Chapter 17
Chapter 17
As they walked down the path to the lake, Henry held his wife’s hand tightly in his. Two days had passed since he had wed her in the chapel at Hemel Hill, and he had never had a happier two days in his life. They had done naught but spend time together—most of that in their beds—but they had done more than love each other. How many hours had they spent talking? She told him of Longbourn and her sisters as well as bits of her childhood. He had told her of his mother, who had died when he was at school, and of Clitheroe Castle.
Their wedding night, to tell the truth, had been unexpected. Her hesitant eyes and reddened cheeks had given away her unease when he had requested she remove her nightgown, yet she had not balked. She had opened her heart and body to him and accepted him without reserve. His father had sought a woman of worth insofar as fortune and accomplishments to be his wife when he foisted Marina upon Henry, but Jane, the wife of his choice, was worthy of his heart. He could only pray she found him worthy of hers.
With each passing day, he became more and more thankful that he had met Jane—not to mention that she accepted the offer of his hand. She had such a generous and giving nature, and to say he loved her was almost an insult to the depth of his attachment. His feelings for her increased with every moment spent in her company. He was happily besotted.
“You are quiet,” she said in soft tones.
“You are beside me, my wife, and the day is perfect. I was relishing the feeling of it all.”
Her hand squeezed his as they ambled along as though they had no direction, when in truth, he had a definite destination in mind. “Are you going to tell me what you are about?”
“What do you mean?” He glanced down at her.
“Well, you have had no desire to leave my bed for three days…”
“That is not true. We spent a very pleasurable night in my bed. We also sat before the fire and read poetry.”
She laughed in a way that could do naught but bring a smile to his lips. “You dragged the coverlet to the floor in front of the fire, and after having your way with me, we read poetry while we relaxed in each other’s arms. You must admit, you have had a rather singular focus since we wed.”
“Are you complaining?” God, he hoped not!
With a tug at his arm, she laughed again. “You know I am not, but you must admit this is bizarre. You insist I dress in an old gown with no stays, then bring me here for a walk—in worn slippers no less! I cannot help but feel your intentions are for more than a walk.”
He took the right when the path forked. “Are you uncomfortable?”
She shifted closer to him, her face near his shoulder. “I have never gone outside without stays. I almost feel naked.”
The blood in his brain rushed downward at the thought of her sans clothing. Lord, but he loved her body too! Full hips and breasts that filled his palms to perfection—not to mention the way she fit around him like a glove when he loved her. His breeches tightened. He was lost!
He cleared his throat. “What if I have some intention? Would you object?” Would she be shocked?
“That depends upon what it is?” She bit her lip. How was he to keep from kissing her when she behaved so?
When they reached the grotto, he led her inside and upon reaching the largest of the chambers, whisked her into the smaller room with the statue of Zeus and pressed her against the wall. “Do you remember when we were interrupted here?”
“How could I forget? I was certain Nicholas would find us.”
His hand guided hers to his manhood, begging to be freed. “Do you see what the thought of you here does to me?” Unable to resist further, he crushed his mouth to hers, his tongue tasting as much of her as he could. Her fingers wove through his hair and held his head so he could not cease his attentions.
His shaking fingers sought the buttons on the back of her gown and released them, which allowed him to begin drawing the fabric away from her chest.
She wrenched her lips from his. Her eyes wide. “Henry! Do you really mean to…? What if someone comes in?”
“I gave orders to the gardeners and anyone else working on the estate to be nowhere near the lake.” He freed her arms from the sleeves and untied the ribbons on the front of her chemise to bare her breasts. “I have dreamt of this since that day—what could have happened had we not been interrupted? What of you? Have you never considered it? Have you never thought of me pressing you against the wall and loving you here?”
Her breathing quickened while he confessed his intentions, and her tongue peeked out to moisten her lips. She was aroused by the idea as well. When he said the last, it seemed she could do no more than nod, which was all the permission he required to take her in a bruising kiss. The problem with being so desperate for her was that while he plundered her mouth, he struggled to rid himself of the greatcoat he had used to disguise he wore no more than shirtsleeves and breeches underneath.
His fingers sought out the pins in her hair and he dropped them to the stone floor one by one, allowing her tresses to fall about her shoulders. Her hair was so soft, and when the light hit it just so, it shone like the sun. He had once called her an angel since the effect was similar to a halo, but after she explained why she disliked the appellation, he had never so much as thought of calling her that again. He would never intentionally remind her of someone in her past who had tried to use her.
He nipped at her shoulders and her breasts while he hiked up her gown and grasped her hip. He then proceeded to use his lips, tongue, and fingers to drive her mad, her hips eventually rubbing against his thigh in an effort to find relief. While she had to consider his ministrations a certain form of torture, he could not get enough of seeing her so undone. She gasped and panted and whimpered while he teased her, and the longer he teased her, the more frantic she became. Her desperation for him was the most erotic thing he had ever seen.
Just last night, she had become so impatient with him, she had pushed him down to the mattress and taken him into her. He had not thought his shy, serene little wife would have ever ridden him to completion so soon in their marriage, but he had rendered her so overcome, she had ignored her innate reserve and taken control of him. Of course, he could have rolled her under him if he had wished, but the display of her above him, unabashed, her golden hair flowing down her back and her lips parted while she sought her own release, was an incredible sight. He had struggled to hold off his own pleasure more than once since they wed and had succeeded until last night when he had failed completely—not that he had any complaints over the matter.
Her hands moved between them and released the buttons of his fall before plunging inside his breeches and taking him in her palm. He grunted and bit her shoulder as she squeezed the head.
“I can wait no longer. Come into me.”
The breathless pleading quality to her voice made him shove his breeches down, lift her into his arms, and plunge inside her tight and heated core. She moaned and wrapped her arms around him as he panted in an effort to stave off completion. In this moment, in this place, and with her, he was too far gone.
He clenched her buttocks and held her fast while he thrust into her over and over. An arm hooked under one of her knees as he pressed her more firmly against the wall, and she cried out as her head dropped back against the stone.
He was beyond thought as his pace increased and he took her with vigour. Her body gave those signs that made it evident she was nearing release. She had never peaked without him stroking that button of flesh that could make her writhe, but they had also learnt a great deal about each other in the last few nights. He changed the angle of his hips, making her gasp and grip his hair until it stung. She began with small mewls that grew in volume and pitch until she was crying out whenever he touched that spot within her. The loudest of the cries filled the grotto and she clung to him when her body went rigid at her peak.
He groaned into her shoulder as her release pulled him under with her. “Janey!” he bellowed as with one last hard thrust, he spilled into her. He fought to remain standing until he could no longer prevent his knees from buckling. With a roll so his back was to the wall, he sank to the floor with her straddling his lap.
“Maybe this was not my best idea. Forgive me.” The words were on a panting exhale while he rested his head upon her shoulder.
“What am I to forgive?” The combing of her fingers through his hair still sent small jolts of current down his spine—even now when his body was satiated. He had never been so satisfied in his life.
“I never meant to be so…uninhibited. The reality of what I imagined…it was all more than I anticipated. You have no idea what you do to me, especially when you demonstrate that you desire me as I do you. Last night, when you were astride me, I had to clench the coverlet beneath me to restrain myself.”
Her husky laugh washed over him. “I believe you failed.”
“That was uncharitable.”
She drew back and caught his gaze. “I do not know if I should confess this, but when you began grabbing at my hips, I knew you were close. The excitement I felt knowing I made you lose yourself was gratifying indeed.”
He caressed her cheek with one hand. “I want you to be able to tell me anything, Janey. Your sister’s talk about what would occur in our marriage bed was exactly what I would have wished for you to be told.
“That said, I have no wish to be too rough with you. I had not expected that in this place and with the dreams I had during our engagement, that I would be so...”
“Unreserved? Unregulated?”
His forehead rested against her shoulder. “I do not want to hurt you.” He rubbed over her hips and kneaded her lower back in case she was sore.
She drew his head up, so he was forced to meet her gaze. “The only person in my life I have ever shared my thoughts with so unreservedly is Lizzy. I have never been comfortable giving so much of myself to another until you, and with you, I desire to give you everything. If I was ever in pain or I did not like what you were doing, I would tell you. Also, if I asked you to stop or indicated you were hurting me, I have no doubts whatsoever you would cease whatever frightened or hurt me.” Her lips pressed against his forehead. “You, dear, sweet man. I was not injured. You did not hurt me, and if you were too overcome to notice, I quite enjoyed this. Even though you might believe me strange, I even found it pleasurable when you bit my shoulder.” She became somewhat pink when she confessed the last.
“I could never forgive myself if I hurt you.”
She shrugged. “Well, no forgiveness is required since you did not.”
His arms wrapped around her as he embraced her, cocooning her in his arms and close to his heart. He could not live without her. She had become as essential to him as his own breath. “I have no words that can express how much I love you.”
When he released her and began combing her blonde locks from her face, her smile and tears greeted him. “I know what you mean. You have my whole heart, and you steal more every day. I do not know where the extra originates but somehow it grows.”
“God, Janey.” He kissed her passionately before brushing his lips over her eyelids, her nose, and her chin. “I do not want to move, but the cobbled floor is digging mercilessly into my buttocks.”
“Oh! I had not realised!” Careful not to crinkle her gown more than necessary, she rose and shook out her skirts. “I look affright.”
He stood and pulled up his breeches to fasten the fall. “On the contrary, dearest, you are stunning.”
“With my hair a tangled mess and my gown wrinkled?” She slipped her arms back into her sleeves and turned for him to fasten the back.
He despised covering her, but since they needed to return to the house, he choked down his desire. “You are more becoming as you are now than when you wear the finest silks.”
“What a charmer you are, Your Grace.”
When he turned her around to face him, he took her in his embrace. “No, Your Grace, I am no more than madly in love.”
10th of June 1814
The next month had flown by, much to Henry’s disappointment, particularly after returning to town from Hemel Hill. He had no wish for his days with Janey and the girls to be swift, but instead, he would prefer to languish in their company for the rest of his life. Why could he not slow matters so as to have more time with them?
“Your Grace?”
When he looked up from the paper in front of him, Taft stood in the doorway. “What is it?”
“Lord Charles’s valet arrived no more than five minutes ago at the door to the kitchens requesting an audience with you. He says the matter is of the utmost importance.”
His brother’s valet was in the kitchen? A sensation like a punch in the chest made him suck in a swift inhale. “Well, where is he? Why have you kept him waiting?”
Taft startled and hurried away. A few minutes later, he showed Jennings inside.
“Forgive me, Your Grace, but I know not what to do.”
Henry directed his attention to his butler who had not departed. “Taft, what are you about? Remove yourself and close the door at once!”
He held up a finger as soon as the door closed and watched the clock until three minutes had passed, then whipped the door open to find Taft standing there. “Your Grace!”
After ceasing the grinding of his teeth, Henry levelled what he hoped was a horrible glare upon the butler. “You are hereby released from service in this house without reference.” He rang the bell, which was answered by Matthew. “Mr. Taft is no longer employed by Albemarle House. Pray, see to it he packs his belongings and departs before dinner.” He was not being unreasonable. It was but ten in the morning. The man had most of the day to find alternate lodgings.
The footman’s eyes widened. “Yes, Your Grace!”
As soon as they were gone, Henry closed the door. “I apologise, but I would not have my brother’s health issues bandied about as fodder for gossip.”
Jennings wrung his hands together. “Lord Charles would appreciate the sacrifice for his privacy, Your Grace.”
“Now, what is it you came to tell me.”
“Your Grace, my master has mentioned that he informed you of his hearing difficulties, but when he ceased to hear a week ago, he insisted upon waiting to tell you. He was adamant it would return once again, although before, he would still react to extremely loud noises. This time, he seems to hear nothing. As time has passed, my lord has become despondent. When not sleeping, he has spent the last three days in his cups. I beg of you to help. He cannot continue thus.”
Henry squeezed his eyes closed. He feared this when Taft said Jennings had come. When he opened his eyes again, he shook himself. “Firstly, do not delay when seeking me out if there is ever a next time. I can make a sudden call on Lord Charles which would necessitate my discovery of what he is hiding, and I shall see to it he does not know you had any part in the revelation.”
The valet nodded. “I thank you, Your Grace, but I told him myself that if he continued, I would seek you out.”
“Allow me to inform my wife, and I shall accompany you back to Laurel Place.” The dukedom had owned the smaller home in Belgravia for some time. When Charles sought some independence Henry had offered him the use of it.
When informed of Charles’s condition, Jane, as expected, was quite grieved, and offered to come, but Henry stayed her for now. She had been teaching Emmeline some simple needlework stitches, and he was not certain what he would find when he arrived at his brother’s home. Charles might not be fit for company.
Upon his entry to Laurel Place, the heavy air of the hall weighed heavy upon him. The butler wore a grim expression, and the housekeeper appeared to have been crying. What in the devil had reduced that woman to tears? She was a capable and practical sort, so for her to be red around the eyes, Charles must have disturbed her greatly.
The valet led him into the library where Charles sat facing the window into the garden, a portion of whiskey filled the glass in his hand. Good God! The portion would fell an ox. Was he trying to kill himself?
When Henry drew beside his brother, he took the glass from Charles’s hand, which startled him since he jumped in his seat, and his head whirled around to face him.
“What are you doing?” Henry sat the glass on the mantelpiece and drew a chair closer to his brother’s. “Why would you not tell me?” He spoke using his hands as Mr. Creasy had taught him.
“The physician said it could be quick, but I thought I had more time. You cannot know what it is like. Jennings says when I speak, it is as it was, but I cannot even hear my own voice. The silence is absolute.” He scrubbed his face while he shook his head. His voice, other than slurred from the whiskey, was mostly as it was. That much was true.
He took Charles by the forearm for his attention. “You still have a full life. You have family and friends, and the small estate my Father left you. Your steward is excellent and will be of help to you. Do not give up!” He had only learnt so much in a month, so he spelled out what gestures he did not know.
His hand grabbed Charles’s and held it while he turned his gaze to Jennings who stood near the servants’ entrance. “Pray, have a trunk for him packed. He will spend the remainder of the Season at Albemarle House. From there, we shall determine if he should go to Clitheroe with us or return to his own estate.”
After a brief bow, Jennings hurried off.
“Planning my life now, Brother,” said Charles. Henry had been forced to release his brother’s hand so he could sign while he spoke.
“You will come to Albemarle House where we can be assured you are well and where you are surrounded by those who love you.”
His shoulders fell. “I do not want to be reliant on anyone.”
“You do not hear. That does not make you reliant on others. You can still go where you wish, ride, and live, although you must take more care doing so. Come, let us order a carriage. You cannot ride pissed. Jennings will also need to prepare a bath lest Jane smell you before you enter the house.” Jennings translated for him since it was too much for Henry to sign so quickly. Of course, he exaggerated about the stench, but by the odour coming from Charles, he had not bathed and had been drinking excessively.
His brother lifted one corner of his lips at Henry’s quip. He still possessed some good humour at least. Thank goodness! Perhaps Charles would rally sooner rather than later.