Lord and Lady Kendal.
She reached up to his face with her other hand, caressing his prickly jaw with her fingertips, and smiled with the sheer joy brimming within her.
He stroked her cheek in a tender manner she couldn’t help but turn toward. “I should like to wed you tomorrow.”
“So we can consummate the marriage?” she teased.
He hummed in agreement. “And so I can make you mine. Properly.”
“Oh?” She gazed at him coyly. “I thought you didn’t want a wife.”
“That was before I met you, my love.”
My love.
The words stole her breath. But not her heart, for she’d already lost that to him.
“We’ll find a small kirk tomorrow.” He pulled her against his chest and wrapped his strong arms around her.
She melted against him. “Not cliché like Gretna Green?”
His laugh rumbled in his chest against her cheek. “It would be terribly expected if we did that, wouldn’t it?” His hand skimmed up her arm as if he were savoring the very feel of her. “I have a few chaps who can be witnesses here. Then you will be my wife.” A fingertip traced invisible circles at her shoulder. “My Lady Kendal.”
She couldn’t stop the smile from stretching over her face, even if she’d wanted to. Which, she did not. She wanted it adorning her features, glowing from her like the sensations overflowing within her.
It was impossible not to think of the reactions they would encounter when they returned from Scotland, married. Her cousins would be aflutter at the news, brimming with questions as all unmarried women did with ladies recently introduced to the intimacies of the marriage bed. The ton would be practically buzzing with the speed of gossip flowing from their tongues. And Aunt Nancy…
Sophia giggled.
“Mmmm?” Kendal’s languid question hummed against her.
“I was imagining what my Aunt Nancy will think of all this.”
He chuckled, the sound languid and rich. “Do you know she’s been trying to push you off to me since you first came out?”
“Has she?” Sophia laughed, able to easily imagine her aunt doing exactly such a thing. “And here I thought the night of Lady Eugenia’s coming out was the first time she’d mentioned it to you.”
“She said I would adore you if I just gave myself half a chance.” His fingertips grazed a sensual path down her back. “It certainly looks as though she knew what she was talking about…”
Sophia leaned back to consider him. “But we can never let her know that or she’ll become insufferable.”
“I’m inclined to agree with you in that evaluation.” He drew Sophia to him once more. His lips pressed to the top of her head in a way that made her feel cherished. Their bodies fitted perfectly, with her tucked against his naked, warm chest and their legs entwined with the others.
What would it be like to become his wife?
Lady Kendal.
She’d spent so much time being focused on avoiding marriage and running from it that she had scarcely offered any consideration to how it would be. Although now, it did not seem as if she were losing the possibility of an enjoyable life but gaining a companion to celebrate with.
Yes, marriage did seem agreeable, an adventure even. And tomorrow’s union would be the first of many days in their adventure together.
14
Sophia slept in the cradle of Kendal’s arms through the night. When she awoke the following morning, a smile was already on her lips. His body was warm against her back, but what was pressed to her bottom was hot and hard. And incredibly tempting.
She arched into him and was rewarded with a tense groan. His hands glided down her waist and rested on her hips, easing her toward him once more.
If she’d thought her desire would have been sated the night before, she was wrong. What they’d done had only whet her appetite. And she now found herself craving more.
The fullness of him within her, the intimate scent of their joining, the husky cries and groans…
The area between her thighs pulsed to life with longing.
His wicked hand eased to that exact spot, making her part her legs as he touched her. “Are you not sore?” he asked in a voice gravelly with sleep.
“A bit,” she confessed. “But my desire for you exceeds my discomfort.”
He gave a small growl of acknowledgment and his ministrations escalated to stroking caresses that had her slick with need. Just as she felt she was near release, he withdrew his hand and entered her from behind, his length plunging into her, stretching her deliciously once more. She was slightly sore, yes, but the pleasure was greater than any pain caused by the loss of her maidenhead.
After another soul-shattering climax, they washed one another, exploring each other’s naked body with the cloth and teasing touches that led to a third coupling.
“If we continue with this,” Kendal panted afterward, “We might never make it to the kirk to be wed.”
“Would that be so bad?” She lifted her head to regard him beside her.
“I want you to be my wife.” Kendal propped himself up on his elbow, his muscles flexing with each move. “In name as well as in body. Although, admittedly, ‘body’ has been considerably enjoyable.”
Appreciation lit his gaze as it trailed first down, then up, her nakedness.
“In that case, we must dress quickly.” She pressed a kiss to his mouth and fought the urge to deliver another and yet another still.
He didn’t bother to move as she pushed to her feet and took the linen from the basin to wipe down her body. In fact, he tucked his palms behind his head, elbows outstretched, and watched her run the cloth over her skin until desire left him jutting outward.
When she finished, he tried to grab her toward him, but she spun away.
“You wicked man,” she laughed. “Don’t you wish to wed?”
Seriousness settled in his stare. “More than I ever realized I could want to. Come, I’ll help you with your stays.”
She lifted her brows. “You’ll help me with my stays?”
“I want those hard, little nipples to be mine and mine alone.” In demonstration, he cupped her breast and circled his thumb over the taut bud.
She moaned and leaned into him.
“Now who is being wicked?” he asked.
“To the kirk,” she said huskily. “And then to bed.”
Never had Sophia’s stays been tied with more haste and were quickly followed by the rest of her garments. As the mourning attire was inappropriate for a wedding and given Kendal’s distaste for it, Sophia settled on the light blue gown she’d worn the night after they’d been drenched in the rain.
Once they were both dressed, Kendal scanned her appearance and tilted his head in contemplation.
“What is it?” She glanced down at her attire, fearful something dreadful had become of her one good gown.
“You’re missing something.” He frowned slightly.
Nothing appeared amiss. She shook her head and elevated her gaze to him as he withdrew something from his pocket.
Something that sparkled.
Her diamond necklace. The one that had been stolen.
Sophia sucked in a gasp. “Wherever did you find that?”