The Reluctant Bride Collection Page 5
“Yes, you’re late. I’ve been out here for three hours. I’m freezing, my lower extremities have fallen asleep, and you’ve made me wait so long that I am not interested in you or anything you think you can teach me.” She took a breath, pacing in front of him.
Nathaniel watched her with the intensity of a lion-tamer, his eyes following her ragged pacing.
“I apologize, Olivia. I should have been more specific. I didn’t want to come when anyone would be awake.”
Olivia hastily lowered her voice to a whisper. “Well, everyone has been asleep for a good while. I think I’ll join them.”
Nathaniel caught her wrist as she swept by him. “Olivia, wait.”
She stopped, refusing to look at him, and wished the ache in her stomach would go away. She had not felt this ill since her coming-out.
Nathaniel slowly pulled her to the chair, settled himself, arranged her on his lap, and draped the blanket around them. He held her, his chin resting on her head, and said nothing.
Olivia relaxed unwillingly against him, his heat warming her. She breathed deeply and the scent of horse and man and bay filled her. Men smelled so differently than women. They smelled warmer somehow. Or perhaps they just felt warmer. She’d been held by her mother before, and she’d hugged her sisters. None of them had been so hot. Nathaniel’s heat almost burned her.
She was getting a bit warm under the blanket.
Nathaniel’s armed snaked around her waist, holding her closer.
“You can change your mind.”
“I don’t want to change my mind, I just wish I hadn’t had so much time to think about it.”
Olivia turned to face him, watching him in the moonlight. “May I kiss you?”
He smiled slightly and his armed tightened around her. “Yes.”
Her heart pounded and her breath came faster. He had always kissed her before. It was all well and good to be seduced, but sometimes a woman had to take control. Otherwise, there was too much time for thinking.
She leaned forward and brushed his lips. Again and again she ran her closed lips gently against his. They were soft, gliding smoothly against her own. She moved to his cheek, brushing her lips back and forth.
“You shaved.”
She felt him smile, but he remained silent.
She stood, warmed by his heat, warmed by her own. She leaned over him, running her lips over his nose, slipping across his lashes and his closed eyes. His hands grasped lightly around her waist, caressing down her hips and thighs, and up around her rib-cage, gently nudging her breasts. Her breath caught.
He rose swiftly, wrapping the blanket around her. “Stay here a moment.”
He knelt by his saddle-bags, pulling out a thick blanket and spreading it on the small deck. He placed a thinner blanket on top, then held his hand out to her, motioning for her to come. In his hand was a small red rose.
She walked toward him slowly, taking the rose and inhaling the sweet scent. She whispered, “Thank you, Nathaniel. This is more than I expected.”
“You wanted to be wooed and seduced, Olivia. I am a man of my word.”
She smiled, ignoring the butterflies in her stomach. She knelt on the blanket beside him and he took her hand, pulling her to press against him knee to chest.
He kissed her cheek and lips and whispered, “You wanted to learn the art of seduction, Miss Blakesley?”
“I believe I called it the acts of seduction.”
He nibbled her bottom lip. “You’ll learn that, too.”
He leaned back, pulling her along until he was lying down with her on top. His hands cupped her bottom and she jumped a little, then laughed self-consciously. One of her knees lodged between his and she felt his rising passion pressing hard against her thigh.
Olivia pushed up a little. “May I touch it?”
Nathaniel chuckled. “I am your humble servant, Miss Blakesley. You may do whatever you wish with me.”
She ran her hands down his torso, coming to stroke his erection. He inhaled sharply.
She jerked her hand back. “Did I hurt you?”
He shook his head, grabbing her hands and pressing them firmly against his hard member. She massaged and stroked him through his breeches until he cursed deeply. He unbuttoned the front and his member sprang free.
Olivia sat back to look at it. Far larger than she expected, it stood straight up pointing toward the sky.
She didn’t think it prudent to say so, but it was a bit odd-looking as well. She had imagined it a fair number of times and it had looked nothing like this.
He started to unbutton the front of her gown. “I have wanted to undo these buttons since I first met you.”
She looked down at his hands. “Really? My mother says I look like a spinster.”
“Hmm. Well, I’ve never wanted to undress a spinster before. It’s quite erotic.”
Olivia leaned closer to unbutton his vest. “I’ve never sat atop an exposed man before. I dare say that’s quite erotic.”
She leaned over until his member prodded her. “I think I’d like it more if we were both completely naked.”
“That can be arranged,” he said, and flipped her on to her back, settling himself between her legs.
He ran his hands up her thighs, under her dress, pushing it up to her waist. He stared down at her, fingering her curls. He grinned wickedly at her. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? I can see you glistening already.”
“Nathaniel!”
He chuckled, leaning over to kiss her. His erection probed her and she held her breath, aching for him. His tongue flicked against her lips, entering slowly to dance with hers. He tasted warm, moist.
“Wrap your legs around my waist.”
As she did, the head of his member slid into her. She gasped, gripping his hair.
He stilled, watching her. Then he slowly began to move in a rhythmic pumping that opened her further, his member sliding deeper into her.
Their breaths came in short huffs, Olivia wondering if this was pain or pleasure. He was unbearably large.
Nathaniel stopped for a moment, allowing her to relax, and she breathed deeply.
He murmured, “I’ve never introduced a virgin before. You are so very, very tight.”
She huffed. “I think, sir, the fault lies with you. You seem quite large. Enormous.”
Nathaniel raised to his elbows, his eyes twinkling wickedly. “That wasn’t a complaint, Olivia. I’m enjoying this far more than I should.”
“Oh.”
He kissed her deeply and began moving again until, finally, he slid resistance-free to her core, his member sheathed completely.
He held still, his breathing heavy. “Did I hurt you?”
She shook her head, unable to speak. She had never been so close to anyone in her life. He was a part of her; indeed, she wondered if he always would be. She would never forget this moment. Never forget how warm and excited she felt.
Olivia wiggled beneath him, feeling minute movements inside her, and he groaned.
“Dear God, this is going to be a very short lesson.”
“Are you hurt, Nathaniel?”
He slid out of her and she couldn’t hide her moue of disappointment. Was that it?
He slid in again, surprising her.
“Olivia. . . I can’t. . . I swear. . .”
He began pumping harder, Olivia gripping his arms. A warm tingle spread through her body. She gasped, trying to get air into her lungs. Nathaniel gave a final lunge, groaned, and quickly pulled completely out.
His head fell to her breast and he gulped air in. Olivia stared at the stars. She felt quite warm and oddly bereft now that he was no longer inside her, although she could see that the experience had meant far more to Nathaniel than to her. She could see now why he wouldn’t be paid.
“I’m sorry, Olivia.”
He rolled to lay beside her, his hand resting on her abdomen.
“That’s quite all right. I would have preferred to have seen you na
ked, but it was quite wonderful anyway.”
He stared at her. “That wasn’t quite what I meant.”
He fingered her curls, tickling her. His fingers slowly moved lower and a frisson moved through her. He touched her, slowly rubbing, the friction sending tingles through her.
“I’m getting warm again, Nathaniel.”
He kissed her hard, his tongue pumping into her mouth, mimicking his earlier actions. “Good.”
Olivia held her breath. “Oh! Nathaniel!”
“Come for me, Olivia.”
Her body suddenly went rigid, his fingers rubbing faster and harder, and every muscle in her body clenched as she exploded in a pulsing wave of heat. Her toes curled and she whimpered as her innermost muscles contracted quickly.
She lay back in a stupor, staring at the night sky.
Finally Nathaniel said, “I don’t think I’ll be able to teach you everything you wish to learn in one night, Olivia.”
She was too relaxed to turn her head but agreed with him. “Indeed, Nathaniel. The art of seduction will take some studying.”
“It seems we are almost always in agreement, my dear.”
“Almost.”
He rolled to his knees, positioning himself between her knees.
Olivia looked at him in surprise. “Again?”
“Unless you object?”
She stretched beneath him and slowly smiled. “I don’t object, but perhaps you can remove your boots?”
“Indeed.”
Olivia awoke to sunlight streaming through her window, the songs of birds serenading her, and the smell of hot sausages tantalizing her.
She stretched lazily, smiling to herself.
What a glorious morning.
Her mother knocked on the door, entreating her to get up. “What if your Mr. Jenkins comes this morning, Livvy? I don’t want to have to tell him you are still abed.”
Olivia doubted that would shock him at all.
“I’m up, Mama. I’ll be down presently.”
She bounded out of bed, nearly falling to the floor, and groaned as all the muscles in her lower extremities protested. Dear heaven, she was sore!
She winced as she took another step and silently berated herself. How was she supposed to comport herself in front of her parents when it felt like she had been thoroughly used! How was she supposed to walk down the confounded stairs without killing herself!
No one had ever mentioned this little side effect, thank you very much. She expected her nether regions to be a bit sore, which they were, but not nearly as sore as her backside. Perhaps that was from the hard deck.
Her next lesson would need to be on something a bit softer.
Olivia dressed slowly, stretching her abused muscles, and praying her parents would not know by looking at her that she was no longer a virgin spinster aunt.
She was a ruined spinster aunt, thank you very much.
The stairs gave her pause. She held firm to the rod, groaning with each step, thankful no one could see her.
Her mother and father were already sitting at the table and eating when she arrived. Her appetite ravenous, she filled her plate, and stiffly sat in her chair.
Her mother glanced at her. “Are you ill, Olivia? I hope you haven’t caught a cold. A man’s attention is very fragile and now would be a bad time to lose Mr. Jenkins’ interest.”
Olivia tucked into her eggs. “I am not ill. I fell asleep in my chair last night and am a bit stiff.”
Her father frowned over his spectacles. “Shall I send Haskins out with you, my dear? I know you do not like company, but this is not the country. Even if you are on the roof.”
“No, Papa. I shan’t be falling asleep again, trust me.”
Her mother sighed. “What Mr. Jenkins would say about your nocturnal tendencies, I know not.” She pointed her fork at her daughter and shook it. “You are not a normal girl, Olivia.”
Olivia bit back a laugh. “I rather think he knows that, Mama. I don’t try to hide it.”
“Well, don’t tell him that we let you outside at night alone. I shudder to think the scandal that would bring. Better if he finds out after the wedding.”
Seven
It had been almost a se’nnight since Nathaniel had come to her that night and Olivia was feeling quite a bit restless. Anxious. Impatient.
Oh, she saw him nearly every day. He came calling regularly, and danced with her repeatedly, and everyone in the family called him her Mr. Jenkins.
She refused to be seen anywhere else in public with him and had tried to limit one dance per night with him, but she could hardly refuse him a second one, especially as he asked when she was surrounded by her family.
She had explained that she was trying to be discreet to protect his reputation but he had merely laughed. She couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit excited and alarmed with his public attentions.
But if her Mr. Jenkins did not commit to a private rendezvous soon she was going to start screaming.
Olivia took a deep breath and smiled at Mary. She now realized why Nathaniel had been cautious in introducing her to the acte d’amour. No longer was she content with dances and kisses. She wanted more. Needed more. No wonder young women were kept oblivious to the marital act until safely married. It would not do at all to have young women chasing after men, knocking them to the ground and having their wicked way with them.
She saw Nathaniel enter the room and tried not to run to him like some lovesick ninny. She smiled pleasantly when he caught her eye and ignored her rapidly beating heart as he made his way to them.
“Mrs. Eliot, Miss Blakesley.”
“Mr. Jenkins.”
“Would you have the next dance free?”
Olivia scowled at him. “Really, Na– Mr. Jenkins. You just can’t come dance with me as soon as you walk in the door. Wander around a bit, mingle. You are giving the gossips too much to work with.”
Mary hid a laugh behind her fan. “Are you often scolded by the women you seek out, Mr. Jenkins? I’m surprised you take it so well.”
He smiled. “I don’t take it to heart, Mrs. Eliot. She insists on preserving my bachelor reputation despite my decided lack of enjoyment in it. If it weren’t for how sweetly she welcomes my company when she is not worrying what others think, I would leave her be.”
“My sister? Worrying about what others think? Sweet?”
Mary looked at Olivia and smiled so happily that Olivia shuddered. Her mother would take one look at Mary and assume Nathaniel had proposed right then and there.
Mary sighed. “Oh, Olivia.”
Olivia turned away from her. “Oh, all right. Let’s go dance.”
Nathaniel chuckled, taking her hand in his.
“Nathaniel, you are all but declaring your intentions with this tomfoolery. My family will be stricken when nothing comes of it.”
“Perhaps something will come of it.”
Her face darkened with anger. “You and I both know that isn’t true. We have an agreement. You are not holding up your end.”
“I thought part of it was wooing and winning.”
“You’ve wooed, you’ve won. Now stop it.”
“I wonder why I don’t feel as if I’ve won.”
Olivia muttered, “It is because you have not been fulfilling all your contractual obligations.”
A diabolical smile lit his face and Olivia nearly tripped over her own foot.
“Do you feel as if I have been ignoring a certain aspect of your education, Olivia?”
She chose to ignore him rather than risk looking a besotted fool and was taken completely by surprise when her mouth opened of its own volition and hissed, “A week!”
“It has seemed like an eternity to me.”
She felt slightly mollified. “Then why have you not come?”
“It was to give you time, Olivia. You were quite sore after.”
“True, but that went away quickly.”
“And then it was because I wanted to visit you.”
“It does sound silly when you say it, but I do not like my passions to get out of control.”
“Ah. Yes.” She smiled. “I do turn most of the men around me into ravenous beasts.”
“You make one out of me.”
She laughed. “I don’t believe you but it is a pretty excuse.”
“It is the truth but if you won’t believe it then let’s move on from excuses and on to plans.”
Her stomach flopped. “Plans? Have you resumed control of your beast then?”
He shook his head. “I am afraid he will be in control for quite some time. I no longer care.”
“Well then, when shall I expect your ravenous beast?” And why, oh why, was that thought so titillating? Nathaniel so in passion that he lost all control?
“Perhaps tonight I can rein him in enough to not scare you.”
“Please don’t on my account. I am slightly interested in meeting him.”
Nathaniel coughed, nearly missing the next step. “Dear God.”
And Miss Olivia Blakesley, for the first time in her life, giggled.
Mr. Nathaniel Jenkins had come to the conclusion this past torturous week that Olivia Blakesley was the woman he had been waiting to marry. He had never met a woman who intrigued him more. Who could surprise him with her thoughts and conclusions. Who tormented him with her diabolical choice of dress.
He was not made to marry any young girl who thought the color orange was sophisticated. He preferred somber colors. He preferred high necks, not floating cleavage. He preferred conversation and debate. He preferred Olivia.
He wanted to marry her. They were perfect for each other. He did not in the least fear that she would have nothing to do with her day, her life, than coddle him or want him to coddle her. She had interests. Even better, she had interests that would not cost him an obscene amount of money.
Of course, he would marry her even if she wanted him to build an observatory, but he considered that highly unlikely.
She was passionate. Far more passionate than he had expected from any gently bred lady of the ton.
She was far more curious than any lady of the ton. He would need to keep her satiated, intrigued. He wouldn’t want her trying to buy other men.