Chapter Summary,
Marianne and Brandon enjoy all that married life has to offer.
The gentle light of the morning awoke Marianne, she was confused for a moment at the silence. For as long as she could recall in these last few months of living in Devon, she had often been roused from her sleep by the sound of seagulls overhead.
With a yawn, she stretched out, finding Brandon already awake.
"Good morning" she smiled.
"Good morning" he replied, kissing her head softly. "I trust you slept well?"
Sitting up she gave a nod, before noticing her nightgown was slipping off her shoulder.
Before she could right it herself, Brandon caught the material, allowing her modesty to stay intact.
His diligence and attentiveness to her made her heart swell.
Perhaps other men would have let it fall, catching sight of what he had been denied last night.
He made no mention of it, simply asking, "Shall we rise my dearest?"
"What time is it?" she asked.
"Almost nine" he replied, glancing at the clock beside them.
Marianne felt guilty, Brandon was not a man to waste the day. "You should have woken me, Mama ensures we rise at seven"
"Wake you?" he mused. "When you looked so peaceful?"
Repressing a pitiful laugh, she urged, "Do we have anything to do today?"
"I thought perhaps a walk of the grounds, and of course, should you wish to venture into town, I-I would not be against it"
Marianne shook her head, "Not today"
"The talk has stopped" he assured, "Keats has seen to that"
"Oh let them talk" she proclaimed. "You and I know the truth of the matter,"
Brandon chuckled. "Nevertheless, I will not tolerate the mistreatment of the Lady of Delaford."
"Heavens" teased Marianne. "Am I a Lady?"
"In these four walls, you can be anything you wish," he replied.
She shuffled forward, so the pair were close, "I think being your wife is my favourite"
Brandon pressed a kiss to her hand, "Very well then, Mrs Brandon"
Elinor and Edward made a surprise visit that afternoon.
Edward had plans to discuss with Brandon, so it left the sisters to converse.
Marianne took Elinor to the impressive library. "Look at this!"
"Heavens Marianne, you shall read for a lifetime with this many titles" gasped Elinor.
"Christopher is so agreeable" replied Marianne, "I have complete free range in here"
"You are very fortunate" smiled her sister. "He makes a good husband?"
"He is the very best of men, that I am sure" proclaimed Marianne. "We have not been married a day and it is as if I've always known him"
"I trust that your night together was as agreeable as mine" whispered Elinor.
Marianne gave a gasp. "You are very forward Mrs Ferras!"
"Married women can be can they not" replied Elinor. "I confess I am quite content"
"Edward was…?" Marianne couldn't find the words. "All was well?"
"Quite so" replied Elinor. "Mama told me nothing of what to expect, but Edward was patient, gentle and quite eager to please"
Colour shot to Marianne's cheeks, "Elinor!"
"He wants me to be open about such matters" chuckled Elinor. "And we are both married women, if I cannot be open with you, who can I be with?"
"Well, that's just it" replied Marianne, "Christopher and I did not do anything last night"
Elinor suddenly looked embarrassed, "Oh Marianne, I should not have been so coarse, forgive me. Is everything well? Lowering her voice, she asked, "Did your bleed come early?"
"No no," said Marianne. "Nothing of the sort. I was very tired last night and Christopher...well he wants me to be in a fit state to partake in the union"
"Did you sleep apart?" asked Elinor.
"No, I slept in his bed, but nothing occurred" replied Marianne. "He even caught my nightdress this morning as it has slipped in my sleep, wanting to preserve my dignity even though I am his"
"And do you plan to consummate the marriage?" whispered Elinor. "Properly?"
"Oh of course" hushed Marianne. "But I suppose now I - I have you to ask for guidance"
She paused before suddenly blurting, "What does a man look like?"
Elinor paused, "I cannot go into inmate detail about my husband with you Marianne, it is not proper"
"No I know" nodded Marianne, "Nor would I want to hear it, but I do not know what a man's true physique looks like? What my husband will look like?"
"Surely you must not think that I have thought about the body of Colonel Brandon?"
"I'd hope not!" cried Marianne. "But please, tell me something!"
Elinor took a sharp breath, looking over her shoulder at the closed door. "I am sure you know that men have different organs than women, and how they can be used differently"
Marianne nodded eagerly. "Go on"
"So...in this particular situation a man's...organ, is designed to fit with that of a woman. This sensation can feel a little uncomfortable at first, but your body quickly grows used to the feeling" said Elinor, colour firmly sitting on her cheeks.
"It is not such a chore as women have made it out to be" assured her sister. "It must be their husbands, not the act itself which is such a task"
"I hope all will be well" confessed Marianne. "Christopher has not mentioned children, but this beautiful home must be inherited by someone"
"Quite right" replied Elinor. "But no women in our family have ever disappointed in that respect"
Marianne smiled. "I should like to be a Mother"
"I know you shall be a fine one," said Elinor.
With Elinor's assurance, Marianne felt she had some knowledge of what was yet to come.
And as night fell that evening she was determined to become his wife, properly.
This time she had dismissed the maid, something about Brandon undressing her seemed exciting.
As they finished dinner, both seemed to read each other well.
Brandon rose and Marianne joined him, neither of them speaking until they reached the door of the bedroom.
"Will you do me the honour of sleeping beside me again?" he asked.
"Christopher" she urged. "I wish to do more than just sleep"
He gave a breathy laugh, "You feel well?"
"Never better" she replied.
Without wanting to admit it, Brandon was delighted she was so eager. His own desire was going mad, any longer and it would have been insufferable.
In a preemptive act, he had ordered the candles to be lit early, so the room was coated in a soft glow as they entered.
Marianne wandered further into the room, initially seating herself on the closest chair, beginning to untie her soft leather shoes.
Brandon closed the door behind them, turning back to see her stockings exposed as the shoes slipped off.
Just a taste of her sent a surge long since forgotten through his body.
As her eyes met his, she watched him colour and his own gaze snap away.
"Why do you act as if you have no right to look?"
Brandon's throat tightened.
"I am your wife, if anything, you are the only man allowed to look" she smiled.
"My-my advances in such an instance could frighten you" he confessed. "I would not wish that"
"If your advances are done in love, why should they frighten me?" asked Marianne. "I want to be loved, not feared"
Wondering if he had somehow insulted her, he quickly replied. "I do love you, Marianne, deeply and wholly. I can only wait to show you how much"
"Come" she cried. "This sounds like the talk of a yet to be engaged couple! We are far past that now"
Brandon found the humour in her speech. "May I show you then?"
Marianne got up. "I would like that very much"
He began with a gentle kiss on her hand before she caught his lips with her own.
Brandon trailed her neck and collarbone, placing gentle pecks as he went.
His frame travelled behind her, his lips still pressed to her skin as he went about removing her dress.
Marianne leant back into him, an involuntary shiver leaving her body as her dress slipped off her shoulders.
Brandon helped her out of the hoop of material at her ankles, his hands wavering for a moment as they tried to undo the ribbons of her stays.
The garment was quickly removed and for a moment she felt exposed a little beyond her comfort.
"Come" he whispered.
Marianne sat on the edge of the bed, joined by Brandon who wrapped his hand around her face, his thumb brushing her cheek.
She was overcome with the urge to kiss him, for the first time placing her hands on his chest and shoulder she joined them together.
His own hands wandered a strong hand on her back, tentatively cupping her newly exposed breasts.
As his hand brushed her nipple she gave a little moan, blushing instantly at the unladylike sound of it.
This small sound however sent waves through Brandon, opening his eyes just to be sure she was not displeased.
Her ample bosom and figure pleased the more animalistic trait within all men, but in truth he wanted her to feel the same about his physique.
Years in the army and the discipline that came after had left him in good shape, compared to his peers, he had stayed quite slender whilst others had rounded out. However, his time in the Indies had not left him unscathed. He had received a large scar across his left chest, only surviving the attack because of Sir John. Though it had faded in the twenty years since, he was still acutely aware of it and unsure as to how Marianne would react.
It was this sudden tension that Marianne observed. Whilst feeling the need to see his own body, she fumbled with his cravat, until he stopped her.
Her eyes met his, "I'm sorry" she said. "Have I done something wrong?"
Seeing her look so concerned, Brandon cursed himself. "No my dear. Nothing at all"
"Do you not desire for me to touch your skin?" she asked quietly. "I do not know about these things you see. I shan't if you do not wish it"
"I would wish it very much. I cannot think of a better pleasure, but I have a scar-an old scar that-that the appearance-may repulse you" he replied, stumbling over his words.
"From the Indies?" she said, understanding him as he nodded.
"Christopher, nothing you have done or anything you have, will ever repulse me"
"Marianne-"
She brought two fingers to his lips, silencing his speech.
With her other hand, she tugged at the strings that held up her chemise, before letting the garment fall she whispered. "I will show you all of me if you will do the same"
He nodded, admitting that the sight of her would far outweigh any issues he bore with himself.
Marianne watched him seemingly wait for the material to fall, but she teased him, "I am not going first you know!"
His eyebrows shot up, her bold nature seemed to know no bounds. "Is that so?"
Brandon threw off the tiresome cravat, taking a breath before pulling his shirt over his head.
Marianne guarded her expression fiercely, knowing that a simple widening of the eyes could end all such loveliness she wanted to happen.
The scar was present and faded, but she felt it simply added to his physique rather than took from it.
Moving with gentleness, her fingers brushed his chest, enjoying the sculpt of muscle that he had, accompanied by the masculine trope of hair.
Brandon had not known how this would feel, he had not been with a woman since the injury, Marianne was the first in more than twenty years.
Marianne then pressed her lips to the scar, before she began to plant a series of tiny kisses across the whole expanse of him.
Brandon could barely take in air, the sensation of her lips against his skin was enough to send him mad.
What sent him over the edge was Marianne finally sitting up, at last, letting the fabric of her chemise fall to her waist.
Her eyes and body welcomed his caress, her skin prickled as his fingers explored her exposed skin.
Once his hands had wandered, his lips and tongue joined the dance, Marianne gasped at the newfound feeling of his mouth on her body.
His tongue circled her nipples, which hardened at his touch, hearing a moan of pleasure as he gently bit down.
Marianne was trying to sound innocent, whatever that meant. These seeming moans of pleasure had her worried that Brandon would think that she knew how to respond as if this had indeed happened before.
Her reactions, however, proved to Brandon that his actions were pleasing, rather than a copy of a previous engagement.
Laying her down on the bed, he moved to her legs.
Marianne watched with eagerness as his hands travelled up her lower leg, stopping to release the ribbons that held up her stockings.
He rolled the garments down, his fingertips brushing her soft skin.
Once both stockings lay discarded, his hand moved steadily up her legs.
Marianne had never felt a touch like it, something inside willing him to go higher, go further.
Avoiding her most intimate area for a moment, Brandon's hands moved to her rear and up to her back, before finding her lips again.
Growing tired of all her coverings, she started to shove the chemise over her hips, wanting Brandon to see all of her.
At first, he thought she was pushing him away, breaking from their kiss as the chemise finally revealed her complete frame which had always been hidden from him
His mouth lost its moisture and his breathing almost ceased. She was easily the finest woman he had ever laid eyes on. It would be a crime every hour she wore clothing in front of him, to keep this sight from him now would be unthinkable.
Marianne watched him with a nervous curiosity, for a time he just stared, moving from place to place.
As no words left his lips she worried that perhaps this ceasing in activities was because something was wrong with her. Did everything look as it should?
He was silent for so long that she sat up abruptly, and reached for her chemise, wanting it back on her body.
He caught her hand, "I have no words because I cannot find them. You are truly a perfect and exquisite creature"
A small laugh and coloured cheeks were her replies.
Not wanting to delay a moment more, he laid her back down, this time vowing to explore her completely.
Marianne received his kisses as she felt his hand travel down her frame, tensing as his hand reached her womanhood.
His hand stopped as he felt her freeze, of course, she had every right to be cautious. From birth she had been taught to protect her honour, handing it over was never going to be easy.
His dark eyes met her hazel orbs, "May I?"
Hearing Elinor's words of an unspoken pleasure she replied, "Yes"
Brandon parted the coarse hair that marked her womanhood and pushed his fingers against her bud.
The noise that emanated from her mouth as he did so almost disgusted her, it seemed so wrong to sound as she did.
With each little caress, she likened to clay in his hands, submitting completely to his touch as telltale signs of her arousal began to grow.
His fingers danced at her entrance, glad to find it warm and slick, the fluid covering his fingertips.
Had he not looked so pleased, Marianne was sure she would die, her body's reaction was unknown and mortifying.
Brandon seemed to sense this as she squirmed with unpleasantness.
"Your body is doing all that it should my love. If this was not occurring I would begin to fear that you were having no enjoyment"
Slightly relieved she began to enjoy the feeling, there was a forbidden taste to it that was heightened with every caress.
Seeing that his lovely bride was as ready as he could make her, his breeches were next to be lost.
His desire needed no stimulation, his member was fit for the task ahead.
Catching sight of the masculine frame in arousal was very agreeable to her, she only hoped that what he possessed would match with what she owned. She would hope to never have a comparison, for Brandon seemed the most handsome man in the world.
He held his weight above her, positioning himself at her entrance before he saw a flash of fear on her face.
"It-it won't hurt will it?" she whispered.
"If only for a moment" he vowed, "no more than that"
Surely a moment could be borne for what promise lay after.
Brandon moved with gentleness, easing his manhood inside her.
Despite his efforts, Marianne did not like the sensation it made, unable to disguise a grunt of discomfort.
Reading her eyes and ignoring his own desire, his movements were slow, only the tip of his member inside her.
Feeling her body relax he dared to venture further, his actions this time were met with a slight sharp intake of air nothing more.
The whole affair felt strange, yet somehow right. Instead of pain, she felt a pressure, which the less she tensed her body, the weaker it became.
With a final thrust, Brandon let his full length inside her, groaning as her velvet walls accommodated his girth.
Marianne soon grew used to that feeling and the burning she felt dwindled.
"Pain?" he whispered, seeing her face still unsure.
Marianne shook her head, "No"
With measured determination, he began to do his duty. Perhaps unlike other men of his standing the pleasure of his wife was something he felt a need to provide, as much as a home or stability. Knowing that he had undoubtedly caused her discomfort, dare he even think any pain; kept his own desire away from the cliff edge. He would be in no danger of leaving her wanting, he'd never forgive himself.
He took steady pauses, allowing her body's fluid to replenish and ease the process, paying attention to every inch of her. He knew in time he would not have to take things so slowly, Marianne would grow used to him and perhaps even request the act.
With every few pumps from her husband, Marianne felt more excited, beginning to feel something build inside her.
As she saw him fit to pause again she pulled him closer, "Christopher, please don't stop"
The worry in his eyes dispersed, his desire fueled that his efforts were pleasing to her.
Their lips collided and with each moment Marianne could no longer hide how utterly wonderful it felt to have Brandon within her, Elinor had been right.
Now in a state of bliss, her hands which had stayed close to her body began to wander, mapping a path over her his chest, finding a home grasping the bands on muscle on his upper back.
Her hips rocked with this new sensation, arching her back to be closer to him.
Marianne felt she was on the edge of something, a warmth, a need was surging to her lower belly, and each glance at Brandon, the thought of him and the feeling of him made it even stronger.
Her moaning became more frantic and then all at once she felt as if she was amongst the clouds.
His name left her lips with such passion, each thrust carrying her further to the heavens.
Brandon delighted in each moan and delighted whimper, the very feeling of her climax against his member was just enough.
His release came swiftly, a satisfied groan parting his lips.
After several deep breaths following such exertion on his part, Brandon separated their union, falling on the sheets beside her.
Marianne felt like she was under some spell. As if she had just run from the cottage to Delaford with one breath.
"Christopher" she panted, "Did-did you feel that?"
He gently laughed at her sweet innocence, "Yes my love, I felt it all"
"When can we do it again?" she asked eagerly.
Brandon ran his thumb over her lips. "Madam, I am at your service, you name the date"
Marianne wrapped herself next to his frame, "I should like to partake as much as possible, it was divine"
Brandon felt a boyish pride hearing her compliment his actions, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.
"Was I pleasing to you?" she asked.
He almost laughed at her boldness. "Dearest, need you even ask?"
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Sarah x
