Page 21 of Her Duke’s Second Chance (Regency Second Chances #1)

CHAPTER 21

“ S o… were you thanking the duke for his gift of puits d’amour or were you tussling?” her little sister finally asked as they reached the top of the stairs.

Daisy kept staring at her as they climbed the stairs, but Georgiana could not bring herself to meet her sister’s eyes.

If she had come in mere minutes earlier, she would have found Georgiana almost naked, and looking extremely debauched. She knew her disheveled appearance had not escaped Daisy’s eye. She could only console herself with the thought that it could have been worse.

“We were having a nightcap, and that is all you need to know,” Georgiana said firmly.

Daisy giggled. “And here I was, in such a hurry to get back because I thought you would be worried. Perhaps I should have stayed the night at Ariana’s.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Daisy,” Georgiana said irritably.

She was not ready to be teased about what had happened, or even talk or think about it. It was just so overwhelming. She did not need her sister filling her ears with needling comments.

“Are you all right, Georgie? You seem a trifle pale.”

“I am fine. But I would be grateful if you would be so kind as to change the subject.”

Daisy immediately looked contrite. “I am sorry, Georgie. I did not mean to embarrass you. But the duke is your husband; of course, you must cuddle with him now and then. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Why Thomas—” she stopped short and looked away.

Georgiana grabbed her hand and dragged Daisy into her chambers, closing and locking the door behind her.

She whirled to face her sister. “You told me nothing happened between you and Lord Newston. Was that a lie?”

“No! It was not. It is just that Thomas… liked to touch me, but it was never anything lewd. Or without clothes. He said it was because he loves me.” Her face fell. “But I have not seen him since we returned.”

Georgiana rubbed her sister’s shoulder consolingly. “He did not deserve you,” she said softly. “Just wait, you will see. Someone better will come along before you know it.”

Daisy bit her lip and blinked hard to dispel the sudden wetness in her eyes. “I know that. Everybody thinks that I am such a scatterbrain, but even I can deduce that he did not really love me.”

“Oh, Daisy…” Georgiana took her sister in her arms, holding her close and rubbing her back soothingly.

She had no words of comfort to offer, only her presence.

Daisy straightened up with a gulp, pulling away from Georgiana.

“I am sorry, I did not mean to upset you. I just meant to tease you for having given in to your husband’s wiles.” She flashed a smile, but it died quickly on her face.

“Yes well… when you get a husband, we will see how long you last before you give in to his charms.”

Daisy grasped Georgiana’s arms, jumping up and down with excitement. “Sister I cannot wait.”

“All right, all right, there is plenty of time to talk about that in the morning. For now, we need to go to sleep.” She walked Daisy to her door and unlocked it. “I shall see you in the morning.”

Daisy went reluctantly. “Fine. I shall see you in the morning. Have a good night.”

Georgiana waved at her sister before closing the door behind her. She leaned on it and expelled a breath.

Her body still felt weak and shaky, and she was still experiencing minor aftershocks from her explosive climax.

She was tempted to go in search of Robert and have him explain what was happening to her, but she was not sure she could look him in the eye.

What they had done together was beyond her imagination. It was beyond anything she and Selina had ever discussed.

She had known the basic machinations behind intimacy—she knew there was kissing and touching, she knew about the pain that a virgin should expect to experience. She had read poems about transcendence and completion.

Yet nothing had prepared her for the actuality of it all.

“I could do with a bath.”

She felt sticky and sweaty in addition to being weak and shaky. She did not think she could look her lady’s maid in the eye.

A soft knock upon her door roused her from her thoughts, and she turned around to open it.

A smiling Cecile stood on the other side.

“Good evening, Your Grace,” she said, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her. “Shall I prepare you for bed?”

Georgiana hesitated a moment before finally giving up. “I am going to need a bath, Cecile.”

Cecile’s eyes lit up. “Is that so? I shall fetch you some hot water.”

“Thank you,” Georgiana said with relief. She was grateful for the hot water, but even more thankful that Cecile did not ask any questions.

She needed some time to sit with her feelings and absorb what had happened.

After a long, hot bath, and after Cecile had brushed her hair to shining perfection, she slid into bed with a sigh of relief. Cecile bid her goodnight and left without another word.

Georgiana lay with her arms spread wide, her lips tingling from remembered kisses, and her body warm and pliant. She still shuddered from occasional zings of sensation and smiled as she recollected the events of the evening.

Is it like this for everyone, or just me?

She could not imagine anyone refraining from engaging in lovemaking if the ecstasy she had experienced was anywhere close to the norm.

She threw off her bedcovers and placed one foot on the floor, then hesitated.

She did not know if she had the courage to walk into Robert’s private chambers. She had not been there since the night of their aborted consummation. There had been no reason for her to return.

Thunder cracked outside and she took that as a warning. Laying back down, she covered her head with the blankets. She listened to her loud breathing, trying to calm herself.

She really did hate the thunder.

There was a knock at the door, and she pushed off the blanket. “Yes?”

“May I come in?” Robert’s deep baritone voice floated towards her.

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Yes.”

He opened the door and poked his head in. “I heard the thunder and thought that you might appreciate some company.”

Her heart melted. “You remembered.”

He stepped into the room with a smile and closed the door behind him. “Of course I do. It was a memorable time.”

She giggled. “Well, it is very kind of you to keep me company.”

Another clap of thunder made her jump, and she uttered a small scream.

He hurried over to the bed in his bare feet, sat on its edge, and gathered her into his arms. “You are safe. The thunder cannot hurt you.”

She sighed onto his chest. “My head knows that, but my body always recoils in fear.”

“I understand,” he said, “would you like me to stay with you until you fall asleep?”

“Yes please,” she said meekly.

He chuckled, “It will be my pleasure.”

They sat in silence for a while as he swayed her back and forth like a child, as though rocking her to sleep.

“Did Daisy ask any uncomfortable questions?” he asked out of the blue.

She chuckled at the memory. “Just some gentle teasing.”

“Good. And you? Do you have any uncomfortable questions?”

She sighed softly. “I just… I did not expect that. I am mostly still incredibly surprised. I am just trying to take it all in.”

“I see.”

She lifted her head to look up at him. “Is it always like that?”

He laughed, shaking his head. “It is different for different people. I know how it was for me , and it seemed to me that you enjoyed yourself. But I cannot know what you felt unless you tell me.”

“I do not have the words to tell you. But perhaps you can tell me how it was for you.”

“Mmm. Well for one, it was very intense. All consuming. The strength of my desire surprised me. It has been years since I let myself go to such an extent. It was a little frightening.”

She nodded vigorously in agreement. “Yes frightening and intense. My body is still shaking.”

“Ah, the aftershocks.”

“So, that is a normal thing?”

“Yes, for women it is quite normal to have more than one climax and experience aftershocks. Our biology is different in that way.”

“I feel as if I will never be the same again. Am I still a virgin?”

He chuckled into her hair. “Yes, my dear. You are still one. I thought it was best to go slow tonight. Besides, I am happy to have given you pleasure.”

“I cannot wait to tell Selina. She will be so envious.”

“Envious? Why?”

“Well…no, I cannot tell you. It is a secret.”

“A secret?”

“Yes. Hush. Stop asking me. Tell me something else.”

“Is it what you told me, about her being a virgin?”

Georgiana swayed slightly—she hated that she had told him her friend’s secret.

How could I have betrayed her like that?

She waved her hands about in denial. “We are not to speak of that. Change the subject.”

“Of course, what would you like to speak about?”

“Is it different when you… take away my virginity, or is it the same as what I experienced?”

“Hmm, they say that a woman experiences pain. I have no personal experience of this, and it is generally not spoken of, except by mothers to daughters. I expect the experience will differ for you, but hopefully, you will still feel pleasure.”

A clap of thunder had her clinging tighter to him and he murmured soothing nonsense into her hair.

“You are very protective,” she murmured.

“Am I?”

“I am certain that you know you are. I like it. I have never been protected before.”

He held her tighter. “Well, you can let yourself get used to being protected from now on.”

She buried her face in his chest to hide the slow trickle of tears that ran down her face. “Thank you.”

He smoothed down her hair. “Go to sleep.”

She expelled a breath. “I will try. My head is still spinning, and the thunder is not helping, but I will do my best.”

“Would you like me to sing to you?”

She pulled back to look him in the face, gaping in surprise. “You can sing?”

He shrugged. “A little. Would you like me to sing to you? You will probably fall asleep just to escape the sound.”

She giggled. “All right. Sing to me.”

He began to hum under his breath. Georgiana settled into her pillows and placed her head in his lap. As he gently stroked her hair he began to put words to his hums, his voice so low she could barely hear him.

Her brow furrowed as she listened closely, trying to decipher the song he was singing.

“ There once was a lady, with lips like a rose, she tempted a man, from his head to his toes…”

She bolted upright, her cheeks blazing. “Robert! That is utterly improper!”

He grinned at her wickedly. “Improper? I have hardly started.” He leaned closer, his voice a low murmur. “The next verse is about what happens when she whispers in his ear…”

“Stop this instant!” she exclaimed, swatting at him with her hands as he laughed.

“Oh, come now,” he teased, catching her wrist and pulling her hand to his lips. “You cannot fault me for singing inspiring lyrics when you are lying in my lap.”

Oh, you are a naughty one.