Bertrice Small - The Duchess

He smiled down at her although with her eyes still closed she didn't see him. The little minx was enjoying herself! She had easily discovered the delightful pleasure of shared lust. He thrust farther, and deeper into her. Of course a virgin was unlikely to reach passion's peak her first time, but she had not been repelled by their consummation. He was near his own nirvana when to his surprise her body stiffened, and he felt the quivers of complete fulfillment radiating throughout her body. Unable to control his own desires any further he exploded into her eager young body.

Allegra was suddenly soaring. She had never known such pleasure as was now racing through her. It was uncontrollable. It was wonderful. Golden stars burst like fireworks behind her eyes, and drifted into her conscious. Did this happen to everyone? She was going to have to ask Quinton, because if this happened to everybody, no wonder Papa and Aunt Mama were now so happy. "Oh! Oh! Ohhhhhh!" she gasped, and then she felt herself falling into a warm and gentle darkness.

As she slowly came to herself again Allegra felt the duke stroking her long hair. "There, my dear," he said softly, "the worst is over, and I do believe you have obtained a certain pleasure from me as I have obtained it from you." He dropped a kiss upon her head.

Opening her eyes she turned to look into his face. "Oh, yes, Quinton," she agreed. "I have had my pleasure of you indeed. Why do women not speak on such wonders?"

"Did your cousin not say anything of the delights of passion to you?" he asked her quietly.

"She said that making love was wonderful, but when I pressed her further she then told me I should have to find out for myself, and I surely have, Quinton." She snuggled against him. "Is it done more than once each night?"

"It can be," he said, struggling against laughter again.

"Will we?" Her tone was distinctly hopeful.

"Not tonight," he replied, and kissed her pretty lips.

"Why not?" she demanded, her violet eyes growing stormy. "I liked it, Quinton. I liked fucking very much!"

"I could certainly see that, Allegra," he told her, "but it was your first experience with the sport, and you will be tender. I promise you that we will most definitely make love again tomorrow, and tomorrow, and the tomorrow after that. You are quite delectable, and I believe I have gained quite a bargain in you."

"Ohhh, you are a beast," she cried, and punched at his shoulder with her small fist. "Am I a purchase to you then?"

He laughed. "You are my beautiful and delicious young wife, Allegra," he said as he slid from his place in her bed. Picking up his nightshirt he drew it over his dark head. Then bending he kissed her once more, tweaking her right nipple playfully as he did. "Good night, my dear. I will see you in the morning."

"Quinton! Would you leave me then?" she cried.

"I sleep in my own bed, Allegra," he told her. Then he was gone through the connecting door that separated their bedchambers.

If he loved me, or I loved him, she thought, he would have remained with me. I'll bet Ocky doesn't leave Sirena's side at night. Still her solitude gave Allegra time to ponder on what had just happened between them. He had been so gentle and thoughtful of her. If I believed in love, she considered-but of course, I don't-I believe I could love this man. I think I am, however, gaining a small affection for him. I really should if we are going to have children together. His seed is in me now. Perhaps I am already with child. I am, one day, going to be the mother of the next Duke of Sedgwick. My son. My son, the duke. And then she fell asleep.

Next door the duke lay in his cold bed. It had been so difficult to leave her, but couples slept apart. It was expected. Of course having grown up with no memory of a mother in the household Allegra wouldn't know that. But he hadn't wanted to leave her. She had been so warm and passionate. After she had been so sensible and practical. What would she say if she knew he loved her? Would she be horrified? He dared not tell her until he could be certain that she would return his love, or at least not mock it. He slept at last.

Honor brought her mistress her breakfast in bed, noting the unused basin by the fire. She would, the maidservant decided, tell her ladyship about its use later. She also noted that Allegra was naked in her bed, her night garment thrown carelessly aside. And her mistress was sleepy yet, poor thing. All the excitement leading up to the wedding, and then last night to contend with, Honor thought. Still, her ladyship didn't look unhappy. "Good morning, Your Grace," she said.

"I'm going to remain in bed this morning," Allegra announced, slipping into her nightgown.

"Very good, your ladyship," Honor answered. Then she hurried to the new mahogany chest, and took out a delicate lace shawl which she draped about her young mistress's shoulders.

"Is the duke up yet?" Allegra asked as she bit into a piece of toasted bread. She was still tired, but she was also hungry.

"Up and out riding. Crofts said he was whistling when he went out the door," Honor giggled. "Crofts said he seemed a happy man."

"Oh," was the only reply the maidservant received.

In midmorning Crofts opened the door to Hunter's Lair to be faced with elegantly attired gentlemen. "Good day, sirs," he said, and bowed slightly from the waist.

"We have come to see the duke," the taller of the two gentlemen said. "Tell him Prinny and Brummell are here."

Crofts gaped openly. He looked at the two gentlemen again, and then he recognized the blond, blue-eyed gentleman with the rosy complexion from a drawing he had seen in the London paper. He bowed again. This time lower as he looked at the prince. Carefully he addressed the royal gentleman. "His lordship is out riding, but I shall send for him immediately. If you will come into the drawing room I shall see you are served wine."

"Much rather have a good breakfast," the prince said peevishly. "Damned inn we overnighted in was a pigsty. Was frightened to death to touch a morsel lest it kill me."

The taller Brummell smiled amused. "His Highness is quite hungry, having not eaten since luncheon yesterday," he explained calmly to Crofts.

"Perkins!" Crofts almost shouted to the footman. "Go to the kitchens, and tell cook a full breakfast for His Highness, Prince George, and his guest. Immediately!" Then he turned back to Prinny and his companion. "Let me show you to the dining room, gentlemen."

In the kitchens Perkins had created an uproar with his request from Mr. Crofts.

"Prince George?" the cook said. "Our prince? What in the name of all that is holy is the prince doing here?"

"The gentry don't tell me their business, cook, but I heard the other fellow say the prince ain't eaten since yesterday noon."

The cook blanched, but then she recovered, and began to issue orders. In an amazingly short time the servants were hurrying into the dining room with platters of lamb chops, beefsteak, fresh bread, cheese, butter, poached eggs in heavy cream and dill, a platter with slices of pink salmon and lemon wedges, and a small ham. The cook was pleased to learn the prince smiled broadly and had dug into her hastily arranged feast with gusto.

When Crofts was certain that the royal guest and his companion were well taken care of, he sent another footman for the duke. Then he hurried upstairs to inform his mistress of the unexpected arrival. He knocked on the duchess's apartment door, to be admitted by Honor.