Chapter Seventeen
Once they finished tea and Daphne was satisfied Sam would be fine on his own, she excused herself to check in with the housekeeper and cook, while Arthur went to his study to go through mail and make sure there was nothing needing his immediate attention.
He later peered up at the clock on the mantel. It had been almost two hours since he’d sat down. He’d forgotten everything except his work, as usual. Pushing back from the desk, he rose to his full height and left the room.
Not finding Daphne in all the usual places, he went upstairs in search of her.
He came upon his bedchamber and entered.
It was quiet; not even his valet was there.
He opened the door between his and the duchess’s suite and heard the distant sound of his wife humming and splashing about in a bathing tub.
Immediately his trousers tented. He had no control when it came to her.
He stealthily moved across the room towards the splashing and giggling going on just the other side of the door in front of him.
He wanted the element of surprise, so he took off his boots and slowly turned the knob.
Standing there in silence, he could see the tub.
Her back was to him, and so far, Arthur didn’t think she’d heard him enter.
He continued on one silent step at a time until he was so close he could touch her.
Stooping down, he put his hands on each of her shoulders and kissed her damp neck.
She tasted of orange and vanilla. She dropped her hand holding the sponge and moaned.
Nothing was said as she turned her neck to look at him.
He kissed her deeply on the mouth. The sight of her pink tongue darting in and out nearly ruined him.
“I followed the sound of laughter and humming. It seems you’re enjoying your bath immensely, Your Grace.”
“Mmmm, I am. I think it’s going to become even better now that you’re here,” she replied.
“You have no idea,” he said. His cock was painfully hard anticipating sliding into her slick passage.
She giggled. “The tub is large enough. You can join me.”
“Right now, I’m going to move to the side,” he replied. Once he was in position, he began to roll up his short sleeves, his muscular forearms showing his strength from time spent outside.
Planting a deep kiss on her mouth, their tongues met up to play a mating dance.
His hand wandered down to her generous round breasts.
He pinched the hard areolas between his fingers, which brought a deep moan not only from the depths of his throat, but hers as well.
Bending over he sucked her while his hand slowly danced its way to the apex between her hips.
Immediately she parted her legs, granting him full access.
Slowly, he inserted his middle finger inside her passage. She was ready for him, wet and sweet. He pushed on until he found her special spot. He began to work his magic, and it wasn’t long until he added another digit. Daphne began squirming uncontrollably with his attention.
“Arthur, I need you…”
“And you shall have me soon, my dove. Soon. Relax and let yourself give in to your body’s desires.”
It wasn’t but moments later when she burst into a million pieces. Water splashed over the edge and onto him and the floor. She’d thrown her arms around him and held on tight. Arthur stood, bent over, and picked her up out of the tub and carried her to their bed in the duke’s suite.
Laying her damp body down in the middle of the mattress, he began tearing his clothes off in a hurry and mounted her.
They shared a kiss before he broke it off to make a trail of kisses to her breasts.
After making sure he’d satisfied his need, he moved south, and spreading her legs, he raised them to hang over his shoulders while he laved her cunny.
He had her come once more in a matter of seconds.
She bucked, wanting more. He raised himself and pushed his way into her passage.
He was so ready for her, he wasn’t sure how long he could last.
“Arthur,” she moaned.
The sound of her throaty, lustful voice urged him to begin pumping harder into her.
He grabbed her buttocks and in a matter of seconds, he was coming hard, dumping his seed into her.
He shook as the last exited his cock. He had been so involved with the intensity of his release that he had only heard her coming to her peak as he did.
He lowered himself over her, kissed her all over her face, before rolling off her and pulling her with him.
They remained silent, in each other’s arms for several minutes. Their breathing finally subsided.
“That was incredible,” he said, kissing her on the forehead.
“Hmmm. I feel like jelly,” she replied.
He pulled her closer. They were obviously both sated.
It had been much needed, as the final day in London had been too busy and exhausting, leaving them too tired at night.
Now they were home, and he would make sure they found the time, even if it were in some out of the way place.
His body wanted more, and she obviously did as well.
“Are you cold?”
“A little cool, but being next to you keeps me toasty.”
“There’s a light blanket at the end of the bed. Let me pull it over us.”
“Sounds nice.”
He kicked the blanket up to his reach and covered them both.
Looking over at her, he saw she had fallen asleep.
Yes, she certainly was sated. He had no intention of this being their final encounter of the day.
He would sleep with her, and later he could show her some new things.
Things she would probably enjoy since she seemed so eager to learn.
*
Many hours later, when Daphne finally awoke, she found the bed devoid of her husband. Sitting up, she brushed her pale blonde hair out of her eyes and looked around. Arthur was nowhere to be found. Rather than wait on him, she gathered the sheet around her and slid out of bed.
Walking into the sitting area, she found him sitting at a small writing desk, his head bent down as he was writing. He was as naked as the day he was born, but more glorious looking than ever. She walked across the room as quietly as possible, dragging the sheet behind her.
Putting her arms around his neck, she bent over and kissed his cheek. “Good morning. Have you been up long?”
He put the pen down and put his hand around her wrist. “I couldn’t sleep, and I thought you needed some uninterrupted slumber, so I came out here.”
“Thank you.” She spotted the small square table where a tea service was set out, along with fruit, bread, and cheese. “This is nice.”
“I thought you might be hungry—I know I was, so I ordered nothing that was hot and let you sleep.”
She smiled. “I certainly needed the extra sleep.”
“I wonder why,” he teased.
“Seems some naughty gentleman wanted to keep me up all night.”
“Why would he do that?”
“To show me naughty things he enjoyed and taught me naughtiness I’ve never known.”
He swung her around and set her on his lap. The sheet fluttered to the floor. “Scandalous!”
“Indeed,” she giggled.
Her intentions were obvious, but the sudden sound of a dog whining outside the door, followed with scratching, made her laugh. Daphne tried to hide her traitorous giggles in the corner of his neck and shoulder, but couldn’t stop when Roddy insisted he needed to join them.
“He has the most impeccable timing,” Arthur murmured.
“I suppose we should let him in.”
Arthur nodded and helped her to her feet.
He stood and motioned for her to return to the bedroom in case there might be someone with the setter.
He grabbed the sheet off the floor and walked over to the door.
As soon as the door cracked, Roddy pushed his way in.
If there was someone close by, they were staying out of sight and had just come to keep an eye on the mischievous dog.
Closing the thick wooden door, he found his wife without a stitch of clothing on running across the room as quickly as possible to try and save the cheese and bread from Roddy, to no avail. The dog had the hunk of cheese in his mouth before either of them could get it out of his reach.
The dog was obviously happy with himself at his newfound snack, but it didn’t last for long as Daphne bent over and snatched the cheese from him before he knew what was going on.
She scolded him, which was all it took. There was a connection between the two and it seemed Roddy did not like displeasing his new mistress.
“Roddy, no!” she said in a scolding voice. “This is not yours.”
“He’s trying to figure out how far he can push you,” Arthur said.
“You as well. He’s testing us both.”
Arthur nodded. “You’re right. He’s hoping you’ll be a pushover.”
“Just like you,” she giggled. “While he’s under control, I believe I’m going to take a bath. Afterwards, I’m going to have breakfast. A hot breakfast. Can you see to that while I’m bathing?” She fluttered her eyelashes at him with a seductive smile.
“I can, but you’re making it awfully hard.”
“Excuses, excuses,” she replied, walking toward the bathing and dressing area of the suite.
She dared not look at him for fear she’d either give in to carnal urges or laugh at his confusion as to how to handle the situation.
“Oh yes, you best watch the bread before he grabs on to it.” Daphne looked back for a second, seeing her husband going back after Roddy, who was indeed eyeing the crusty bread to snack on.
She checked out the dressing room to make sure her husband’s valet wasn’t hanging about somewhere out of sight. He certainly would be in for a shock at the sight of her naked. No one was around and noting a robe of hers, she grabbed it and put it on before heading into the bathing chamber.
There was a small stool next to the tub with what she assumed her husband would want while bathing. On another, just out of reach, was one set up for her. She didn’t know who had done it, but most likely her maid and his valet had shared ideas on how to remedy new situations.
Cracking the taps, she watched as water flowed into the tub.
When she was satisfied with the temperature, she brought the stool closer and added some of the orange vanilla scent she liked before climbing into the warm water.
She lay against the back of the tub and closed her eyes for a few minutes until deciding she had enough water.
She didn’t linger long, afraid if she did, Arthur would join her, and a repeat of the night before would begin.
Not that she had disliked their night. Quite the contrary, but she knew there were things they both needed to be doing.
Estate matters for him, and she needed to set up a time to meet with the housekeeper.
Unfortunately, she’d heard rain hitting against the windows, so she knew unless it ended soon, there would be no outdoor activities. Time for that would be less and less as the days got not only shorter, but colder.
Once she dressed, she would check on Sam and see how he was adapting to his new surroundings.
Poor fellow had been moved around so much lately, she wanted to make sure he was comfortable.
She would have him taken to the conservatory in a week, perhaps sooner.
He loved it there, but she hated leaving him out there alone.
She visited and spent hours with him, but it wasn’t the same as being part of the household.
Not knowing where her maid was, she dried herself off and put the robe back on before going through the door leading to the duchess’s suites. She smiled as she found a day dress and all her needs laid out on the bed.