Midnight Star (Star Quartet 2)

Delaney made no move toward her. He leaned against the door, crossing his arms across his chest. “Do you know, my dear,” he said after a moment, “I told you that I would never harm you. Do you remember?”

She nodded, her eyes fastened on the swirls of color in the carpet at her feet.

“Did I also tell you that you are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever had?”

Her head whipped up. “I am your only bride!”

“Excellent. I hate to see you acting like a frightened puppy. Now, wife, let me help you with that gown.”

She felt his fingers deftly unfastening the long row of satin-covered buttons down her back, and forced herself to stand still. I am his wife, she repeated over and over to herself. I must behave like a happy bride. He must never suspect . . .

The gown slipped from her shoulders.

“Turn around, love, and hold onto me. I can think of no other way to get you out of this thing without destroying it.”

Soon, her many petticoats tossed carelessly over a chair back, she was standing in her lawn shift, so femininely embroidered with yellow rosebuds, and her lace-trimmed drawers and silk stockings.

“You look utterly adorable,” Delaney said, gently cupping her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Underthings and a veil. Yes, utterly adorable. Come sit down at the dressing table, Chauncey, and I’ll free your hair.”

While Delaney unfastened the long veil and gently pulled the many pins from her hair, he set himself to relaxing her and distracting her. “I heard some of the snide little remarks from Penelope. Were you so lucky?”

“Indeed, I would have had to be deaf not to! I think she would have liked to stick the cake knife into my ribs.”

“All’s well that ends well, I say,” he said, picking up her brush and slowly stroking through her thick hair. “I must thank you for rescuing me from that grubby little chit. Although I doubt now that I ever would have wed her. Even before you arrived, love, she was wearing on the nerves.”

Chauncey’s eyes flew to his face in the mirror. Not married her! Had she done all of this for naught? She shook her head, bemused. No, it was better this way. Despite all the husbandly demands she would have to endure, she would be living in his house, reading his business papers, and listening to his plans. And ruining him.

“You have beautiful hair, Chauncey. Perhaps I should initiate a Lady Godiva Day and place you in the starring role.”

He was so damned likable! “It is not long enough,” she said.

“Perhaps in a year or so, then. Now, my dear,” he continued, turning to the armoire, “I have a surprise for you. And not from Monsieur Daneau’s shop.”

She watched him warily as he pulled down a gaily red-ribboned box and handed it to her. “I hope you will enjoy it as much as I will.” He kissed her lightly on her pursed lips and immediately straightened.

Chauncey pulled away the ribbon and lifted the lid. Nestled in layers of tissue paper was a silk nightgown and peignior that resembled nothing she had ever seen, much less worn. It was nothing but sheer nonsense, light yellow trimmed with swansdown. “It’s beautiful,” she managed. “But there’s not much to it.”

“No,” he agreed, “not much. But likely more than too much for me.” He kissed her cheek and turned to walk to the bedroom door. “Do put it on, Chauncey. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Chauncey rose when the door closed behind her husband, the flimsy nightgown clutched in her fists. Mechanically she smoothed out the material, her eyes falling to her wedding ring. It was a magnificent piece of jewelry, a single large diamond surrounded by three rubies held in a delicate gold setting. She stood silently, staring toward the warm embers in the fireplace. Suddenly she whirled about. He would return soon. The last thing she wanted was to be standing in the middle of the room still in her underwear! Quickly she stripped off the remainder of her things and slipped the nightgown over her head. It floated loosely about her body, the silk almost caressingly tender. She stared at herself in the cheval mirror, feeling like some sort of fluffy dessert.

She heard the door open and turned quickly, unaware that the light from the fireplace illuminated every curve of her slender body.

Delaney sucked in his breath. “My God,” he said softly. “You are exquisite.”

“You are too, Del,” she said lightly, forcing herself to remain still as he strode toward her. He was wearing a heavy dark blue velvet dressing gown. She hadn’t realized before how broad his shoulders were. “Except for your feet,” she added, trying to jest.

“Now that we are both shoeless, I’ll see exactly how you fit against me.”

He stood a moment in front of her, then slowly drew her against him. She felt his hand on the back of her head, pressing her face against his shoulder. “A perfect fit,” he said softly against her temple. She felt him trembling and wondered at it. “I’m going to make you very hungry tonight, Chauncey, very hungry. Now, I want you to wrap your arms around my shoulders and stand on your tiptoes.”

She did as he said, suddenly aware of the strength of him. She felt his hands stroke down her back to her hips, and stiffened, a soft uncertain cry breaking from her mouth. “Hush, sweetheart. Relax. That’s better. Can you feel me, Chauncey?”

How utterly odd, she thought vaguely, her lower regions beginning to tingle at the pressure from the hardness of his body. “Feel what?” she asked.

“My desire for you, love.” He cupped his hands beneath her buttocks and lifted her.

“Oh!” She flung her arms about his neck to steady herself, burying her face against his neck.