Epilogue #2
“Of course. We’re going to do all sorts of things. We’ll go to the stables to see the horses, we’ll go to the park for a picnic, we’ll buy some new books to read… It’ll be absolutely splendid.”
Edmund sighed. “Don’t spoil him too much, Aunt.”
“Nonsense. There’s no such thing as too much,” Lady Archworth dismissed.
“Imagine, for example, if you had to see your worst enemy every day. Would that not be too much?” Edmund argued.
Lady Archworth snorted. “My worst enemy? I have no enemies. But the main thorn in my side seems to have disappeared, so my theory still holds.”
“The main thorn in your side?” Edmund frowned. “Is someone bothering you, Aunt?”
“No. He was bothering my family. But now Lord Dulforth has run off somewhere. No one has seen him for weeks.”
Daisy stiffened. She’d avoided even thinking about Dulforth and had just been relieved that he left them alone. Then she dismissed the thought and went back to relishing the beauty of her wedding day.
The third course came, consisting of a chocolate gateau with coffee. Daisy looked at Edmund and smiled. She cut off a piece of cake and held it out to him. He leaned in and plucked it from her hand with his teeth.
He stared at her, chewing slowly, as she stared back at him. He cut a piece of cake and fed it to her. Lady Archworth clapped her hands together. “All right, I think it’s time for all of us to leave the newlyweds to it.”
People began to make their way towards the doors, leaving one by one. Edmund picked up his son and kissed his forehead. “Be good for your aunt.”
“Yes, Papa.”
Daisy kissed his cheek. “We’ll miss you.”
“Don’t worry, Mama. I’ll be back next week.”
Edmund and Daisy smiled at each other.
“We’ll be waiting,” Edmund said.
The Earl walked up to them, and Daisy automatically checked that his walk was steady. His eyes were clear, and it did not seem as if he had imbibed anything.
He reached out and embraced her. “I wish you well, and I am proud of you.”
She wound her arms around him. “Thank you, Papa. I am proud of you, too.”
Daisy had been spoiled all day by her maids.
They bathed her, lathered her with scented oils, and perfumed her hair before plaiting it with daffodils and forget-me-nots.
They stained her lips and cheeks with color and then helped her into a silk nightgown before leaving her alone to wait for Edmund.
Her heart was beating out of her chest with nerves. Amina had given her a long talk, as had Merry and Robin. Abigail had simply advised her to close her eyes and endure.
Daisy did not think much of that advice. She couldn’t wait for Edmund to kiss her again.
There was a knock on the door that joined their chambers.
“Come in,” she called as loudly as possible.
Edmund opened the door and came into the room.
He was dressed in a silk robe and a pair of drawers.
She stared at his body, fascinated by how it differed from hers.
His shoulders were so broad, his stomach flat, and his muscles were defined.
She stood up from the bed and walked over to him, reaching out to run her fingers down his torso, her eyes following the trail with fascination.
He stood still, letting her explore to her heart’s content, and she took advantage of it to trace the contours of his body, from the breadth of his shoulders to his compact waist. She stopped there, suddenly feeling shy, especially when she looked down and saw the tent in his drawers.
“Don’t be timid. You can touch if you want.”
She took a deep shuddering breath and closed her eyes before letting her hand trail lower, following the slight curve of his hip before cupping his leg. She opened her eyes slowly and met his gaze as her hand moved from his outer to inner thigh. She moved upwards, cupping his family jewels.
He closed his eyes and gasped, his breath accelerating. “Touch me more, wife,” he whispered breathily.
“I will,” she replied before trailing along his length and then encircling it.
He took her by the arms. “Do you trust me?”
She nodded slowly. “I do.”
“Then know that I won’t hurt you.” He smiled. “Now, are you ready or do you want to explore some more?”
“Take off your clothes,” she said.
He stepped back to slip out of his robe and then pulled down his drawers. She stared her fill, blinking a few times, as she drank him in.
He gestured to her. “Your turn.”
She nodded shakily and reached for her nightgown and then stopped. “Help me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Help me.”
He reached for her gown and pulled it over her head before throwing it down on the floor. She suppressed the urge to cover herself as his eyes raked over her body, growing wide as he stared at her.
“You’re beautiful”
She gave him a shaky smile. “Thank you.”
“May I touch you?”
She nodded.
He reached for her waist, pulling her to him so they were flush against each other. “Feel me,” he whispered. “Get used to the feel of my flesh against yours, because you’re going to be feeling it for a long time.”
She cupped the bottom of his arms, looking up into his eyes. “You feel…prodigious.”
He chuckled. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
“Please do.”
He leaned close, until his face was close to hers and then stopped as if waiting for her to close the distance.
She went up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.
His arms tightened around her waist, and he held her tight, his mouth moving against hers.
His tongue licked against her bottom lip, seeking entrance, and she parted her lips to let him in.
He plundered her mouth, tongues tangling as he possessed her thoroughly with his lips, his hands caressing her back before cupping her bottom and squeezing.
She squirmed in his arms, wanting more though she couldn’t name exactly what that ‘more’ was.
“Patience, my love. I’ll give you everything you desire,” he said against her mouth, before picking her up.