Chapter Thirteen #2
“I suppose that investments in trade are a bit like gambling. Lord Tamworth does a lot of research before he invests. I have not invested as of yet, but that’s not to say I won’t. Fortunately, it’s not something I must do. Crestfield does very well.”
That was reassuring, though she had guessed as much, since the staff she’d met were quite content. Then again, they had no idea they’d almost lost their employment. “Is there enough for redecorating my rooms? I wouldn’t need much. I just prefer waking up in green. It reminds me of being outside.”
“You may do whatever you like. But for my sake, don’t do all the rooms at the same time. I’m not sure I could accept that much change all at once.”
Thrilled, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
He turned to look at her, clearly surprised. “For what?”
“For allowing me to spend money on a few changes. I promise to be frugal. Would it also be possible to have a few new gowns? Mother said she wouldn’t buy me anything new for my trousseau, but I feel like I should have something different, as a married woman, than what I have.
” She lifted the skirt of her white evening dress with pink ribbons.
Philip scowled. “Your family didn’t buy you a new wardrobe for your wedding? Why? They could certainly afford it.”
As much as she didn’t wish to say, it just wasn’t possible for her.
“Mother wasn’t happy that you wanted to wait the full three weeks.
She wanted to be rid of me sooner, so she refused to buy me any new clothes.
” His frown deepened, so she hastened to reassure him, “I can wait, of course. I’m quite happy with—”
“As soon as we arrive in London, we will seek out Mrs. Charlotte Bean, a modiste on Oxford Street. She is the best, and I want my wife dressed by the best.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “I will do as you wish. As I said, I don’t need much.”
“You shall have an entire new wardrobe. To use a bird metaphor, I wish your arrival in Town to be like that of the phoenix newly risen from the ashes of your old life.”
“Phoenix? Oh, that’s an even better animal association than what my friends gave me. They will be very impressed when I tell them what animal you chose.”
He gave her a crooked grin. “Because you can’t keep it a secret?”
She blushed. “Yes. Maybe Mrs. Bean will have something almost completed so the first time I see my friends, I can surprise them. I think I will choose a turquoise if she has that color.”
“I know Mrs. Bean keeps partially made dresses for just such a need, but possibly not in that color. I know she will do her best for you.”
Georgina cocked her head. “And you know she will because… No. Never mind. I shouldn’t pry.” She didn’t wish to know how many mistresses he’d dressed in the past.
He looked confused at first, then shook his head. “I know about Mrs. Bean through a bet I made once. It was one I lost. But that doesn’t take away from the fact the woman is a magician with a needle.”
Relieved, she smiled. “I understand better why you gambled in the past. I admit to being both excited and very nervous about our bet today. It was an odd sensation. I hope we can bet again.”
“If you wish, we can bet every day. I know now not to bet with you when it comes to memorizing anything. You must have done very well in math and history.”
“I was not the best student in those classes because they didn’t keep my attention like the flora and fauna class.
However, with my specialized studies of birds, I found my memory to be quite helpful.
Did you know there are over three hundred species of birds in England alone? Though not all breed here.”
“And you know them all?”
“I do. But I won’t bore you with them. I did that once at a dinner party.
The next morning, I didn’t receive a single caller.
I’ve mostly learned to curb my enthusiasm over my favorite subject while at entertainments.
It’s just that I get so excited when talking about birds.
Speaking of them, when I spoke to Mr. Beeson today, I told him to only procure two pairs of doves.
They can breed here and their first babies can be our residents. That way, they are all family.”
He blinked for a moment as if not sure what she meant. “And having family is important to you? Even after growing up with seven sisters and brothers who…”
She appreciated that he didn’t finish the sentence, but she wasn’t afraid to tell the truth. “Who wished I’d never been born and considered me a bother? I know my family life has not been perfect, but it makes me want to have a family. I would treasure every child.”
His gaze searched hers. “You’re a very unique woman.”
“Most people say odd or strange, so thank you.”
He laid his hand on hers, which rested atop her napkin on the table. “I mean unique as in special, not odd. There is so much about you I didn’t know.”
Her heart started to beat a little faster. “There is much about you that I don’t know still. It will be very enjoyable to learn more.”
His gaze dipped to her lips, and she sucked in her breath. Memories of how he’d made her feel the night before started filling her head and making her warm. If she had her fan she’d use it, but she’d left it in her bedroom.
She leaned closer. “Will you visit me tonight?”
A slow smile curved his lips. “Nothing could keep me from you.”
His words sent tingles of excitement through her. He wanted her. He wasn’t making do with her. He wasn’t simply accepting her. He wanted her. To be wanted was all she’d ever dreamed of.
She leaned in more, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Will you take me tonight?”
His nostrils flared, his gaze intent on her lips before he nodded.
Unable to resist, she brushed her lips to his.
Immediately, he pulled her against him as he deepened the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, tasting the port on his tongue. His kiss became more demanding, sending shocking excitement through her. A strong need began to build inside her.
Suddenly, he broke the kiss.
She looked at him confused until he turned his head. “Leave us.”
How could she have forgotten there were servants in the room? She felt heat filling her cheeks and looked down, wishing she could sink underneath the table. Philip must think her wanton.
The doors to the dining room closed loudly.
“Georgina, look at me.”
She lifted her gaze, not sure what to expect.
“I cannot help myself. I must have you now, here.”
He didn’t ask her a question, but his eyes clearly looked for her acceptance. She could no more resist him than a goldfinch could resist a seed. She nodded.
Relief flashed on his face before his mouth came down on hers again.
She held on to him as his tongue dominated her mouth.
The feeling from last night coursed through her, but more intensely and faster.
Then his mouth moved to her neck as his hand slipped beneath her neckline, which had magically loosened.
As he cupped her breast, she leaned into him, wanting to feel his fingers on her nipple.
When he pulled his hand from her body without touching her hardening nub, she moaned her disappointment.
“One moment.”
He moved his now-free arm across the table next to him, pushing empty dishes and a flower arrangement farther down. Then he rose, pulling her up with him, locking his mouth on to hers once more.
She could feel the difference in his actions. He was anxious, as if he couldn’t wait to take her. The thought didn’t cool her in the least. Instead, she wanted it as much as he.
Philip pulled the skirts of her dress up to her waist before he backed her against the table.
Her bare behind touched the white cloth at the same time his pelvis pressed against her and she felt his hardness.
A sharp spike of excitement ran straight through her core.
Without a thought, she reached one hand down and felt him.
He broke the kiss and stepped away.
At first, she thought he was appalled, but that slow smile lifted his lips yet again.
Without a word, he pulled the top of her dress to her waist, and her soft shift came down too. All that covered her was her stays. His hands glided over her neck to her shoulders, then across her chest to dip beneath her stays and lift her breasts above them. “I cannot resist.”
Before she could breathe in, his mouth came down on one breast and laved her nipple then he moved to the other.
She set her hands behind her on the table to keep standing as cool air brushed her wet nipple while he sucked the other.
In the back of her mind, she thought she should be embarrassed to be so exposed to him in the dining room of all places, but she couldn’t focus on that when he moved his mouth back to give her other breast equal attention.
When he started to nibble, her knees almost gave out and he pulled away. “Sit.”
She thought he meant on a chair, but then he lifted her onto the table, her bare behind sitting upon the cloth that had so recently held a dinner plate. That realization alone had her need growing.
As he returned his attention to her breasts, she grasped his shoulders, holding him to her, but letting him do as he wished.
What he wished seemed to be to eat her, as his teeth nipped and grazed upon each nipple, causing moisture to gather in her folds.
She squirmed on the table, wanting the ecstasy he’d given her before.
His head came up at her movement and his mouth took hers once more.
He thrust his tongue inside, full of the same passion she felt, and she wrapped her arms around him to push her tongue against his.
She felt as if she were falling, then stopped as he laid her back on the table, before moving his mouth once more to her breasts.
With her skirt bunched beneath her waist, it forced her to arch, which she found to be a perfect position.
She looked to her right to find the apricot marmalade not a foot away.