breeches.
“Ohh,” she said, and began to worry her lower lip with her small white teeth. “I had not yet considered that part of our marriage.”
After the guests had departed, he led her out onto the terrace that overlooked the garden. He sat her down upon a marble bench, and took her hand in his. “You told me you wanted children, Allegra.” His eyes scanned her face for the truth.
“Oh, I do,” she answered him quickly.
“Then we must consummate our marriage, my dear. It is the only way we shall obtain children,” the duke explained, hoping such frankness would not shock or frighten her.
“I am not a fool, Quinton!” Allegra said sharply. “I know how children are conceived. I would be a complete puddinghead if I didn't. Every girl knows, even if she feigns ignorance.”
“But you said …,” he began.
“I said I had not yet considered that part of our marriage, and I haven't, but I know it must exist between us eventually,” Allegra replied. “Do not rush me, sir. I have never even been kissed.”
“That is something I can put aright now,” he told her. Then he touched her lips with his fingertips even as Allegra's eyes grew wide. Her lips had a texture like rose petals. The duke tilted Allegra's face up to his and kissed her gently, his mouth pressing lightly against hers. Shyly she kissed him back, and the sweetness emanating from her lips overwhelmed him, shocked him, sent his senses reeling.
“That was very nice,” Allegra told him. “Are you a good kisser, my lord? You see I shall never know another man's lips, so I am naturally curious as to what your lovers have thought.”
He was torn by twin urges. The first was laughter. The second was shock at her candidness. “None of theladies I have kissed, Allegra, has ever voiced displeasure,” he replied.
She sighed. “They probably wouldn't unless you were absolutely awful at it. Women tend to be like that I have observed. We prefer peace.”
He felt irritated. “I am quite certain,” he said, “that I am an excellent kisser, Allegra. I cannot imagine why you should even ask such a question.”
“Oh, dear, I have ruffled your feathers, haven't I, my lord? I am sorry.” But the smile upon her pretty lips contradicted her apology.
“Shall I obtain a list of satisfied ladies for you to query?” he demanded, refusing to let the matter rest. It was her first kiss, or so she claimed. She should have been thrilled down to her toes instead of demanding references attesting to his skills as a lover.
Allegra heard the annoyance in his voice, and now it was she who found herself irritated. “I am curious, Quinton,” she told him. “I have been taught that curiosity isn't a mortal sin, but rather to be cultivated. As I told you, I have never before been kissed by a gentleman. I am sorry if my interest offended you. If you mean to wed me then you will have to get used to it, I fear.”
“I shall also have to get used to your bluntness,” he replied, his tone still distinctly annoyed.
Allegra burst out laughing. “Gracious, sir, we are having our first quarrel, and we are not even wed. I will wager that Sirena and Ocky have not quarreled yet.”
“They are in love. Cow-eyed, and moonstruck,” he answered her, a faint hint of scorn in his voice.
“And we are not in love,” Allegra said. She wasn't certain now how she felt about that fact. Then she shook herself inwardly. Love led only to betrayal and unhappiness. Better a couple suit.
“You do not hold a grudge, do you?” the duke said to her, his humor beginning to return.
“Not often,” she responded with a small smile.
“Ahh, here you are, my dears.” Her aunt came out into the wide terraced balcony. “Your papa was looking for you, Allegra, but I see that you are fine. I shall tell him.” She smiled and hurried off again.
“Would you like to see the sunrise?” the duke asked.
“In London? Such a thing isn't possible,” Allegra replied.
“We can take my
“Ohh,” she said, and began to worry her lower lip with her small white teeth. “I had not yet considered that part of our marriage.”
After the guests had departed, he led her out onto the terrace that overlooked the garden. He sat her down upon a marble bench, and took her hand in his. “You told me you wanted children, Allegra.” His eyes scanned her face for the truth.
“Oh, I do,” she answered him quickly.
“Then we must consummate our marriage, my dear. It is the only way we shall obtain children,” the duke explained, hoping such frankness would not shock or frighten her.
“I am not a fool, Quinton!” Allegra said sharply. “I know how children are conceived. I would be a complete puddinghead if I didn't. Every girl knows, even if she feigns ignorance.”
“But you said …,” he began.
“I said I had not yet considered that part of our marriage, and I haven't, but I know it must exist between us eventually,” Allegra replied. “Do not rush me, sir. I have never even been kissed.”
“That is something I can put aright now,” he told her. Then he touched her lips with his fingertips even as Allegra's eyes grew wide. Her lips had a texture like rose petals. The duke tilted Allegra's face up to his and kissed her gently, his mouth pressing lightly against hers. Shyly she kissed him back, and the sweetness emanating from her lips overwhelmed him, shocked him, sent his senses reeling.
“That was very nice,” Allegra told him. “Are you a good kisser, my lord? You see I shall never know another man's lips, so I am naturally curious as to what your lovers have thought.”
He was torn by twin urges. The first was laughter. The second was shock at her candidness. “None of theladies I have kissed, Allegra, has ever voiced displeasure,” he replied.
She sighed. “They probably wouldn't unless you were absolutely awful at it. Women tend to be like that I have observed. We prefer peace.”
He felt irritated. “I am quite certain,” he said, “that I am an excellent kisser, Allegra. I cannot imagine why you should even ask such a question.”
“Oh, dear, I have ruffled your feathers, haven't I, my lord? I am sorry.” But the smile upon her pretty lips contradicted her apology.
“Shall I obtain a list of satisfied ladies for you to query?” he demanded, refusing to let the matter rest. It was her first kiss, or so she claimed. She should have been thrilled down to her toes instead of demanding references attesting to his skills as a lover.
Allegra heard the annoyance in his voice, and now it was she who found herself irritated. “I am curious, Quinton,” she told him. “I have been taught that curiosity isn't a mortal sin, but rather to be cultivated. As I told you, I have never before been kissed by a gentleman. I am sorry if my interest offended you. If you mean to wed me then you will have to get used to it, I fear.”
“I shall also have to get used to your bluntness,” he replied, his tone still distinctly annoyed.
Allegra burst out laughing. “Gracious, sir, we are having our first quarrel, and we are not even wed. I will wager that Sirena and Ocky have not quarreled yet.”
“They are in love. Cow-eyed, and moonstruck,” he answered her, a faint hint of scorn in his voice.
“And we are not in love,” Allegra said. She wasn't certain now how she felt about that fact. Then she shook herself inwardly. Love led only to betrayal and unhappiness. Better a couple suit.
“You do not hold a grudge, do you?” the duke said to her, his humor beginning to return.
“Not often,” she responded with a small smile.
“Ahh, here you are, my dears.” Her aunt came out into the wide terraced balcony. “Your papa was looking for you, Allegra, but I see that you are fine. I shall tell him.” She smiled and hurried off again.
“Would you like to see the sunrise?” the duke asked.
“In London? Such a thing isn't possible,” Allegra replied.
“We can take my
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