Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
It was hard to conceive of such evil existing in the world when one was able to glimpse the sleep of an angel here on earth.
Bracing herself on the doorjamb, Charlotte allowed a sliver of light to enter Aurelia’s room.
Her heart was once again light as she watched their daughter resting peacefully.
Her dark lashes rested upon her flushed cheeks and her hair tangled in a wild halo around her head.
Turning to gaze up at her husband, she saw the glint of determination in his eyes, a desire to shelter all who were under his protection.
“She looks so peaceful,” Charlotte whispered, taking one final glance at their daughter.
Upon arriving at Wildwood, they informed the servants about the events that had occurred at the ball and the increased risk to all in the Spencer family.
Perry cautioned everyone to be suspicious and careful.
The threat was becoming louder and more pronounced.
A killer could be among them at any moment, if he or she wasn’t already.
Vigilance among the servants could prevent someone from causing harm to those living at Wildwood.
“I am grateful nothing happened while we were out,” Perry said, his voice grim. “We will take extra precautions and avoid unnecessary ventures out in public for the time being. Only allow visitors who are known to us.”
Charlotte gave a silent nod as she watched their daughter sleep, the sheets and blankets tangled around her waist. Stepping into the room to tuck Aurelia into her blankets, Charlotte noted the comforting sound of Ann snoring in a bed nearby. Everything appeared as it should be.
Their little family was safe.
For now.
Turning, she pressed a hand to Perry’s chest, worry gathering in her brow as her gaze connected with his. “You must also be careful. We would be ruined if anything ever happened to you.”
Perry gave a silent nod and covered her hand with his warm one. “Your words mirror my own concerns,” he murmured, brushing his lips against hers. With a heavy sigh, he pulled away and kept her hand clasped in his as they walked in the direction of the countess’s rooms.
Her heart fluttered in anticipation of what would come next.
They were both upset by the evening’s developments, and Charlotte would understand if Perry wanted to delay their intimacies until they were on safer footing.
Once she came to face the pale green painted wood door of her bedroom, she touched the handle and turned.
Charlotte swallowed.
It was time for her to be courageous.
“I… I would not be against you joining me in my chamber,” she said in a small voice. Heat flooded her cheeks at her boldness. “It is no bother if you do not feel the same…ardor as you did this afternoon. This evening has been quite upsetting.”
Licking his lips, Perry’s eyes traveled from her eyes to her mouth, and back again. “If it would please you, my countess.” His soft intake of breath made her wonder if he could hear the rapid thrumming of her heart as she came apart under his gaze. “I would love to share your bed tonight.”
She gave slight nod.
Perry tipped up her face with a finger. “My ardor has only been strengthened after having a taste of you. I need more. There would be no greater pleasure I can imagine than being with you again. As we once were.”
A smile came to her lips unbidden, and her butterflies came to life in her stomach.
She clutched the cool brass knob beneath her hand.
How ridiculous for her to be nervous. There was no maidenhead being breached tonight.
Making love to Perry would be akin to warming herself by the fire after being left out in the cold for so long.
He was a homecoming she never knew she needed.
“How better to keep you safe than to have you in my arms all night?” he added, the side of his mouth curving into the devilish grin she loved so very much.
The words lit a flame inside her, moisture pooling at her core. Few things could distract her from the evening’s events, but Perry could always steal her attention.
“My safety should be your utmost priority,” she breathed, turning the knob and tugging on Perry’s hand, leading him inside the bedroom.
Behind her, Perry cleared his throat. “Do you require time to prepare?”
Remembering that she had given Aamina the night off, Charlotte shook her head. “I will need your assistance. My maid is off for the night, and my dress is difficult to remove.” Blinking up at him, she watched as Perry swallowed.
She imagined Perry had much experience undoing dresses, or so his reputation suggested. Dropping her sheer muslin shawl onto a chair, Charlotte turned her back to him and waited, her skin alight with sensation as she anticipated his touch.
The light of a single candle glowed, casting a seductive warmth that only aided in heating her blood further.
With a sharp inhale, she closed her eyes as his finger traced the line of her spine to the collar of her dress.
She willed her heart to slow its speed, fearing she would faint from the ecstasy of his touch on her skin.
She had missed intimacy with a desperation she had not known she possessed. Her hunger for him was raw. Painful.
A sliver of fear ran through her at the thought of being completely seen by her husband.
While she had cared for his wound, she had seen much of his body, but hers had yet to be fully revealed to him.
Her nipples strained against the fabric as each hook was unfastened, the dress releasing around her chest and tumbling around her waist. Out of sheer nerves, Charlotte used her hands to cover her breasts, which were covered by her stays and a delicate cotton chemise.
“Lottie, you are trembling… Are you sure you want this?” Perry asked quietly.
This was it, her moment to retreat, to hide and avoid the intimacy she had been craving for so long. But she wasn’t trembling out of fear. Her body was merely reacting to his touch, his proximity, the heat coming off his body, which she wanted to absorb.
She turned, glancing over her shoulder.
His eyes darkened as he waited for her response.
“Yes, I want this. I want this very much.” Her teeth dug into her bottom lip and she turned. Sweeping her curls over to one side, she waited.
Perry finished the unfastening the gown and let it fall to her feet.
Taking her hand, he helped her step away from the garment.
She made quick work of unlacing her stays, casting them aside.
His breath caught as his hungry gaze raked over her body in the near-transparent chemise.
The frothy new garment was much more enticing than her older ones.
He tossed his waistcoat and tailcoat aside as he watched her in silence.
“Lower your hands. Let me see you,” he whispered. “You have no idea how much I have ached to behold all your beauty. Do not hide from me.” His eyes never left her body as he methodically undid the cufflinks at his wrists and loosened his cravat.
Charlotte dropped her hands, clutching them tightly into the fabric of her chemise as he admired her.
He unfastened the neckline of his shirt and slipped the garment over his head.
Leaving his breeches on, he closed the distance between them, curving his palms around her waist and pulling her closer.
“More beautiful than I remember,” he said softly, bringing his lips to hover over hers.
Unable to resist, Charlotte raised herself on the tips of her toes and brought her mouth to meet his.
Lifting a hand to caress his hair, she melted.
How she had craved the softness of the silky tendrils, the brush of his rough cheek over her soft one.
His body was the answer she was always seeking.
Perry moaned as he slanted his mouth over hers, slipping in his tongue to tangle with hers.
He gripped her hair in his fingers, tugging on the pins and dropping them heedlessly to the floor until the soft waves tumbled down her shoulders unhindered.
Her back arched to press her body into his, the proof of his arousal straining against his breeches.
Perry’s hands skimmed the curve of her hips and stopped to cup her derrière as he lifted her into his arms. Her legs twined around his waist, their lips never breaking their connection.
A whimper escaped her as she bounced against his hard length, the ache within her building as they they traveled across the room.
Tossing her onto the bed, he gathered the edges of her chemise, and lifted it over her head.
“Gorgeous,” he muttered as he moved to caress the newly exposed skin. “Utter perfection.”
Her core throbbed as she sank deeper into the sumptuous bedding.
Kneeling over her, he brushed his thumbs against her taut nipples, desire slashing through her.
Tossing her head back with a soft moan, her body remembered.
The sensation of his lips on her collarbone, breasts, nipples, was indulgent.
Tension coiled within her, taut and relentless.
Charlotte reached for him, the warm, silky skin beneath her touch only increasing her need.
“Touch me,” she begged. “Please.”
Lifting his head and tossing a wayward strand of hair off his face, he grinned cockily.
“With pleasure, my countess.” He traced a path from her breasts, taking time to gently squeeze and suck on each rosy tip until she burned for him.
Leaving his thumbs to tease her sensitive buds while he moved on, he licked and kissed his way to the source of her ache.
He had never kissed her like this before.
Their quick tumbles in the summer grass were efficient and heady.
Tonight, Perry was slow and patient. Torturous.
As though they had all the time in the world.
Which perhaps they did.