Miss Simpkins' School: Jane Read online

  “Yes, but we won’t rush. We have a week.” A lifetime if I have my way, and not as master and mistress. Well, not as most of the ton see a mistress. “But we could start by going to bed. Just to hold each other. Have you ever been naked with a man except your husband, love? Have you seen another naked man?”

  “I’ve only ever seen one naked man, apart from Nic and John all those years ago. And it was you on the same day. I’ve never been naked with one. When he...we... oh, you know, Nic turned the lamps off and told me to keep my chemise on in case I got cold. My education is almost nonexistent.”

  “Not for much longer.” Luke stood up and drew her to her feet. “Will you trust me, Jane? As your servant in every way?” He’d lusted after the widow Nicholby for no good reason as far as he could fathom, but holding her like this sent those feelings deeper. Why he had no idea, and he was well aware one false move could send her running.

  The air stood still, until slowly she nodded.

  Chapter Six

  Jane let Luke lead her from the sitting room into the bedchamber. The bed itself, an overlarge four poster, seemed to dominate the room and the intricate crisscross of silken ropes and ties were, to her mind, excessive. She liked simple plain lines. Not at all the fashion of the day, but then Jane had never been one to follow fashion. Luke caught her gaze.

  “I find it exciting to bind my companion’s hands and perhaps her body,” he said in the same tone he might use to admit he enjoyed a glass of port or a day’s riding to hounds. “Only if she’s willing, of course.” His look was speculative and Jane ignored the dampness between her thighs. The only times she’d ever experience that feeling was with the help of a specially crafted darning mushroom, that had never been near a sock or a hank of wool.

  “Of course,” she said in the same tone. “And are they?”

  “Well, you tell me.” Luke set one of the ropes swinging. “I’m not a mind reader, mores the pity.”

  “I intend to walk before I run, or swing,” Jane said and turned into his arms.

  Luke held her close, and she enjoyed the feeling of rightness. “Then a cuddle it is. Do you need—” He gestured to the door leading to the bathing chamber. “Everything is in there.”

  The heat of a blush prickled her skin. “Please? Oh, and my nightrail?”

  “Not needed. There’s a robe in there for you to wear until you come to bed. I’m going to use the bathing chamber across the hall, and meet you back here. I’m a modern man. I bathe and expect my guests to do so after a day’s hunting. We smell, the dogs smell, and I have no intention of my house smelling as well. Cleanliness is next to godliness, and I need all the help I can get.” He went out of the room whistling, and Jane chuckled as she made use of the facilities.

  She eyed the robe that was indeed waiting for her. It was almost transparent. A robe for a lover. Had he really put it there with her in mind? She took a deep breath, wrapped it tightly around her body, and hurried into the bedchamber. To her relief, she was there before Luke and scrambled into bed, still wearing the robe. It might not afford much protection, but the illusion helped her.

  Should she stretch out or sit up? Pull the covers up tight around her neck or strive for nonchalance and let them sit looser? Really it was so complicated.

  The door opened and her mouth went dry as Luke reentered. Water droplets still clung to his hair, and he ran his hands through it in an effort to dry it. He was dressed in a banyan and as far as she could tell nothing else. The thin material clung to his damp body, and defined every muscle and sinew. It tented over his cock, which even as she stared pushed even more at the material.

  Luke saw where she was looking and grinned. “My imagination on seeing you in my bed went into overdrive, and therefore so did my—er…” He gestured downward.

  Jane gulped. Really it was way too late to act the prude. She rushed into speech before he could finish his words. “Your ‘er’ is pleased to see me?” she asked.

  Luke gave a delighted shout of laughter. “Oh yes, even wrapped up like a mummy you entice and enchant.”

  “That’s doing it a bit too brown, Luke,” Jane said, although a thrill of excitement coursed through her at his words. “I’m an overweight, widowed virgin of thirty five, not a young deb.”

  “And I thank the lord for that.” Luke pulled the banyan over his head as he stood, seeming unconcerned by his magnificent nudity, before he turned back the covers on one side of the bed. “Except you are not overweight, but a perfect handful for a man to hold and caress. Move over unless you want me to stretch out on top of you? I think that’s missing a step, but I’m game if you are?” His light tone showed her he was kidding.

  Or she thought he was. Jane slid further away from him until she hit the edge of the bed.

  “Not that far, woman. I want to feel every inch of your beautiful curvy thank the lord non-deb body, not fresh air. I like something warm and womanly to hold on to. Come here.” Luke tugged on the edge of her robe, and pulled her toward him. She met his body with a thump, and his cock waved its greeting. Jane gave a silly, breathy giggle as he began to walk his fingers over the cloth, bunching it up and away from her body as he did so.

  His fingers stroked the side of her breast and she squirmed.

  “Ticklish?” There was a wicked twinkle in his eyes.

  “Yes, no... argh you...” Jane did her best to inch away, but Luke pinned her arms to her sides and before she understood what he was doing, slipped her gown down them, and somehow had her naked before she could blink.

  “How on earth did you do that?” she asked, genuinely interested.

  “Practice, and no. I’m not telling you who on. That part of my life is over. I’ve turned over a new leaf. I’m a reformed character.”

  “One who is about to deflower a virgin,” Jane reminded him with a smile.

  “Only one virgin, and then I’ll stick to an experienced woman,” Luke said.

  His words hit her as surely as if he’d used a stick. So she wasn’t what he wanted. Why did it matter so?

  Because I want him to want me, only me. The regret she’d had when he offered her carte blanche and she’d refused came back multiplied. Luke’s was the face she imagined, and the body she fantasized over when she pleasured herself. She tried to move away, but he rolled on top of her and pinned her between his legs. His staff rubbed her belly and she felt the wetness that leaked from it. No doubt her quim and channel were as damp.

  “Tell me now, Jane; do I stop or do I make you into that experienced woman now? My experienced woman.” His voice was strained. “I swear once I take you I won’t let you go. You’ll be mine however and whatever else happens. God, I’ve wanted you ever since I saw you at Nic’s when we were at Cambridge and oh fuck, say yes, please say yes.” He ground his cock into her belly and then lifted himself so it teased her cunt.

  “Yes.” She nipped the first bit of skin she could get to. His ear. It would have to do until she could nip, kiss, and touch the rest of him. He wants me; he wants me, not just anyone, but me. Jane lifted her legs and circled his waist. The movement inched his cock just inside her channel. His sweat-slicked torso rubbed her breasts, and the hairs on his chest tickled her. She tightened her legs, in the hope his cock would move even further into her, but he held back and lifted his head to stare at her. “Yes, and yes.”

  “Eh?” Luke looked as astounded as she’d felt at his words.

  “Yes, for fuck’s sake, fuck me. And now before I lose my courage. Lord, Luke do you think I’d’ve stopped here if it hadn’t been you? Do you know how much I wanted to agree to your oh so unflattering proposition all that time ago just to feel you in me? To be yours in any way possible. Now I can and I will, so shut up and get on with it. Please?”

  He laughed and the sound curled her toes and sent her clit into paroxysms.

  “I have a confession first. You may change your mind after.” His face was so somber. Jane shivered as slithers of fear attacked her skin, and made it clammy.<
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  “Surely nothing could be that bad? When I ache for you.”

  “I’m a bastard,” Luke said baldly.

  “So I’ve been told by you and others. But then you’re not to me, not now. So lets’ say that part of your life is over. You can now be an angel.”

  He smiled, a sweet sad movement of his lips. “Really, a bastard. It’s why I spoke as I did and left England. My parent had told me so, with the threat that he would tell you and your papa if I didn’t leave. I couldn’t shame you like that, or my poor mama, whose only sin was to be in love. Not with her husband. And I have no idea who my father is, and no desire to find out. He didn’t stand by Mama, and made it impossible for her to do aught except marry my father. Therefore, he is not worth thinking about.”

  “It doesn’t matter, Luke.” Jane went for out and out honesty. “I love you, not your ancestry. I always have.”

  Luke kissed each hard nipple and the sting and arousal went through her like a horse at full stretch to dance and attack each and every inch of her body. She gasped and he repeated his actions and then lifted himself and thrust deep into her.

  Oh God, it was magnificent but...”Why have you stopped; surely that’s not it?”

  The veins on his arms stood out as he held himself rigid. “I thought you might need time to adjust,” Luke panted the words.

  “No, I want you in me, all of you, and showing me how to respond.”

  He moved in another inch. What was he playing at?

  “Luke?”

  “I need a promise first.” He bit his lip. “Then and only then will I make you mine.”

  “Oh, well what is it?” She wished he’d spit it out so she could agree and they could get on with it. She might be a virgin, but Jane knew enough to know just how aroused she was. It wasn’t going to take much for her to splinter and fall apart, and she’d rather enjoy a bit more of him inside her first.

  “Marry me.”

  She blinked. Had he really asked her to marry him? “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why marry you?”

  He groaned. “Well, not so I can fuck you. Because you love me and I love you, and have ever since you showed me what I’d become when I offered for you carte blanche. My God did you show me what I’d stooped to. I wanted to ignore your words, but I couldn’t. Molly was a friend I confided in. Oh, not in any great detail, but enough for her to set this up when you asked for help. So?”

  Jane wriggled and he bent his head and nipped her neck.

  “Woman you’ll be the death of me. What do you say?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank the lord. I was afraid rigor mortis would set in everywhere except my cock which would deflate with your lack of interest. Are you sure? I know it’s too soon, and you might not be sure of your feelings, but one day?”

  “One day? Idiot. Do you really think I’d be here like this if I didn’t love you? Did you not hear me tell you? Men are such fools at times.”

  “It seems so, but not in the matters of lovemaking, just of love.” He began a steady thrust and withdraw. Each time Jane felt him inch further into her. “But I’ve discovered something today. This is lovemaking. Something new to me. I realize I’ve only ever had sex before and it is as alike to this as chalk is to cheese.”

  He moved one of his hands and twirled her left nipple between thumb and forefinger. She gasped. “Ah, more. I like.”

  He used his tongue to trace the contours of her ear, all the time making those little inches deeper inside her. “Good.” Luke gave the other nipple the same consideration as the first, though he ended the ministration with a sharp nip. Jane jumped and Luke surged deep into her.

  He thrust with more force than before. The slight pain that sped through her faded as heat filled her. His look of triumph and yes, satisfied male penetrated her concentration.

  “Ah, oh so, so...More.” She couldn’t find the words to say how his hardness filled and excited her.

  “Good?” He grunted the words without missing a thrust. “Just feel. Let yourself go.” He pinched the swollen nub above her cunt lips. “Fly for me.”

  She screamed and flew. As the sting of the nip filled her, Jane forgot everything but his rough hairs on her skin, his cock filling her channel, and his warm breath ruffling her hair. His scent surrounded her, and she knew that indefinable maleness that was him would forever remind her of that moment.

  With a yell to rival a town crier, Luke shouted out as he tumbled over the edge as she had done. His warm essence filled her and she trembled with the happy thought they may have created a child. If so, it would be the perfect end to the most exquisite night of her life.

  As Luke slumped on top of her, Jane lifted her arms to anchor him to her.

  “Too heavy?” His voice was slurred.

  “Not too heavy.” Hers wasn’t much better.

  He took a deep breath and rolled over with her still attached to him. “Don’t lie. I have several stones on you. Now where were we?”

  “Creating our child I think, and before you ask.” Jane put a finger over his lips to preempt his obvious question. “No, I don’t mind, and yes I’d like our child, though to be honest I’m greedy enough to want you to myself first. After all, I’m still a novice at all this and practice makes perfect. I think I’ll need a lot of practice.” She smiled up at him and ran her tongue around her lips. “I feel on top of the world, and when can we do it again?”

  Luke chuckled. “Lord, I’ve unleashed a monster.”

  “No, just a woman who let her true love go before, because he was an imbecile, and wants to make up for lost time.”

  “Oh well, in that case.” Luke stretched out and anchored her firmly on top of him. “Now’s your chance love. I’m all yours.”

  She liked the sound of that. Jane ran her hand up Luke’s tummy and copied the pinches he gave her on his own nipples. The sound of aroused agony that came from him was oh so satisfactory.

  She might be a novice, but Jane intended to be a quick learner. Not that she intended to tell Luke that.

  “And back to you my love, and back.”

  If you enjoyed reading Miss Simpkins’ School: Jane, you may enjoy these other Breathless Press titles:

  A Most Unusual Mistress, Raven McAllan

  A Matter of Faith, Raven McAllan

  Miss Simpkins’ School: Flora, Raven McAllan

  Miss Simpkins’ School: Lydia, Raven McAllan

  Miss Simpkin’s School: Miranda, Raven McAllan

  A Rose Between The Thornes, Raven McAllan

  A Duke’s Desire, Liz Cole

  Available at Breathless Press

  www.breathlesspress.com

  Biography

  A multi-published author of erotic romance, Raven lives in Scotland, along with her husband and their two cats—their children having flown the nest—surrounded by beautiful scenery, which inspires a lot of the settings in her books.

  She is used to sharing her life with the occasional deer, red squirrel, and lost tourist, to say nothing of the scourge of Scotland—the midge. As once she is writing she is oblivious to everything else, her lovely long-suffering husband is learning to love the dust bunnies, work the Aga, and be on stand-by with a glass of wine.