A Gentleman Never Tells(105)
And it did.
He made love to her with gentleness that overwhelmed her. His movements were slow, sensual, and reverent. He kissed her, stroked her body, and moved so gently on top of her that, before she knew what was happening, she once again gave herself over to an indescribable pleasure that kept mounting between her legs.
She joined the hungry rhythm of his hips meeting hers, his body moving in and out of her with long, sure strokes that grew stronger, fuller, with delicious sensations, until she stopped and cried out, breathless with exquisite gratification.
She heard Brent’s breath quicken, felt him tremble, and she gloried in pleasing him in this way. Brent covered her mouth with his in a bruising kiss. As her body shuddered, he slid his arms under her back and cupped her to him.
He lay still and heavy upon her, breathing deeply. Her hands made a slow trail over his back, down to his buttocks and up to his shoulders again. She wanted to hold him forever in this moment but knew she couldn’t.
Gabrielle was the first to stir. “I’ve never felt such extraordinary feelings,” she said on a contented sigh. “It was so much more than I expected.”
“For me, too, my love,” he answered. “And all I can think right now is I want to enjoy the same feelings over and over again. But we can’t. Your aunt and sister will return soon.”
She cupped his cheek with her hand. “I know.”
He rose on his elbows and looked down into her eyes. “Are you all right with what we did, Gabrie?”
She smiled. “I’m very much all right.”
He nodded and rolled away from her and started straightening his clothing. Gabrielle sat up and started the task of tidying her clothes as well. They worked quietly until he saw her trying to tighten the lacing at the back of her bodice and he said, “Let me do that.”
“Thank you,” she whispered and turned her back to him.
“While you repair your hair, I will get Muggs to help me with Brutus.”
Instantly, fresh tears flooded her eyes. A lump formed in her throat. Reality returned. She faced him and said, “Thank you.”
“Is there a special place you would like for us to take him?” Brent asked.
She tried to swallow, but it was too difficult. He reached for her hand and helped her to stand. “There’s a place in the back garden Brutus was fond of and he can rest at peace there. I’ll show you and Muggs. I should like to have a short service for him. Will you come back tomorrow morning? Maybe just before noon?”
“I’ll be here.” He lightly squeezed her fingers. “Gabrie, we need to talk about us.”
She nodded. “We will, but not now, please. First I need time to bury Brutus.”
“I understand.”
Brent walked over to her father’s sideboard and poured brandy into a glass and brought it back to her.
“Drink this while I get Muggs,” he said. “Drink another before you go to bed tonight. You will sleep more easily. I’ll see you tomorrow. This will be the last time I see you alone tonight, since Muggs will be with us, but remember I love you, Gabrielle.”
She had such an overwhelming tenderness for this man she loved so deeply. He had given all she had asked for, all she needed—love, passion, and consolation during her grief. She would never make him sorry he put his trust and love in her.
Twenty
There is no instinct like that of the heart.
—Lord Byron
“I don’t think I’ve been to a service for a person that was any sweeter than the one you had for Brutus, Gabby,” Auntie Bethie said, taking off her gloves as she walked into the drawing room.
Gabrielle and Brent followed her aunt into the room while the servants, who had attended the short ceremony Gabrielle had prepared for her long-time companion, dispersed to do their daily duties.
Gabrielle had cried off and on throughout the night and she had been weepy most of the morning, but now that Brutus was at his final resting place, her healing had begun. The few words she spoke over him came more easily for her than she had expected.
“I agree with you, madame,” Brent said. “Whenever it’s my time to meet My Maker, I hope whoever conducts the service makes it as short and sweet as Gabrielle did for Brutus.”
Gabrielle gave him a grateful smile but made no comment. She would tell him one day soon how much it had meant to her to have him with her yesterday, to have him love her as he did at the time she needed it most. He hadn’t wanted to at first, and she understood that. But his loving had helped her cope with losing Brutus. She had felt so lost, so alone and abandoned, that his touch, his kindness, his loving her had somehow grounded her and lifted her above her grief to a thankfulness she’d had Brutus with her for many years.