.

They went to a large suite, where Tally had a footman opening Ariadne’s trunk. She had left most of her things at her father’s townhouse, and Mrs. Parsons was going to pack them and have them delivered to Julian’s townhouse. She took the time to remove her gloves and hat before continuing on.

Julian showed her the door which connected her bedchamber to her dressing room. A bathing chamber, which they would share, came next. Finally, they entered his dressing room and then bedchamber. She glanced at the large bed, wondering if she were to come to him or he to her own bed. Though she had the rudiments down of what lovemaking would be like, it was still foreign territory to her.

He discarded his own coat and undid the knot of his cravat, sliding it from his neck. Julian wore only his shirt and vest, and she wondered if things would always be so casual between them when they were alone. It was rare for her to see Val without his coat, and she couldn’t recall a single occasion when Papa had not been fully dressed.

“Hopefully, Mrs. Briscoe has supper for us now,” he said, guiding her through another door to his own sitting room. It contained a settee and two chairs, along with a small table and two more chairs. The Briscoes awaited them.

Her husband seated her, and Briscoe delivered two covered plates to the table, lifting the covers from them. Mrs. Briscoe poured wine for them, and the butler placed the crystal goblets next to the plates.

“I am sure you would like a bit of privacy now, my lord,” Briscoe said. “Please ring if you require anything else.”

“We won’t for the rest of the night,” he assured the couple. “Pass that along to Paulson and Tally, as well.”

Their butler and housekeeper exited the room, and Julian picked up his glass. “A toast to the loveliest bride England has ever seen.”

She picked up her own glass. “To the most handsome marquess I know—and a day I will never forget.”

They clinked their glasses together and took a sip. The light meal was just what Ariadne needed to revive her. Cold chicken. Cheese. Bread. Fruit. She ate sparingly, though, as nerves began to flit through her, the unknown still to come.

“I would like to propose something to you, my love,” her husband said.

“Another proposal?” she teased. “After all, I did go ahead and wed you.”

“I talked to Paulson about this first and would now like to broach the subject with you.”

“Hmm. Now you have me most curious, Lord Aldridge. What do you and your valet propose?”

Julian slipped his hand around hers. “You have seen your rooms. They are large, with plenty of space for your wardrobe.” He hesitated. “But they are also far from me.”

Ariadne’s heart beat more swiftly. “Yes?”

“Though Paulson assures me it is not custom, I am the marquess, after all. I should have the final say in matters, but it is your household to command, my love.”

He brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed her fingers. “What would you think of using your rooms as a place to dress or a quiet respite during the day—but sharing my rooms at night?”

His words surprised her. Her parents had always kept to their separate rooms. Of course, there had to have been at least three occasions over the years when they had coupled in order to produce their children. Still, what Julian intended was far from the norm.

And she liked it.

“I would be happy to share your bed each night, Julian,” she told him. “Whether it is to sleep... or do other things a married couple does in a shared bed.”

Kissing her hand again, he asked, “Are you ready to explore those very things now, my sweet marchioness?”

With conviction, she said, “Absolutely.”

He rose, their hands still joined, and led her back into the bedchamber. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her long and slow, her body against his, his heat and scent overwhelming her. Julian deepened the kiss, and Ariadne lost herself in it, thankful he didn’t rush her into lovemaking. As his hands moved slowly up and down her back, his actions told her they had all the time in the world, and no one would interrupt them.

“Shall I play Tally’s role tonight?” he teased after ending the kiss.

His hands went to her hair, and Julian began removing the pins from it. Her tresses spilled to her waist. He set aside the pins and ran his fingers through her hair, causing her scalp to tingle pleasantly.

“Another time, I will brush it for you,” he promised. “But we have more to do tonight.”

Leading her to a chair, he knelt before her, removing her slippers and then reaching under her gown. Soon, her slippers and stockings were gone, and Julian caressed her calves lovingly, causing a tender ache within her.

“You may have to give me a little direction for the rest,” he said lightly, bringing her to her feet and turning her so he could unbutton the myriad of buttons along her spine. One by one, each layer came off, until she stood bare before him. It surprised Ariadne that she felt no shyness. No embarrassment.

What she did feel, however, was impatience.

His gaze lovingly took her in. “You are a marvel to behold, my love.”

“Then allow me the same pleasure, my lord,” she said, her voice low and seductive.

Ariadne’s fingers unbuttoned his vest, removing it. He now stood in his shirt and trousers, and she was eager to see what was under them. Slowly, she unbuttoned the three buttons of his shirt and lifted it over his head, tossing it aside. Her eyes roamed his chest, broad and muscular, covered in a fine matting of dark hair. She placed her palms against his bare skin, running them along it, delighting in the muscles moving beneath her fingertips.

“Help me with my boots,” he asked, taking a seat.

She removed them, though it took a bit of effort. Quickly, he ridded himself of his trousers and stood before her. She was dumbstruck by his body, so perfect that it made her teeth ache.

“Come,” he said, holding open his arms in invitation.

She walked into them, placing her own about him, pressing her face to his chest, inhaling his cologne and the musky scent that was all Julian.

“Mine,” she whispered, in awe of that fact.

“Mine,” he repeated, caressing her, his hands moving down her spine and squeezing her buttocks. “Mine,” he said again. “You are mine, and I am yours. Shall we see what each other is like?”

He led her to the bed, which was already turned back. Surprising her, he swept her from her feet and gently placed her on it. Joining her, they soon were a tangle of limbs. Heat rose within her as he touched her everywhere. Kissed her everywhere. Her heart slammed against her ribs, and she was afraid it might very well pop through her chest.

Lazily, his finger glided along the curve of her breast, back and forth, before sliding to her erect nipple. He tweaked it playfully, sending a jolt of pure, hot desire through her. His mouth followed, and he feasted upon it, his teeth grazing the nipple, his tongue working her into a frenzy.

His mouth returned to hers for long, drugging kisses, but she was aware of his hand stroking her belly, moving lower. Then his fingers danced along the seam of her sex, gliding back and forth, causing her core to beat violently. When he pushed a finger inside her, Ariadne almost came off the bed, the sensations starting to overwhelm her.

“Relax, love,” Julian encouraged. “Enjoy.”

She fell back against the pillow and gave into the pleasure. A second finger joined the first, the caresses intimate and long. A rhythm began, a drumbeat within her, building to some unknown climax. She began gyrating under his hand, panting, having to break their kiss because her sole focus was on that beat. The blood rushed to her ears, the sensations crazy now. She felt as if she were balancing on a cliff, about to fall over. Fall apart.

And then his thumb pressed hard against her, moving in a circular motion. Ariadne whimpered, her head tossing back and forth, her body no longer hers, but his. Then a cascade of pleasure rushed through her quickly, and she met his hand, moaning, laughing, rocking. Her body quivered, shaking as pure pleasure enveloped her.

Then it ended, leaving her limp. Unable to speak or move.

Her husband, wearing a very satisfied look, kissed her. Ariadne wrapped her arms about him, holding tightly, never wanting to let this man go. She felt him touch her again, but his hands cradled her face. Something hard pressed against her now.

“What is that?” she managed to ask.

“My cock. It is hard for you, love. It wants to be inside you.”

“Oh, I know that part. Val explained it.”

He chuckled. “Your brother told you about lovemaking?”

“Well, Mama refused to answer any of my questions. Where else would I turn?”

He mused, “Indeed,” and then kissed her deeply.

Julian moved slightly, and his hands left her face. “This might sting a bit, but the pleasure will outweigh any pain.”

“I am ready,” she said stoically.

With one thrust, he broke through her maidenhead. It did sting, but she liked the fullness of him within her. Ariadne shifted.

And liked that feeling even more.

Slowly, Julian began to move in and out of her, almost like a dance, and she wrapped her limbs about him, allowing him to drive more deeply into her. Soon, they were flying, and all those lovely sensations built again, spilling from her. He also made a noise and then called her name over and over, making her feel free and alive.

Her husband collapsed atop her, breathing heavily. She kissed his neck and then licked him, causing him to groan.

He rolled, taking her with him, so they faced one another. Still joined intimately, he stroked her face tenderly.

“Our first time making love,” he said.

“Our first time tonight,” she corrected playfully.

Julian groaned again. “We will go at it again, sweetness, but it takes time for a man to recover.”

Propping her elbow onto the pillow, she rested her head in her hand. “I will think of something to do in the meantime. Maybe you would like me to do to you what you have done to me,” she playfully mused aloud.

Leaning over, she swiped her tongue across his nipple several times, then lazily circled it. Her husband laughed. Then moaned. Then grabbed her, kissing her possessively.

Oh, yes. This exploring was going to be ever so much fun.

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