Page 32 of Doxy for the Ton (Misfits of the Ton #7)

Sawbridge Church, one month later

“I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Mimi’s heart fluttered as the vicar spoke the words that bound her forever to the man beside her.

She turned to face the groom, and, slowly, as if he wished to savor the anticipation, he lifted her veil. A spark of desire glimmered in his eyes, and her body pulsed with pleasure at the memory of his ministrations last night when he’d slid into her bedchamber and lifted her night rail with the same delicate touch.

But last night, he had kissed her somewhere far more scandalous than her mouth, his skilled tongue making her cry his name into the night. Then he’d slipped out of her bedchamber, leaving her wanting, with a promise of a resumption of his attentions on their wedding night.

He brushed his lips against hers and gave a self-satisfied smile.

She suppressed a laugh.

Arrogant man! Thinking she’d melt into a puddle of desire at the merest touch.

But her body knew different, and she squeezed her thighs together to temper the flare of need.

“Tonight, my love,” he whispered.

“I might deny you, husband,” she said.

“Say that again.”

“I might deny you.”

“No,” he said, lowering his voice to a growl. “Say husband . I like hearing it on your lips.”

“Husband.”

“Mmm.” He kissed her again, this time shamelessly thrusting his tongue into her mouth. She grasped his arms and pulled him close, curling her tongue around his.

The vicar cleared his throat.

Alexander broke the kiss, then mumbled an apology.

The vicar’s mouth twitched into a smile, then he winked—he actually winked !

Mimi’s husband took her arm, and they turned to face the congregation, who rose to their feet as organ music filled the church. Then he led her along the aisle and outside to the waiting carriage, amid the cheers of the well-wishers who gathered behind them.

Mimi turned and tossed her bouquet into the air, and it landed near Lady Portia’s feet. Lady Portia picked it up, her cheeks coloring, and her brother, Foxton, rolled his eyes and thrust his hands into his pockets.

Then Alexander bundled Mimi into the carriage and it set off.

“Alexander!” she cried. “I wanted to say goodbye to everyone.”

“I was too eager for you to stand on ceremony.”

“Too eager, eh?” she said. “When you brought me to the brink of pleasure last night then left me wanting? I’m minded to wait until we reach the inn.”

“That’s over two hours away!”

“It would be a good lesson in restraint,” she said. “A lesson a man is in need of.”

“Do they teach restraint at your school?” he asked.

“The pupils have no such need,” she said. “Which reminds me—have I thanked you today for agreeing to establish another school here?”

“You’ve voiced your gratitude several times already,” he said. “Though I can think of another way to express it.”

He reached for her gown, and she slapped his hand away.

“Careful!” she cried. “I won’t have Lily’s beautiful gown destroyed by a savage.”

“I thought you relished being claimed by a savage,” he said with a grin.

“Not in this gown.”

“The gown is only beautiful because you are wearing it.”

“Very gallant,” she retorted. “But if you wish to enjoy your wedding present, you must unwrap it carefully and without a single tear.”

His hands shook as he took her shoulders. “I can wait no longer. I’ve denied myself the pleasure of your body for too long.”

“But husband,” she said with mock surprise as she unpinned her hair, “didn’t you know that the longer the wait, the greater the pleasure?”

He reached behind her gown, and his fingers fumbled against it as he struggled to undo the buttons.

“Allow me, my lord,” she said.

“Oh yes ,” he growled. “You may call me my lord when I’m buried inside you.”

Mimi reached behind, they worked the buttons free together, and, after several maneuvers, she lay before him, naked except for her stockings. She squeezed her thighs together to temper the rush of heat, and the scent of their joint desire filled the carriage.

“I find I prefer you like this,” he said, his nostrils flaring. “Perhaps I’ll insist that you remain in our bedchamber in nothing but your stockings for the duration of our honeymoon.”

As he unbuttoned his breeches, the carriage lurched sideways. He lost his balance and fell to the floor, and Mimi let out a giggle.

“Laughing at your husband, are you?” he said. “I must think of a fitting reprimand.”

He reached for the window blind and drew it down.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“You, my dear, are mine ,” he said, clambering on top of her. “Nobody is permitted to enjoy this lovely body of yours but me. Given that the merest glimpse of you is enough to send a man wild with desire, I have no wish to cause fits of apoplexy among any travelers we pass on the road.”

“The merest glimpse, you say?” she said, parting her thighs. “I thought—Oh!” She let out a cry as he entered her swiftly. “Alexander!” she cried.

“That’s it, my love,” he said. “Now lie back while I enjoy my wedding gift, for we have two hours with which to occupy ourselves.”

“ Your wedding gift?”

“Yes,” he said, placing a kiss on her lips. “Your pleasure, my love. I want nothing more than to give you pleasure.”

She closed her eyes and lay back, relishing her husband’s touches and trusting her soul—at last—in the hands of the man who loved her.