Since its Valentines Day I've decided to finally finish this. I have been busily working on two other Persuasion stories I am hoping to have up here shortly. We are at the wedding night and its going to get a little mushy. I 'm hoping to stay under the 'T' banner but if there are any complaints or suggestions that it may be better as 'M' please let me know. One more to go after this...

Chapter Twenty One

"You are quiet." remarked Frederick.

His voice broke thought her reverie and only then did she notice they were at the door to the master's chamber.

Inside, the room felt smaller and warmer. The fire had been lit, the curtains drawn and the candles flickered, it all created a cosy romantic but homely feel which immediately put Anne at ease. Frederick however led her through the room and into the little sitting room which connected it to the mistress' chamber. He walked over to a nearby table and set down the candelabra he had been carrying – deciding the extra light now wasn't needed, he extinguished the flames. He removed his jacket and went about examining the fire. All of his movements seemed slow and deliberate. It was as if to Anne he seemed to be stalling.

Anne stood rooted to the spot, she did not know how to do whatever it was she was supposed to be doing. She could not begin to undress herself without help. She knew from his body language, her husband was nervous also, but she did not know whether she should go to him or stay where she was. Frederick was now rambling about the servants and tomorrow's breakfast. While downstairs he had seemed so in control, he now seemed lost and in need of direction.

"Frederick look at me." Anne blurted out, louder than she had intended. In an otherwise quiet room it seemed like canon fire. He stopped mid-sentence and turned abruptly to face her, half expecting some kind of threat. Anne blushed at her command and more so that he had so readily obeyed it. "Frederick," she repeated more tenderly. "I am not afraid of you, or what is about to happen between us. I know you shall keep me safe." she assured him. He frowned, staying by the fire, his gaze falling to the floor. She knew he was troubled. "What is it?" she asked timidly.

"You keep saying that." he muttered before looking up, concern all over his face. "That I will keep you safe, but you do not understand Annie." His eyes fell to the floor. "Surely they told you … you … you will..." He looked around him wildly, as if the answer would appear. She was looking at him so genuinely puzzled he became exasperated. "I will hurt you!" he cried.

Her eyes widened and she even jumped a little from the shock of his words and his outburst. However she recovered instantly and looked at him sympathetically once more, offering him a long loving smile, she stepped towards him, taking his large hand in her small ones. "I know what is to befall me and I am not afraid, nor do I wish to amend my earlier statement. Regardless of pain, you shall keep me safe and that is what I need. Your love will lessen the discomfort." She pulled him towards the door gently but forcibly showing her intent. "Now come husband, let us to our bed."

But Frederick stilled pulling her back to him. "Annie." he said desperately.

"Frederick," she warned, putting her finger against his lips to silence him, before leaning over and replacing the digit with her lips in a kiss. "No more talking or worrying." she whispered, eyeing him sternly.

She was taking charge, just as she had in Lyme after Louisa's accident; and like then, he was glad of it. He knew it was the man's place to take control –and his wife- how and when he wanted, but his mind had been so overruled with fear of frightening her, he had not known how to even begin. Anne's simple words of encouragement –her request for him to take her to bed, was the reinforcement he required to move proceedings along.

Instead of removing them both to the master's chamber, he chose to remain a little longer in the small sitting room. Laying a gentle but chaste kiss on her forehead, he went to stand behind her, at first she did not realise what his intentions were, but they soon became clear when his hands came to rest on top of her dress.

"You intend to undress me sir?" she teased.

"May I?" his voice was little more than a whisper. His hot breath against her neck made her shiver.

"If you think you are capable of the task." she murmured back.

His thumbs touched the back of her neck and she shivered again, and then his hands were untying the first ribbon. She stood still as a statue, as he slowly but deftly undid the tiny buttons that followed the length of her spine. The more he undid the more the dress loosened and gave him a glimpse of what lie beneath. She was relatively still covered by many more layers, but none as thick or shielding as her heavy dress. Once he untied the ribbon at the bottom of her back, the dress fell forward and she freed her arms so that it began to fall to the ground. Without looking too closely or thinking too much about it, he knelt to the ground and determinedly pulled the dress the remainder of the way down to the ground, allowing her to step free of it.

"Do you intend to take care of the laundering too husband?" Anne chuckled nervously.

He smiled, rising to stand in front of her. "No, I thought if we left it out here rather than in our room, Edie would be able to see to it in the morning without disturbing us."

Her eyes flew to his in surprise at his foresight. Once the dress had been seen to, he took her hand, she was shaking. Stood in just her undergarments, he was not sure if it was just the nerves, or if she was genuinely cold. He led her finally into the adjoining room, shutting the door with a soft click. The fire and solitary candle on each side of the bed were the only lights in the room and yet it seemed so bright. The idea that a man should see her without her clothes had her feeling queasy, but when she saw how much love was behind Frederick's eyes as he gazed upon her, it seemed the most natural thing in the world. There was still desire and want, but it was not just to satisfy his lust, it was laced with deep affection and tenderness.

This time he came to stand in front of her, placing his hands around her small waist, he went about untying the lace that held her underskirt. His eyes stared into hers throughout as it fluttered to the ground. Letting her know she was alright and he was there with her. He next removed her stays so all she was left in were her stocking's, drawers and shift. Having her free of all restraint and only covered by one more thin layer was driving Frederick to distraction, unable to look upon her heavenly form anymore for fear of embarrassing himself or frightening her, he turned away and took his time removing his shoes, cravat and waistcoat, untucking his shirt from his breeches.

Anne had only imagined the sight of him so informally attired and was secretly grateful only she got to see him this way. He was always so intimidating, unconsciously demanding the attention of all those in any room he entered. Like this he seemed softer, more vulnerable, the only time she had felt anything like this was the night they spent together at the hands of her nephew. But as that had been in almost complete darkness, she had never been so fortunate as to look upon him in a state of undress. He was a large built man with broad shoulders and strong arms, she had felt his strength surround her as he held her, and now with the light of the fire behind his white shirt, she could see his muscle definition clearly. He had a fine toned physique that could only be formed from working hard aboard a ship for so many years, Cousin Elliot was no comparison to the man in front of her.

Once he was more composed, Frederick stepped towards her again and gestured for her to sit on the edge of the bed. She did as he bid, both nervous and fascinated for what he would do next. He gently worked his fingers into her hair and one by one removed the array of pins and combs which had so far held it in place. As her hair fell heavy to her shoulders, he brushed it behind her, murmuring how beautiful she was. Once her hair was down and the pins removed to the table, he resumed his spot kneeling in front of her.

Keeping her gaze, he took her foot in his hand the way he had the night they were trapped. He gently removed her slippers as he had then. But this time he did not turn away and allow her to remove her own stockings, he returned to her foot. Placing a hand on her ankle, he followed the line of her leg up to above her knee searching for the ribbons for her stockings, he moved her shift slightly up to reveal the fastenings. Anne gasped, never had she had someone's hands on her legs. She relished in his touch; so gentle and so feather light. She watched as his large Captains hands took the thin ribbons and gently tugged, the concentration on his face plain, but as he began to roll them down her legs slowly and deliberately, his eyes refocused on her, assuring her she was safe. Just as she knew he would.

Once her legs were bare, her husband leaned forward and placed a kiss on each knee. Anne's heart was racing wildly. He sat back on his heels and removed his shirt, the muscles Anne had imagined lay beneath his clothes were thrust into reality. It was just as she had suspected. His skin was tanned from his days abroad, his abdomen and shoulders defined, his arms huge. She felt something stir within her, she knew she was a lady and it was wrong to appear wanton, but in that instant her lustful instincts took over and in a bold move, Anne was throwing her arms about his neck and pulling him towards her in a breathless kiss. His body was hot and hard in contrast to her soft womanly curves now on natural display free of constraint. Only a thin shift and silk drawers prevented her from being completely his.

In his own clothing Frederick was growing increasingly uncomfortable. He longed to be free of them, but did not want to scare her. The sight of a naked man – even her husband- to such an innocent as Anne, could be off putting to say the least. He endeavoured to remain covered for as long as possible. He wanted her to be comfortable showing herself to him before he would reveal himself to her. So far it was going so well. Anne was relaxed, the only tension being anticipation about what was to come. He could see it her eyes, there was no fear of him, only nerves for the unknown. The fact that she had taken it upon herself to kiss him, was testament to the fact he was having an effect on her, as much as she was on him. She sat there so small and delicate, more exposed and vulnerable than any man had ever seen her, and yet she was strong and resolute.

He stood, conscious that his height may be intimidating to her now, but her eyes only followed him with love. He leaned over her, placing a hand either side of her on the bed, so that she, was in return, forced to lean back. Understanding, she shuffled and lowered herself down until she was laid flat. Her body suddenly tense in preparation for what was about to befall her. Frederick would make her his wife, it would hurt, but then she would be a woman; no longer just a girl to be sent and spoken for. The only person she would be answerable to now, was her husband and he loved her more than anything else in the world, of that she was sure. She tried to force her body to relax as he hovered over her, not letting his weight touch her as he did not wish her to feel closed in.

As much as he longed to hold her tight within his arms, he kept the distance with his arms as support. He peppered her neck and cleavage with butterfly kisses, whispering in her ear how much he loved her. Her big brown eyes were looking directly into his, he became lost in the moment and laying flush against her, kissed her senseless. Anne, far from feeling pinned in by his heavy weight on top of her, felt only comfort and secure in his hold. Before she could truly melt against him, he realised his error. "Oh Anne I am crushing you I am sure. What an oaf I am. Here let me move off of you."

Her hand grasped his arms, holding him in place. "No, please. I find I am comforted by your presence." She lowered her gaze, her cheeks pink. "I like having you laid against me. It is only as when you take me in your arms, only instead of standing up, we are laying down." she argued.

So simply put, Frederick could not help but smile at her logic and kiss her again. Anne was beginning to feel dizzy; the passionate kisses, candle light and heat from her husband's stripped body pressed against hers – she was welcome to be lying down.

"Annie I love you so much." Came Frederick's husky voice beside her ear once more. She barely had time to respond when she felt his hands on the back of her shift. As the fabric grew looser around her, she braced herself; she would finally and completely be on show to him. Frederick knew his hands were trembling as he lifted the linen over Anne's head and freed her of it. He dare not look upon all it revealed. Instead he once more kissed her lips, and allowed his hands to see for him. His fingers were light and gentle as he caressed her soft lines and curves, and when he at last found her breasts, both shuddered a gasp. The one night fumbling teachings he had had so long ago, were nothing in comparison to the unbelievable wonderful intimacy he was experiencing now. Anne was so responsive, so self-assured with him. For what she must be dreading, she showed no sign of fright, only love aimed at him.