Chapter Twelve #2
“We plan on spending a couple of times here beginning next year. Otherwise, we’ll be in Kent or London. I’m taking on my father’s seat in Parliament, so I’m sure we’ll be in London when in session,” Arthur said.
“You never know when I might have to be in London on church business,” Henry said. He swallowed his remaining champagne and set the glass down. “How is Roxanne? I know she remarried after her husband died. Is she happy?”
“She is happier than I’ve seen her in years. She and her husband, Graham, have a good life,” Arthur replied.
“That’s good to hear. She deserves it. Tell her I said hello when you see her.”
Carter entered the room and announced the luncheon was awaiting in the dining room.
Daphne finished her champagne before rising from her seat.
Arthur, who hadn’t left her side, helped her and walked next to her into the dining room.
The room was set in all the duke’s finery.
He had taken time in setting up the menu with Cook and Miss Smith.
Daphne was impressed at his attention to details.
Shrimp on a bed of ice and lettuce were served first. Once everyone finished the first course, the main meat course was brought in.
A tender beef roast had been cooked to perfection, sliced, and served to them with potatoes which had been mashed and butter and chives added.
Red wine accompanied the meat. Conversation ceased during this course.
It was one of Arthur’s favorite meals. Once the plates were removed, a piece of Scottish salmon was presented with hollandaise and capers.
The fish had been cut into the perfect portion, giving guests a perfect amount of fish.
Since the kitchen had had little time to prepare for this meal, a proper wedding cake hadn’t been made.
Instead, Cook used her skills and made a wonderful marmalade cake.
Arthur was fine about that, because he wasn’t impressed by the traditional fruitcake unless it was during the Christmas holidays. It was the perfect choice for everyone.
After feigning having appointments at his parish office, Henry and Jane departed, leaving Arthur and his new bride alone. It was the perfect storm.
Arthur knew his bride was on edge about what lay ahead. As much as he wanted to take her to his bed, he decided a long walk might do them both good. “Why don’t we take a walk. Colder weather is knocking on the door, and there won’t be a lot of time left for such activities.”
She peered up at him, her blue eyes searching his. “Are you sure that’s how you wish to spend our afternoon?”
“I didn’t say we’d spend the whole afternoon on a walk. I thought it a good idea after all we consumed,” he replied.
“Touché.”
He offered her his arm. “Duchess?”
“I should get my shawl from the drawing room.”
Arthur nodded and followed her as she found her way to the drawing room. Picking it up from a chair she’d earlier sat in, she wrapped the shawl around her shoulders before joining him.
“Now we can go for that walk,” she said with a demure smile.
If he wasn’t mistaken, she was attempting to flirt with him.
Giving in to his lust, Arthur had his arms around her, his mouth on hers in a deep kiss.
He parted her lips with his tongue and probed inside her mouth.
Slowly she began to respond and the moment he felt her tongue dart into his mouth he felt himself losing control over his cock’s desire.
She had slowly put her arms around him, seemingly wanting more.
He freed one arm and pulled up her skirts enough for him to stroke her inner thighs before he slowly began to insert one finger inside her wet, hot cunny.
It was all he could do to contain himself.
He happened to open his eyes to find her wild, doe eyes peering up at him.
Rather than withdraw, Arthur slowly began to rub her, causing her to react.
That reaction was to spread her legs farther apart.
Her breathing quickened as she began moving with his hands.
He felt her tensing and suddenly she hit her plateau.
Daphne clung to him as she rode it out. By the end, she was a limp rag in his arms. It didn’t take him but a second to lift her into his arms and carry her to his bedchamber.
His bride’s needs far surpassed any walk.
*
Arthur carried his bride to the bed. She was still in euphoria when he gently placed her down on the mattress. He left her and made sure the door was locked in his dressing room and then did the same with the main door. This was their time, and he was going to be sure they wouldn’t be interrupted.
On his way back to his bride, he noted a fresh bottle of champagne had been placed to chill next to a sideboard in the sitting room.
He sat for a moment to remove his boots before rejoining Daphne.
He removed his cravat and loosened his shirt at the neck.
Finding his way back to the bed, Arthur slid up on the bed where his duchess was beginning to sit up.
“What happened?”
“You had a very intense orgasm,” he said as he placed his larger body over her petite frame.
He balanced himself on his forearms as he loomed over her.
Running his lips over the outline of hers, he followed with feathering kisses on her cheeks and finally her mouth.
He pulled up to gaze down at her. “I promise to be gentle. This is the only time it might hurt.”
“That’s about the only advice my mother gave me on the matter.”
“Hmmm,” he grunted as his lips met hers. In a matter of moments, they were both pulling off their clothes and slinging them anywhere.
Her eyes widened as she saw his stiff member. It was probably the first time she’d ever seen a man in complete undress. He gently took her hand and placed her fingers around his cock. He groaned in pleasure.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” she asked with the innocence of a child.
He shook his head. “I’m fine. This is what you do to me.”
“Oh.”
“Just lay back and I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
He’d wanted to take his time, but his deceiving body wasn’t going to allow it.
She moaned as he suckled her breasts, and he felt her fingers in his hair.
Continuing his feast, Arthur found his way down to her sweet spot by feathering more kisses as he moved down her body.
Spreading her legs farther apart gave him better access to her cunny.
As he tasted her sweet spot, he heard her somewhere in the distance groaning and her hands pushed his head closer.
Knowing he wouldn’t last if he didn’t get inside her, he would explode, he mounted her and quickly found what he was after.
He said nothing as he guided his cock into her wet, hot body.
Somewhere beneath him, he heard her saying his name over and over.
He hit her barrier and whispered to her, “This might hurt, but it’ll never, ever hurt again.
” He pushed, feeling her clinging to him tightly.
It was over. They were one. He bent over her face and kissed her.
She responded as he began to rock in a motion made to make it easier for her to pick up the rhythm and join him. She was a quick learner.
“Arthur, it’s coming again.”
“What is my love?”
“That intense feeling. I feel as though I’m beginning to fall apart.”
Moments later, they were both caught up in a frenzy.
Arthur exploded, spilling himself into her just as she went over the edge into her own utopia.
He lay still for a moment afterwards while his body pulsed.
Never had he felt such bliss and contentment.
It was as though the two of them were pre-destined to be husband and wife.
Nothing was said for the longest time. They simply lay there in each other’s arms, both exhausted.
Arthur pulled a blanket over them to keep them warm.
His finger traced her arm from shoulder to fingertips and back before laying his arm over her.
At about that time, Arthur thought he heard something.
Peering down at her, he noted she was asleep and quietly snoring.
He spooned in behind her and closed his eyes.
Now that they were married, perhaps he could relax some.
She was his wife and duchess now and someday the mother of his children. A sense of calm fell over him now.
Waking up some time later, he threw his eyes open upon not feeling Daphne’s body close to him.
A glimpse at the place where she had lain explained it all.
She had been a virgin and he had forgotten that.
He should have gotten out of bed and gotten her a warm, wet cloth to clean herself up.
That’s probably what she was doing right now.
He climbed out of bed and padded towards the dressing room. He found her brushing her hair.
“I was wondering where you were.”
“Well, wonder no more,” she said. Closing the distance between them, she kissed him on the cheek.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked. “In case you didn’t know, you snore.”
She playfully batted him on the arm. “I do not.”
“Oh, but you do,” he countered.
“Don’t speak to me about snoring. I’m surprised you don’t make windows vibrate.”
“I’ll have you know I do not snore.”
She giggled. “Of course, you don’t, and I’m still a virgin.”
“Are you mocking my snoring, wife?”
“Oh, so now you admit you snore,” she said triumphantly.
Realizing he’d been outmaneuvered, Arthur wrapped his arms around her. He lifted her off the ground just enough for her to lock her legs around his torso. “This is better,” he said.
“It is.”
He carried her back to the bed and set her down gently. “Are you thirsty? There’s an unopened bottle of champagne waiting for us,” he said. “Would you like a glass?”
“Please,” she replied. He noted she seemed to be relaxed being nude in front of him. He understood this not to be the case with a lot of brides. He was thankful for her willingness.
Daphne accepted the glass from him, and Arthur smiled as the bubbles got to her nose.
He picked up his glass and joined her. While enjoying a sip, he almost did a double take at her new-found boldness.
She sat in the middle of the bed and spread her legs, leaving nothing to the imagination as she not only sprinkled some of the bubbly between the apex of her legs before taking a finger and spreading it.
He was hard and wanted her. Swallowing the remaining champagne, Arthur took one of her hands and placed it on his hard cock and encouraged her to explore.
The remainder of the day and well into the night was theirs and theirs alone. At some point, Arthur got out of bed and added fuel to the fading fire. They hadn’t eaten since the wedding luncheon, and he knew she had to be hungry as well. He found his trousers and began to put them on.
“Where are you going?” a well-sated voice inquired from the middle of the bed.
“To find us something to eat. I don’t know about you, but I’m famished. Aren’t you?”
She giggled. “A lady never admits she’s famished. Hungry, but never famished. And yes, I am. Hungry.”
“I’ll be back before you know it. I’m sure Cook left us something.”
“Hurry back, husband.”
He opened the door and found a trolley sitting in front of the doorway. On it was a covered tray. He lifted the cloth and found dried meats, cheeses, bread, enough to make a meal. Beside it were two bottles of wine, and an apple pie. Heaven.
Rolling the cart into the sitting area, he was about to call to Daphne when she strode in with a robe wrapped around her. “What’s all this?”
“Our dinner. It was waiting for us outside the door.”
She lifted the cloth from the tray. “This looks good. It may not be a hot meal, but it is certainly welcome.”
Daphne discovered the pie and clapped her hands. “Apple pie, one of my favorites.”
“Really? Mine too.” He grinned, reaching for one of the bottles of wine. “Why don’t you roll the cart over to that small table. We can eat there.”
Watching her made him almost forget the task at hand—opening the wine. Two plates were placed on the table, and each filled with carefully chosen selections. He approached with two glasses and passed one to her before sitting across from her and placing one in front of himself.
“This is better than I first thought,” he said.
“Sometimes simple is all one needs.” Daphne took a sip of wine before picking up a piece of pungent Stilton.
“I imagine you did this a lot when your parents left you on your own?”
“Only when the cook had the day off. I expected a full meal the remainder of the time, even if it was just me.”
He cleared his throat before grabbing a piece of crusty white bread. Spying the butter on the trolley, he picked up the dish and knife and began to cover the bread in soft creamy butter. “I stand corrected.”
“My father pays them regardless of if he’s in residence or not. There’s no reason for them to slack just because I’m the only one in residence.”
“You have a point,” he replied, taking a bite of bread.
“I guess you think bad of me for being so demanding.”
“No, not at all. It shows me you already have a good grasp on how households run. I have no worry you won’t do a marvelous job now that you’re my duchess.”
“My mother’s tried to prepare me.”
“And I think she’s done a splendid job,” he replied.
They ate in silence for a few minutes. Arthur then, with wine glass in hand, sat back in his chair. “What would you like to do tomorrow? Besides the obvious.” He smirked.
She smiled demurely. “First thing is a bath. I want to soak in a hot bath. After that, you could show me the mine, or we could take a nice ride.”
“That sounds good. We could also go to the village. You could find a dressmaker who might have some dresses and such pre-made.”
“You wouldn’t mind?” she asked.
“Not at all. We could also have lunch in town before we head back.”
“I’d like that, but Arthur, if you have matters needing your attention elsewhere, we don’t have to spend a fortnight here. This was spur of the moment.”
“You wouldn’t object if we did?”
“Not at all. Besides, people wouldn’t be expecting us.”
It was all settled. Arthur breathed a sigh of relief that his bride was being so accommodating. She was a smart young woman who understood how the real world operated. Unlike some of her peers, Daphne wasn’t selfish. He would make it up to her many times over.