Chapter 11
All too soon, it’s time to get changed into our Bridgerton costumes.
My conversation with Matteo went surprisingly well, as it turns out that he too would like to see what the camera crew have filmed.
He’s not terribly happy with Ged and Liam for not alerting us about it earlier.
So I’ve taken the executive decision to not tell him about Liberty and Nacho, the secret puppy, or the potentially priceless vase, in case it’s overload.
‘You look incredible,’ he says, admiring my floor-length satin ball gown. ‘Nice wig. Highest I’ve ever seen.’
My shoulder-length mousey-brown hair is hidden under a giant platinum-blonde powder wig. The fake hair resembles thick strands of white rope twisted into elaborate rolls, bejewelled and clipped tightly to my poor scalp.
‘It’s the weight of a small child.’ I fasten a jewelled choker around my throat to complete the regal outfit.
‘I’ll try not to knock you off balance. Although it does really suit you.’
‘You’re not too shabby yourself,’ I say, wrapping my arms around his neck. He is wearing the authentic period costume of tapered britches, waistcoat and close-fitting tailcoat that I picked out for him. With his brooding air and dark, wavy hair, he could easily belong to the aristocracy.
He twirls me gently around to get the full effect of my cap-sleeved, empire-line champagne-coloured gown.
The bodice has hundreds of tiny beads and pearls sewn onto it, making it sparkle in the light.
The main body of the dress falls gracefully to the ground while the sheer floaty chiffon layers cover the back and sides, leaving the silky midsection exposed.
We make our way down to the ballroom and find that we are first to arrive.
The sun is streaming through the windows and bouncing off the many portraits adorning the burgundy-coloured walls.
It’s a breathtaking feast for the eyes of old-money decadence.
The instruments are set up for the string quartet and there’s a small one-metre-square stage with a microphone stand, ready for Ged’s surprise serenade.
I penned the song for him as my wedding gift.
Matteo walks over to the PA system and starts the music playing. It’s the Bridgerton classical covers. And even though they are Whitney Houston’s greatest hits, it immediately transports me back two hundred years.
You can’t fault the Spanish education system for teaching their children how to dance properly in school.
Taking my hand in his, Matteo draws me to him and leads me into a slow dance.
He spins me out and back again. He reaches up to loosen the ruff at his neck.
‘Remind me why we’re dressed like this?’
‘Because it’s Ged and Liam’s dream to be the centre of attention at a glamourous ball filled with attractive men in frilly shirts and tight trousers. If I were a betting woman, I’d say it’s some sort of Cinderella complex where they both simultaneously need to be rescued and be the rescuer.’
Matteo’s lips quirk. ‘Of course. Of course.’ I think he’s still getting used to how emotionally literate we are.
‘And I mean that in a kind way. Plus, the whole Bridgerton vibe is kind of…’ I feel a heat rising from my neck. ‘…Kind of hot.’
In response, Matteo pulls me closer. He blinks slowly at me, his eyes dark with desire.
His hands slide tantalisingly down to my hips, causing my pulse to race.
My chest is rising and falling, pressed tightly against his.
He scans the area. The grand surroundings, the vibrant notes of the classical music, the soft swish of my gown is all incredibly romantic.
I reach up on tiptoes to place a light kiss on his lips.
We shouldn’t get too carried away. The others will be arriving at any second.
But as the kiss deepens, our breathing becomes ragged. A surge of endorphins powers through my body. It’s this place! Matteo tightens his arms around me, drawing me to him. ‘Should we…?’ he murmurs into my neck, sending delicious goosebumps down my spine.
Christ Almighty. We absolutely shouldn’t but there’s nothing I’d like more. A small moan of desire escapes my lips as I find his.
‘Over here,’ Matteo says hoarsely, breaking free.
His eyes dart to the far wall, quickly inspecting it before pressing gently on the underside of the dado rail.
We hear a click and a panel opens to reveal a hidden door.
It’s like the house wants us to act on impulse.
He pulls me inside. ‘This secret entrance leads to the wine cellar.’
‘One of my all-time favourite things,’ I say huskily, examining the narrow, dimly lit passageway. I’m not even sure what I mean. My brain has turned to mush like it always does whenever Matteo’s hot, sensual mouth peruses my body parts.
‘Which one? The secret entrance or the cellar?’ He nibbles my earlobe.
Any, either, neither, none. Who cares?
‘Kiss me,’ I say, hoping to thwart this conversation from going any further.
Stone walls and a polished wooden floor give way to a wrought-iron stairwell at the far end.
We hurry down the few steps to see the deserted circular wine cellar is rammed floor-to-ceiling with wine bottles.
Apart from a few dusty barrels, the only bit of furniture is a very pretty, antique chaise longue which is crying out for some Bridgerton-style clandestine fornication.
My whole body is on fire with lust as I trace the outline of his erection through the easy-access flap at the front of his trousers.
Maybe those Regency costumiers knew exactly what they were doing.
Our lips collide in a frenzy of passion as Matteo lifts my dress, sliding his hands deliberately slowly up my stockinged legs.
I gasp as he slips his hand between my thighs.
We absolutely should not be doing this and he knows it.
We could get caught at any moment. But it just seems to heighten the pleasure.
I arch into him, his hot mouth trailing down my throat to my chest. He tugs my bodice down and closes his lips over my nipple.
The last thing I’m aware of is the secret door clicking softly as it closes behind us upstairs.
‘That was fucking incredible,’ Matteo says, out of breath as I attempt to pull my dress back down over my hips.
It was like we’d both become bewitched. One minute he’s cupping my breast and kissing my neck and the next I’m ripping open the flap at the front of his trousers and we’re banging fully clothed on the chaise longue doggy style as though we’re on a timer to set a new world record. My legs have gone to jelly.
A giggle escapes my lips. ‘Yep. That was the hottest two minutes of my life.’
‘I’ll make it up to you later,’ Matteo promises, his cheeks flushed, as he gives me a puzzled smile. ‘Honestly, I’m not even sure what came over me.’
We hear approaching footsteps and excited chatter and manage to slip back into the ballroom just as the double doors at the far end of the room are thrown wide open.
Matteo is straightening his coat-tails and discreetly adjusting his trousers while I smooth down my dress and pat my wig back into place.
How will I disguise the loved-up grin plastered all over my face?
Matteo’s hair is wild from me running my hands through it and his eyes are glazed over.
He clears his throat and shakes his head from side to side as though to pull himself together before he greets Cherry.
She is wearing a timeless baby-blue ball gown that suits her petite frame perfectly.
The voluminous skirt and embellished bodice create a dramatic silhouette.
Her wig is as big and as elaborately coiffed as mine.
The second thing I notice is that Peaches has been reunited with her dummy.
Luckily, Cherry, Dom and Clementine are too distracted by our surroundings to notice my rosy cheeks and my ‘I’ve just had the best quickie sex of my life’ demeanour.
They are followed by Ged and Liam, who seem to be keeping a low profile, obviously feeling a little guilty over the filming mix-up and the stolen dummy.
And while they have matching cream-coloured pants and ornately coloured waistcoats, their tailcoats are stunning, complementary shades of bottle green for Ged and peacock blue for Liam.
Liam tilts his head, staring at me as though there’s something amiss. Surely he can’t tell. I lift my fingertips to my cheek as I smile innocently.
‘Hmmm. I know what it is.’
‘You do?’ I almost squeak.
‘You’ve lost an earring, hun.’
My hand instinctively flies to my earlobe. He’s right. One of the massive ruby and diamond earrings is missing.
‘I know it’s only costume jewellery, but it does all have to be returned to the theatre when we get back,’ Ged reminds me.
‘No problem,’ I assure them. ‘It can’t be far.’
Literally four feet away, hidden behind a secret doorway.
Tash and Sister Kevin swing through the doors appearing incredibly loved-up and ready to dance.
She gives me a conspiratorial wink as Sister Kevin twirls her round the dance floor.
Her figure-hugging costume is similar to mine but in canary yellow.
It perfectly suits her dark long hair piled up high with long tendrils cascading down one side, her dramatic make-up and her bulging cleavage.
Sister Kevin’s tailcoat is dark navy, making him seem even taller. They make a very striking couple.
Next to arrive are Liberty and Nacho, laughing as they swoop into the room looking for all the world like a bona fide couple.
Liberty is staggeringly beautiful in a rose-coloured, multilayered princess ball gown.
Elbow-length gloves show off her toned arms and, like me and Cherry, she is wearing an exquisitely coiffed powder wig but in dark brown.