Kate could not remember the last time she had smiled so much.
They journeyed back to Aubrey Hall by themselves, Anthony driving the carriage himself, Kate curled up contentedly beside him. He had, accidentally (or so he said), taken a detour round the lake, where in the serenity and solitude (a welcome relief from such a hectic day), he told her exactly how much he had missed her last night, and how beautiful she looked, and how happy he was that she was finally his.
Kate had a feeling that Anthony would willingly have stayed beside the lake for the rest of the afternoon, but she was very conscious of the fact that a whole party was waiting for them back at Aubrey Hall. "Good things come to those who wait," she winked at him, and she smoothed out the skirts of her wedding gown and he reluctantly picked up the reins once more.
A few minutes later they were pulling up the long drive to Aubrey Hall. Kate couldn't help but smile as she looked up at the gorgeous facade of the building. "Why are you smiling?" Anthony asked curiously.
"I can't believe this is your home. That we are going to live here."
"It isn't my home," Anthony said. Kate looked at him, confused. "It is our home, and hopefully someday we will raise our family here."
Kate kissed him lightly on the cheek, pulling back before the servants who were all dutifully lined up to greet the new mistress saw anything too scandalous. Aubrey Hall, considering it was not used that often, had a huge staff. Kate smiled politely as the butler introduced to her every kitchen maid, housemaid, footman, stable boy and everyone else. She had of course seen them all before, given that she had stayed at Aubrey Hall already, but now she was introduced as Lady Bridgerton, and she was trying her best (and failing) to remember all their names.
"And finally," announced Carson, as they almost reached the front door. "This is Mrs Hughes, the housekeeper, as you are aware."
Mrs Hughes smiled warmly at Kate. She had met the girl before and found her to be polite and sensible, and she had also watched Anthony grow up. In all her years of watching him, she had never seen him as enthralled and obviously delighted as he seemed now, looking at his bride. "Congratulations, Lady Bridgerton," she said, whilst curtseying.
"Thank you, Mrs Hughes," Kate replied, smiling. "I will be sure to set aside some time in the coming days so we can go through everything regarding the household. I'm sure I have much to learn." Mrs Hughes smiled again, and Anthony led his bride inside.
"Don't make promises you can't keep," he whispered to her, as they made their way through the entrance hall.
"What do you mean?" asked Kate.
"I do not intend to let you out of my bedchambers for at least a fortnight. Mrs Hughes will have to wait."
Kate blushed scarlet, trying not to giggle.
—-
The rest of the evening passed by in a blur. The couple entered the gardens (where the reception was being held, given the beautiful weather) to huge cheers, and were immediately each given a glass of champagne. Kate was passed from relative to relative, friend to friend, greeted with congratulations and compliments and best wishes wherever she turned. Anthony always had a hand on the small of her back, comforting her whenever he thought she looked anxious or overwhelmed. To his surprise, however, she seemed to be enjoying herself. "I am now married to you," she explained. "How could I not be enjoying myself? Besides, I have rarely been the centre of attention before. I suppose it is nice for a change." Anthony smiled at her, making sure that no one gave him more than a passing glance before drawing the attention to Kate's dress or her ring, or anything else that meant she got to enjoy the limelight.
After a splendid five course meal, Benedict and Colin stood to say a few words. It started off very complimentary towards Kate, before veering further and further from the path of polite conversation, as they started listing Anthony's misdemeanours over the years. It was only when Violet started hissing at Colin to shut up did the two men raise their glasses and take a seat.
Anthony stood next, showing everyone his 'viscount personality', as Kate had started to call it. He thanked everyone for attending, said some kind words about his mother and generally made everyone swoon at the smile he flashed at the audience every few seconds. Kate considered herself immune to such swooning, but soon found herself enraptured as Anthony turned to her and started to tell all of the guests how fortunate he considered himself to be. In that moment, she felt herself fall in love all over again.
As the evening progressed, and copious amounts of champagne were consumed, the guests began to care less about propriety. After all, most people in attendance were close friends, and so there was not as much of a need to do nothing but smile profusely. Kate spent a long time chatting to her sister and mother, as well as Daphne and Violet about how everything was going. She caught up with Eloise and Penelope, the former of whom confessed that weddings could be fun after all. Kate danced with all three of Anthony's brothers (Gregory seemed to have a soft spot for Kate) and, most importantly, her new husband.
She felt giddy on excitement, drunk on laughter and love. She sobered up however, when he leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "Are you ready to retire, my love?"
Kate suddenly wanted nothing more than to be with her husband, make herself a wife in body as well as in law and spirit. She nodded hesitantly and the couple slipped away swiftly, before anyone had a chance to notice their absence.
That is until (a slightly inebriated) Colin noticed about ten minutes later, and announced to the entire congregation that Anthony had gone to give Kate his wedding gift, and no one should expect to see them for a few days. He received a sharp tug on his ear from his mother for that one.
—-
The newlyweds rushed upstairs, giggling like school children who were afraid of getting caught, rather than the lord and lady of the house. In truth, Anthony was not afraid of being caught per se- it was his house after all. He owned it, and if he felt like taking Kate right there on the grand staircase, it is only the urge not to scar his family that would stop him. Instead, it was that he had reached a point where he could not bear to see anyone else. He had enjoyed the day, of course, but right now, Kate was the only person in the world who he wished to have any sort of contact with.
When they reached the top of the staircase, Anthony had to guide Kate to his bedchambers, given that she had never visited them before. They had not been his chambers for long. It was only when he had announced his engagement to Kate that his mother had informed him that she was handing the rooms over to him, and that there was no point in him arguing given that she had already moved her things to one of the other bedchambers. He asked her why she hadn't done that when he had been about to marry Miss Edwina. "I could not bear to see a couple have those bedchambers who did not love one another, after what your father and I shared. He would be glad to give his room over to his son and the woman he loves, though."
He supposed it was a good thing. Both he and Kate were moving into a new bedchamber. He had never brought women back to Aubrey Hall of course, but his old room was where he had climbed into bed after visiting the women in the village, who were more than happy to see to his loneliness in a small room in the local inn. He did not want any memories to tarnish the bed where he would now sleep with his wife, with the woman he loved.
He pulled her inside, firmly shutting the door behind her before pushing her back against it and meeting her lips with his. Her lips were soft and sweet at first, but she was more than willing to allow him entrance when his tongue asked for it, and she soon had her hands running through his hair. It was only after he moved his lips lower to trace her neck and collarbone that she had a chance to look around the room.
"Oh, Anthony," she said softly. The room was bathed in a gentle glow from just the fire and a few candles, warding off the chill of the evening. Splayed all over the floor and the already-turned-down bed were rose petals, which matched the various bouquets that had been placed around the room. "Did you do this?"
"Well I organised it, with a little help from Daphne," he admitted. "The last time we…were alone together, it was outside, and you deserve all the romance in the world on your wedding night."
She looked at him and laughed. "You really are incredible, do you know that?"
"I like to think so," he smirked, moving towards her once again.
"Wait," she giggled as his hands met her waist. "I should call O'Brien. I have so many pins in my hair that without her help I'll still be picking them out at the end of our honeymoon."
"No, don't," he said. "Tonight you are all mine. Only you and I exist. Only you and I matter. I can help you undress."
She looked in his eyes, which were staring down at her with nothing but love in them. "Ok." She turned.
Slowly, Anthony began to unbutton her dress. He traced his fingers down every inch of bare skin as it was revealed, making her shiver. Once it was completely undone, he pulled it down so she could step out of it. He looked up in shock.
"No petticoat?" he gulped, staring at her in amazement. He had seen her before, but last time was rushed and full of lust and desperation. This time, she stood in front of him quite serenely, wearing nothing but her corset, which pushed her breasts up enticingly, her stockings and garter, and her heels. She still had her hair pinned up, and Anthony wished he could have this exact image captured in a portrait, so he could stare at it everyday for the rest of his life. This time would be different. He would take the time to cherish every inch of her, make sure she knew that he loved her, not just wanted her.
She bit her lip nervously. Anthony looked slightly dazed, and she wondered suddenly if she had done something wrong, or if he had simply drank too much. "Is everything ok?"
He snapped out of his reverie, moving back to kiss her soundly once more. "Everything is perfect. You are perfect." His hounds moved over the entirety of her body, before he pulled back again.
"Sit," he ordered gently. "Let me take your hair down."
She did as she was told, taking a seat on the vanity chair in front of the mirror. Anthony removed his shoes, jacket and tie, rolling up his shirt sleeves, before moving to stand behind her. He gently began to remove each pin one by one. As he took them out, he would dig his fingers into Kate's scalp, massaging until she let out a little moan. Anthony continued this until her dark hair was tumbling over her shoulders. He moved it to the side and began to place kisses down the length of her neck. Her eyes met his in the mirror.
"Take me to bed, Anthony," she whispered. "Please."
He immediately straightened, taking her hand and leading her to the bed, where he suddenly picked her up and placed her, rather unceremoniously, in the middle of it. Kate laughed. "Anthony!" she cried, as he started untying her shoes.
"What?" he asked innocently. "I merely did as you asked." He had now removed both of her shoes and leaned up to kiss her again. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes," she whispered, looking into his eyes.
"Then lie back, and let me show you how a good husband treats his wife."
He moved back to kneel on his knees between her legs. He slowly lifted the one, bringing it so her calf rested on his shoulder. He began to trace the top of stockings, expertly removing her garter straps with one hand. Keeping her leg raised, he brought his lips to the skin at the top of her thighs, and began slowly dragging the silk stockings down, achingly slowly, his lips caressing the same path as the garments as they moved slowly down her leg.
Kate was already a mess and he had barely even done anything. Her head was thrown to the side, her eyes closed, her lip stuck between her teeth. She only gasped and looked up at him when he suddenly felt his mouth enclose around her big toe. "Everything alright, my love?" he asked innocently, digging his fingers into her foot, massaging and caressing.
"You're teasing me," she whined.
"And what were you doing all day, Lady Bridgerton? Revenge is a dish best served slowly, I think." His lips began to move back up her leg, until they reached her groin. Her virgin white underwear was very clearly soaked. He ran a finger gently along the fabric. "It seems you agree with me." he smirked up at her, before beginning his adminisatrations on her other, still clothed, leg.
"I think I might regret marrying you," Kate ground out. Anthony merely laughed.
"Don't worry, love. By the end of the night, I assure you that you will not feel the same."
Once he had made his way down Kate's long leg, he pulled her stocking off and kissed his way back up his wife's body until he reached her lips. She looked even more delectable now. Her lips were red and pouty from his kisses, her breasts were spilling over the top of her corset, her hair was spread haphazardly over the pillows and her eyes were both dazed and desirous at the same time.
"Kate," he moaned, as he moved his hand to feel the swell of her breast. "I really do like how this corset makes your chest look, but if it doesn't come off in the next ten seconds, I may rip it in half."
Kate giggled. "You may only remove it, if you agree to remove something of yours too." She smiled up at him. "You are wearing far too much clothing for my liking."
Anthony did not need to be asked twice. He immediately stood, pulling his shirt off, which had already been half-unbuttoned thanks to Kate's impatient wandering hands. He then removed his breeches, watching the way Kate's eyes followed his movements.
"My lady?" he said, holding out his hand. She took it and he pulled her up to a standing position, turning her around so he could undo her corset. It was harder than he thought: there were so many strings and knots. Normally when he undressed a woman they never had corsets on, as he had never slept with a well-bred woman before Kate.
"You are no longer allowed to wear corsets," he grunted in exasperation
Kate laughed. "Firstly, that would be very improper in polite society. Secondly," she turned as Anthony let out a cry of delight as he finally managed to free her, "since when do I obey your rules?"
Anthony was desperately trying not to be distracted by her breasts, which were now free and pert and perfect, and all he wanted to do was touch them and taste them and feel the weight of them in his hands.
"Has something distracted you, my Lord?" Kate's eyes were gleaming seductively. Anthony would normally retort with some witty comeback, but suddenly he felt as if his world had become clear, and he was hit with the epiphany that this was his life now. This woman, whom he loved and who loved him, was his wife. She was his. And he need not feel as though this was a one-off experience. He would see her like this everyday if she were agreeable.
"You are so beautiful, Kate,". She could see the honesty in his eyes, which were burning into hers with desire. And in that moment she felt all of her insecurities and worries melt away. As long as Anthony loved her, nothing could be wrong with the world.
"Anthony?" she whispered, moving closer so he could wrap her in his gentle embrace, both of them only in undergarments.
"Yes, my love?"
"I love you." Three words. So simple, yet both parties felt the weight of them.
"I love you, Kate," he whispered back, as if he were telling her a secret. He walked her backwards towards the bed, gently laying her down. "So much," he mumbled against her lips.
His lips then returned to their earlier path down her skin. She held her breath in anticipation as his lips moved lower, trailing her collarbone, under the swell of her breasts, up between them, and finally, as Kate felt she was about to cry out in frustration, he let his tongue taste her left nipple.
The touch was feather light, and yet Kate could not hold back her moans. Encouraged by her reaction, he let his tongue press a little harder, circling her stiff peak before bringing it between his lips, suckling on it, bringing it between his teeth and finally releasing it. He moved slowly towards the other one, repeating his torment, enjoying the sighs escaping from his new wife, and how her hands gripped the sheets for some sort of stability.
"Does that feel nice?" he asked wickedly.
"Yes," she moaned. "God yes."
Suddenly she gripped his hair, and pulled his face gently back to hers.
"I know what you have in mind," she said, looking into his eyes. "And I know that I would enjoy it very, very much. But right now, I want you inside me. I want you to make me your wife. We have the rest of our lives for you to be cruel and tease me, but tonight, I want you to make love to me. I need you to make love to me."
Anthony looked at his wife, who looked almost close to tears with desire, and suddenly realised he felt exactly the same way. They had endless days and nights to explore each other's bodies, but tonight, right now, they needed to be one.
Anthony hurriedly moved down the bed, pulling her underwear slowly down her legs, trying not to come right there at the sight of how wet she was. He removed his own underwear and moved back to lie beside her, kissing her face while trailing his fingertips over her breasts once more.
"You don't know how often I've dreamt of having you in my bed," his fingers moved dangerously lower, and he took pride in how Kate's breath hitched. "But even in my dreams," his fingers reached their target, "you were never this wet."
His fingers ran gently up and down her slit, collecting the moisture on his fingers before circling her clit slowly. After a few moments, he replaced his fingertips with his thumb, before gently pushing one finger inside her. He had to make this good for her. He thought he might die if she didn't enjoy it as much as he did.
He had always wondered how people could think that giving was better than receiving. It was illogical to Anthony- putting in the effort with no physical reward for yourself? But as he watched Kate's mouth open into a small 'o' as her eyes fluttered closed, he began to understand. Somehow, although not physically satisfying, this was incredibly gratifying. He felt powerful, ecstatic that only he had seen her like this, and only he ever would. She was so beautiful in her pleasure, and Anthony began to worry what might happen when he finally did enter her.
He was far from a virgin. He had been with more women than he could count, and he knew he was proficient between the sheets. But now, with Kate, even the sight and sound of her made him overexcited. He must be going mad- she hadn't even touched him yet and he was already close to being spent.
"Kate," he moaned. "You feel so good. Too good."
"What do you mean?" Kate mumbled incoherently, still thoroughly focused on the movement of Anthony's fingers.
"I am worried that if I do not enter you now, I may not be able to."
She looked up in confusion.
"I want to come inside you," Anthony whispered, removing his fingers gently and rolling on top of her. "You are my wife, and you are beautiful, and I want to come inside you. But if I continue to see you in such a state, it may be over before we have begun."
Kate smirked up at him. "Begin then," she stated.
Anthony took a few moments to collect himself, before lining himself up at her entrance. "I'll be gentle," he promised, placing a kiss on her forehead. He started to edge into her, his arms shaking from the effort of not just plunging in entirely.
He heard her breathe in sharply and instantly panicked. She could see the worry in his eyes, and she brought a hand up to brush the hair from his face.
"I'm ok," she reassured him. "It just still feels…new. Please don't stop."
He edged in further, biting her shoulder at the warmth and tightness now encompassing him. When he was fully in, he looked up at her. "How do you feel?"
"Irritated."
Anthony looked up in shock. "What is it? We can stop, I-"
"Irritated," Kate interrupted him "as my husband is so concerned about my wellbeing that he will not address the more pressing issue, which is that I want him to make love to me, and I want him to do it now."
He didn't know if it was her forthright directness, or the fact she had used the word husband, or that she was staring up at him with a perfect mixture of teasing and love in her eyes. But he was overwhelmed by the desire to kiss her, which he did, and she returned his kiss with equal fervour. He pulled back and pushed back in, gently finding his way to a rhythm. Their moans and pants began to increase, both fully in sync with each other's bodies, both lost in their own world, focused only on the feelings they were experiencing.
Kate, already wound up from Anthony's teasing earlier, and Anthony, already wound up by…well, just Kate, both felt themselves reaching their peak. Anthony stared down at his wife, mumbling sweet words and declarations of love in her ear, revelling in the fact that now, when he reached his high, he would not be alone as he had been with any others, but they would both climax together. Kate wrapped her legs around his hips, pressing him firmly into her as her muscle tightened and she collapsed into a scream of pleasure. Anthony felt his wife's body tensing around him, which pushed him, too, over the edge.
He collapsed on top of her, quickly rolling to the side so as not to crush her. They both lay there for a few moments, panting and dazed. Suddenly, Anthony rose from the bed, walking into the washroom attached to the chambers.
"Anthony?" Kate called, confused at his sudden departure.
"Yes, my love?" he asked, wandering back into the room, carrying a warm washcloth. He sat himself on the edge of the bed next to her and used the cloth to gently clean his wife. She had never felt so loved, and she sat up to kiss him deeply. When they pulled back, Anthony could see the weariness in her eyes. "We should sleep," he told her, standing to place the washcloth aside and opening the window to let in a cool breeze.
As he climbed back into bed beside her, covering her with the covers and tucking her into his side, they could hear the faint sounds of singing floating through the open window.
"It sounds like we've missed quite the party," Kate said sleepily, her eyes already drooping.
"I sincerely doubt it could have been more fun that what we just did," Anthony replied, leaning to kiss his wife once more before they both dozed off, exhausted from the day and their own personal after-party.
Anthony could not remember ever feeling so content.