Claiming His Wife Page 12

  Cupping her face in his hand, he couldn't help but worry that his answer would - again - be found lacking. Her soft skin almost looked translucent, she was so pale after her morning sickness. Ever since he'd realized her condition, he'd also seen her becoming more delicate. Never frail, but she seemed more vulnerable, less robust. It made him feel even more protective of her than usual, and he'd done his best to ensure that she didn't over exert herself, even as she'd insisted on carrying on almost as normal.

  He'd been waiting for days for her to reveal her condition. Part of him had even started to wonder if she hadn't realized why she was so fatigued, but if she didn't know by now that she was carrying his child, then he would eat his hat. It was for the wife to announce when she was carrying, but who knew what went on in the feminine mind. He had no idea why Eleanor hadn't told him yet, but as long as she did nothing to endanger herself or the child then he was content to wait.

  Still, he didn't want to cause her any distress either. So he parried the question back to her.

  "Why wouldn't I want to take care of my wife?" he asked, rubbing his thumb across her cheek as she leaned into the caress. Her eyes sparked, with temper, and he could barely hold back his grin. Even sick and feeling weak, his Eleanor never completely lost her spirit.

  "But why would you want to take care of me?"

  Edwin had quite a reputation with the ladies. He knew what they liked, what they wanted, but when it came to moments like this with his wife, he found himself floundering. The look in her eyes told him quite clearly that there was a right answer and a wrong answer, and unless he wanted to see more than just a flash of her temper, he'd better figure out what was what and quickly.

  "Because... that's what I do. I'm your husband. I care about you... I want to take care of you..." The waiting expression on her face frustrated him further, as he knew that he still wasn't getting it quite right. "Bloody hell... Nell, what do you want from me? I love you, I want to take care of you... what is so wrong with that?"

  Sudden tension in her body had her nearly vibrating as she suddenly refocused on him with an intense look that took his breath away. "You love me?"

  Gods above, he would never understand women. "Yes, of course, what - Nell, why are you crying? Stop... dammit, what did I say?"

  Eyes awash in wetness, huge tears were welling up and beginning to trickle down her cheeks, too quickly for Edwin to halt them. He had no idea what he'd said wrong, inducing an unaccustomed panic. Usually when she was this upset with him, he at least knew why.

  "You really love me?" Her voice was watery, wavering, as she pressed her face against his chest again, frustratingly hiding her expression from him. But the wistful happiness in her voice was something he understood.

  "Yes, of course I do, Nell..." he said soothingly, wondering if her condition had affected her head as well. He rubbed her back in small circles, doing his best to placate the little woman.

  Suddenly she smacked his chest with her palm, making him yelp in surprise as she pulled away. Dammit, her mood had volleyed again and now she looked incensed. "What do you mean 'of course?' How was I to know that you love me when you've never said it before?"

  Edwin rubbed his chest, trying to think back. "Haven't I?"

  "No, you dolt! I would remember it if you had!"

  He gave her a stern look. "No insults, sweetheart. I wouldn't spank you right now, because you're not feeling well, but believe me, I will be keeping a tally over the next seven months and once you're recovered from birthing, you will be getting your due."

  To his surprise, his wife froze again, eyeing him warily. Her hand went automatically to her stomach, covering it, and Edwin felt his usual masculine surge of smugness at knowing that she was carrying his child.

  "You know?"

  "Know what?" This might be one of the most confusing conversations he'd ever had with his wife. He'd heard that women could become quite volatile during pregnancy - and considering that Eleanor could be volatile most of the time, perhaps he shouldn't be surprised that he was having a bit of trouble keeping up with her now.

  She nibbled her lower lip, looking worried all of the sudden. "That I'm with child."

  "Yes, of course, sweetheart," he said gently, wondering at the nervous tension that hovered around her. "I've known for a while... I can count you know."

  A blush suffused her cheeks, making her look less sickly, which was a relief. "Oh... and... you don't mind?"

  It felt like a megrim was growing in the front of his head and he resisted the urge to rub at it. After all, he didn't want to set his wife off. Taking a deep breath, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. She didn't resist, thankfully. Holding her nice and tight, enjoying the way she felt pressed up against him, he lowered his head to murmur in her ear. Obviously, her morning illness had affected her mind, and it was his duty to put his wife at ease.

  "Nell, I'm thrilled that you're carrying our child. I will love him or her, as much as I love you. I'm going to take care of you, when you're ill and when you're well. I will discipline you when you need it. And I will do this for the rest of our lives. Everything about you, including your penchant for occasionally being an unmanageable hoyden, makes me happy. Alright?"

  Nodding her head, Eleanor rubbed her face against him. His robe clung damply to his skin.

  Dammit, she was crying again.

  ******

  Soaking in her bath, Eleanor didn't think she'd ever been so happy. Edwin had taken care of her all morning, until he'd received some correspondence from London that he'd had to answer immediately, and he'd handed her over to Poppy for a bit.

  The poor man had seemed a bit at a loss this morning, especially when she'd cried. Which amused her, because he certainly didn't mind her tears when he was turning her bottom a hot, bright red. But when he wasn't doing that, they seemed to panic him a bit.

  She still wanted to kick him, just a little, because of his confusion and complete lack of understanding as to why hearing him say "I love you" was so important. When she'd tried to explain, he'd said, "If ever a day should go by when I don't say I love you, may never a moment pass without you knowing I do. Do you hear me sweetheart?" She'd nearly swooned.

  Although he'd then admitted to having read it somewhere in the past, but he'd insisted that the sentiment was his. A small smile slid across her face as she remembered the panicked expression on his face when he thought she might cry again. Silly man. But his words had warmed her and he'd seemed willing enough when she told him that she would like to hear it more often. Even if he didn't understand it.

  "You look quite a bit better."

  Playfully, she scowled as she opened her eyes, focusing on the darkly handsome man who was closing the door to their bedroom behind him. She couldn't summon up any true ire at the moment. Her mood was far too happy and relaxed.

  "Are you saying I looked unattractive earlier?"

  Edwin just grinned at her, his dark eyes dancing. "When? Before, during or after you were emptying your stomach into the basin?"

  "Wretch," she said, laughing as she flicked water in his direction. Her heartbeat seemed to pick up as his eyes traveled down to the water she was laying in, lingering on her rounded breasts and pert nipples. Eleanor was feeling much better than she had been this morning. Smiling wickedly, she reached for the washcloth hanging on the side of the tub. She had already used it to clean herself, of course, but that wasn't the point.

  Her husband's gaze sharpened as she dragged the cloth up her arm, and to her shoulder, watching as the droplets of water ran down her skin. The water was perfectly clear, nothing to obscure his gaze as she moved the cloth down and rubbed the nubby material over her breasts. Her nipples, which had already been hardening, tightened into tiny buds instantly with the stimulation.

  "Mmmm," she purred, rubbing them a little harder than was necessary, arching her back to thrust them up. Droplets slid down the exposed curves of her breasts as they rose up out of the water.

  "Tempt
ress," her husband rasped. She smiled, hearing the slithering of clothing that indicated he was already undressing.

  With a soft little sigh, ignoring his accusation, she ran the washcloth down her stomach and between her legs. The little pleasure bud there stood to attention as she rubbed the cloth in a slow, circular motion over it, making her moan with true pleasure. Warmth pressed against her shoulders and she opened her eyes to look into her husband's.

  Dropping the cloth, she tilted her head upwards for a kiss.

  "Oh no," he murmured, sliding his hand into the water and picking up the cloth to press it back against her sensitive folds. "Keep going."

  Eleanor scowled at him. "I only did it to get you over here."

  The rakish grin that Edwin gave her made her heart flutter. It looked like he had the very devil in his eyes. "I know... but I want to watch you."

  A blush crept up her cheeks. It was one thing to behave like a wanton in order to tease him, quite another to have him so close to her, watching her as she touched herself in a completely unladylike way. Yet, the intense hunger in his dark eyes made her want to please him.

  Almost hesitantly, she took the cloth back from him, the water swirling as she circled it over her pleasure nub. Edwin shifted, moving behind her, his mouth lowering to her neck to kiss and suck at the sensitive skin. His hands lowered into the warm water, cupping her breasts and squeezing them. It felt strange and erotic on her slick skin, especially as his fingers pinched her nipples and slid off of them.

  Sensations collided, enhancing her pleasure, and she found herself pressing the cloth harder as she rubbed up and down. Edwin's hands plucked and rubbed her nipples, unable to get a firm grip thanks to the water. Arching her back, she found herself moaning as he sucked at the tender skin connecting her neck to her shoulder. Knowing that he was watching the movements of her hand under the water, the way the blue cloth contrasted to her golden curls as they swirled in the currents.

  The needy itch was growing, blossoming, and she realized that she was going to climax from touching herself.

  Just as she reached the cusp, Edwin suddenly released her breast, grabbing her arm and pulling it away. She cried out at the interruption, her body straining for the orgasm that was just out of reach. Leaning over her, Edwin's mouth caught hers, stifling her distress with his kiss. It only made her burn more.

  When he pulled away, she glared at him.

  "Time to get out of the tub, sweetheart," he said, giving her a knowing look. She gritted her teeth.

  "Damn you," she cursed, as he helped her to stand on shaky legs. Then she cried out, shuddering as he pinched her nipple. The tender bud was even more sensitive than usual, and the flash of pain had her clinging to him.

  "Don't be naughty, Nell," he teased, although there was a firm note in his voice that indicated he meant what he said. Just because she was with child didn't mean she would be able to run amok, saying and doing whatever she wanted without facing any consequences. Eleanor was sure that Edwin would prove creative if he felt the need to punish her. She bit her tongue against cursing him again as he helped her step out of the tub.

  Her body felt exquisitely sensitive as he toweled her off, rubbing it briskly over her limbs and spending more time on her breasts and between her legs. Eleanor had her hands pressed on his shoulders to help her keep her balance. She rocked her hips as his fingers slid through her slit, trying to keep the contact.

  "Edwin, pleeeease," she said, moaning in distress when he pulled away, leaving her aching.

  "Patience, sweetheart," he murmured, dropping the towel down next to the tub. He unpinned her hair, letting it tumble down her back like a cascade of sunlight. Sweeping her up in his arms, he carried her to the bed as she wound her arms around his neck and peppered kisses across his shoulder. Her teeth scraped against his collarbone, making him shudder slightly, and he tightened his arms around her to ensure that he didn't accidentally let her drop even an inch.

  Handling her like she was made of fine china, he laid her down on the bed, crawling eagerly on top of her and sliding his hands up her arms until he reached her wrists, which he pinned down beside her head. The soft little whimpering noises she made in the back of her throat went straight to his cock, which was already rock hard from watching her touch herself. She rocked underneath him, rubbing herself against him, seeking to be impaled on his rod.

  Eleanor's passion never failed to inflame him, making him struggle for self-control as his wife tried to quicken their pace. All his experience as a rake helped, but only so much. He desired Eleanor like he had no other woman in his life. His to cherish, to protect, to love. It still made him chuckle to think how insistent she'd been on hearing the words. Not that he'd ever meant to withhold them from her, he just hadn't realized he'd never said them.

  After all, their love match was the talk of the ton. Every society matron was constantly commenting on how he doted on her, the way his eyes always followed her. The men were well aware of his affliction, especially the dangerous rakes and seducers. They might eye Eleanor from afar, but they were well aware that her husband would be less than accommodating, and none of them had a desire to meet him at dawn merely for flirting with her. Or speaking with her. Or even looking at her. Edwin didn't care that he'd gained a reputation as a possessive and overly affectionate husband. Although he was amused that his wife was apparently the only person who hadn't heard the news.

  Wrapping his long fingers around both of her slender wrists, he used his free hand to pick up one of the ropes that he'd permanently attached to their headboard. It was a soft, silky length of material that he could wind about his wife's wrists without worrying that it would harm her delicate skin. And having the rope readily available meant that his valet had no more cause to complain about ruined cravats.

  "Edwin, no, pleaaaase," Eleanor begged as he wrapped her wrists tightly, securing them over her head, knowing that having her hands tied meant that he was going to take his time. Tease her. Play with her. Torment her, while she was bound and helpless and unable to even urge him along.

  This was what she got for trying to tease him when she was in her bath.

  "Perfect," he murmured, sliding his body back so that he could admire the pretty picture she made, with her golden hair spilling across the pillow, her arms stretched upwards, and her breasts thrust up with their pretty pink tips, like a sweet offering for his mouth and hands. He cupped her breasts, watching her face as he pinched her nipples tightly.

  Eleanor writhed, the stinging sensation of pain mingled with pleasure shooting through her and making her already sensitive body wind even tighter around the tension in her belly. Her husband was looming over her like a dark god, his eyes boring into her, watching every nuance of her expression as he pinched and rolled the tender buds, tugging on them and making her pant as she twisted and squirmed beneath him. Rubbing her thighs together did nothing to ease the growing need between them, and she groaned, arching her back and begging him for more.

  Scooting back, Edwin straddled her thighs, one hand still on her breast, the other gliding down her stomach towards her mound.

  "Edwin, please, touch me," she begged, trying to lift her hips, but unable to with his weight on her lower body.

  "I am touching you, sweetheart."

  She moaned. "More... please... touch my... my pussy."

  Those were the magic words. Edwin loved to hear her breathlessly begging him, using terms that would never pass her lips in any other situation. On the other hand, she knew that too, and she was becoming more comfortable using them. Hoping that it would push him into doing what she wanted.

  So he slid one finger down her slit, feeling the scalding heat of her folds, gliding through the slick cream.

  "Like this?" he asked, swirling his finger in a small circle.

  Eleanor groaned, squirming beneath him even more as she tried to trap his hand, to rock against him. "No, Edwin, please, more."

  "So bossy," he said, shaking his head. "But yo
u're not in charge, are you, Eleanor?"

  "No," she said, her blue eyes pleading with him to give her what she wanted. Needed. She was willing to say anything to get it.

  Leaning down, he kissed her belly, amazed that it held the spark of life beneath its slightly rounded surface. His finger probed and she gasped, shuddering as he pumped his finger slowly in and out of her grasping channel. When he withdrew again, her voice broke on a sob.

  Quick as a wink, Edwin had her flipped over, settling her on her knees with her upper body stretched out before her. She looked over her shoulder at him, her expression a mixture of sexual frustration, need and outrage.

  "You said you weren't going to spank me while I'm pregnant!"

  "I said I wouldn't punish you," Edwin said, holding one hand on her lower back to keep her in place, his other hand raising and coming down on her rump with a sharp smack. His wife let out a low moan, her hips pressing up against his hand on her lower back, as if trying to lift her bottom to ask for more. "I don't want you distressed... but this isn't distressing you, is it Nell?"

  His voice was a low, seductive croon, and as he spanked the other side of Eleanor's bottom, she moaned again. It was true, she wasn't the slightest bit distressed. If anything, she was more turned on than ever. Edwin's darker fantasies were beyond anything she could fabricate for herself, but whenever they indulged in them, it aroused her to wild heights. She trusted him not to harm her, and truthfully she couldn't see the harm in being spanked like this, as he wasn't anywhere near her belly, but she'd had to protest anyway. Even though she liked it, sometimes, when he spanked her, she always felt as though she should voice the proper, feminine outrage.

  She really shouldn't enjoy it when he ignored her protests completely.

  The flurry of stinging slaps to her backside had her burning up, inside and out. She moaned as Edwin's hand punished, then caressed, and then stroked her soaked slit, before rising up and peppering her bottom with sharp smacks again. Tugging at the restraints, she begged him for more every time he thrust his fingers inside of her, the pleasure rising up until she felt like she might orgasm from the feel of his hand coming down on her burning, aching flesh.