Free Dealing With Discipline by Golden Angel Page A

it was at the thought of suddenly
becoming such an important lady and not because of the warmth of
his hand on hers. It truly was strange how her body always reacted
to Hugh’s gentle touch in such an odd manner. “I do love to be out
in the country. It will be such a relief after all the bustle of
London.”
    “Ah, but I did see you enjoying yourself at
some of the balls,” he teased gently and she looked up into his
sparkling blue eyes before her glance skittered away as if
frightened by what she saw there.
    “I do love to dance,” she
confessed. “But the socializing was a bit… overwhelming. And the
crush of people! Sometimes I thought I might be squeezed to a tiny
sliver of nothing in the press.”
    “I certainly won’t miss it,” he
said with a chuckle, and her breath caught as he turned her hand
over in his and stroked his thumb along the center of her palm.
 Even through the glove she was wearing, she felt the caress
like a hot brand across her flesh. "I look forward to showing you
around your new home."
    The warmth in his voice should
have increased her guilt over her love for Alex when she was
married to Hugh, would have at any other time, but she was too
distracted by his touch and the nearness of his body as he leaned
forward.  His eyes caught hers again and held, the way she
imagined a snake's might hold a mouse, as he undid the buttons of
her glove one by one. Had such an act ever been so strangely
exciting? The baring of the skin on her arm made her feel
vulnerable, anxious…  The jerking carriage seemed to disappear
as her heart pounded in her chest, her mouth suddenly dry.
 Her corset was too tight and yet she couldn't ask him to stop
even if she wanted to.
    Cool air brushed over her wrist as he flicked
back the fabric and began to gently tug it from her hand.
 Irene was ensnared, captivated, by the hungry look in his
blue eyes, the feel of her glove slowly being tugged away.
 She gasped when he touched her hand without that thin
covering, the pads of his fingers almost harsh against her softer
palm. 
    Very slowly, watching her very
carefully as if he was afraid she might bolt, Hugh lifted her hand
to his lips and pressed them to the center of her palm.
 Irene's heart felt like it might actually burst out of her
chest it was thumping so hard, her breasts heaving against her
corset as if she'd just run through a field or galloped on a horse.
 Soft... his lips were soft... but his eyes were hard as
sapphires and that caused just as much consternation in her body as
the warm press of his lips against her skin. 
    Then he was lowering her hand and she was
surprised to feel a pang of disappointment, although he kept her
hand in his. 
    For himself, Hugh was all too
aware of the need to hold onto his self-control.  Irene was a
complete innocent, although obviously attracted to him.  Her
passionate nature was hidden but present, and while he looked
forward to undoing her inhibitions he had not meant to finish his
quest in a moving carriage. Only to begin his seduction.  Her
flushed cheeks and quickened breath indicated that he'd awakened
some of her senses, and he needed to get his own back under control
before he ended up ravishing his bride along a country
road. 
    "I hope you will like Stonehaven and the
Stanley House," he said, his voice somewhat rougher than normal as
he shifted in his seat, trying to relieve the pressure on his groin
without her seeing what he was doing.  If she'd even realize
the significance of the bulge at the front of his breeches.
 "Especially Stanley House, as I spend at least half the year
there and I'd like you to be there with me."
    Irene smiled somewhat tremulously,
surprised at her reaction, which was pleasure at the thought.
 Surely she couldn't enjoy the idea of spending her time with
Hugh over being with Alex in London? Even if the time with Hugh
would be out in the country. Goodness... she'd almost forgotten
Alex completely when Hugh had begun to touch