Work Text:
She felt like a cricket contained within two clasped hands.
Suffocated with an anxious energy that could not be released. She was pacing her chambers, it was a surprise the wood did not already wear under her feet for she must have already traveled a great distance in such a confined space.
Her pale finger thrummed the beat of one of her favorite pieces against her bottom lip. Her subconscious trying to soothe the fire within her. Her other hand found itself flittering between resting on her hip and in a fist by her side.
Her mind had been running all morning. She woke up feeling incomplete. Her body desired something and she did not fully understand what it was asking of her. That was until her husband kissed her forehead.
“Good morning, wife.” He said sweetly into her ear. The low timber of his morning voice caused a rush of heat to her sex. A blush rose to her cheeks.
She felt desire.
She clamped her thighs together as a horrible embarrassment rushed over her. She was not a wanton woman, nor a loose woman despite the ruder claims about her after she embarrassed herself with Willoughby.
“Good morning, husband.” She gave him a pinched smile before clambering out of bed. She would simply get changed and move on with her day.
He knew that she did not return his affections. He was a kind man, who loved her very much. She enjoyed his friendship and his rather sweet way of handling her. Recently he has begun rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand while they are reading. When he was in a particularly jovial mood last month he claimed her lip rather passionately at the breakfast table before he left to his study. She felt a flutter in her chest then too.
Christopher had always been sweet when it came to consummating their marriage. He made sure to move at a slow pace and had said terribly kind things in her ear about her beauty.
It was endearing, more so, he is endearing. She had found herself relaxing around him the same way she did with Elinor or Margaret. Last week she found herself leaning into his shoulder as he read her a collection of sonnets.
She found herself desiring his company more and more. She would often ride across the property solely for the few moments that he would turn to her smiling. Well, and she was partial to the way he grabbed her waist when helping her into the horse’s saddle. That caused a canopy of butterflies to be released in her stomach as well.
Which brought her back to pacing her chambers like a woman who had lost all sense of herself. She let out a rough breath before stroking her curls with her hand in a bout of frustration.
She punished the ground harder as she walked hoping that would relieve the frustration building inside of her when the sudden idea that perhaps a stroll along the property was in order. Perhaps the fresh air would do her good.
She had stomped her way to the door hell-bent on her next actions when the cause of her anguish opened the door.
She found herself clambering back to not be hit with the opening door as a squeak left her lips.
“Oh Marianne,” he reached out grasping her bicep to stabilize her. “Are you alright? I apologize I didn't think-”
“It's quite alright Christopher.” his hand felt like it was pulsing heat into her arm. “I- I was just leaving to go for a turn around the property.”
He was in his riding clothes, which equated to a loose-fitting beige undershirt, his trousers, and his sturdiest boots. It made her heart flip in her chest. She couldn’t seem to tear her eyes away from the brown curly hairs that peaked out from his shirt. She had the strangest desire to run her fingers through the hair there. Would it be soft or coarse?
“Oh darling,” his words broke her out of her revelry, bringing her eyes to his. “Rockwell and I just took a ride to the marshes. I barely made it back in time before the rain began.”
“Oh,” well that plan has been thoroughly destroyed.
“And I do not fancy you catching sick again.” He said with a small tip of his lips, lifting her chin in small admonishment.
“No, of course, Colonel. I feel rather faint is all, I felt the fresh air may do me well.”
His smile dissipated, his eyes assessing her face with concern. The back of his hand moved to her forehead and she had to stop a sound of pleasure from leaving her lips. Lord on high, she desired his touch.
“Are you feeling unwell? I can call for a doctor.” His attentiveness made her a moth to the flame, but she thought it best to not cause his worry.
“No husband, I am merely…” in desperate need of your touch . “Anxious from being kept indoors too long.”
“You are positive?” His hand dropped but he was still looking over her face in detail.
She felt like art under his gaze, assessed and praised. She wished it would never stop.
“Yes, quite.”
He gave her a small nod of acknowledgment, though she didn’t feel his worry dissipate.
“I was about to have Lucy drawl a bath. Would you like for her to draw one for you as well?”
Her heart felt as if it were hammering in her chest. She had yet to see her husband without his clothes. Any joining they partook in, he remained in his chamise, as did she. Additionally, it was always in the dark of night. But the thought of him naked as Adam sent a shiver through her shoulders and a small sigh leaving her lips. Her eyes moved back to the taunting patch of hair on his chest.
“Marianne?”
She flicked her eyes to his and found herself lost in the blue orbs. She had such a desire to throw herself into his arms it scared her. She backed away from his touch at once hoping to clear her mind.
“Marianne, are you sure you feel well? Have I done something to offend?” She made her way to the four-poster bed leaning heavily on a pole. “Marianne?” She felt him walking behind her and to make him stop his movement she said what she knew would scare him.
“I desire my husband.” It was quick and in one breath. He stopped where he was walking toward her, roughly an arm's length away. “I have woken up this morning and I have not been able to think of anything but you. I am craven to your touch in a most improper way.”
“Marianne,” he began walking toward her.
“No, please” he stopped to her relief, “if you begin to touch me I fear I will make myself a brazen woman. I- I apologize Christopher.”
She was so weak. Weak to her flesh, weak in constitution. She sunk into herself in protection.
“Marianne, you do not need to apologize.” She looked up at him, still holding her defensive position. “Oh darling,” he began walking toward her and she flinched like a whipped horse. She saw a crack of hurt run through him but he stayed where he was. “Marianne, it is perfectly normal for a wife to desire her husband. It is greatly flattering, actually.” He ran a hand along the back of his neck. “I never- I never thought you would desire me in such a way or I would have explained earlier.”
“I- I do not understand.” She said as her heart clenched in her chest.
He ran a hand through his hair, much like he did when he was processing information.
“Darling it is normal to want my touch. I desire your touch every second of every day.”
She flushed at the compliment. “Yes, but you are a man. It is improper for women to crave such things.”
“Nothing is improper between a husband and wife.” He walked hesitantly toward her. “For your own comfort, I have never taken advantage of undressing you, nor making you see me in the light, but all is proper.” He stopped directly in front of her, not making any move to touch her. “If you would invite my touch, I can give you release.”
“Release?” It sounded young to her ears, but he simply smiled at her.
“Marianne, I can make you feel many wonderful things.” His finger played lightly at her collarbone. The sensation made her close her eyes, a sigh left her lips. His thumb skated a pattern up the side of her neck and she thought she may faint. “Tell me if anything does not feel good.” His voice was a mere whisper in her ear before he placed a kiss on her neck. A gasp broke from her lips. She did not even know a woman could be kissed there.
His thumb tilted her head up. Her body shuddered at the tender touch. She felt him step closer to her body as he placed light kisses on her neck before he introduced a sweep of his tongue in his kiss.
“Chris-“ she gasped clutching onto his arms for balance. She felt more than heard his chuckle.
“Turn around my love.” She swallowed to gather her courage before she turned. Grabbing hold of the pole of their bed for stability. Her knees felt weak.
He moved the hair from her neck, moving her curls to her right before continuing his light kisses on her neck and began to unlace her dress.
She felt her heart rate in her throat as the edges began to peel from her shoulders.
“Wait.” She held her dress to her chest. She felt his lips leave her neck and the heat of his fingers leave. “I-“ she turned around seeing his pupils displayed but worry written on his face.
She surged forward connecting their lips and he let out a sound of pleasure. She held his lips for another moment before pulling back.
His lips were wet and his eyes half-lidded.
“Can- May I-“ she lost her self-control crushing her lips to his again.
Another sound came from her husband that made her breath quicken. His hand reached into her hair and she felt his large hand massaging her scalp.
She felt as if she may faint at the sensation. Her knees felt fragile underneath her.
She slowly let go of her dress allowing it to pull at the floor. She felt Christopher’s hand land on the curve of her hip before moving upward to encase her clothed breast. The heat from his hand transferred through her thin shift. A gasp left his mouth.
It all felt sensitive. Overwhelming. Like her skin was going melt with all the new feelings.
“Chris- Christopher.” She placed a hand on his chest and he promptly pulled away, moving his hand to the curve of her hip.
“I-“ she cleared her throat looking away from the lust in his eyes. “I fear that I may need to go slower.”
His hands withdrew from her. “Yes of course. Perhaps we should introduce this tonight when you are more prepared.”
Her finger twitched against his chest as disappointment flooded her veins.
“Oh, yes. If that is what suits you…” she took back her hands stepping further against the pole and allowing her hands to cross in front of her.
“Marianne, allow me to make it very clear that I desire you immediately.” Her eyes snapped to his blue ones. “However, if you wish to cease my attentions then I will always bow to your wants.”
“I want you.”
She saw her husband melt in front of her. His chest stuttered and his knees now seemed fragile. One fist clenched while the other ran through his hair. His tongue peaking out to wet his lips. He looked so incredibly handsome.
“Forgive me, but I have only dreamt of hearing those words fall from your lips.”
Her eyes rolled over his form as he seemed to compose himself. She wondered if he would look like the statues she had seen at the museum in Bath with Mama.
“May I see you?”
His blue eyes seemed to be completely overtaken by black. A hungry look in his eyes that she had seen only when he had too much Brandy and she would pass in front of him.
“I am yours in every facet: body, mind, and spirit.” Her stomach swooped at the sentiment. She wrapped her arms around her stomach to try and help the butterflies that flew around.
He pulled the shirt from his trousers over his head. And she saw a smattering of curly brown hair on his chest. Her first thought was that he was lean. His body shows the riding he indulged himself in daily.
She walked to him with a question in her eyes. Her hand outstretched to touch his chest and when he did not recoil she finally touched the hair of his chest. A breath left both of them.
The hair was soft.
She feathered her fingers through his curls, a smile working its way onto her face. She had the desire to kiss the skin her hands were exploring. She looked up to find him staring down at her. His expression looked restrained.
“May I kiss you here?”
“I have already told you dear, I am yours to do with what you wish.”
She couldn’t help the grin that stretched on her face so she pointed it to his chest instead. Her cheeks were no doubt flushing.
She kissed his chest. His breath left him again in a soft sigh. She repeated the action allowing her instinct to guide her trail. She moved to his neck trying to replicate what he did for her. She dared to press her tongue to his flesh and a horse moan reached her ears. She felt his fingers skim her hip before the sensation left altogether.
“Is that correct?”
“Yes.” His voice shook.
She ran her hands up to his arms. Her fingers dug into his biceps. The strong muscle underneath made heat race down her spine.
“Can you touch me?” She whispered against the skin of his neck. “I want your heat.”
“Marianne ” A plea fell from his lips. His hand moved to her waist.
She connected their lips feeling emboldened by his breathy plea. Relishing in the warmth and strength that encircled her waist. A sound of pleasure flew from her throat as he poured passion into her. His tongue ran along her lips and she gasped. Her tongue brushed against his.
Her back hit the pole and she didn’t even remember walking backward. Their hips connected as his hands pulled their bodies together. She felt his member push against her stomach and her heart fluttered in anticipation.
She felt her stays losing, his thumb gently prodding them open while rocking against the center of her back.
She had considered that she had waited long enough and moved her hands to the buttons on his trousers. She wanted more of him, more heat, more skin: all of it.
He growled at the action, his fingers working more insistently at her stays before unhooking them and lifting them over her frame. Their lips left each other for a moment as the fabric passed between them, but he was quickly reconnecting their lips.
The hard planes of his body pressed snuggly into her curves. Her breasts brushed against his firm chest with only thin fabric separating them.
“Oh,” she let out in an unladylike moan. His lips moved to her throat: kissing and relishing. “Chris-“
He grabbed a handful of her slip. His fingers clenched into a fist.
“Please Marianne,” He pleaded. His forehead took a moment to rest on her collarbone.
She nodded her head and he lifted the chemise from her form slowly. The fabric was tossed to the floor. The cool skin puckered her overheated skin.
His eyes roved over freckled skin. The heat in his eyes made her suddenly aware of the slick that had spread to her thighs. The scar on her hip from where she fell on an unforgiving branch as a child. Her arms came to cross in front of her stomach.
“You are a creature too beautiful for this earth.”
Her eyes flicked to his. He reached a hand toward her before closing it. A heavy moment of silence stood between them. After a moment he reached down and began unlacing his boots.
“Wait,” he looked up still crouched over. She got onto her knees gently removing his hand. “Allow me.” She began on his laces.
“Marianne, you- I should be on my knees for you.” She looked up giving him a slight smile.
“Do not worry yourself husband. I always enjoyed unlacing Papa’s boots.” She thought for another moment. “My knees could use a reprieve from holding my shaking form as well.” She gently guided his leg taking off one and starting on the other.
“I apologize if they are foul in smell.”
She smiled up at him. “Foul is never a word that could describe you, my dear.” She noticed his eyes were dancing around her form. A heavy tenderness set within his eyes.
“There is nothing I could do to be worthy of a lifetime with you.” She smiled at his boot removing the leather from his form before kissing the side of his clothed knee in gratitude. His breath hitched and she looked up at him. Kissing the same spot again. “Marianne,” he breathed.
She kissed his other knee and noticed his breath quicken.
Was he ticklish?
“My thoughts have turned most improper, wife.” She did not understand exactly what improper thoughts he was speaking of but in looking forward she found where she had left off with his buttons. She began her task wanting more of him. His hand stilled her fingers.
“I thought you said I could do what I wish with you.” She threw him a smile.
“It would scandalize you to keep on this path.” She quirked her head to the side in question. He tugged on her hand and she allowed him to pull her to her feet. “One day I will tell you.” He vowed kissing her lips sweetly.
She allowed herself to melt into him. His calloused fingers ran along her bare back and a shiver ran through her. His hands ran to the bottom of her waist. Far lower than the hand that supported her as she walked from room to room.
“May I?” He asked in a breathless question against her lips.
“I am yours dear husband to do with what you wish.”
A tender growl fell from his throat before he claimed her lips rougher than he had before. She could tell now how restrained he was being. His hands grabbed her backside in full and a moan left her. It was swallowed by his tongue that danced with hers.
He lifted her depositing her on the bed gently before taking a step back and finally revealing all of himself to her.
She took in his form, particularly staying focused on his stiff piece that lay against his stomach.
He looked nothing like the statues.
His member was proud and long whereas the sculptures had been mini in comparison lying against their sack. If it hadn’t already been inside of her she would have deemed it impossible.
“That- that has been inside of me?” She wondered out loud. A blush heated her cheeks.
A cheeky smile drew on his lips. “Yes,” he drew down to her, kissing her warmly. His body heat felt magnetizing. He kissed her neck gently. “And you have always taken me tremendously well.”
She did not know why but the notion had heat surging through her body and landing between her legs.
“I am pleasing to you?”
“Marianne, you are addiction personified.” He nibbled on her ear and another gasp fell from her. “You are perfection and heaven wrapped in freckled skin.” His mouth wandered on her body. “You are what I endeavor to deserve every moment of every day.” His mouth closed on her nipple and her back bent to keep him placed there. “You are who I live for and who I live to serve.”
His mouth moved lower onto her abdomen. In a pin-sized moment she wanted nothing more than his mouth on her sex and to yank herself away from him in fear that she would do something wrong.
“Lean back, wife.” He kissed her thighs as she obeyed his wishes.
He settled in between her legs, his mouth distributing heat on her most sensitive area. She closed her eyes as her legs clenched and her stomach flopped.
She felt a long lick up her sex and her body jolted against her will. She felt his chuckle in a puff of air and it made her squirm more. Then he began in earnest work, working her easily like piano keys. Knowing exactly where to pluck, stroke, and kiss to get the correct melody.
“Chris- please- oh!” A sensation she knew very little of started in her belly like a thread being pulled tighter and tighter. She felt herself on the cusp of something glorious. Her hands found his sandy blonde hair. Her hips moved in ways she would be downright ashamed of if she weren’t at the height of another world.
And then in a moment, pleasure shattered over her body. Warm waves curled and furrowed over her skin. Obscene sounds broke from her as she rode her high. She came back to herself while her husband still basked her in affection.
“Christopher-“ she tried to tell him that she had reached the height of godliness already when he simply continued, inserting a finger inside of her.
The muscles of her stomach seemed a heighten again. Before long he inserted another finger and began pumping his hand in abandon. Before long his tongue and fingers had pulled her thread into another breaking point.
When she came back down from this height he had pulled out of her and was kissing her abdomen in sweet tender kisses.
“Christopher,” she racked her hands through his hair and he laid softly kissing her stomach as if she were with child. “You never told me that you could change the world I lived in.” He smiled against her stomach.
“I was unaware that you desired my touch this morning or I would have been showing you other worlds for six months.” He kisses the valley in between her breasts. “I told you, my dear, I live to serve you in every way.”
She continued to stroke her fingers through his slightly sweaty hair even after he took her nipple in his mouth lavishing it with affection. She found it grounded her.
“How did I get as lucky to have a husband who loves me so?” He gave her a boyish smile.
“I am glad you find yourself lucky, for I am much your senior and have to fool you at every corner to think you benefit from this marriage.” She laughed out right her shaking chest moving under his chin. It only caused his smile to broaden. “I love you so much my darling.” He leaned up kissing her tenderly.
She moved her fingers against his cheekbone as they departed. Her smile was still soft on her lips. As if she were too lazy to make any other expression.
“I think I am beginning to find myself in love with you.” She brought his lips to hers and she felt his sigh against her cheek.
“My deception may be working too well.” She laughed again pushing his shoulder lightly and he flipped onto his back. She kissed up his chest before resting her head there. Her fingers toyed with the hair on his chest before her attention was brought to the stiff piece standing proudly between his legs.
She moved her fingers lower brushing the head of it causing it to twitch. The skin was so soft. She moved her fingertips across it and she heard a sigh leave her husband's lips. He grasped her fingers pressing a sweet kiss to them and pressing her hand to his chest.
“I am quite content my love.”
She moved her head on his chest to be able to look into his eyes.
“But I want to make you feel how you made me feel.” He kissed her forehead. “I want to have all of you.” He sighed.
“Goodness Marianne, you have no idea of how your words affect men.”
She stole her hand back moving it lower to touch him again.
“I can use more than my words to affect you, husband.” He groaned and she saw his head flop back further into the pillows. She bit her bottom lip trying to figure out if she could have him inside her from this angle.
She slid onto his lap effectively placing him below her. Step one: complete.
“Marianne” he moaned his hands grasping her hips forcefully as her slick center slid across him.
“Is that pleasant for you?” She slid herself again and his fingers tightened on her hips another strangled groan leaving his lips.
“Yes,” his deep voice was impossibly deeper. “shit.” She felt a sense of pride at his inability to hold his tongue and slide herself against him again. “Mar-Jesus!”
His piece caught on her sex, the tip sliding into her easily. “Oh,” she let out in a surprised gasp. It was so much smoother than it normally was. She sat herself fully on him and found herself full. “Oh,” she let out again. Though this time in pleasure as he hit a truly wonderful spot in her. He shifted under her and the pleasure deep within her magnified “Chris-“ she breathed her body moved forward on its own accord, her hands catching on his chest.
“My god Marianne,” he moved a slow and steady rhythm from under her. Her mouth remains agape as he moves inside of her.
Consummation had started to feel pleasant in recent months. She assumed it was that her body had become used to his. But now she discovered that the pleasant feeling was the first step of what she had now.
He moved quicker under her and she was terrified to move. She didn’t want to disrupt the liquid warmth spreading through her body. Her voice jumped at his movements much like if you were to scream while riding a horse. Though she supposes it is not much different.
In an instant, she was on her back with him overtop of her. His thrusts not slowing and she was happy to note that the glorious warm honey continued to spread across her body. His panting was rough in her ear and it caused her body to clench around him. He groaned and sat up, her legs finding purchase on his shoulder, her feet by his ears. She never knew of herself to be this flexible.
Obscenely low sounds of pleasure ripped from her husband and he continued to push himself into her. She found her eyes dropping as she looked at him almost unable to handle the sight. His upper body was shining in the daylight. His torso moved in quick fast movement. His strong arms wrapped around her legs.
Almost as if she had willed it with her mind. One of his arms dropped to her sex, his thumb working her further into a frenzy.
“Christopher,” She panted. Her hands found purchase on the sheets next to her as she felt the familiar pressure filling her.
His lips left a sloppy kiss on her ankle.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.” She whined and his thumb moved quicker on her sex. “All mine, for the rest of my life.” His free hand gripped around her thigh now in a possessive movement. “God your breasts…”
She was lost in her own world that consisted of only pleasure. She was so incredibly close. Her hand closed around his wrist moving his thumb exactly where she needed it. After two more thrusts, she broke into a million pieces.
Her vision became blurry as screams tore from her throat. She saw him stutter in his thrust before finishing with one more deep declaration of “Mine”.
His heat was around her once more. She panted into his neck, her arms and legs instinctively wrapping around his form like a Kola. They stayed that way for a long moment. Her hands ran gently through his considerable sweaty hair. He groaned gently placing a kiss on her neck before moving off of her.
She immediately felt the brush of cold air all around her and it made her instantly miss him. She scrambled eagerly to his form clinging on to his heat. He chuckled lightly as she climbed back on top of him. Her ear sitting flush with his chest. He ran a large warm calloused hand up and down her back.
“Just a little while longer.” She muttered into his skin placing a kiss there.
He kissed her head, patting her curls down.
“I will be here for as long as you like.” She sighed snuggling further into him. It was so strange how it felt like second nature even though she had never touched him in this manner before. “I apologize for my inadequate and inappropriate language Marianne. I gave into my baser instincts toward the end.”
“There is no need husband, I quite like your baser instincts.” She kissed his chest again before looking up at him. “I quite like being the woman to make you lose hold of your tongue.” She gave him a cheeky smile, her chin resting on her flat palm on his chest. “And I quite like being yours.”
“Mmmm,” it rushed over her like warm water. “Always full of surprises.” He looked at her lips with longing.
She crawled forward to connect their lips. It was slow and unhurried in contrast to all others they had shared. A sigh broke from her as she claimed his lips so tenderly.
The sensation was so pleasant that she felt as if she will be wanting to do nothing but kiss him for the rest of her days.
“I think forever will not be long enough.” She said against his mouth claiming it once more. “I find myself lost in your orbit.” Another kiss. “Lost in your lips.”
His hands moved more securely around her back, one moving to her backside and massaging it gently.
“Be careful wife or I’ll never let you leave this bed.” He nipped gently at her jaw.
“Be careful husband or I’ll make you keep your word.” He made a pleased sound in the back of his throat before rolling her onto her back.
They didn’t leave their bed till it was dinner time. With smiles and knowing glances from the maids left in their wake.