A night to remember in Cannes. M rated chapter
XX
The villa was quiet. It was going on 12am by the time Mary and Matthew walked the few steps to the front door.
Inside the foyer was chilly as their footfalls echoed on the stone floor.
"The staircase is just here…" Mary guided Matthew in the semi-darkness. He put his hand on the rail and Mary started to ascend the staircase.
Matthew snuck in a kiss at the bottom stair. It became a wandering embrace as Matthew's fingers slowly drew across her back, bringing her closer and closer. "Darling…" he nibbled on her lower lip.
Mary leaned into his body. They fit tightly together. His kisses exploded in her mouth like champagne, demanding all her attention and an invitation to even more pleasures yet to come.
And then he stumbled as he tried to take the first step upstairs. He swayed in Mary's arms.
They giggled simultaneously and helped each other up the rest of the way.
Once upstairs Matthew reached along the wall and then down to feel the door knob to their bedroom. He gripped it and then stopped.
"After you…" He murmured. "Remember to tell Anna that she can go to bed? I'll be helping you …" His beguilingly slow smile told the whole story. "I'll go next door to tell Lang."
Mary grazed his cheek with her lips. "I can't wait."
Matthew felt along the wall six steps more and reached down for the knob. He heard Lang inside and opened the door.
"Good evening sir."
Matthew nodded a greeting and walked a few steps inside. He started to undo his bow tie and take out the front collar stud, idly humming the catchy tune they had heard wafting out of a restaurant. He had taken Mary into his arms and, oblivious to any attention drawn to them, danced an intimate pas de deux along the water front promenade.
An occasion that would live in his memory forever.
"Did you and Lady Mary have a pleasant time, sir?"
"Very nice indeed," Matthew answered absentmindedly. He then attempted, "Um…look here Lang…"
He heard the valet take a few steps forward ready to undo the back stud and take off the collar. He then waited for Matthew to continue but instead Matthew left the black tie loose around his neck and kept his dinner jacket on.
He tried again. "Thank you, Lang, but I don't think I'll be needing anything more tonight." Matthew said, he hoped nonchalantly. "Why don't you take yourself off to bed. We've kept you awake long enough."
"Very good, sir." Lang answered deftly, not giving away any surprise at this request. "I'll be back in the morning to finish putting away the accoutrements."
"Erm… not too early in the morning," Matthew added, puckishly shifting his eyes back and forth as he would have done when sighted.
Lang was unflappable. "Good night."
Matthew heard the click of the door as Lang left. He relaxed, still unused to having to share his most private moments.
He took off the jacket and then sat down and removed his socks and shoes to give Mary a bit more time with Anna and then stood up and felt along the wardrobe to the door adjoining their bedroom. He didn't hear any conversation so he opened the door.
"All clear," Mary said brightly as he poked his head inside. "I did have Anna take my hair down."
"Lovely." He walked through. He knew it was about three steps over to Mary's dressing table.
"But that's all …" Her voice softened as he approached and reached out for the back of her chair and then his hand caressed her left arm.
He leaned down.
Matthew felt the curls of her hair tickle his cheeks as he buried his face along her shoulder. He brushed some strands aside and kissed the nape of her neck.
She tingled in delight and contemplated her husband through the mirror. His hair was still tousled from their walk back from the casino in the windy night air. He had opened the top button of his shirt, his tie loose around his collar. His eyes were closed as he concentrated his kisses along her neckline. His mouth was soft and warm on her skin. His cheeks full blooded indicative of his rising ardour.
"How did you get to be so devilishly handsome?" She teased coquettishly.
He chuckled. "All in the eyes of the beholder, my darling but I thank you for the compliment."
Matthew moved his hands gently to clasp her face in his hands, his thumb swept gently down the right side of her face. He kissed her cheek.
"The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by law divine
In one another's being mingle;
Why not I with thine?
Mary touched Matthew's cheek to her own. "It's quite unfair reciting Shelley…" She murmured in utter contentment.
Matthew smiled.
See the mountains kiss high heaven
And the waves clasp one another
No sister flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother…
Matthew slipped his mouth from her cheek to her lips. He brushed them with his own lips and continued
…And sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;
What are all these kissings worth
If thou kiss not me?
She met his lips in a passionate kiss. "There," she breathlessly whispered. "Will that do?"
"Quite," he answered as he glided his hands down her arms and guided her hands into his. He helped her up.
"Where shall I start?"
"I'll turn around and you can do your best with these buttons. Even Anna said they were particularly tricky."
"A challenge…" His left eyebrow arched. "I accept."
The wine dark sleeveless silk dress with floral beaded embellishments was a favorite of Mary's. It flattered and hugged her figure and had a raised hemline which she felt was just right for a night at the casino.
Just last year Mary would have modeled it and Matthew would had loved watching her. She knew he would openly observe her walking across a room, brushing her hair, or putting on lotions or perfume. To capture all in his memory so that when he could no longer see he would witness and remember these things in his mind's eye.
Now there were times in the past months Mary did not know what to do. She worried that almost anything would be the wrong thing to do. Ignore him when getting dressed and he might feel left out of a formerly cherished shared routine. Make a show of it and he would become painfully aware of what was lost between them. So there were days that had become quite awkward between them. Matthew had been so busy with the Trust in the past few months they had mostly been running around in opposite directions. She was involved in fixing up a suite next to their bedroom as a sitting room and possibly even a separate dining room for just their family on days Matthew might not want the added burden of a formal dinner with his in laws and relations. The rooms were all attached to the other by a series of double doors making getting around independently a real benefit. It would also give them the privacy they both craved. Mary found that Matthew was so much more at ease when there were not that many people around making him feel as if he was on public display.
And here in the sun kissed privacy of Cannes they finally talked out how to adapt their intimacy to Matthew's restrictions and thereby enhance the experience for both.
Matthew had suggested that they remove the intercession of Anna and Lang in preparing for bed and instead they "take turns undressing the other to get more…" he rubbed his fingers and thumbs together trying to arrive at the proper word, "…erm tactile, more physical. It will allow me to take part once again and not be removed at a distance."
Mary listened carefully and understood what he was trying to say. "We can do that whenever you want. Just say the word." She was so glad he said he wanted to take steps to increase their intimacy.
Matthew looked up at her, using the same mannerism he had when sighted. It sometimes unnerved her as he still penetrated her soul and pulled out her most secret desires.
"You can participate as well…" He added cautiously.
"How?" Mary was intrigued.
"You could close your eyes and do the same…" He leaned forward on the settee. "Or…" He swallowed. "I could blindfold you in some way… a sash or wrap …." He licked his lips nervously, afraid of scandalizing Mary.
He heard her gasp. "I…don't mean to shock you…"
And then what sounded like relief. "I'm not shocked darling. I just thought you would think that was mocking or demeaning in some way. As if I was trying to be something I'm not and couldn't possibly experience the same as you."
"But you can…" Matthew said eagerly. "I want you too. I want us to be together in this."
They put the plan into action that very night.
"Do you have the lights off?" He asked.
"I'm doing that just now." Mary switched off the bedside lamp. "There is firelight because of the chill."
He had already heard the crackling flames. His mouth twitched mischievously. "That's where the sash comes in."
Matthew began by touching the sequins on the gown surrounding the neckline and her décolletage. He cupped each bosom in turn. Then leisurely ran his hands down the silk fabric to feel the sensuous curve of her waist. Undid the embroidered sash and it dropped. He took each of the embroidered buttons in turn and unfastened them carefully in his fingers. He drew his fingers up her back and slowly removed the dress from her shoulders, hearing it sink to the ground.
He felt her shudder in anticipation.
"What's next?" He asked tantalizingly against her ear.
"Corset." Mary, adding playfully, "You have to loosen the tension. Give the laces a tug… are you up for it?"
"Absolutely." His lips came down to kiss her bare shoulder. She trembled as his touch became bolder as he felt down and undid the string tie at the back and grunted as he pulled on the laces to loosen the corset and give it some slack so he could more easily remove it. It came loose and she undid the hooks in the front and removed the corset.
Matthew bent down to feel the silky-smooth fabric of the stockings along the shapely curves of her leg.
"Let me help you…" Mary undid the garters holding up her stockings and took off the corset.
His hands then roamed along her torso, the underbodice camisole still to come off which he did gently taking it over her head. And then down to her hips and rounded rear still covered by Directoire style knickers that came down as he pulled on the tie.
Their breathing became more erratic as they shifted to a nearby armchair.
Mary sat down so he could remove her stockings. Mary could hear Matthew's shallow breaths get deeper as his hands moved across the lower extremities of her body. His fingers made way to her right leg. Mary extended her leg out and he pulled the stocking down her thigh, knee and calf and removed it from her foot. The left was next.
Once free Mary sank down into the seat and opened her legs as Matthew's fingers lingered, feeling her curves and shallows. He moved in between with his face and hands touching and kissing her inner thighs. Mary felt her body tingle with gooseflesh bumps as his hair tickled her. He moved to kiss one leg and then the other. He tasted her and felt her slick insides.
Her whimpering made him know he was getting close…
"My turn…" She demanded suddenly. Her voice was hoarse, dry mouthed. Any more of his fierce ministrations and she'd be gone. Time to turn tables.
Matthew's face was now completely flushed. His hair clung now to his forehead as he was sweating slightly from his exertions. His eyes were wide opened, pupils dilated so just showing a ring of bright cerulean blue.
He blinked and stood up, slowing recovering his senses. "Where did I put that sash?" He turned but really had no idea where it had fallen to the floor.
It's right here." Mary rose, slightly off balance from the sensation of his intimate touch and staggered over to the foot of her dressing table.
She bent down and retrieved the sash where he had thrown it and walked slowly back and put it in his hand.
"Thank you. Are you ready? No peeking remember?"
She put her hand in his and sat down on the bed. He guided his hand up her arm to her face so he knew where she was. Taking both ends of the sash in each hand he pulled it around her eyes and tied it in the back. The fabric was soft against her skin. She ran her hands around the silken sash, adjusting it. The band making her feel light-headed but not because it was too tight. It made her aware she was surrendering to his world completely.
"Do you feel it darling?" He asked, urgently. His voice coming from the right side of her face, hot on her cheek. "I want you too…"
Her initial bewilderment gave way, distilled into a recognized series of sounds and smells.
And then a preternatural awareness of the space around her.
She heard his breathing and felt his presence.
Matthew touched her arm, gliding his fingertips along her bare skin. Mary, startled that she had no idea he was to do that, shuddered and almost fell over at the electric shock of lust that took over.
Her body ached for him to touch her all over.
They both stood up. Matthew now supporting her as she would usually support him.
"I'm ready to start," she said. Her fingers fumbled at first try, she began to slowly unbutton his vest, then gaining confidence dragged her fingers on the suspenders up and down, flicking them once against his chest. He laughed, knowing she was getting in the spirit of this sightless seduction.
She pulled them off his shoulders and began to unfasten the dress shirt, running her fingernails inside to tickle him as she worked her way down his chest. Pulling it off his arms she realized there were the cufflinks keeping the sleeve from slipping off.
"For goodness sakes…" she muttered, fumbling around to find the fasteners. She started to laugh as it became impossible to find it among the crumpled linen around his wrist.
Matthew caught her giggles and lost his balance. They fell on top of the bed, curled up, limbs entwined.
His hands started to roam towards her rounded rear end. "Ah…Ah" Mary warned, playfully batting his hand away. "Not until I'm done with you."
"In that case get on with it!" He mockingly demanded. Between them Matthew unhooked the cufflinks and she slipped off each sleeve arm.
To make it easier to know exactly where he was she straddled him.
"That's more like it…" Matthew muttered blissfully. He sank into the coverlets as she teasingly felt along his torso, muscles twitching beneath goose bumped skin. Down to his bellybutton and the bulge she felt beneath his trousers. Her touch made him groan. Sliding her hands along his torso she lifted the undershirt over his head.
Matthew clasped hands with her after he lifted them so she could take the shirt off and then let go as she moved her hands back down his chest and felt her way towards the trousers.
These also proved to be a bit of an obstacle and Mary was eager to get them off and rooted around for the buttons.
Matthew heard her frustration. "Here…let me help…"
He stood up and took his trousers and undershorts completely off. He reached out and felt for her hips as she sat on the edge of the bed. Using both his hands under her shoulders he lifted her off the bed.
"Come here…"
They finally embraced bare skin to bare skin. The exploration of each other's boy was a revelation for Mary. Using only touch she felt the curvature of his biceps. The bristle of his chest hair. She ran her fingers in between his. Kissed his cheek which already had a spikey quality from not having shaved since the morning. Then his lips, full and warm against her own. His tongue pierced her mouth and tasted her, dragging and tickling her palette.
Her hands wandered around his waist towards his tight arse and instinctively she drew him closer to her. Their bodies touched and she felt the bulge of his pounding erection. She pushed herself even closer and began to shimmy up and down causing Matthew to shudder and moan in ever high vocal inflections.
Matthew seized the opportunity to take their love making further. She was clearly wet, ready for him. He put his fingers into her opened thighs and pushed her against wall as his lips tore into hers. She whimpered in delight.
"Lift up your arms," his voice a hoarse whisper. He felt them and grabbed both and pulled them up behind her. Using one hand he kept them there and with his other he continued to stroke her until she felt limp, unable to do anything but thrust herself towards his fingers to keep the sensations rising ever more irrepressible.
She felt a spiraling loss of control. His lips her hot on hers. She arched her back and lifted her legs in the air hardly knowing what she was doing. She just knew she had to keep the all-consuming thirst for an even more intense climax going.
Panting from the exertion of keeping her pinned against the wall Matthew released her slowly. Her arms came down but her legs still remained entwined around his arse. His body held her up, sweat soaked, his breaths coming in shallow and hot on her neck.
After a few seconds recovery Matthew lifted her up and carried her the few steps to the bed. He felt his way down with his mouth and tongue kissing, darting, and flicking all the curves and hollows of her body. Each breast was given special attention. He touched the nipples, felt them harden and peak. He kissed and sucked one then the other.
She gripped his thighs and, making her demand known, took him inside her. Sinking deep he plunged and bucked in thrusts of growing need. Her fingernails dug against his rear as she marked him body and soul.
The release when it came was met with her own. They writhed in mutual pleasure. Tingling, flooding sensations. A perfect moment they knew would never come again in quite the same way. He rocked back and forth sending even more shattering surges of utter ecstasy flow through Mary's body. Their sweat and heat mixed, she remained inside as he stroked her back until her breath became less feverish and steadier.
They let go and he fell down beside her on the covers.
After a few minutes recovery he leaned on his elbow and felt up her arm to shoulder, neck, chin, and cheek. He lifted the sash off her head and lay back down. She drew closer to him.
"Darling I hardly know what to say. That was extraordinary. Letting me share that with you…"
"I'm glad," Matthew said, reaching over to kiss her still enflamed cheek. "I hope I didn't hurt you when I pushed you against the wall. I don't know what came over me…"
"I know exactly what came over you," Mary teased. "And you can do that again and again…"
"Oh," Matthew's voice turning silky dark. "Then I shall."
They spent the rest of night in intermitted bursts of resting and making love until they were satisfactorily both satiated and exhausted.
A long, limbs entwined sleep followed. Neither wanting to let go of the other.
Only when daylight shone through the windows did Mary once again open her eyes. A light tap on the door followed. She looked over at her still sleeping husband. He was under all the covers, his head barely peeking out. He didn't move at all.
Mary got up and put on a nightgown and robe. "Come in."
Anna made her way inside with a large tray of breakfast items.
"Thank you, Anna," Mary said in a low tone to not wake up Matthew. "We'll ring later when we're ready to go out."
Anna nodded in understanding and left.
Within a few minutes of her departure Matthew woke up, smelling the aroma of coffee. He lifted his head from the covers and half opened his eyes.
"I knew that would wake you up," Mary said. "I've already poured you a cup. It's on the small table near the window. I put your dressing gown on the chair."
She believed she heard a mumbled "Thank you darling…" but knew far too well that Matthew would not be totally coherent until his first strong gulp of hot coffee.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and got up. She brushed his arm and he leaned over and kissed her.
Mary switched places with him, returning to the bed but sitting up with the tray propped in her lap. Matthew, preferring to sit at a table to eat and drink, felt his way across the room to the chair next to the table. The green and gold patterned brocade robe with black quilted silk shawl collar had been a present from Mary on their first honeymoon at Crawley House.
Matthew put it on and tied the belt across his waist. He sat down and carefully felt for the saucer and then cup. He put the liquid to his lips and took a sip of the bracing expresso and then sat back in utter contentment.
Mary crunched on a delicious croissant. "Have I told you that by the time we get back Papa will have purchased a new horse or two for the start of the hunting season."
Matthew was not surprised by the news. He knew Mary was eager to get back to riding and he wasn't going to put off her excitement by pointing out it wasn't the best use of Downton finances. That would come later when they finally sank their teeth into the accounting books.
"Will the hunt be at Downton?" He asked instead.
"Not at first. Lord Beaton over in the North Riding usually has that honour. It might be quite soon. Next week possibly. Everyone's eager to start again."
"I will have to stay in London when we return," he reminded her. "I've my appointment with the Law Society to set up a time for my examination."
"Is it that soon?"
Matthew had told her of his desire to continue the career plan to become a solicitor by sitting for the requisite exam with the accommodation that he could, if necessary, take the test orally rather than written. There were a few other ex-soldiers at St. Dunstan's who had successfully either returned to their pre-war professions or taken up occupations ranging from chartered accountants to barristers.
"Not the test itself," he admitted. "I will have to study for that. But just to gather some information."
"And what did Harvill and Carter say?"
"I meant to tell you that I received a call from them right before we left. They said that they'd be glad to take me on as an articled clerk and that because of the new law that passed parliament to help out soldiers returning from the war my time in the regiment would be counted as part of the Legal Practice Course training. So I just need to pass the exam and I can start right away."
"That's wonderful." Mary said. She had been glad Matthew had finally settled on an occupation after debating about whether it would be best to return to Cambridge and take up the Tutor position that had been offered during the war. But he had sounded less than enthusiastic about it, seeing it more as charity on behalf of his old college rather than a lucrative career. Then he started investigating the possibility of fulfilling his desire to take up the law and, realizing it wasn't out of the realm of possibility, he settled on that.
"It'll be a challenge," Matthew said taking another sip of coffee. "But after reading Helen Keller's autobiography and all of her achievements, I've realized I've been entirely lacking in ambition. Ian Fraser is hoping to get her over to St. Dunstan's in the future as a guest lecturer."
Mary was so glad Matthew had found his feet at last. He seemed so much happier these past few weeks.
"Shall we take another plunge at the casino tonight? Perhaps we should try twenty-one or chemin de fer." Mary was eager to have another go at adding to their previous success.
Matthew, at first hesitated, but could do nothing else but give in. He nodded agreement and got up and walked over. He felt his way towards her side of the bed.
"Do you need your stick?" Mary asked, moving the tray to the other side in case she needed to get up to fetch his cane.
"My darling," Matthew leaned down and felt for her cheek. He moved his lips towards her and gave her a long, passionate kiss. "You are my stick."
XX
Hope you enjoyed the excursion to Cannes for our happy couple. Reviews are lovely gifts and I thank each and every one who reads, likes, reviews this story.