- Chapter 4 -
The Honeymoon
The front door to Brandon Estate swung open to allow Colonel Brandon to step into the foyer, his new bride in his arms.
Marianne Brandon was laughing delightedly at being carried over the threshold, just as she had always dreamed. Her new husband placed her on her feet, then instructed the maid that met them to show his dear wife to their bedroom and to lay out something so that she could change from her wedding gown. He also ordered that a changing of clothes be brought to the spare room so that he, too, could change out of his uniform.
Once he was done dressing, Colonel Brandon walked across the hall and knocked once on the door to the room that Marianne occupied. When she bade him enter, he opened the door and once inside, turned to shut the door. When Marianne heard the latch of the door clicked into place, the gist of the situation finally settled upon her. She was married now, and thus making this the start of her wedding night. Her honeymoon. Of all her dreams and expectations, she had truly never thought past the ceremony. Had given no thought as to what happened afterward, when they were alone and behind closed doors, as they were now. She swallowed nervously as reality started kicking in.
She had no wish to undo what had just occured a short while ago, but she did wish she had gone into a more depth discussion with her mother on the matter of a wife's duty in the bedroom. All her mother had revealed to her was that the first time there was pain, but it would pass and from then on it would be pleasant.
Now here she stood, the moment upon her, and she did not know how to proceed. She had an idea that Colonel Brandon,he of course being older, would surely have experience in this. So she decided on staying put and allowing him to take the initiative.
He stood, back to her, for a moment to compose himself, he being as nervous as she, but not wanting her to know. He knew he must go slow, and he would, but before he turned to face the heavenly creature behind him he had to have some measure of control. Since first laying eyes on her, he had burned to possess her, to claim and have her for his own. And now that he did, he wanted to treasure this time, to make her first time, their first time, a memorable one.
After he had gathered his resolve, he turned to face her. He was determined not to rush this. She was dressed in a simple cotton gown that brushed the floor, small pearl buttons at the top and a ribbon that held it closed beneath her breasts. He saw that it hugged her curves slightly, and was appreciative of it. He could tell she was nervous and he was glad that he had concealed his own for fear of upsetting her. She needed to know that he was in control of the situation. That he knew what to do and would take the lead.
He approached her slowly, crossing the room until he stood before her. Opening his arms to her, he allowed her to step into them, before enclosing her delectable frame in a tender embrace. He stood there for a while, holding her and stroking her hair in a soothing gesture, not saying a word. Finally, he pulled back slightly to look at her, a silent question in his eyes.
'Are you ready?'
She nodded her assent, her breath hitching when he lowered his head to hers, taking possession of her lips with his own. A muffled sigh escaped her as she melted into his touch, her arms coming up to encircle his neck. He let his mouth play a bit, the tip of his tongue came out to trace her lips occasionally. When she let out another gasp, his tongue darted inside her mouth, seeking out her own, taunting it into action. Her tongue began to experimentally began to duel with his, timidly sparring as their mouths met time and time again. Bending slightly, Brandon scooped her up into his arms and went to sit on the edge of the bed, cradling her in his lap.
"It's alright, love." he whispered, and then his warm mouth claimed hers again.
Of course everything would be alright. She was in the arms of the man she loved, about to be made love to in the most tenderest of ways. Of that, she had no doubt.
He supported her back with one arm, while his other hand moved slowly along her neck, then lower, slightly brushing over her ample breasts. Onward it went, across her belly, over her hip and down her thigh. He traced the path hesitantly as if to treasure every inch of her body that he touched. And then his hand began the now familiar trail back up her body, his hand coming to rest at the fastenings of her nightgown.
Through the thin material of the gown, Marianne felt her skin begin to hum. She moaned as the button at her throat came loose first, then the tie that held the gown beneath her breasts. Brandon stood, placing her on her feet, before drawing the now loosened gown up and off of her body. He gasped at the sight of his beloved, clad only in the silk underclothes that molded her gentle curves. She looked at him timidly, blushing at his scrutiny, but did not move to cover herself. Her eyes - though not looking at him directly - held a gleam that revealed her anticipation. Her young breasts strained at the lacy chemise, begging for his touch. He thought her to be the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. A true heavenly being.
He looked at her and asked quietly. "You're not afraid?"
"No." came her soft reply. She had faith in him and knew that there were no grounds for fear.
Brandon smiled slightly, a seductive tone filled his already mesmerizing voice. Then come to me." he beckoned huskily.
She approached him then, and he began removing the rest of her clothing, starting with her chemise. Her underwear and other feminine garments soon followed until she finally stood naked before him. His eyes explored her slowly, hungrily, and then he pulled her to him, his head bending down to take the tip of a pert breast into his warm mouth. His tongue, teeth and lips all came into play, making her gasp and cry out again and again in pleasure. She brought her hands up to entangle in his hair, holding him to her.
"Christopher," she began tentatively. "Shouldn't you..." her breath caught and her head fell back onto her shoulders when his mouth released her breast to move downward. Her knees trembled, and she didn't think she could take much more. Gathering her last wits about her, Marianne struggled to complete her sentence.
"Your clothes, Christopher." she urged. "Shouldn't you be naked as well."
Colonel Brandon looked up from where he knelt before her, an amused and teasing look in his eyes. "Well... If I must, then I must." he replied silkily, as he rose to stand before her.
In seconds, his shirt was gone, revealing a wide expanse of bare chest beneath it. Marianne's eyes widened in amazement at what his clothing had concealed. She had known his chest would be broad, but now it seemed more so, as well as muscular for a man his age. She reached out and ran her fingertips over his upper arms, drawing a groan from him, as if her touch scorched him.
She pleaded with her eyes, urging him to continue as she moved to sit again on the bed as she watched him undress. Her eyes took in his impressive form greedily and Marianne silently issued up a prayer to God thanking the deity that He had seen fit to allow her to be married to a man such as this.
When Brandon was finally divest of his remaining clothes, she breathed in deeply, drawing as much bravado as she could in order to reach out to trace a hand along his hip. Brandon gasped. Knowing her to be a virgin, he had not expected her to be so bold. When her hand drifted lightly to his muscular thigh, his own hand shot up to capture hers, stilling it.
"Don't." he rasped as he struggled to catch the breath that she had effectively stolen from him.
"Why not?" she asked curiously. Had he not touched her in a similar way just moments before?
"Because, my love, I fear my desire for you would overwhelm me should your hand continue on its course." he explained, eyes dark with desire. "I wish to take this slow for I fear this shan't be easy for you."
Marianne's gaze dropped at his words, and she saw what he had meant by his 'desire' for her. Slowly, she raised her eyes back to meet his.
"How am I to learn what pleases you, if I cannot touch you?" she asked in a most innocent voice, but with a less than innocent look.
"Later, love. This time is for your pleasure." he said, cupping her face with his hands, giving her a short, tender kiss. "But first, there must be pain." he warned.
"I know." she said shyly. "Mother told me."
"Trust me, Marianne, I would not hurt you for anything in the world. I promise the pain will be brief, and you shall enjoy what comes after." he declared.
"I do trust you, Christopher." she smiled up at him, her heart feeling close to bursting with the love she felt for this man.
He returned her smile brightly. How he loved this beautiful woman. His lovely wife.
He kissed her again, deepening it so that their tongues wound around one another in a mock duel. She met his kiss eagerly and Brandon had to fight for control. He stroked her stomach lightly, before moving downward to her parted thighs. She moaned at his gentle touch, which encouraged her husband to slowly slide his index finger into her velvety folds. Arching her back in sheer delight, her breasts pressed firmly against his chest. She tore her lips from his with a gasp.
"Christopher, how I love you."
"And I love you as well." Brandon replied.
"Please, Christopher." she pleaded, though she had no idea for what she was begging.
That plea was his undoing. Brandon scooped her up and carried her to the huge canopy bed, placing her in the center before joining her. She reached for him, drawing him down to her as she instinctively parted her legs, allowing him to settle there. He braced himself on his forearms so that she would not have to bear the brunt of his weight. Reassuring himself that she was indeed ready for him, he pressed forward slightly. He grunted as he felt the tip of his shaft become engulfed in her heat. She gasped, and he ground his teeth, to keep control. He continued, and little by little he sank into her. Then he felt her maidenhead and paused.
Marianne tried to relax herself as much as possible as her mother had instructed, saying that it would relieve some of the discomfort. When she had first felt him slip inside her, she had gasped, her fingers biting into his shoulder. He was taking it slowly, allowing her time to adjust to the intrusion being imposed upon her person. Not being able to help herself, she surged upward instinctively. The pressure of her hymen being reached stopped her.
Not wanting to cause her pain, but knowing there was no help for it, Brandon closed his mouth over Marianne's and without warning lifted her hips slightly from the bed and plunged himself home. It took only moments before her nails eased out of his shoulders, and she sighed as she relaxed against him.
"Christopher."
His name had never sounded sweeter. He smiled with relief as the tone of her voice assured him that she was indeed alright. Clasping her hips in a firm, yet gentle grip, he began a slow paced thrusting, pulling back almost to the point of withdrawing, only to sink slowly back in again. Her moans grew with each movement and her hips began to match him thrust for thrust. Soon, she increased the tempo of her own accord as she felt as if her entire being were on fire. Not only her body, but her soul as well. She felt as if she were drowning in the sweet sensations that were washing over her now and she knew that he felt the same. His moans matched her own as they clung to one another, riding out the perfect storm.
Hearing her moan his name had nearly sent Brandon over the edge. He fought to hold back, to make this pleasure last for her. He managed to hold on until her body had convulsed in pleasure once, twice, and upon her third time, allowed himself to join her in paradise. Spilling himself into her sweet depths, he moaned her name, his deep voice sounding of velvet snagged on the thorns of a rose. Using what little strength left in him, Brandon eased to the side, before collapsing on the bed beside his bride. He noticed she had a dreamy smile on her lips, and he reached out with one arm to draw her to him, while drawing the covering over them with the other. Nestling her head on his chest, Marianne lay there for a while, content. Then, finally when the afterglow had faded a bit, she spoke.
"That was glorious." she murmured.
His rich laughter vibrated in his chest against her ear.
"It was pure heaven." Brandon remarked, then whispered. "I didn't hurt you too badly, did I?"
Marianne's smile widened then. "No, Christopher. You didn't hurt me at all. You could not have been gentler."
"Oh, how I love you, Marianne. My wife." he sighed as his arms tightened around her.
"And I you, my husband." she replied in compliance.
And she did. She felt in her heart that this was meant to be. Her dreams had come true, and they were more wonderful than she could have ever imagined. A trace of boldness came over hear, and she shifted slightly to apply a gentle kiss upon Brandon's chest. She heard his sharp intake of breath and she smiled. She loved his reaction to her, made her feel good to know that she had this power over him. She applied another kiss, this time slightly higher, working her way up to his collarbone. He moaned openly as she reached his neck and began nipping at the skin there.
"Love?" he groaned breathlessly. "You should rest, you are sure to be sore, and we do have all night."
Marianne paused in her kisses. He was right, she was sore, and they did have all night. Deciding that she was a little bit tired, she sighed slightly and snuggling closer into her husband's embrace.
"Very well, my husband. Rest now, play later." she teased lightly.
"Oh yes, my love, that we shall." came his deliciously seductive voice.
Smothering down a giggle, Marianne Brandon relaxed into her husband's arms, and soon she had drifted off to blissful sleep.
Next: The Arrival
