Whirlwind Wedding

about for 'your grace,' as she'd nearly done in the foyer when Carters had greeted her. The title was certainly going to take some getting used to.

Katie helped her undress and assisted her into the tub, which to Elizabeth's amazement was not only sunken into the floor, but easily large enough for two, possibly three people. Warm, lilac-scented water washed over her, and a blissful sigh escaped her. When she emerged fifteen minutes later, her skin tingled with pleasure.

'I've laid out your lovely peignoir, your grace,' Katie said.

'Oh, thank you. It's a gift from my aunt. I cannot wait to see it.'

' 'Tis unbelievably beautiful.'

Elizabeth decided that unbelievable was certainly an apt word. Oh, the garment was beautiful enough, a diaphanous creation in the palest shade of blue, but it clung to her every curve in a way that could only be described as indecent.

'Gracious! What on earth was Aunt Joanna thinking?' she exclaimed dismayed by the expanse of flesh the deeply plunging neckline left bare. The material barely covered her nipples. The back of the gown was no better, the scoop there was so low her entire back was bare to her hips. 'I cannot possibly wear this.'

'You look stunning, your grace,' Katie assured her.

'Perhaps the robe will help,' Elizabeth muttered. But it didn't help at all. The matching robe was nothing more than long sleeves with a back made of yards of material that hung to the floor. It was edged with cream-colored lace that only served to accentuate rather than hide her exposed flesh.

'I've never seen a robe like this,' Elizabeth gasped trying in vain to pull the two sides together in order to cover herself. It was hopeless. 'What on earth am I going to do? And more important, what will my husband say?'

'Somehow, I believe his grace will be pleased' Katie said.

His grace was indeed pleased when he opened the door to his suite in answer to a quiet knock. In fact, he felt as if his breath had been knocked from his body.

Before him stood a vision in ice blue silk. An auburn-haired vision whose creamy skin glowed beneath a tantalizing gown that left her just barely covered. His gaze strolled down from her flushed face, taking in the daring decolletage of her gown and the provocative way it clung to all her curves. His groin instantly tightened.

'You look exquisite,' he said softly, bringing her hand to his lips.

She cleared her throat. 'I feel rather… bare. I cannot fathom what my aunt was thinking when she gave me such an ensemble.'

Austin forced himself not to laugh and led her into his spacious bedchamber. He knew exactly what Lady Penbroke had been thinking and he sent her a mental note of thanks.

'Exquisite,' he assured her again.

'Then the duke is pleased?'

'The duke is very pleased.'

'Then I suppose I'm doing my job as duchess.'

'See there? I told you it was simple.' He indicated a small, beautifully set table near the fireplace. 'Are you hungry?'

'No.'

'Thirsty?'

'No.'

'Nervous?'

'N-' A rueful smile curved her lips. 'Yes. But I was trying so hard not to show it.'

'I'm afraid those expressive eyes of yours give you away-as well as the crimson blush staining your cheeks and the fact your fingers are twisted into knots.'

Her gaze dropped to her hands and she disentangled her fingers.

'Do you know what is going to happen between us, Elizabeth?' he asked running a single fingertip down her soft cheek.

Her gaze lifted back up to meet his. 'Oh, yes,' she said surprising him with her matter-of-fact tone. 'I'm well acquainted with the studies of animal husbandry and human anatomy.'

'I… see.' Stepping closer to her, he gently laid his hands on her shoulders. 'Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm nervous, too.'

Her eyes widened. 'Do you mean to say you've never done this either?'

He choked back his laughter. 'No, that is not what I meant.'

'My apprehension springs from a fear of experiencing the unknown. As that is not the case for you, then why are you nervous?'

Because I want this night to be perfect for you. In every way. I hadn't dreamed it would be so vital that you be pleased. Plus he was damned uncertain about seducing an innocent. He'd always avoided virgins like a bad rash, yet now he stood faced with the suddenly unnerving prospect of deflowering his wife.

'There's always a bit of awkwardness the first time two people make love,' he said. 'I do not want to hurt you.'

'And I do not want to disappoint you.'

His gaze roamed over her. Not much chance of that. She looked lovely and unbelievably soft. And so innocent. And appealing. And her gown was as provocative as hell. His gaze dropped to the daringly low neckline and he saw the pink tops of her nipples peeping over the edge. His sex swelled in immediate response, and it required a great deal of willpower for him not to groan out loud.

She shifted under his hands. 'You're frowning. Is something troubling you? I'd be happy to discuss your problems with you.'

'Would you indeed?'

'Of course. It's a wife's duty to relieve her husband of worries, is it not?'

God Almighty, he couldn't wait for her to relieve him of his worries. 'In that case, I shall tell you what I am thinking.' And I'll show you.

He gently drew her forward until only several inches separated them. She raised her chin and looked at him with questioning eyes.

'I was thinking,' he began, 'that I'd like your hair down.' Reaching up, he removed the pearl-encrusted clip that held her hair up on top of her head. Hundreds of long, soft curls spilled over his hands and rippled down her back, their ends brushing just past her hips. He filled his hands with the silky tresses and brought them to his face.

'Your hair is incredible,' he whispered breathing in the flowery fragrance of her auburn locks. 'I've wanted to touch it, run my hands through it, since the first time I saw you.'

She stared at him, motionless, her eyes wide.

'I was also thinking how soft your skin looks,' he continued his fingers trailing down her cheeks to her neck, then to the delicate hollow of her collarbone. A soft gasp escaped her when his fingers dipped lower and brushed the swells of her nearly exposed breasts.

Placing his hands on her shoulders, he gently pushed her robe down her limp arms until the material pooled at her feet. Words deserted him, and he could not stop staring at her, at her understated beauty and the onset of desire kindling in her eyes.

'What are you thinking now?' she asked in a breathless whisper when he continued to simply gaze at her in silence.

'I'd prefer to show you.' He framed her face between his palms and saw her pulse beating wildly at the base of her throat-beating almost as fast as his own. He lowered his head and kissed her, his lips moving gently at first, then with increasing demand over hers. When his tongue sought entrance to her mouth, she welcomed it with her own. A moan escaped him, and he pulled her closer, his hands roaming up and down her smooth back that the daring gown left bare.

Slipping his hands down to her buttocks, he cupped her rounded bottom in his palms and lifted her, pressing her tight against his arousal. She gasped but her gasp turned to a throaty groan when he gently rubbed himself against her.

'God you feel so good' he whispered in her ear. She shivered in his arms… a delicate, pleasure-induced shudder that ran all the way down her body to her toes. 'So damn good…'