Arthur lets out a soft breath, hitching my skirts higher as his hands climb, the fabric yielding now without the crinoline in the way. He kisses my inner thigh once, asecond time even higher. “It isourwedding night. And the times we’ve tried intercourse, you have not liked it. It’s all right if you don’t want that, my love. I’m more than happy to use my mouth.”
My breath stutters, and Arthur smiles, a glint entering his eye.
“That’s it, isn’t it?” He shifts the fabric higher, until I’m exposed. “Let me love you, Charlotte Kane. It’s the only thing in this world I desire.”
Helpless to argue against what I want most, I nod, tears pooling unshed in my eyes as Arthur holds my gaze. He drops a kiss to my skin, and I help hold up my skirts, allowing myself to experience the pleasure I’ve only ever known with him.
The day Arthur Kane came into my world was the most fortuitous of my life.
I think, quite possibly, that good fortune is here to stay.
Chapter 11
Arthur
Charlotte is asleep when I wake, her dark hair spread atop her pillow. Her face is soft in slumber, and my chest eases at the sight.
She’s here at last.
The sun is streaming through the window, but for once, I don’t rush to start my day. I have the next two weeks off from the university, my time reserved for far more important matters than geometry.
Charlotte stirs when I run my fingers along her bare shoulder. I’m about to apologize for waking her when her eyes flutter open and she offers me a soft smile.
“Good morning,” I say, keeping my voice quiet.
“It is, isn’t it?”
She rolls toward me, the move causing the sheet to drag lower on her body. I can’t quite help but follow its path, yet the moment my fingertips draw close to Charlotte’s breast, she tenses.
I quickly redirect my hand, running the backs of my fingers along her arm. “Would you like something to eat?”
“Please. Is your staff here to prepare a meal?”
My lips twitch into a smile. “They are. But even if they weren’t, I’m sure I could manage to cook an egg or two.”
Charlotte’s eyes widen in obvious surprise. “Truly?”
“Indeed,” I answer. “Would you like tea with your meal? Coffee?”
“Tea, please.”
After pecking a quick kiss to Charlotte’s nose, which has her wrinkling her face in feigned offense and me chuckling in response, I roll out of bed. She watches me dress, a sort of appraisal in her eyes I’ve always found curious considering how shy she is with her own body. But I do not mind it, neither her shyness nor her bold eye, so I let her have her fill as I ready myself to walk downstairs.
“I’ll return shortly,” I tell her, earning a smile.
The hall is quiet as I head to the bath to wash my face and hands and take care of necessities. It’s quiet still when I reemerge.
I find my staff in the kitchen downstairs, conversing over their own morning coffee and tea. They jump up nearly as one, but I quickly raise a hand.
“Please, no need to fuss,” I assure them all. “I only came down to procure breakfast for Charlotte and myself.”
Ella, my head cook, gives me a stern roll of her eyes. “As if we wouldn’t fuss,” she says, going to the counter, where an apple tart sits. She begins to cut slices from it. “We’re absolutely beside ourselves to have the girl here, and you’re hiding her from us.”
Ruby, the new kitchen maid, looks at Ella, aghast.
“It’s all right, Ruby,” I say, knowing what she must think of Ella’s seemingly insolent tone. “Ella is free to speak her mind here, as are you. And I am not hiding her.” I raise a challenging brow at Ella. “I only wish to give her time to acclimate.”
She waves a hand over her shoulder as my longtime butler, Willard, clears his throat. “I’ve brought her trunks into the parlor, sir. But I didn’t think it wise to attempt unpacking them last evening.”
