ROMANTIC VENTURE

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The coursing waters of the North Sea captured the moonlight in its mercurial swells. The ship creaked and groaned as the ocean pounded at its heavy wooden girth. Pale clouds drifted low over the shimmery murk, and their silvery vapors were reflected in the lustrous billows so that it was difficult to distinguish where the sky left off and she sea began.

Maurette stood at the rail, gazing out over the black expanse of water and sky. A warm wind lifted her hair as, with a soft smile, she removed the fanciful bonnet that Imogene had given her and held it out over the rail of the Raven. With a gentle sweep of her arm, she released it from her fingers and watched it sail away into the gurgling darkness. She laughed quietly at its luminous descent into the ebon froth. Sensing Dominic's presence at her side, she looked up at him and smiled.

"I shall explain that to you some day," she said softly.

Her regarded her with a smile of his own. Dominic was in his element on this sailing ship. His loose shirt of creamy lawn Was opened at the neck, its long full sleeves fluttering in the breezy night. His soft leather breeches clung to his muscular booted legs like another skin. The gleaming sword backed to his side, his Wide smile baring gleaming white teeth, and his sliver-raven hair lifting in the wind gave him the appearance of a moon god. Encircling her waist with one muscular arm, he held her motionless in the warm winds as they stood gazing out over the moon-silvered water.

"'Tis time to retie," Dominic said, his voice a husky rumble.

"Yes," Maurette murmured.

He turned her to him and held her shoulders in his bronzed hands. "I am the most fortunate of men," he said softly.

His voice embraced her like the surging sea winds. Maurette allowed her head to fall back slightly so that she could see him against the blowing sails riding ghostly pale against the opalescent sky.

He gazed down upon her in wonder. This treasure, all milky skin and deep lavender eyes framed with magnificent velvet lashes, this pearl was his tonight. He would caress and embrace her and run his fingers through her glossy cascade of curls. He would kiss her tempting, tempting mouth and feel its full sweetness against his own. Like a flower it would open to accept his tender passion. The slender white column of her throat where a small vein pulsed gently invited his ardent hunger. He beat down and trailed kisses along its yielding length.

Maurette melted into his urgent demand, moaning breathlessly as he covered her face and neck with tantalizing kisses. The pounding of his heart beat in rhythm with her own. Each throbbing pulsation filled her soul with a yearning hunger.

With supreme control, Dominic checked his ravening thirst and held her against the powerful expanse of his chest.

"I will wait up here, little one, while you use the cabin." Then, releasing her, he stepped to the rail to regain control. When his breathing was back to normal, he turned to her, smiling, and lit a small cigar.. "Do not be afraid of me, Maurette," he said gently. "I shall not take you until you are ready for me."

Maurette gazed up at him. Her eyes were wide in her pale face, and the bud of her mouth was coral-colored with the passion she had just experienced. "Will it be tonight, Dominic?" she asked softly.

He nodded. "It will," he said huskily, his hunger fired by her innocence. "I shall be down in a moment, Maurette."

She turned, and Dominic watched as she descended to the captain's cabin.

Maurette contemplated the parameters of the cabin. Wood gleamed in the yellow glow of the lamplight, and highly polished brass shone like dull gold. A large wooden table filled the center of the cabin, maps and charts covering its richly glowing surface. Four chairs, all made of the same lustrous wood, surrounded the table. At one end of the cabin was a large enclosed bunk hung with richly appointed hangings and provided with a full feather comforter. This bed held her future, or at least a part of it.

Maurette reached into her trunk and drew out the soft night rail her grandmother had sewn especially for this night. Made of white gossamer with tiny appliques of silk embroidery, the gown had an astonishingly low neckline that barely reached her shoulders as she held it up before her. The long, flowing sleeves, slashed their entire length would reveal her bare arms at her slightest movement. Maurette felt her cheeks grow warm and quickly laid the filmy garment on the foot of the bed. Turning from the pale gown, she studied the cabin.

Opulent hangings, she discovered, hid shelves filled with masculine attire. On a low shelf, she found shaving tools of her husband, most likely naked to the waist, divesting himself on his manly beard. She blinked her eyes at the image that conjured itself before her She had seen only one man naked to the waist, and she shuddered at the vision she recalled. The man had been working in the with the horses, and the thick, dark hair that covered his chest had been matted and glistening with perspiration. And he had a fat belly. At any moment she would have to face her husband's naked hairy self. She shut her eyes tight, to avoid that image.

Moving back to the bed, she looked down on the flimsy garment she was to wear when she faced Dominic. The three women in her life had counseled her both separately and, on the eve of her departure, as a group. Edyth had been cautious but elated as she spoke of Maurette's coming adventure. "He will be tender, dear little Lady Edyth had burbled, "because you are so fragile looking."

Lady Violet had stand her friend down. "Fragile, Maurette is not, Edyth," she had said, dismissing the other woman's assessment. "Do you want him to treat her as a porcelain doll? You will not break, child."

And Lady Elaine had added her own advice. "Respond, my darling, to any feeling that he arouses. Do not be frightened."

It was her papa, however, to whom Maurette listened now as the echoes of her family's affectionate admonishment gathered about her in the tiny cabin. "Lord Warbrooke seems fierce and powerful," he had said, "and able to face any challenge. But there is not a man among us who is not in need of a woman's love, and not just any woman. We need to love and be loved as much as the most fragile babe that ever lived. Though we do not show it, we feel the pain of rejection, the frustration of resistance. The bravest among us is never as brave as he appears where women are concerned. Love him, child, for he loves you so." Maurette knew this to be true. She lifted the delicate night rail, determined to face what needed to be faced. She undressed slowly and, unused to the feel of her own naked body, let the filmy fabric waft down her awakened flesh.

The door to the cabin clicked softly. Dominic's large frame filled the small opening as he entered. In the amber lamplight his hair and skin gleamed. His silver eyes softened at the sight of Maurette.

"Is something amiss?" he questioned at her wild look.

"I was - waiting. I-" she stuttered faintly.

"Yes," he said, a smile forming on his chiseled handsome face. "Waiting and afraid," he said gently. He closed the door softly and advanced slowly until he stood directly in front in front of her and looked down into her great limpid eyes. Her perfect oval face shimmered, and her golden hair, which she had loosened from its combs, lay like velvet upon her white shoulders. He did not touch her, but she could feel the warmth of his body upon hers. He smelled of fresh sea air and tobacco. His shirt was open at the neck, and at Maurette's eye level there was a hint of the raven furring on his chest. At last he touched her cheek so lightly that she wondered if she only imagined the touch. She looked up into his soft silver eyes that were hooded and filled with a glowing tenderness.

"Beautiful," he breathed.

Maurette wondered what was expected of her. She knew that they would kiss as they had up on the deck. She knew also that he would fondle her in secret places, but, beyond that, she could not imagine what was to happen.

Dominic drew her to his lean length. His lips took hers in a soft exploring kiss. This was the beginning. Unexpectedly, he released her and stood back. He drew her to face a mirror that was bolted to the wall behind a hanging and turned her to face her own reflection. Maurette drew in her breath. In the glimmering lamplight, she saw herself. The opaque shadows of her gown barely covered her nakedness. She looked up at Dominic's tall reflection behind her. Her color was high, her cheeks and lips were like sun-kissed coral, and her eyes like deep pools of fear. But Dominic was smiling an easy smile of self-assurance.

"DO not be afraid of me, little one, for I will not hurt you. You were made for love, Maurette, look at yourself." As he said the words, Dominic lifted the gown veiling her over her head and exposed her curving form to them both, allowing the fragile garment to slip from his hand onto the gleaming deck. His smile vanished, and Maurette sensed, rather than heard, his gasp. Her breasts were high and firm and tipped with pink. Her flat belly and sweetly curving hips tapered down to a small, shadowy triangle. Her long slender legs narrowed to delicate ankles and perfectly formed feet. Behind her, Maurette could feel Dominic's need. He turned her slowly to face him. His big hand cupped her face and lifted it to his.

"Please, Dominic," she said softly as she moistened her lips with her tongue. Tears brimmed her darkly lashed eyes. "I am so very afraid."

Dominic groaned softly as he looked down into her shimmering eyes. "You must trust me, little one," he said huskily. His muscled arms came around her and pressed her small white face to his broad chest. "You must not fear me, Maurette, for I love you with all my heart."

They stood that way for a long moment. She felt his hands tenderly caressing her whole body and his lips kissing her hair. Then lifting her face with one large hand, he trailed kisses along her forehead and eyes and cheeks, and finally, his mouth found hers. The embrace of his lips was unlike anything she had ever experienced. His tongue gently pushed its way between her small teeth and explored the sweetness of her mouth.

Warm swells of excitement began to flow through her body and, without understanding what was happening to her, or caring, Maurette felt her arms encircling his neck. Her fingers entwined in the curling raven tendrils at the nape of his neck. The room swam, and she closed her eyes to receive him in whatever way he wished.

She felt herself swept easily from her feet and carried to the great bed. As he lay her on her back,. she felt his weight follow her. She did not know what to expect, but at this moment she did not care. She only knew that he was touching her body and his touches were somehow detached from the two of them and were part of a universal and all consuming pleasure. When his exploring fingers delved into a secret spot, Maurette's eyes popped open, and she gasped at the sudden rush of overwhelming excitement.

Dominic was smiling down upon her. "Your response promises a most satisfying union," he breathed against her ear. Another secret spot, she mused in languid pleasure.

She turned to face him on the bed and felt, in his eyes, all the love and protective feelings he had toward her. She felt safe and trusting.

"Dominic," she said timidly, "I wonder... could you perhaps . . . remove your shirt?"

He moaned softly as she said the words, and Maurette wondered if she had been too bold. She had suddenly, and for reason she could not begin to fathom, wanted to touch his skin.

Removing his arms from around her for only a few seconds, he divested himself of his shirt and wondered if that was the wisest thing to do. Control, he told himself, was all on this night.

Maurette watched in fascinated dread, and relief washed over her when she saw the light furring of silver-raven fleece that covered his chest. She tore her gaze away from his flesh and looked up into his eyes. "I was fearful that-" She stopped.

"What, sweet?" he said softly.

She placed her small white hand on his lightly furred chest. "I am glad that you are not all hairy;" she said and swallowed hard, ..... . and fat." Her great serious eyes nearly unhinged the last vestige of his control.

Dominic registered both surprise and amusement at her solemn declaration. "Fat?" he said through a half-smile. He pressed her to him and then smiled warmly down into her face.

Maurette reached up and brushed her fingertips over the taut flesh on his cheekbones. She found that her hands wanted to touch every part of him, and she trailed her fingers down his neck and shoulders and then to his ribs and around to his back. She felt him stiffen at her touch and wondered once again if she had been too bold. She was, after all, unenlightened in the ways of love. Hearing his soft groan as he drew her hand away from his flesh, she looked up at him, her smooth forehead wrinkling in a question. His breathing was ragged, and he framed her face with his big hands.

"I am not schooled in the ways of love, Dominic," she said softly "You must help me and tell me if I become too bold."

He lowered his lips to her lightly parted ones, then raised himself from her. " 'Tis I, little one, who must school himself this night." He smiled in self-appreciation. "This night is the most important we shall ever spend together, sweet, and if I am impetuous or if I lose control, I could ruin everything.".

"I do not understand, Dominic," she breathed. Suddenly, her mind turned to a veiled reference that Edyth had made to the terrible hurting thing." A light came into her eyes, an awareness that turned passion into unadulterated fear, and her face went pale. "You intend to hurt me, Dominic?"

Dominic could not bear the fear he saw in her eyes. "I will try so hard, little one, so very, very hard to make this night beautiful for you. Will you trust me? Will you trust that any pain I cause you will be momentary and not intentionally dealt?"

Maurette looked into his eyes and saw a tender pity there. "I will trust you, Dominic," she murmured and closed her eyes. "I love you," she said through the tears rolling quietly down her cheeks.

Dominic drew her to his lean length and caressed her tenderly. He gently stroked the flesh of her slender back and her sweetly rounded buttocks. He could feel the peaks of her breasts against his chest. Her skin was like ivory silk. His fingers brushed the soft flesh between her thighs and came around to caress her hips. He lifted her arms to his neck, and on their own they encircled him. His lips trailed kisses down her throat and shoulders and grazed the mounds of her quivering breasts with tender, teasing touches. His tongue circled the peaks of her desire, and she arched herself against him. His mouth caressed the undersides of her breasts and moved down to her soft belly. He tantalized her willing flesh with nibbles and kisses as he licked and sucked at her writhing body.

Maurette trembled in throbbing pleasure. A tempest was building inside of her, and she did not know or care where it would carry her. She only knew that his lips and hands were transporting her to a land of rapture. He had made her body his sweet captive, and she never wished to be rescued. Her thighs parted as he rolled her onto her back and began to explore with his fingers the place where she felt the core of her desire. As her hunger mounted, she felt the warm juices of convulsing passion begin to flow. Her knees came up as he stroked and caressed and tantalized, with practiced fingers, the pulsating bud of her womanhood. Small moans of pleasure erupted with her breath, and a light sheen of perspiration formed on her body.

Dominic, his hand exploring the length of her quivering flesh, satisfied himself that she was, in truth, ready for him. He raised himself to remove his breeches, then lowered himself on top of her, taking most of his weight on one muscled arm. With the other hand he gently cradled her arching buttocks and slowly he entered her. Her impatience for him, he knew, was born of innocence. And though his body reeled with desire, his mind kept a firm grasp on reality.

At her first hesitant shudder, Dominic stopped. He did not withdraw from her, he knew she did not want that, but he entered no further. He murmured gentling words into her ear and felt her relax. Again, he pressed her virginal flesh. The sweet anticipation that she felt must now be rewarded with a woman's pain. Dominic kissed her tenderly, and she clung to him. As the kiss became more demanding, Dominic knew that to delay the pain would be to draw it out cruelly, and so as Maurette's passion once again peaked, he thrust once-hard. The savage tearing act was completed.

Maurette screamed at the torrent of sudden, searing, And inexplicable pain. Her nails raked his naked back in horrified denial. Tears welled in her eyes, but she remembered his words. In the blackness of her sudden agony, she remembered his tender pity and his admonition to trust him. She did, and as she lay beneath him, forgiving him and dreading what would happen next, the pain began to diminish. Her body, which had turned cold, was warming again, and with wonder, she opened her eyes to look up into his.

"You are magnificent," he breathed. He let his own passion take hold as renewed hunger carried them both to unimaged heights of rapture. Maurette stroked the hard hollows of his back, and her pulse raced as, once more, he pressed himself inside her. This time there was to pain, and Maurette opened herself to the wonder and pleasure of his virile thrusts.

The fires of passion consumed her until she felt the mounting urgency of her need overwhelmed her. Suddenly her world exploded in a dizzying turbulence of stars and suns and pulsing torrents of flame. Then, as suddenly, she sank deep into a soft enveloping darkness, and her body relaxed with a trembling joy. When she opened her eyes, Dominic was gazing down at her. She felt his love as a palpable presence and knew that he was, to her, the heart of her life.