The Duchess (26 page)

“Indeed?” Allegra remarked. “Well, sir, then let us get to it, shall we. Is your manhood serviceable?”

Now he could not help himself, and he did burst out laughing. “Allegra, Allegra! Your innocence is charming, but passion is not something one can force to one's will. We began nicely, but your questions have turned the mood between us. Can you, my dear, be quiet now, and let me lead you down Eros's path to pleasure? I find that I most surely do want to make love to you.” He tipped her face up, and kissed her cherry lips, gently at first, and then with a little more passion, as he pushed her back against their pillows. “You are a most talkative little puss, my dear, but the time for talking has now come to an end. Would you agree with me on that?” He kissed the tip of her nose softly.

“But … but,” she protested faintly, “I have questions, sir.”

“Which shall all be answered, my dear, in due time, I promise you,” Quinton Hunter told his wife. He kissed her ear, licking at it very provocatively, and then blowing softly into it. “I love the taste of your skin, Allegra,” he told her, his lips wandering down her neck, and across her shoulder.

“But what should I do?” she pleaded.

“Nothing, my dear, but be quiet and still, follow your own instincts, and let me make love to you. No one has ever touched you before tonight, Allegra. I know that. No man shall ever have you but me.” His voice had suddenly become very harsh.
“You are mine, my dear!”

His words sent a shiver of excitement through her. She shuddered as his tongue licked at the straining column of her throat. He scattered kisses across her breasts. She could feel her bosom. It was tight, and the
nipples were beginning to ache, but it was not a hurtful sensation. It actually felt good. He was restraining one of her hands by her side with his own, but her other hand began to caress his lean form in return. She stroked him slowly, reaching farther and farther until she was fondling the curve of his buttock and hip. Allegra hadn't known she could be so bold. She pulled her hand back to trail her fingers across the nape of his neck.

Her exploration, shy as it was, aroused him. Slowly, slowly, he drew her beneath him. Now he lay atop her, and he began once again to kiss her with slow, fiery kisses. Her body was soft, yet firm with her youth. He drew both of her hands up now, positioning them over her dark head. His tongue pushed itself into her mouth, stroking, fencing with hers. His excitement was rising with each passing moment. His manhood was now rock hard, pressing with urgency against her thigh.

“Open your legs for me, Allegra,” he murmured softly in her ear. “I want you, my dear. I want you very, very much.”

She trembled at his passionate words. The time had come for her to be initiated into the mysteries of Venus and Eros. Slowly, slowly she spread herself beneath him. Her heart was hammering, and she was unable at last to speak. She trembled again as he knelt between her thighs. His hand reached out to cup her entire Venus mont within his big palm, squeezing. Allegra drew a sharp breath at his touch
there.
She didn't dare to look at what he was doing.

He watched her and smiled to himself as he released her plump mont. She awaited her deflowering with a certain amount of trepidation, he realized, but he needed a moment more. Slowly he pulled her nether lips open, gazing upon her lovebud, all coral and wet with
her excitement. She was almost perfect, he thought, and he very much wanted to love her in that special way, but tonight was not the time for such an introduction, he decided. Holding her open with a thumb and a forefinger he touched her lovebud with the tip of his finger, and rubbed it suggestively. Allegra murmured a little cry, and shivered. Her love juices were beginning to pearl against her flesh. He groaned low. “You are so beautiful, Allegra,” he murmured to her, smiling again as even with her eyes closed she blushed furiously.

Leaning forward he kissed her, positioning himself for the tender onslaught he was about to make on her innocence. She felt the tip of his lance pressing against her most intimate place. It pushed through her slowly yielding flesh until it was just lodged within her body. He kissed her again, slowly, tenderly, then his mouth fused against hers in a fierce kiss as he thrust hard and deep within her.

Pain radiated throughout her lower extremities. Her legs felt wooden; her belly as though a hot poker had been jammed into it. She tore her head from his, and cried out, tears beginning to flow from her eyes. She couldn't speak. She couldn't breathe. And then as suddenly and as violently as the hurt had come, it faded away to a dull ache that eased more and more with each strong stroke of his manhood.

He released her hands, whispering, “Put your arms about me, Allegra.”

She drew him close. Something was happening to her. The pain was now entirely gone. A delicious euphoria was beginning to fill her body. She moaned softly, her hips instinctively pushing back at him with each downward stroke.
“Ohhh yes!”
she cried, unable to remain silent any longer.
“Ohhhh!”

He smiled down at her although with her eyes still
closed she didn't see him. The little minx was enjoying herself! She had easily discovered the delightful pleasure of shared lust. He thrust farther, and deeper into her. Of course a virgin was unlikely to reach passion's peak her first time, but she had not been repelled by their consummation. He was near his own nirvana when to his surprise her body stiffened, and he felt the quivers of complete fulfillment radiating throughout her body. Unable to control his own desires any further he exploded into her eager young body.

Allegra was suddenly soaring. She had never known such pleasure as was now racing through her. It was uncontrollable. It was wonderful. Golden stars burst like fireworks behind her eyes, and drifted into her conscious. Did this happen to everyone? She was going to have to ask Quinton, because if this happened to everybody, no wonder Papa and Aunt Mama were now so happy. “Oh! Oh!
Ohhhhhh!”
she gasped, and then she felt herself falling into a warm and gentle darkness.

As she slowly came to herself again Allegra felt the duke stroking her long hair. “There, my dear,” he said softly, “the worst is over, and I do believe you have obtained a certain pleasure from me as I have obtained it from you.” He dropped a kiss upon her head.

Opening her eyes she turned to look into his face. “Oh, yes, Quinton,” she agreed. “I have had my pleasure of you indeed. Why do women not speak on such wonders?”

“Did your cousin not say anything of the delights of passion to you?” he asked her quietly.

“She said that making love was wonderful, but when I pressed her further she then told me I should have to find out for myself, and I surely have, Quinton.” She
snuggled against him. “Is it done more than once each night?”

“It can be,” he said, struggling against laughter again.

“Will we?” Her tone was distinctly hopeful.

“Not tonight,” he replied, and kissed her pretty lips.

“Why not?” she demanded, her violet eyes growing stormy. “I liked it, Quinton. I liked fucking very much!”

“I could certainly see that, Allegra,” he told her, “but it was your first experience with the sport, and you will be tender. I promise you that we will most definitely make love again tomorrow, and tomorrow, and the tomorrow after that. You are quite delectable, and I believe I have gained quite a bargain in you.”

“Ohhh, you are a beast,” she cried, and punched at his shoulder with her small fist. “Am I a purchase to you then?”

He laughed. “You are my beautiful and delicious young wife, Allegra,” he said as he slid from his place in her bed. Picking up his nightshirt he drew it over his dark head. Then bending he kissed her once more, tweaking her right nipple playfully as he did. “Good night, my dear. I will see you in the morning.”

“Quinton!
Would you leave me then?” she cried.

“I sleep in my own bed, Allegra,” he told her. Then he was gone through the connecting door that separated their bedchambers.

If he loved me, or I loved him, she thought, he would have remained with me. I'll bet Ocky doesn't leave Sirena's side at night. Still her solitude gave Allegra time to ponder on what had just happened between them. He had been so gentle and thoughtful of her. If I believed in love, she considered—but of course, I don't—I believe I could love this man. I think I am, however, gaining a small affection for him. I really should if we are going to
have children together. His seed is in me now. Perhaps I am already with child. I am, one day, going to be the mother of the next Duke of Sedgwick. My son.
My son, the duke.
And then she fell asleep.

Next door the duke lay in his cold bed. It had been so difficult to leave her, but couples slept apart. It was expected. Of course having grown up with no memory of a mother in the household Allegra wouldn't know that. But he hadn't wanted to leave her. She had been so warm and passionate.
After she had been so sensible and practical.
What would she say if she knew he loved her? Would she be horrified? He dared not tell her until he could be certain that she would return his love, or at least not mock it. He slept at last.

Honor brought her mistress her breakfast in bed, noting the unused basin by the fire. She would, the maid-servant decided, tell her ladyship about its use later. She also noted that Allegra was naked in her bed, her night garment thrown carelessly aside. And her mistress was sleepy yet, poor thing. All the excitement leading up to the wedding, and then last night to contend with, Honor thought. Still, her ladyship didn't look unhappy. “Good morning, Your Grace,” she said.

“I'm going to remain in bed this morning,” Allegra announced, slipping into her nightgown.

“Very good, your ladyship,” Honor answered. Then she hurried to the new mahogany chest, and took out a delicate lace shawl which she draped about her young mistress's shoulders.

“Is the duke up yet?” Allegra asked as she bit into a piece of toasted bread. She was still tired, but she was also hungry.

“Up and out riding. Crofts said he was whistling
when he went out the door,” Honor giggled. “Crofts said he seemed a happy man.”
“Oh,”
was the only reply the maidservant received.

In midmorning Crofts opened the door to Hunter's Lair to be faced with elegantly attired gentlemen. “Good day, sirs,” he said, and bowed slightly from the waist.

“We have come to see the duke,” the taller of the two gentlemen said. “Tell him Prinny and Brummell are here.”

Crofts gaped openly. He looked at the two gentlemen again, and then he recognized the blond, blue-eyed gentleman with the rosy complexion from a drawing he had seen in the London paper. He bowed again. This time lower as he looked at the prince. Carefully he addressed the royal gentleman. “His lordship is out riding, but I shall send for him immediately. If you will come into the drawing room I shall see you are served wine.”

“Much rather have a good breakfast,” the prince said peevishly. “Damned inn we overnighted in was a pigsty. Was frightened to death to touch a morsel lest it kill me.”

The taller Brummell smiled amused. “His Highness is quite hungry, having not eaten since luncheon yesterday,” he explained calmly to Crofts.

“Perkins!” Crofts almost shouted to the footman. “Go to the kitchens, and tell cook a
full
breakfast for His Highness, Prince George, and his guest.
Immediately!”
Then he turned back to Prinny and his companion. “Let me show you to the dining room, gentlemen.”

In the kitchens Perkins had created an uproar with his request from Mr. Crofts.

“Prince George?”
the cook said. “Our prince? What in the name of all that is holy is the prince doing here?”

“The gentry don't tell me their business, cook, but I heard the other fellow say the prince ain't eaten since yesterday noon.”

The cook blanched, but then she recovered, and began to issue orders. In an amazingly short time the servants were hurrying into the dining room with platters of lamb chops, beefsteak, fresh bread, cheese, butter, poached eggs in heavy cream and dill, a platter with slices of pink salmon and lemon wedges, and a small ham. The cook was pleased to learn the prince smiled broadly and had dug into her hastily arranged feast with gusto.

When Crofts was certain that the royal guest and his companion were well taken care of, he sent another footman for the duke. Then he hurried upstairs to inform his mistress of the unexpected arrival. He knocked on the duchess's apartment door, to be admitted by Honor.

“Yes, Mr. Crofts, what is it?” the maidservant asked.

“Unexpected guests, Honor.
Very important guests.
I must see her ladyship.”

“I'll have to awaken her,” Honor said. “Please wait.” She disappeared into Allegra's bedchamber, reappearing a few moments later. “Come in, Mr. Crofts,” she beckoned the majordomo.

Slowly the elderly man entered the duchess's private chamber. She was seated in her bed, looking rather sleepy. He bowed.

“What is it, Mr. Crofts?” she asked him.

“The prince, Your Grace.
Prince George,
and a Mr. Brummell are here. Downstairs. In the dining room. Having breakfast,” Crofts managed to get out. “I have sent for the duke.”

“Good lord!” Allegra said, astounded. What was she to do?

“If your ladyship could come down,” Crofts suggested. “I don't know how long it will take the duke to return to the house.”

“To arrive so unexpectedly and without warning,” Allegra said almost to herself.

“They should be well occupied for the next hour with cook's breakfast,” Crofts offered.

Allegra nodded. “I will be down shortly,” she said. She flung back the coverlet, and jumped from the bed. “Honor! What am I to wear?” Then she saw the elderly majordomo averting his eyes as he backed from her bedchamber. Allegra chuckled. “Gracious, Crofts, you are older than my papa, and have surely seen your good wife in her night attire many times.” She padded hurriedly across the room, unconcerned.

“Indeed, Your Grace, I have,” Crofts said as he scuttled from the room, his withered cheeks flushed, closing the door behind him.