Author's note: I placed this chapter in the BDSM category for good reason. The graphic nature of this part of my story is not for the faint of heart. For those who have been following this story, you already know that Karina's new husband is an evil, sadistic, depraved bastard. Therefore, PLEASE, do not read this chapter if you do not want to read about unpleasant things. Poor Karina is going to suffer, so if you don't have the stomach for it, please just skip this installment.
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The coach arrived at Lord Rawlins' home, and Karina breathed a small sigh of relief. Stuart had continued his fondling throughout the ride, growing increasingly bold in his handling of her. It was almost as if he enjoyed her discomfort, she thought bitterly, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Surely, her new husband didn't realize how much his touch disturbed her. A footman quickly appeared to fold down the step and open the door for them.
Stuart stepped down and turned to lend his assistance to Karina. As she stepped from the carriage, she got her first glimpse of her new home. It was very elegant. Grey stone walls rose proudly, and a multitude of leaded windows winked at her in the late morning sun. Carefully groomed gardens surrounded the structure, and walkways were interspersed throughout the grounds, inviting one to explore.
Stuart led her into the foyer, and her eyes quickly swept the marbled floor and the grand staircase leading to the second level of the house. A long hallway traveled the length of the house, and several rooms branched off from it, including a formal sitting room, a study, a library, a music room, and a dining room. The furnishings and décor were very tasteful, but the house was lacking warmth. Karina's attention returned to Stuart, as she realized he was addressing her.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
Her husband gave her a charming smile. "I was saying that there will be plenty of time tomorrow for you to meet the staff and have a tour of your new home. But for this afternoon, I want you all to myself."
Karina's mind raced in panic. It wasn't even noon yet! "But Stuart," she stammered. "It's very early! What will the servants think?"
Stuart laughed. "They will think, my dear, that I am your eager husband, and that I can't wait to be alone with you to exercise my marital rights. And, of course, they will be right." The look he gave her was full of meaning, and she blushed.
Karina had already made up her mind to accept this marriage and to behave as a proper wife. She might not be able to love her husband, but she was determined to perform her duties as his wife.
At least she was no longer a virgin. She knew what to expect in their bed, and she would try her best to please him. She only hoped she could avoid shuddering every time he touched her. She took a shaky breath and mounted the stairs in silence, her husband's hand firmly guiding her at the small of her back. Stuart led her through her own bedroom, briefly drawing her attention to her trunks that had arrived earlier in the day.
"Sophie has been assigned as your personal maid, and she will unpack all of your things tomorrow," he informed her, as he led her through a dressing room that connected her room to his. "For today, I've instructed the servants that we are not to be disturbed."
They entered his bedroom, and Karina's attention was riveted to the massive bed that dominated the room. The sheets had been turned down invitingly, and Karina's face paled even further. She had anticipated having several more hours to mentally prepare before having to share her husband's bed. She desperately tried to stall for more time, as she turned to Stuart and placed a hand on his arm imploringly.
"I'm really quite tired from today's excitement. I was thinking that I could use a nap."
Stuart chuckled. "Oh, my dear. I really can't wait that long. As it is, I am eager to make love to you." He turned and took her in his arms, trapping her against his chest, as his eyes dropped to her breasts. "I have already waited an eternity to hold you like this and to know that you are mine."
He traced a long finger along the upper curves of her breast, dipping underneath the neckline to tease her nipple, as he grinned and watched her reaction. Karina blushed hotly and tried to subdue her rising panic. She glanced to the bed again and gave her husband a weak smile.
"Well, I should at least take a bath and prepare myself for you."
Stuart's eyes were alight with amusement, and he shook his head firmly. "No, I think you are quite prepared for what is to come. You may have a bath tomorrow."
He drew her closer, but Karina kept her hands between them and pushed lightly against his chest.
"Stuart," she implored, "at least let me put my nightgown on. Shouldn't you call Sophie and let her help me undress?"
Karina realized, as she said the words that it was obvious she was stalling, and she bit her bottom lip to stop it from trembling. Stuart threw his head back and laughed.
"My dear, we won't need Sophie's assistance to get you undressed, and you definitely won't need a nightgown. I intend to enjoy every inch of your luscious body without some prudish nightgown to hinder my pleasure."
Before she could respond, he swooped to place a searing kiss on her lips. Karina fought the urge to turn her face away from his kiss. His tongue parted her lips and invaded the cavity of her mouth, while she stood rigid but unresisting.
Karina couldn't help but compare this kiss to the ones she had experienced before. Richard's kisses had always sparked her passion, igniting an aching hunger in the pit of her belly. In contrast, her husband's kiss left her feeling cold with dread at what she knew was to come.
Stuart broke off from the kiss and gave her a leering smile, as his eyes swept her heaving bosom. "Darling," he purred, "would you care for some champagne?"
Karina nodded, glad for any diversion that might delay the inevitable. Stuart crossed to a nearby table, where a bottle of champagne sat chilling on ice. He poured two glasses and handed one to her. He toasted with her and drained his glass, while he watched her over the rim with a calculating gleam in his eyes. Karina had to hold her glass with both hands, to hide their trembling.
"Drink up, darling. The wine will calm you." Karina carefully sipped her champagne, hoping to make it last as long as possible.
Stuart turned away as he removed his coat and waistcoat and laid them over the back of a chair. He untied his cravat, carefully replacing the pin in a box on the dresser, before he unbuttoned his shirt and removed that as well. His boots and stockings were next, and he finally padded back to stand in front of Karina wearing only his trousers. Karina should have found him attractive, but she barely noticed his sculpted male beauty. He took the nearly full glass from her cold fingers and set it on a small table.
Karina started to protest, "But I haven't finished yet."
"I'm afraid I really can't wait any longer," Stuart purred. His smile was positively lecherous. "My dear, you are wearing too many clothes."
He stepped behind her to undo the buttons down the back of her dress. She clutched the soft fabric against her bosom, reluctant to part with her clothing. When he had released all the buttons, he separated the back of the gown and insistently tugged it from her stiff fingers to let it fall at her feet.
Karina stood trembling before him in her corset and undergarments, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She sensed rather than saw his gaze devour her trim figure from head to toe. He untied her pantalets and let them drop in a heap, then he loosened the ties of her corset and pushed it down over her hips.
Sunshine streamed through the windows, bathing her body in golden light. Stuart turned her to face the mirror. Through the delicate fabric of her chemise, she could clearly see her nipples and the small triangle of golden hair at the juncture of her thighs. Stuart stood behind her and grinned as he scanned her reflection. Did she imagine the strange light that had come into Stuart's eyes as he watched her?
Karina cringed with shame, and a heated blush suffused her cheeks. She couldn't meet his eyes. Stuart circled her with his arms and slowly unbuttoned her thin chemise, pausing to knead her breasts and belly with bold familiarity. When he finally had the garment opened, he brushed the straps off her shoulders and it floated to the floor. He sighed at the sight of her standing nearly naked before him.
"Take your stockings off for me," he said quietly.
Karina propped one foot on a nearby stool and began to slowly slide one garter down her long shapely leg, feeling self-conscious beneath his steady regard. She removed her stockings one by one and laid them over the back of a nearby chair. She fidgeted nervously from his lengthy inspection.
"Now, your hair. Let it down."
Karina bit her lip as she complied. She reached up and slowly removed the pins and the string of pearls that was wound through the shiny tresses. Her hair cascaded down her back, curling around her waist and buttocks and partially shielding her breasts from view. Stuart stood behind her for several more long moments simply looking at her, as her tension mounted.
When he finally moved, she jumped slightly, but she stilled as he came around to face her. He lifted her hair and flung it behind her shoulders, baring her breasts to his hungry gaze once again. Stuart reached out both hands and crudely seized her breasts, roughly pinching her nipples as he watched her expression change to uncertainty. Karina gasped and would have backed away from him, but he grasped her hip to hold her still for his pleasure. His fingers bit into the flesh of her hip, and his smile was cold as he continued to maul her breast.
