Page 32 of Kilgannon #1

The afternoon was a blur of faces. Even those who came only to be able to gossip later behaved themselves admirably.

When at last it was time for us to leave, Alex took a moment with his family and then with mine, as I did the same.

Then we smiled into each other’s eyes and climbed into Randolph’s carriage.

We arrived at the Dower House without incident and were greeted by the Duchess’s efficient staff.

As we were being shown around we stole glances at each other.

We would soon be alone. At least in the house.

I had brought no maid, at Alex’s insistence, and he had no valet or personal servant, but Angus, Matthew, and wee Donald were in the barn.

I had protested that we’D be safe, but Alex had been firm.

“There’s nothing that ye dinna ken, Mary. I canna believe anyone would try to attack either of us here, but Angus will no’ leave me here when my attention is not on my safety. And I’ve other things to occupy me.” When he’D kissed me I had agreed without further argument.

The Duchess’s staff was very thorough, but I thought they would never leave.

A few moments later, however, at last alone in our bedroom, I felt shy and moved quietly, putting our things away while Alex watched me.

I turned from folding my gloves to find him in front of me.

He smiled. He had removed his shoes and stockings and the plaid he’D had over his shoulder.

Now he took his jacket off, throwing it behind him, and loosened the lace at his neck.

“Mary,” he said, wrapping one arm around my waist and drawing me to him. “I have been well behaved long enough.” He kissed me and drew back to look at me. “Are ye afraid, lass?”

“Yes. No. I mean …” I took a deep breath. “I’m terrified, Alex. But how can I tell you that?”

He laughed softly. “Ye just did. Come,” he said, taking my hand and leading me to the fireplace.

“I promise I’ll not do anything ye don’t want me to.

I’m willing to wait until yer ready, Mary.

We have the rest of our lives.” I watched the light from the flames play across his cheek and I nodded.

He pulled me to him then, my cheek on his chest as he stroked my back, leaning his head against my hair.

He smelled like soap. “Dinna be afraid, lass. We’ll go as fast as ye wish and as slow.

This is a good thing we’re about to do. Listen to yer body.

Yer body kens what to do. Dinna think.” I listened to the beating of his heart, and my fear receded.

This was Alex. My husband. In the eyes of the world we were now one.

“And two shall become one,” I said softly, raising my mouth to his, delighting as I always did in the feel of his lips on mine.

“I love ye, Mary.” He kissed me gently, then more insistently, and reached up to pull the pins from my hair.

As it fell over my shoulders he groaned and pulled me tighter against him.

I could feel his body’s readiness and my own response.

Without a word he pulled his shirt loose from his pants and put my hand on his side under the material.

I ran my fingers across the smooth skin of his side, then his back.

Braver now, I brought my hands to his chest and tangled my fingers through the hair there.

Blond hair, I knew, and brought my hands to his shirt to undo the fastenings. His breathing grew faster.

“Mary,” he said huskily as I opened his shirt and pushed it from his shoulders.

He let the shirt fall to the floor behind him and looked at my face as I stroked my hands across his chest, watching the shadows play on his skin as I moved my fingers.

I leaned forward and kissed his neck, then his shoulders.

He closed his eyes under my touch but opened them when I stepped back to look at him.

“You’re magnificent, Alex,” I said. “Absolutely magnificent.” He shook his head and smiled, then leaned to kiss me as he pulled the lace loose from atop my bodice.

I wrapped my arms around him and felt his skin against the tops of my breasts.

Heaven , I thought. He opened each bodice fastening with slow, determined hands.

I didn’t stop him as he concentrated on the task, removing the top of the gown from my shoulders.

He stood back from me then and leaned his head to one side as he studied me standing before him.

My corset seemed restrictive, and I took a shuddery breath. He smiled and reached for the lacing.

“Alex,” I said in a quavering voice as he slowly pulled one lace from its bindings.

“Look at ye, Mary,” he said. “Look at how yer skin glows in firelight.” He traced a finger across the tops of my breasts.

“Yer so beautiful, Mary MacGannon. Wife.” He kissed me again, then drew back.

“I have waited so long for this. Let me look at ye, lass.” He pulled the second lace from my corset and it sprang open.

I closed my eyes when first his hands, then his lips, touched my breasts.

I don’t remember my shift leaving me, but it must have, for his hands were on my breasts, my back, my neck, and I was pulling him even closer.

The feel of his chest on mine made me gasp and open my eyes.

I ran my hands across his back and pulled his hair loose, letting it fall across his shoulders and my hands.

When he reached for the waist of my gown I showed him how to loosen it, then laughed when he looked askance at the number of petticoats I wore.

“This may take the whole five days,” he growled, and I laughed again, realizing that I was no longer afraid.

I stepped out of each petticoat as he pulled it to the floor, then watched without breathing when he slowly undid my garters and rolled the stockings down my legs, his hands lingering on my thighs before caressing my calves.

I blushed when he stepped back to look upon me, naked for the first time before any man.

“Lass,” he said, holding my arms wide. “Yer the most exquisite woman that has ever lived. I’ve never seen any woman more lovely.

No, Mary, dinna blush and get shy again.

Look,” he said, running a hand from the side of my breast down to my waist and hip, turning me in the light from the fire.

“Look how ye curve in and out. Ye are perfection, Mary Lowell.”

I shook my head. “Not Mary Lowell anymore, Alex. I’m Mary MacGannon now. The Countess of Kilgannon. Alex’s wife.”

“Aye,” he said. “Mary. My wife.”

I took a deep breath and summoned my courage. “Alex,” I said. “I would like to see you.”

“And ye shall.” He was out of his pants so quickly that I giggled. “This makes ye laugh?” he asked fiercely, standing before me naked. I shook my head. Indeed, all of me was shaking.

“No. You’re divine,” I said, drawing in my breath.

And he was. Tall and lean, his body was flawless.

His shoulders, arms, and chest were well muscled, his waist trim, and his legs long and lean.

I marveled at him. Had there ever been such a man?

My husband , I told myself. His skin, tan on the legs and arms, was smooth and clear.

I ran my hands along his sides and down to where his legs met his body, exploring the thighs I had so longed to touch.

He was very ready for me and I blushed again, not sure what to do.

He smiled. “Don’t think, Mary,” he said, and pulled me to him, cupping my breast in his hand as he bent to kiss it.

I stroked his shoulders and leaned back as his hands roamed over me, stroking my legs, my stomach, my back, and more.

It feels right , I thought, it feels right to have him touch me . I reached for him and he smiled.

And I didn’t protest when he led me to the side of the bed, letting him bend me back onto it.

He leaned over me and smiled. “Mary, ye have no idea how wonderful ye look, yer hair tossed across the sheets, so dark against the white, and yer skin like milk. Ye may be the most beautiful woman that has ever lived. And yer mine.” He lowered his body slowly next to mine.

“My wife,” he sighed, and kissed me. “My Mary.”

“And two shall become one,” “I said, and pulled him down to me.

“And two shall become one,” he said. We did not speak for a long time.

It was wonderful. He was tender and generous and patient, and after the first few moments I relaxed, giving myself to him fully.

His body was magnificently male, and I explored it with delight.

Now I knew what all those women meant when they discussed men and why Rowena looked at him as she did.

I would never look at him the same. Cradled in his arms as he slept, I decided I was the most fortunate woman in the world.

This is my husband , I thought, for the rest of my life.

Nothing will ever separate us again . I smiled to myself.

We would face the future together. Two had become one.

He had been right. My body, once I stopped guiding it, had known what do.

Alex taught me the rest. I ran my fingers across his back and felt him tighten his grip on me.

I turned on my side and leaned into his warmth and slept.

I woke in the early morning and slowly realized that I was not alone.

All memory flooded back as I opened my eyes and he was there, propped up on one elbow, his hair falling around his face, his expression tender.

“Good morning to ye, lass.” He kissed my forehead before he scooted himself down to eye level with me.

“The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was yer face, Mary.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

He laughed softly and stroked my cheek. “I’m not. I’ve waited months for this. I wanted to take ye to my bed the night we met, but I thought it would be impolite. How are ye this morning?”

“Alex, it was amazing.” I sighed with contentment.

He laughed again and pulled me to him. I could hear his heart beating and I sighed again. I grew sleepy, but after a few moments he whispered my name. “Mary, are ye awake?”

“Yes.” I stretched my arm out as I yawned. He reached out and took my hand and, in the fashion of lovers everywhere, compared our hands, his browner and much bigger. “We’re the same size.”

“Not quite, lass. Ye come to my waist.”

“I’m almost as tall as you are.” I propped myself up on one elbow and faced him. He laughed at me.

“Aye, that’s the first thing I noticed. The top of yer head.”

“That’s not true.”

“No, it is not,” he said, his hands busy again. “I noticed other things first.”

I smiled, stroking his chest and sliding my hand down to his stomach. “I think I was born to be in bed with you.”

“Ah, Mary, I’m glad yer not afraid of this. I was won dering if.…” He sucked in his breath as I moved my hand lower.

“If?”

“If ye’D like it,” he said huskily.

I laughed. “I like it.”