This is a nice long chapter – not quite at the wedding, but some bit and pieces of the day before, ending with some Marcus/Izzie seduction. Not to worry, this won't turn into their story – just adding a little extra interest!
I hope to have the wedding in the next chapter!
As they rode back into the courtyard, Kate waved at them from the edge of the terrace, shaking her head in amusement. "Oh oh, I think we've been missed," Meredith murmured to Derek. He kissed her temple, tightening his arm around her.
"I think this means we have to part until the wedding," he said softly. "My little love, I can hardly wait until then. I'm sure you will take my breath away when I see you heading towards me. Just keep that thought in mind that we discussed," he chuckled.
He reined Satan in, and slid off the horse, holding his arms up to Meredith to help her down. Keeping her in his embrace, he kissed her lips, letting his tongue just caress hers briefly, before letting her go. "There, until tomorrow, and don't let my mother drive you mad."
"I won't, "Meredith assured him. "I love you."
"I love you," he said, as she slipped away from him, and towards Kate, who had been joined by Isobel. He watched her leave, the sensual sway of her hips igniting his desire all over again, as if they hadn't just been sated. With a muttered curse about the inanity of the wedding rituals, he headed towards the stables. After handing Satan off to the stable boy, he turned towards the manor. He needed a bath, and a shave, and a drink, not necessarily in that order, he though wryly.
"So, the last day of your bachelorhood," Marcus said, as he joined Derek. He slapped Derek on the back with a laugh. "And you stole your lovely fiancée away for a morning tryst. Very nice, Derek."
Derek grinned. "Marcus – good to see you up and healthy. I was thinking I would need to press one of my brothers-in-law into service."
"Never. Miss Isobel nursed me into health – I would never miss your wedding. I know I haven't been much of a best man so far, but I believe it's my duty to take you in hand today and keep you occupied."
"Ah, the lovely Miss Isobel. She has caught your interest?" Derek asked, as they settled into chairs on the back terrace. He stretched his legs out, and laced his hands behind his head. Within moments, the footmen had brought out whiskey and glasses, pouring drinks for the two men.
"She is lovely, isn't she? Very sweet and fresh, so unlike …other certain females…" Marcus observed, taking a drink.
"Very innocent, too, old friend."
Marcus held his hand up in protest. "I am being the perfect gentleman, Derek. As difficult as you may believe it to be."
Derek laughed loudly at that. "Indeed, and for how long?"
Marcus took another drink. "Not long, I'm sure."
"Just be careful, Marcus. You may find your heart stolen before you realize what has happened. It was that way for me."
"I've been told many times that I'm heartless, so there should be no problem," Marcus said dryly, as he finished his drink. "Now, what else can we do today to keep you busy? You've already been out riding…" He raised his eyebrows suggestively.
Derek finished his drink as well, standing up with a laugh. "Yes, and it was a wonderful way to start the day – I highly recommend it. Let's go in and find the rest of the men – we'll just be in the way today, best we disappear for awhile."
By the end of the day, Meredith had been fitted into the gown one last time, while Eleanor observed, adding her comments to the seamstress, who fussed and tucked and stabbed more pins here and there. "You will look stunning, my dear," Eleanor beamed, sweeping her gaze over Kate and Isobel as well. "And lovely attendants as well, ladies," she added.
"Thank you, Your Grace," Izzie murmured, blushing under the scrutiny of the Duchess, dropping a little curtsy.
From there, they checked on the arbor, and a myriad of other details, and the day flew by. Now it was evening, and Meredith and Izzie were curled up on Meredith's bed, sipping tea. "Meredith, I need to ask you something…" Izzie said finally.
"What is it?"
"How…that is…oh lord, I don't know what to say.."
"Izzie, you're scaring me. What's wrong? Has Marcus done something to you? Has he offended you?"
"No! He's been very nice, actually….that's what I need to ask you…about the ways between men and women…in bed…" Izzie's eyes were fixed on the comforter, tracing little circles on the soft material.
Meredith laughed warmly. "Oh…I understand…"
"He kissed me…and I felt all confused….and dizzy…and wonderful..all at the same time. I want more, I want to know what it is that makes me yearn so….he said he would come to me tonight, but I'm here with you…"
"Izzie, you need to think carefully about this, giving your virginity is a very special thing… not every man is gentle, or deserving of such a thing. Nor understanding later if you wish to marry…"
"But you…you were only seventeen…"
"Hush, we're not talking about me. And I'm very fortunate that Derek is loving and wonderful, and doesn't care about my past."
"But Marcus said there are ways to give a woman pleasure, without taking my virginity…"
"Of course, with his mouth, or his tongue, and his fingers…"
"Oh…" Izzie blushed hotly.
"But even so, it may only fuel your desire for more. You need to be very sure you want to take the chance."
"Now I'm confused," Izzie sighed, flopping down against the pillows. "How do I know if it's right or not?"
"It will feel right," Meredith smiled at her friend. "You don't need to stay with me tonight, Izzie. If you wish to wait for him, I'm sure I can manage without you."
"Are you sure?" Izzie asked breathlessly, bouncing into a sitting position, her eyes sparkling. "Do you think he will come to me?"
"Oh, Iz, I'm quite sure of it!" Meredith giggled, hugging her friend. "Go…"
Marcus dropped the last hand of cards onto the table. "There, I've lost again," he said to Derek. He stood and stretched, tossing back the last bit of whiskey in his glass. "I think I'll take a walk before bed, clear my head."
Derek looked at his friend with a smile. "You haven't had that much to drink, Marcus. I know I have a good reason, but you are not expected to be clear headed in the morning as I am."
"I did my best to get you drunk on this last night of freedom, " Marcus laughed.
"Very true, but I have no desire to be hung over in the morning," Derek reminded him, gathering the cards and shuffling them idly. "And I know you well enough that you have something in mind for tonight."
"Who, me?" Marcus asked, attempting to look innocent.
"Yes, you. If you're planning to seduce Miss Isobel…"
"Derek, she is very willing and eager for me, if you must know." Marcus threw his jacket on, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt carefully. "And I give my word, I will be very careful and gentle with her."
"Be sure you are. That kind of woman deserves nothing but that."
Marcus nodded, as he turned to go. "Point taken. Good night, Derek."
A soft knock on the door, and Izzie jumped, a thrill shooting straight through her core, as she rushed to open it. Smoothing her hair, trying to calm her shaking hands, as she crossed the room. She pulled the door open, her breath catching when she saw Marcus waiting there. "Oh… I wasn't sure if you were going to make it…"
"I told you I would be here," he assured her with a wink, as he stepped in beside her, pulling the door closed behind him. He took her hand and raised it to his lips, his breath feathering along her knuckles, before his lips brushed softly against her skin. "Isobel…you look ravishing…"
Before she was able to think of something flirtatious in reply, Marcus swept her into his arms, and pressed his mouth against hers, demanding and strong, setting her pulses into frenzy. Her arms found their way around his neck, meeting his kisses, feeling a heat welling up in her. She felt like there were hordes of butterflies churning in her stomach, as his tongue slid between her lips, exploring and gentle.
"Do you still wish for this, my dear?" he asked finally, releasing her mouth. Seeing the hazy look in her eyes, the soft lips parted, as she fought to control her breathing, Marcus patiently waited for her answer, despite wanting to pick her up and take her straight to the bed.
"Oh yes…please, m'lord…" Izzie murmured.
Marcus felt her tremble against him, and the need and desire in his veins won out. He crushed her lips again, letting his hands roam down her back, pressing her more tightly against him, so that she could feel his heat and arousal. Then he kissed her throat, and across the tops of her breasts, seeking the nipples that tempted him, just below the edge of the bodice. His hands pushed aside the dress, lifting her free, before his mouth caressed her again. Izzie whimpered, as his tongue circled the taut nipples, one by one, driving her into spirals of desire.
"So sweet," Marcus muttered, devouring every exposed bit of her skin, "so perfect…" He slowly released her, his own breathing ragged. "Come, I need to see all of you…" He took her hand and led her to the bed, expertly undoing the buttons on her dress, helping her undress. When at last she stood in front of him, her body lit by the soft candlelight, he reached up and pulled away the pins that held her hair in place. The long cascade of blonde hair spilled down around her shoulders, and down her back, as she kept her eyes down. He tipped her face up, brushing her lips softly. "You are so lovely."
"I wish to see you as well…" Izzie murmured boldly, her hunger for him overcoming her shyness. She felt beautiful, standing there under his admiring gaze.
Marcus laughed, as he shrugged out of his jacket, and undoing the cravat quickly. "And you shall, my dear.." Her eyes followed every movement of his hands, as he unbuttoned the shirt and discarded it. She had seen his naked chest before, when she tended to his wound, but the impact of it now, so intimately close to her, sent her senses reeling. Then her eyes fell lower, as he undid the trousers, seeing the flat expanse of his abdomen, and the mat of hair that trailed lower…lower…finally to his cock. Her eyes widened, and she bit her lip, seeing how aroused he was.
"Oh, my…you're so …large…" she whispered, thoughts flitting through her brain as to how something like that was to fit inside of her. Not that he was going to, surely not tonight…but still….
Marcus grinned at her, as he took her by the hand and helped her down onto the bed. "You flatter me, my dear." He laid beside her, letting her relax, as he slowly caressed the length of her body. Kissing her lips, her cheek, and down her jawline, as he touched her, letting her get used to the feel of his hands against her. He bent lower, cupping the warm globe of her breast again, stroking her with his tongue until she trembled and moaned.
"I promised to give you pleasure without taking your virginity," he said softly, "so we shall start with this…" He let his hand trail lower, over the curve of her hip, coming to rest against the tuft of curls at her pussy. Izzie started involuntarily at the intimate touch, and he soothed her with his kiss, until she relaxed again. His finger carefully stroked her, feeling the dampness that already moistened her. Letting her adjust to the feel of his fingers, as he petted her, sliding between the folds, searching for her clit.
"Oh …oh…" Izzie lifted her hips, instinctively, as he touched her. She felt hot and damp, little curls of desire radiating everywhere as he continued to stroke her. Teasing the little bud of her arousal until she thought she would faint from the sensation.
"Let it go…just let me take you into pleasure…" he murmured, kissing her lower, across her navel. "Just like this…" And before she knew what he was doing, his mouth touched her between her legs, and she felt her breath leave her in a gasp. Marcus trailed his tongue across her lips, there where she was aching, and she dug her fingers into the soft bedding, her toes curling in delight. Sweet lord, this is what Meredith was talking about, Izzie thought briefly, before giving up to the feeling. She felt his hands moving her legs apart gently, and then his tongue against her again, more insistent, sliding into her, wet and warm. Plunging in and out, each time deeper, until she cried out. Wicked, this had to be wicked and wanton, but it felt so wonderful.
"Are you all right?" he asked finally, lifting his head. "Do you want me to keep going?"
"Yes…oh yes..m'lord!"
With a sensual grin, he claimed her clit again, sucking and teasing her, taking her higher and higher, as she clutched at his hair, lost in a world of delight and shock. Her hips rocked upwards, as the unbearable tension in her core built, finally bursting to release, pulsing and wonderful. Over and over, he brought her to the same release, until she was unable to move. Only then did he return to her mouth, kissing her with the wetness of her on his moustache and his lips. "Sweet Isobel…." He murmured, stroking her face.
"Oh..m'lord…how have I gone so long without knowing how wondrous this feeling is?" She felt dizzy again, as if she had been drinking too much wine, her body soft and pliant beneath his hard muscular one. Feeling his delicious weight over her, pinning her down.
"And this is only the beginning…" he said, his voice rich and dark with promise, as he held her tightly.
