Chapter Six
When he met her at the door, it was as though something had shifted, like the whole world was lighter somehow. She beamed at him letting her happiness flow through as if to tell him without words how she felt.
“Miss Evelyn, you look refreshed,” he said, his green eyes bright from the sunlight reflecting on them.
“I very much am, Mr. Shaw. And I look forward to riding with you today.”
His gaze dropped to her lips as his parted. Quickly masking his expression, her moved to the side and swept his arm to one large black horse and an exquisite mare with a dapple-gray coat. Truly, Evelyn had never seen such an ethereal creature.
Mr. Shaw led her to the horse and helped her onto the side-saddle. She grabbed the reins and shimmied her bottom until she was perfectly situated. He mounted then clicked his cheek to move the horse toward the road.
“Do you have anywhere in particular you would like to ride?” he asked.
Did every sentence need a double meaning?
“I will go wherever you take me,” she said with a light laugh. Two could play at that game.
He turned his head quickly toward her with raised brows. “Miss Evelyn.” he said in a quiet tone bring his horse alongside hers as they trotted down the lane. “You are in very high spirits this morning. Perhaps I should find some place secluded.”
“Now, Mr. Shaw,” she said, “you know my father will be only a few paces behind us the entire time. We will not be permitted time alone.”
“Pity,” he said. “I was hoping to taste your sweet lips once more today.” His grin was infectious. His cloak was loosely draped around his shoulders so she could see the white shirt that lay beneath and the hint of a muscular chest she itched to touch.
“Then we shall have to improvise,” she said.
“How so?”
“You can tell me how you would kiss me. Describe it in detail.”
He shook his head. “That will not do. I will not be able to sit atop this horse if you react the way I hope you will.” As he said this he shifted in his seat as if he was already feeling the effects of their words.
From her dreams she already knew what he meant and the thought made her squirm too.
They trotted along the laneway toward a grove and stopped just before it. He turned toward her and said, “Miss Evelyn, do you prefer a long engagement?”
The answer was quite simple in her mind. “No, Mr. Shaw. In cases like ours, I do not think an extended engagement is required,” she said grinning at him.
“Very well, then. It is set.” With that he turned around and briefly spoke with her father whose brows shot upright as he passed a look of surprise between her and Mr. Shaw. A moment later the latter moved on toward the laneway and disappeared beyond the grove.
She turned her horse and clicked her cheek to encourage the horse forward to meet up with her father.
“Well then, daughter. It is set.”
“What is?”
“You will marry Mr. Shaw on the morrow.”
“Tomorrow!”
“Yes, yes, tomorrow. He claims your virtue is at risk otherwise and he would not see to your shame.”
Evelyn’s cheeks burned at her father’s words. She had no doubt Mr. Shaw had not said those exact words, but to even imply them was outrageous. As they made their way back to her house she mused, she was not at all disappointed. This time tomorrow, he would be hers.
*
The wedding was everything she could have wished for and more. A rather small affair suited her just fine as it would keep the rumor mill from churning their spiteful words. Now in their chamber at his home in Mayfair she held her breath.
“Mrs. Shaw,” he said as he removed his waistcoat and vest, “will you assist me?”
She helped him lift his shirt from his breeches and then as he lifted the garment over his head. She splayed her hands across his chest like she’d done so many times before but not like this. His flesh quivered where she stroked.
He turned her around and unhooked her corset and let it fall to the floor.
He untied her skirt and let that too fall to the floor.
His hands were determined as they caressed her waist and then spread around her to cup her breasts, giving them a light squeeze.
His breath was hot on her neck as he nibbled her ear.
“God, I want you.”
He turned her around and kissed her with an urgent passion.
He gripped her hips and pulled her hard against his body.
She reached up to the back of his neck, drawing him deeper into her kiss.
He picked her up and tucked her legs neatly around his waist then walked the few steps to the bed.
They crashed there together as he pressed his body onto hers and sought her tongue.
Her body hummed with excitement; she knew this dance.
Had danced it with him many times, but now she would feel the real rush of exquisite sensation as he entered her.
She shoved him upward just enough so she could remove her shift.
She raised it over her head and tossed it behind him.
He took that time to kick off his breeches.
Kneeling before him she slid her hands along his shoulders and down his chest.
“You seem to know me already,” he whispered.
She laughed lightly. “I told you I have dreamed about you. About this.”
“But how could you know?”
“I cannot answer that. But I can tell you, I long for you.”
He seemed to need no more encouragement and reached for the back of her neck to draw her into a kiss as his other hand reached for her breast. With his thumb he brushed across her nipple back and forth until she was sure she would explode.
He placed his hands behind her knees and flipped her onto her back, hovering over her and gazing into her eyes. “You were made for me,” he whispered.
“Mr. Shaw, I believe that might be the other way around.”
“Henry,” he whispered. “When we are alone I want to hear my name on your lips.”
“Henry,” she said. “I want to feel you all over me.” She had to know if it would be the same. She prayed it would be.
He bent low and took one nipple into his mouth and sucked hard.
Her body bucked off the bed and moments later his fingers had found her slick heat and pressed inside.
Oh God, this was new. She hadn’t known this was possible.
He sucked in rhythm to sliding his fingers in and out of her and she gripped the sheets to keep herself grounded.
“Oh!”
His teeth grazed her nipple and he bit down ever so gently just as he slipped a third finger inside and his thumb found her hardened bud.
Evelyn tilted her head back and arched her body toward him.
Just as she felt the familiar tingles of her climax, he shifted his body and his hard member pressed against her.
With just the tip of him inside her she came hard around him to the point her orgasm drew him fully into her bringing forth a hot searing pain for a brief moment before being replaced with the pressure of being fully penetrated.
He paused above her and pulled out as he gently brushed his lips across hers and then licked his bottom lip. He pushed into her and flicked her legs above his waist. She instinctively crossed them around him.
Those moments were precious to her and he waited for her body to adjust to him. This was not part of her dream. The real flesh to flesh act they shared was more potent than she could have ever imagined.
“You feel so good, Evelyn. Now I know for sure you were made for me.”
Tingles began at her core and spread. She wanted more, so she moved her hips away from his and then met them when he thrust deep within her.
His pace quickened, and her body tightened around him as he slammed into her again and again.
He groaned deep in his throat and it was her undoing.
Her climax hit her hard as liquid fire raced through her veins and her body quaked with wave after wave of release.
She moaned “Henry” as it peaked and then felt him shiver and shake above her letting out a deep growl.
For long moments they stayed like that with his shaft pulsing inside her and her body responding with tiny tremors.
He drew a deep breath and lay to her side curling her into his chest, while wrapping his arms around her and kissing her lightly on her forehead.
“You will be the end of me if that’s what our lovemaking will be like.”
“I expect no less,” she said into his chest drinking in the scent of leather and pleasure.
Henry stroked her hair and grabbed a coverlet to pull over them.
“Well, am I as good as myself in your dream?” he asked in a teasing tone.
She pinched him lightly and grinned. “You are far more than my mind could have ever conjured, Henry.”
“I like it when you say my name, Evelyn,” he said. “Especially when it is with such passion.”
Her name on his lips was equally delicious. He’d surpassed every expectation she could ever have had for the season and for a husband.
“Then you must work to hear me say it as often as possible.”
She was jesting, of course, but maybe frequent passion made for a good marriage. She couldn’t see how it could hinder. The lady from the cemetery crossed her thoughts then. What might have happened to her if the gentleman to whom she’d entrusted her heart had handled it with more care?
There would be no way to know now. Evelyn was certain the lady was in a better place and there was no place she would rather be than tucked well into the arms of one Mr. Henry Shaw.
He may have been Lady Fry’s perfect match for her after all.
That lady did certainly possess some sort of gift for directing the ways of society.
“You are quiet,” he said.
She leaned back so she could gaze upon his face. He looked so relaxed with his half-opened eyes and lazy smile. “I am perfectly contented, husband.”
“I am glad to hear it. And now let us get some rest. I have some other things to show you that I do not think my imaginary counterpart in your dreams had experienced.”
A little flutter in her belly made her snuggle closer to him. She was thrilled at the thought of any new or old way they could share their bodies.
Was this it? Was this the match everyone dreamed of?
There had been no talk of love, though she felt sure of it.
She could imagine no better foundation for a perfect and lasting love that would see them through bringing children into the world.
They had proved their compatibility in every way and no one and no force could take that away from them.
Yes, this was where she was supposed to be, and now she was so very glad she had not taken the advice of a poor soul who had been so very wronged in this life.
Evelyn prayed she would find this kind of happy ending in her next love’s journey.
The End