From Governess to Countess by Marguerite Kaye

Author:Marguerite Kaye [Kaye, Marguerite]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Published: 2018-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

‘The State Bedchamber,’ Aleksei announced later that night, throwing open the door theatrically. ‘Created for my grandfather in the days when the Duke and Duchess gave formal audiences from the comfort of their bed.’

She understood now why he had kept her waiting in the corridor, for he had been busy lighting the candles, allowing her to see the stage he had set in all its glory. And it was a glorious sight. ‘You omitted to show me this room when you gave me the grand tour,’ Allison said, gazing around her, eyes wide.

‘I didn’t show you any of the bedchambers, actually. Frankly, I didn’t trust myself!’

The chamber was almost entirely decorated in blue and gold. Blue-silk wall hangings were framed by blue-painted pilasters topped with gold acanthus leaves. Blue upholstery adorned the gilded chairs and chaise longue grouped at the foot of the bed. A golden guard rail forming a semi-circle around the bed itself. A duck-egg-blue-and-gold canopy stretched over the head of the bed, surmounted by the Derevenko insignia painted in gold. The white marble fireplace was inset with shards of peacock blue.

And above, the ceiling depicted a celestial-blue sky. ‘Psyche’s wedding,’ Aleksei informed her. ‘The whole chamber is a copy of the Imperial bedchamber of the Gatchina Palace, which was built by Catherine the Great for her favourite lover, Count Orlov—and yes, he is a distant relation of our missing governess, I believe.’

Aleksei released a hidden catch to open a gate in the railing. He sat on the bed, holding his hand out to indicate she join him on the embroidered silk coverlet. Light from the candles reflected from two huge mirrors which flanked the bed.

‘If you think it’s too bright I can snuff out some of the candles,’ Aleksei said, kissing the nape of her neck, his fingers tugging her hair free of pins, ‘But frankly I would prefer to see you in all your glory.’ More kisses, down the column of her throat.

Until Aleksei, Allison’s previous experience of lovemaking had been under the covers and in the dark. Now she relished the contrast, relished the edge of daring, which racked up her already high level of anticipation. ‘Let the candles burn,’ she said, ‘I want to look at you too.’

She did so brazenly, running her hands over the endearing kink in his hair, down his back, while her eyes travelled down past the open neck of his shirt, the falls of his breeches.

She smoothed her hand over his shaved chin and he exhaled sharply. His hair was so closely cut to his head at the back, it was prickly, and yet silky smooth where it was longer. ‘Your eyes match the colour of this room,’ she said.

He laughed. ‘As does your gown. It is almost exactly the same colour as this bed. I think we should remove it, lest you disappear entirely.’

Her cornflower-blue day dress laced at the back. Aleksei turned her around and began to deal efficiently with the fastenings, distracting her with kisses while he worked, focusing his efforts on rousing sensations in every part of her body.

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