The Muse (16 page)

To either of them.

Imogene met his kiss with equal passion after an initial squeak of surprise.  He needed to feel her touch, even if for a moment.  All day they had been looking and looking and now he just needed to feel her.  Her hands went immediately into his hair.  His hands went to her waist and pushed up slowly, smoothing over every inch of her bodice, caressing over her breasts until he reached her collarbone.  It felt divine to have his hands on her, covering her, but then he stopped and pulled her up to sitting again.

Imogene looked unhappy as he drew away.  She gave her head a small shake as if to clear her thoughts.

Hell, my cock can give you some thoughts, my beauty.

“You are very scampish,
chérie
, distracting me so.  I find myself quite unable to resist you.”

“I am sorry, but I just felt so hot and I could not concentrate on my journal.  Should you like me to leave you in peace?”

“No…no, no.”  He shook his head.  “Nothing so drastic as that.”  He leaned down for a long, soft kiss to which she gave him sweetly.

“What shall I do, then?” she sighed onto his neck.

“I think the original plan is sound.  I’ll get you a new glass of water—sorry for pouncing on you before—and you can rest right here.  I will go back to my desk and finish my letters, and you will be a good girl and watch me.  Every now and again, I will look up from my writing and we can exchange a lover’s glance.  Then, in a while, we shall go into dinner and look at each other some more, over our plates.  How does that sound to you?”

She nodded her head contritely, her eyes wide.

You’ll never know how hard it is for me to write these damn letters right now.  I want you so badly.  You belong to me now, my sumptuous beauty.  I want to be with you, upstairs in my bed.  I want to be making love to you all night long.  And I am going to.

They were true to their words.

Graham returned to his writing, and Imogene was content to look at him—for a time.  In a short while though, her eyes grew heavy, she listed to one side, and settled into slumber.  It was the first time he had ever seen her asleep.  She looked so enchanting and peaceful on the couch he was loathe to disturb her.  He watched her for a few moments, allowing himself to imagine how she would look when he was making love to her tonight. 
Now it is my turn to be wicked.  Get some rest, my love.  You are going to need it…for later.

IMOGENE woke to the most delectable feeling of Graham kissing her neck and speaking softly.  “Wake-up, my beauty; time to go down to dinner.  You’ve had a sleep.”

“Mmm…what?  Oh, did I?  I am so sorry, how careless of me.  Did you get your letters done?”

“What are you sorry for?  You were obviously fatigued and needed to rest.  I quite enjoyed the view of you, and yes, my correspondence is complete for now.”

Imogene sighed, closing her eyes for a moment, trying to collect her wits.  “I must go and refresh myself.  I’ll meet you at the dining room in ten minutes?”  She moved to sit up on the couch, and Graham immediately offered assistance in rising.  She tried to gauge his feelings at the moment, sensing he might be trying to put her at ease, giving her some space.

“I’ll await you there…and you are beautiful in your sleep, Imogene.”  He held her fingers and kissed the fingertips.

His words made her blush. 
He is teasing me a little about falling asleep.  He imagines sleeping with me tonight, I think. 
“Thank you.”

“Oh, before I forget, your things have been moved into the suite—the one that adjoins to mine.”

She nodded, understanding his meaning clearly. 
I am such an inconsistency of emotions right now.  Part nervous and part desperate for him to touch me.  He was so…so unwavering and determined when he touched me on the couch.  He had the look of a pouncing cat…and I was the mouse!

WHEN she arrived at the dining room, Graham stood and held out his hand.  He seated her at her place, at the end of the side of the table.  He moved to his place opposite of her, at the same end.

“I like our seating arrangement,” she told him.

“Yes,
chérie
, especially for our first dinner alone together I don’t want you miles away.  I can feast my eyes upon you and upon my dinner at the same time.”

“How do you do that?  I find it very distracting to look at you and continue with my tasks at hand.”

“Practice,
chérie
.  Remember, I have had many more years to practice than you have,” he said, winking saucily.

Dinner proceeded slowly in Imogene’s opinion.

“How was your sleep?  You looked like Sleeping Beauty from the fairy tale.”

“It was…restful.”

“And how do you find your dinner?”

“I find it…perfectly…adequate.”

“I cannot help but notice that you are not eating very much.  More like you are doing battle, stabbing and poking at it.  I assure you it is quite dead,” he joked.  “Are you not hungry?”

“Not very, not for…food.”   She lifted her eyes, looking boldly.

“What are you hungry for?”  His breath seemed to leave him.

She whispered, “Your touch.  I want you to hold me.  I need to feel your arms around me.”

Graham rose instantly from the chair, pulling her up, enfolding her into his arms.  “Is this better?”

“Yes.”  She leaned into him.  “I’ve only felt at peace today when you have held me.  I’ve found this afternoon to be a very tiresome one, indeed.”

“I know you have, Imogene, and you have born it very bravely, my darling.”  His hand came to her hair and face.  “Thank you for staying with me today in the study while I had to write my letters.  It was heaven having you close.  Being selfish, I could not bear for you to leave my side.”

“But I fell asleep.  I am not very good at this.  I fear I shall be a disappointment to you,” she trailed off.

“Nonsense.  How could you ever be a disappointment to me?  You needed the rest, and I loved watching you sleep, I’ve already told you.”  He kissed her on the forehead and then pulled back to focus on her eyes.

The look he gave her was bold and burning.

It is time.

“Mrs. Everley, I should like to retire for the evening.”  He leaned down, whispering, “Are you of the same mind?”

Unable to voice a sound, Imogene nodded her answer to him.  Heart thudding and mind racing, she knew both anxiety and relief in the same moment. 
It’s going to happen now.  I could see it in his eyes—what Aunt Wilton talked to me about…

“I’LL leave you to your privacy,
chérie
.”  Graham caressed her hand, turned her palm up and kissed it.  “An hour then?  I shall think of nothing but you.”

“An hour will be perfect,” she managed to answer.

He backed away, but did not release her hand right away.  He continued stepping backward until his arm stretched out all the way and their hands finally separated, falling apart.  As a final gesture, he blew a little kiss.

Imogene loved how he could show his affection for her so easily, a romantic at heart.  She continued to stare at the closed door for a long time after he was gone.  The room grew quiet.

Nervousness rose up her throat, rousing her.  She rang for the maid.  Hester entered the room and took charge, much to Imogene’s relief, chattering away about the beauty of her garments, her jewellery, and the excitement of the day, helping to fill the tense silence in the room.  She assisted Imogene out of her wedding gown and into a quick bath, and finally into a filmy nightdress.  Her hair was unpinned and brushed out.  The bed was turned down.  The fire stirred.  A tray laid with refreshment.

“Will there be anything else I can do for you tonight, Lady Rothvale?  And may I say, my lady, you look very beautiful.”

“No, nothing.  I am well.  Thank you, Hester.”

“Madam, on behalf of the staff here, we offer our sincerest congratulations and best wishes upon your marriage.  If there is anything you need, anything at all, please ring so that I may serve you.”

“My thanks, Hester, you have made me feel very comfortable here.”

“Goodnight, Lady Rothvale.”

The sound of Hester’s steps now retreating down the corridor slowly faded away until quiet once again filled the room.

Lady Rothvale.
 
I shall have to get used to being called that. 
She sighed at the thought and went to pour herself a glass of wine, hoping some spirits might settle her.  She tried to sip the wine, but had little success because her stomach was a knot of nerves. 
What will he do exactly?  What am I supposed to do?  I am nervous.  I want to please him.  Aunt Wilton said it might hurt the first time.  Oh, dear God!

IN his own room, Graham was pacing the floor in his robe, his hair unbound, swaying with his steps, contemplating his own anxiety as he turned the handle of the connecting door. 
Gentle and slow.  She’s a virgin.  Help me to do this without terrifying her.  I hope I can manage to—

The door swung open with a groaning creak, ending his absurd nervousness.  It was time to claim his bride once and for all.  The chamber was lit softly with candles and the glow from the fire when he stepped in, but he did not see her.

“
Chérie
?  Where are you?”