Page 21 of The Duke and the Hellion Bride (Duchesses of Convenience #7)

Chapter Twenty-One

“I should have known,” Magnus chuckled as the two began to waltz together across the dance floor.

“Known what?” Diana asked.

He grinned. “That dancing was yet another talent that you possessed. I might need to take lessons.”

Diana blushed furiously at the compliment, which might have seemed strange as it was nothing over the top, certainly not when compared to some of the other compliments he had paid her recently. But then she knew that the reason she was blushing was only half-to-do with his kind words, and mostly to do with how she was starting to feel concerning her husband. A man whom she now knew herself to be in love with.

“I’m not so sure lessons will help,” she said sheepishly, forcing herself to meet his eyes, not caring one little bit how red her cheeks had grown.

“How do you mean?”

“When it comes to dancing, some of us simply have it, and others do not.” She raised an eyebrow at him as he guided her across the floor. “And you, husband, sadly, do not.”

He chuckled at the cheek. “Careful now, people are watching. You do not wish to anger me, do you?”

“I had no idea you were so sensitive where your dancing prowess was concerned. Or lack thereof.”

He laughed again. “Do you wish to lead? It is not as easy as it looks.”

“No, no,” she said. “I know how much you like to...” She widened her eyes suggestively. “ Lead.”

“That I do,” he grinned. “That I do.”

Diana held his eyes as he continued to lead her across the floor. She gave herself over, joking of course about his dancing skills, even impressed by how smoothly and effortlessly he guided her. In that way, it felt as if they were one, not two separate bodies dancing, but a perfect pairing sharing this space with themselves only.

A dozen other couples moved around them, but Diana had eyes for her husband only.

These last few days, Diana had felt herself falling for her husband. The other night especially, seeing how vulnerable he could be, was enough to confirm that this right here was a man whom she could fall in love with. Could being the operative word.

Seeing him stand up to her mother just now, the way he strode in from nowhere and protected her from the woman’s wrath without question, was the final straw. It proved that he was more than words, that he cared deeply for her, that this marriage had transcended its original mandate and transgressed into a true union of man and wife.

I am in love with my husband. What a glorious thing to be.

“Thank you, by the way,” Diana said, still staring into Magnus’ eyes.

“For?” he frowned.

“Just now,” she said. “Standing up to my mother as you did. That was... it was perfect.”

His smile was warm and embracing. “No one is to ever speak to you like that, Diana. Is that understood? I don’t care if the King of England tries to put you down. If I am with you, you will always be safe.”

And she believed him. Oh, how she did.

As they danced, Diana looked beyond the circle to the crowd of onlookers. Among them, she caught her mother and Evelyn watching them. Evelyn still looked forlorn, and that was a problem that she would need to deal with later. Something was wrong there, and she would not stand by and simply let her cousin be manipulated for reasons she could for now only guess at.

She caught her mother’s eye next, and most surprisingly, she did not look upset. Rather, she appeared proud, delighted by what she was seeing. And why wouldn’t she be? Her daughter, married to a duke, seemingly in love. It was every mother’s dream.

It made Diana think back to their conversation from a few days' past. A topic which Diana hadn’t thought much of but now, under the new circumstances, felt not only topical but paramount in importance. She and the duke had come so far lately. They had done so much. But there was one thing they were yet to do...

Diana felt her cheeks turn even brighter red and her heart began to race. Her stomach too, fluttered so that she felt sick. She wanted to not think about it, knowing at the same time if there was ever a night, a moment, to breech it, this was it.

And so, she took a deep breath, steadied herself, and met her husband’s eyes once more.

“M -- Mangus,” she stammered and then swallowed. “I have been thinking.”

“Oh?”

“About us.”

She felt him stiffen and he missed his step. But it was a small thing and soon he recovered. “Regarding?”

“I know it has only been a short time, but I feel that I am making great progress with you nieces. And I want you to know how deeply I care for them – as if they were my own. And that will not change. No matter what happens.”

He frowned. “And what might happen?”

“But they are not my own, nor are they yours.” She felt herself begin to sweat, the nerves peaking. “And it has occurred to me that... that... we have done so much together, lately, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Still...” Her tongue began to swell inside her mouth. Why is this so hard! “There is one thing we have not done...”

His frown deepened and then his eyes turned wide. Again, he missed his step, this time slower to recover. Diana did not hurry him, not wishing to rush or pressure him. She wanted him to want this as much as she did.

“You are speaking of...” He began, trailing off suggestively.

“I believe you know exactly what I speak of.”

He swallowed and glanced about as if worried someone might hear. “You wish for me to take you to bed.”

“To make me your wife,” she corrected. “And...” A smile, one that was soft and loving because that was what this conversation should be. “And to produce an heir. If this marriage is more than one of convenience, is that not the entire point? Unless...” She looked away. “Unless I have mistaken what this is.”

He did not answer right away and because she was not looking at him, terror enveloped her. Her mind raced as she imagined the coldness in his eyes, the dispassion. Him stopping their dance, stepping away, telling her that she is getting ahead of herself, and that this was not part of the deal!

The silence grew and she forced herself to look at him. His expression was unreadable, which only made things worse.

“Admittedly, I had not considered it,” he said evenly.

“Which part?”

“The... the heir,” he said. “Of course I wish to take you to bed. To make you mine – what sane man wouldn’t,” he joked, although it sounded forced. “But an heir...”

“Is that not something you might want, one day?”

He considered her closely. As he did, the music began to slow, as did their movements. Soon, the two stood perfectly still, holding one another as they had been, eyes locked, breaths held, the world around them unimportant because this moment right here would come to define everything.

“I...” He licked his lips. “I do. Yes, I... I would very much like that.”

Diana beamed and if it was not for all the people watching, she would have kissed him. “Tonight?” she asked instead. “Shall we...” She looked away and then looked back. “If the mood takes you?”

He chuckled deeply, one hand now rising and resting on the side of her face. “The mood does take me, Diana. Where you are concerned, it always does.”

* * *

They spoke of little on the ride home, for which Diana was grateful. Did Diana enjoy herself? Was her dress the hit that she had hoped? And Magnus’ insistence that she meet his best friend, Earl Northwood soon, because the two had similar personalities and Magnus was all but certain they would get along famously.

To Diana, it felt like conversation for the pure purpose of filling the silence, which told her that even Magnus was nervous about what they were heading home to do. Surely, not as nervous as she was?

If they were going to be purely sleeping together as man and wife, she would be nervous enough, for Diana was a virgin and despite how much she had experienced of late, sex was a whole new world to her, and she was infinitely aware of how little she knew of the matter. A novice, unlearned, likely to do something that would mortify her beyond comprehension. She just hoped that Magnus took the lead.

This was about more than sex. He had agreed that they should begin trying to produce an heir, an acknowledgment that this marriage was very much the real deal, and from tonight there would be no going back.

Not that Diana wished to go back, of course. It was just that... well... the permanence of it all was suddenly hitting as she had not expected. After tonight, nothing would be the same. All she could do was remind herself that this was what she wanted.

When they arrived home, Magnus was the first to climb from the carriage. Then, he silently took her hand and helped her down. From there, still in silence, they walked into the manor and up the stairs toward the bedroom. The hallway seemed longer than usual, every step taken creaking the floorboards loudly. Diana began to sweat, began to shake, forcing herself into composure because she did not want to appear afraid.

Inside the room, Magnus lead Diana forwards before turning back and closing the door. The sound of it shutting had her jumping in fright.

“Careful,” Magnus said, his first words in minutes. “I do not want you tripping and hurting yourself.”

She tried for a smile. “I... I am fine.”

He frowned at the response. “I did not think you were not.”

“I...” Diana shook her head at herself and focused on her husband. He looked the same as he always did, the man who she had fallen in love with. Tall and imposing. Dark and rugged. But also compassionate, caring, not someone she needed to be scared around. She thought back to earlier with her mother, how he had saved her, and she met his eyes and reminded herself why she was the one who initiated this in the first place.

“Is everything alright?” he asked.

“Magnus, I have a small confession...” She spoke softly, surely such that the beating of her heart could be heard.

“Oh?”

“I am...” She grimaced. “I would be lying if I said I was not nervous.”

“I didn’t think that was possible for you.”

“Of course it is,” she snapped.

He chuckled. “There is nothing to be nervous about.”

“Easy for you to say,” she sighed. “I am sure you have bedded dozens of women.” His brow creased and her eyes widened. “I did not mean – I simply meant, this is not the same for you as it is for me. And I know it is foolish for me to act this way, that there is nothing to fear but... but... well, I am. And I cannot help that. And now I am rambling, and I cannot stop and if you wish to leave, I fully understand. In fact, I expect you to. Nor will I hold it against you.”

As she rambled, Magnus crossed the room. And as she rambled, he reached her, taking her hand in both of his. The feel of his hands around her own was comfort and protection personified, and it did much to still her racing heart.

“Diana...” He held her eyes as he held her hands. “There is no need to panic.”

“I did not say I was --”

“Or worry.” His smile was soft; the light in the fireplace cast his face in shadow, but his eyes burned with compassion. “I am here for you. You must know that. And I will do everything I can to make this as comfortable for you as possible.”

“Re -- really?”

His smile grew. “And I think you will surprise yourself.”

“How so?”

“It is not as complicated as you think. And I often find that if my partner is confident and I am willing, then it is a perfectly natural thing. Like breathing.”

She snorted. “I doubt that very much --”

Magnus stepped into her and kissed her on the lips before she had a chance to finish her thought. The effect was immediate, calming her while at the same time lighting that fire of excitement that raged whenever she felt his touch. The kiss was gentle at first, designed to ease her into the situation, and before Diana knew it, she had forgotten her worries because this did indeed feel natural.

The kiss increased in passion then. His hands took the side of her face, holding it close as his tongue pried apart her mouth and began to explore her. She moaned as he bit her lips, and she moaned again as he pulled back and began to kiss up her neck.

On instinct, her hands moved to his jacket, and she helped him remove it. Then came his waistcoat and his shirt. She did not think. She did not consider if it was right or not. As his kissed her on the mouth and neck and face and everywhere he could, the desire that rose inside of her demanded her actions and she heeded their call.

Soon, he was leading her toward the bed. And soon he was helping her from her dress. It was complicated, and they were forced to break apart. He stood behind her, undoing the laces, kissing her neck and then her shoulders as the dress fell from her frame. And then he stayed behind her, his hands wrapping her breasts and squeezing them as he sucked her neck and pressed himself against her buttocks.

“We are going to be gentle this first time,” Magnus whispered into her ear; his breath was warm, and it made her hair stand up on end. “And if at any time you need me to stop, you need only to ask.”

“I trust you,” she said, knowing it to be true.

Magnus turned her back around. Before kissing her again, he looked down at her. His green eyes, in the darkness, drank her in hungrily. But it was more than that. It was done to let her know that he could see her there, that he recognized her for what she was, that this went beyond pure love making.

A single finger found its ways under her chin. He smiled as she leaned into him. They began to kiss again, more fiery than before, more passionate. This time too, she knew it would not stop.

Magnus stepped into her and lay her down on the bed. She scrambled back but his arm was under her, lifting her in the air and carrying her until she lay with her head on the pillows. Diana was naked, she had not even realized that she was, but he was on her, spreading her legs with his own, kissing her all the while, his hands moving down her thighs and stroking her skin softly.

She expected him to enter her then and there, but he did no such thing.

Rather, he kissed down her chest. Soft, wet kisses. Each sent a prickle across her chest and body. Further down he moved, toward her navel, onto her thighs where he licked and sucked gently. His fingers traced her lips, testing her wetness as her legs began to shake. Then the tips of his fingers found her womanhood, stroking softly over her bud like a flower he was trying to make bloom. She gasped and tried to sit up, but he pushed her back down.

“Trust me,” he said, looking up at her just the once before then diving between her thighs.

“Oh... Oh... Mag – yes!”

It was even better than the last time. She was expecting it, was why. The way he licked and sucked. The way he built momentum to the rhythm of her breathing. His fingers inside of her, pressing against her walls, all the while that tongue of his dancing between her lips as he brought her closer and closer to explosion.

Her body writhed and she never wanted it to end. Her body spasmed and she tried to keep it under control. Her body jolted and she cried out, legs snapping together around Magnus’ head. This was it... it was happening again...

“Magnus... I am... I’m about to... please, do not stop --”

And that was when Magnus stopped.

“What are you doing?!” She sat up, breathless, staring at him in shock, unable to believe that he would do this. “Why did you stop?”

“Stop?” He frowned playfully. “Diana, I am only just getting started.”

He climbed from the bed and shuffled from his pants. As he did, his manhood sprang free, gloriously erect. She eyed it with hunger, lips salivating, wanting it in her mouth as if her life depended on it. About to climb to her knees and do just that, Magnus was back on the bed, straddling her, his lips finding her mouth and kissing her.

He forced her back down as his knees spread her legs apart. Then his hands moved under her knees, bending her legs up just a little. He pulled back, kissing her neck and then breasts.

“Are you ready?” he asked her as he readied himself between her thighs.

“I...” Strangely, she was not as nervous as she thought. For all the worry she had felt, Magnus had been correct. There was something natural about this that she had not expected. Something right. No idea what she was doing, she felt that did not matter one little bit. The only thing she knew was how much she wanted it. “I am,” she said, meeting his eyes, her smile seductive and filled with want. “I am ready.”

Magnus returned the smile as he lifted her legs and slowly, carefully, pulled her toward him.

She gasped when she felt his manhood pressed against her lips. And she moaned, sucking through her teeth when she felt him enter her. It was a sensation she could not describe, somehow painful but also teeming with pleasure. Deeper and deeper she felt him enter her, stretching her walls, pushing through her, opening her as the two became one.

“Oh... Oh... Oh...” She fell back, eyes closed, allowing Magnus to have her fully.

“Is that... how does that feel?” he asked.

“Perfect.”

And then, they began.

It started off slowly. Long, careful, steady thrusts. Kissing her the whole while, keeping those lips and mind busy, Magnus moved his hips back and forth, pulling himself all the way out and then driving himself back in. He groaned with each thrust, and she moaned in turn.

Then it became faster. Harder. Not aggressive. But as she opened further to him, as she became more comfortable, she began to move her hips along with him, welcoming the haste and the force, wishing for him to push himself in deeper.

“More...” she begged him. “Harder...”

“Like this?” Magus growled, doing as she commanded.

“Yes!”

How long it lasted? She could not say. The noises she made? She was a little embarrassed to consider. But for what felt like hours, although it was likely only minutes, she and Magnus made passionate love for the first time as husband and wife. He kissed her on the lips. He sucked on her breasts. He pulled on her hair, licked her ear and neck, buried his head in her chest.

And she grabbed a hold of whatever she could. His hair. Head. Back. Nails across his skin as the pleasure mounted. Legs splayed in the air as she took him all. Soon, that welcome sensation began to build inside of her. Soon, she was all but ready to explode.

“Magnus...”

“Me too,” he said, head now buried in her chest. “I am nearly... almost...” His thrusts became shorter, faster, harder. He pulled her into him, holding her pelvis as close as he could, biting in her neck as he let forth a mighty roar. “Argh!” he cried out and she felt him fill her with his seed.

She arched her back and welcomed it. She wrapped her hands around his butt and kept him pressed into her until she felt him turn soft inside of her. And only once he was done, no longer shaking and spasming, did she let go.

“Oh my... oh my God...” She was out of breath. Body covered in sweat. Her chest actually hurt as if her heart might explode. “Magnus that was... that was... I can’t even say it.”

He said nothing.

At first, she thought he was simply out of breath, and she did not begrudge him that. But as he lay down beside her, not pulling her into him as she expected, the silence built, and Diana realized something was wrong. He was stiff beside her, cold, disinterested it felt like.

“Magnus...” She dared to look at him, wincing because he wore a look of coldness on his face as he stared at the ceiling.

“Is everything... is something the matter?”

“Everything is fine,” he said sharply. A beat as he considered and then, just to make matters even more confusing, he sat up and climbed from the bed.

“Where are you going?” she moved to follow him,

“To check on the girls,” he said without looking back. He grabbed for his pants on the way, shuffling into them as he walked. “Do not fear, I will be right back.”

She smiled, even if her heart cracked because somehow she just knew he was lying. “I will be right here.”

He reached the door and turned back. She brightened; certain he was about to put her fears to rest. He stood there a moment looking at her, admiring her was how she wanted to see it. Say something. Anything! But the look on his face was confused, unsure, as if he did not recognize the woman lying in his bed.

And then, he turned around and left the room, closing the door behind him. As was expected, even if it made no sense that Diana could figure out, he did not return that night. Which allowed Diana to cry herself to sleep without fear of being seen.