Author's note: I have been overwhelmed with emails pleading with me to continue with this story. I apologize for taking so long to write this next chapter in Elizabeth and Gerard's story. I hope you enjoy it, and all your votes and feedback are appreciated.
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Elizabeth awoke, finding herself tucked snugly up against Gerard's chest with her back to his still sleeping form. His left arm lay underneath her head. The other arm was slung over her waist, and he snored gently in her ear.
The light streaming into the barn was gray, indicating that it had to be early morning. Sighing contentedly, Elizabeth's thoughts turned to the events of yesterday. She frowned as she remembered the disastrous dinner; her stomach turned at the memory of Mrs. St. Claire's hurtful words.
But then her mind drifted to Gerard, and what he had done to her, for her last night -- she had never felt so wonderful in her life. She blushed thinking about it, and snuggled back against Gerard happily.
Gerard started awake at the feeling of Elizabeth's warm, womanly bottom pressing against him so intimately. His nether region also awoke, and Gerard was embarrassed as it rose to greet Elizabeth so eagerly.
"Oh," Elizabeth murmured, feeling something poking her.
"I apologize, sweetest," Gerard said quietly. "But when you do that, how could I react any other way?"
Elizabeth smiled shyly, turning even more pink. "I am not saying I mind, Gerard," she said, biting her lip at her boldness.
Gerard's eyebrows rose, and a sly grin spread across his face. "Someone's feeling saucy this morning," he said, wrapping his arm more tightly around her. He was rewarded by her sigh of satisfaction. He buried his nose in her dark tresses, breathing deeply and enjoying her scent.
"It must be your influence," Elizabeth replied, unable to control her smile. She felt a familiar fluttering in her belly, and a warmth was slowly building between her legs. She pressed her thighs together in an unconscious attempt to relieve the pressure, and couldn't repress the soft moan that issued from her lips.
The sound did not escape Gerard's attention; a surge of pleasure shot through him, his cock becoming even more rigid as it now pressed against her back. "I would have to agree," Gerard said huskily, rising above her and cradling her face in his hands. "Forgive me, if I have been bad."
He bent his head and captured her mouth, pent up passion rushing forth and breaking his former resolve to take things slowly. He groaned as Elizabeth's tongue swept experimentally across his bottom lip, and his fingers tangled in her hair as he pressed himself even more closely to her.
Elizabeth's head was swimming. She had never seen this side of Gerard before -- he was kissing her without abandon, his hands wild as his hips began to move against her. Where before she had been timid, she was now daring; her hands roamed across his broad back, and she arched up, pushing her breasts against Gerard's front. She filled with joy as she was graced with his moans of pleasure.
Gerard was surprised by Elizabeth's actions -- gone was the apprehensive girl who had been shy with her kisses. In her place was a wild woman, as eager and willing to show her enthusiasm as he was. The ache that had been so concentrated in his groin was now suffusing his entire body, and he groaned against her mouth as he captured a breast in his hand.
Elizabeth gasped at the touch, Gerard's thumb brushing against the hardened nipple that strained through the fabric of her dress. "Undress me," she murmured, her cheeks reddening as she met his gaze.
Gerard paused, staring hard at Elizabeth. For a moment she was afraid he would reject her; she looked away, unable to maintain eye contact under his fevered stare.
"Are you sure, darling?" Gerard asked softly, taking her chin in his hand and turning her face back toward him. "Because if this goes much further, I do not know if I will be able to stop."
It was Elizabeth's turn to stare. She looked up into Gerard's handsome face, his eyebrows furrowed with concern as he studied her. His smoky eyes seemed to reflect all the things she was feeling: desire, hunger, and need. But then there was something else -- something tender, something moving that threatened to unnerve her if she focused on it for too long. Before she could change her mind, she nodded. "Yes, I am sure," she said, closing her eyes. "Please, Gerard. Undress me."
Gerard took a shaky breath as he helped Elizabeth sit up. His hands trembled as he reached for the top button of her gown. He silently admonished himself for his nervousness; he had been with plenty of women, but somehow Elizabeth shook his confidence. He wanted so badly for her to enjoy this.
He was jerked out of his thoughts at the sound of Elizabeth's anxious giggle. "Are you having trouble?" she teased quietly, looking down to see Gerard still struggling with the second button.
Gerard exhaled on a laugh, relaxing a bit at the sight of Elizabeth smiling. "Yes, it seems that I am, my lady," he said, letting go of the button and raking his hands through her shining hair. "Perhaps you would have better luck?"
Elizabeth smirked as she began to undo the buttons. "I do not suppose dresses are a man's area of expertise, after all," she said, her own hands quavering a little as she pushed the gown from her shoulders.
Gerard's eyes took in the creamy texture of her skin as he watched her russet dress slide down to her waist. The lacy shift she wore underneath revealed an expanse of smooth cleavage, and the rosy color of her nipples was evident beneath the thin cloth.
"My God, you are beautiful," Gerard breathed, reaching out to stroke his fingers across her skin. He watched goose flesh spread where he had touched, and smiled as he noted her small shiver. "I believe I can take it from here, sweetest."
His lack of confidence replaced with a strong desire to see the rest of her, Gerard leaned forward and pulled the dress over the swell of her hips and down her legs. He caressed her slim ankles as he threw the clothing behind him, chuckling lowly as Elizabeth said in dismay, "Oh, it's landed in the dirt!"
"Please, darling, do not let that distract you," Gerard chided, his hands sliding up her calves and dragging the shift along with them. Inch by inch, her ivory skin was displayed: her shapely legs, her silken thighs, then the dark patch of hair that covered her woman's mound.
"You're even more lovely in the daylight," Gerard whispered, his breath stirring the curls that shimmered with Elizabeth's arousal. She moaned, her legs closing around him and cradling him to her apex.
Gerard's senses were filled with her musky scent, and he very nearly finished in his pants. "Elizabeth," he rasped, prying her legs from around him. "If you keep that up, this will be over far too early for either of us to be truly satisfied."
His hands continued their journey, pushing the shift above her waist until, finally, his eyes were finally able to take in her breasts. They were lush and round, perfect handfuls, topped with small erect nipples the color of cinnamon.
Elizabeth was breathing heavily, her mind in a heady daze. She quivered at his ministrations, feeling moisture gather between her legs. Her nipples tightened even more beneath his gaze, and she shuddered at the look of lust that had come across his face.
Taking a firm breast in one hand, Gerard thumbed her nipple, delighting in her gasps of pleasure. He lowered his head to the other breast, his tongue coming out to gently swipe across it.
