Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“If I have you, I have everything,” she replied, breathless.
I smiled at her words. What they implied. I prayed they meant what I hoped they did. That perhaps, she, too, was feeling the same tender feelings for me as I was for her. I had come to the realization that I was in love with my wife and was waiting for the right time to declare myself. I reached out and stroked her cheek.
“And I have everything with you. But this is for you. Use it how you wish. The money is yours. You do not need to ask permission to spend it. It is simply a gift to you from your husband. It means you will never have to ask anyone’s permission again.” I sat back, pleased. “We will discuss all the particulars when we return to Wheaton. I only wanted to tell you of it.”
Her eyes shone with unshed tears, and she grasped my hands tightly. “You are the most generous, thoughtful man,” she whispered. “I am honored to be your wife.”
I smiled, lifting her gloved hand to my lips and kissing it. “I am the fortunate one, Maddie mine. You make me happier than I deserve.”
“You deserve everything,” she replied.
I met her eyes, a silent conversation flowing between us. It held promises of the future for both of us.
MADELEINE
I was stunned by what Alexander said to me. The way he bestowed yet another unexpected, thoughtful, extravagant gift on me. I had never known anyone like him. This tall, strong, powerful, yet incredibly gentle man who was generous, capable, giving, and so loving toward me.
The gifts he handed to me were numerous and expensive, but none was as worthy as the man himself.
Could he, I wondered, love me the way I had fallen in love with him?
Across from me, he chuckled. “One more surprise today, Maddie mine, then we shall be done. We will head home to Wheaton on the morrow and start our life together, yes?”
“Yes.”
The carriage rocked on through the steady traffic as a companionable silence fell. I would be contented to return to Wheaton and the quiet stillness of the countryside soon, but I had to admit that our jaunt to Town had been more than pleasant. Not just because of the vast spoiling Alexander had done of me either. But because of all the time we had been able to spend together. There were no tenants, no estate matters to take him away from me in London. It was only the two of us.
The carriage rocked to a halt again.
Alexander leaned forward and peered through the Venetian blinds on the window. “Ah, we have arrived at our next destination.”
A groom opened the carriage door. Alexander exited first and turned back to offer me a hand. Feeling as giddy as a schoolgirl, I placed my hand in his and alighted from the carriage. The tall, elegantly appointed building before boasted a sign that read Bellingham and Co. Two banks of windows showed off the wares within. I recognized it at once as London’s most prestigious shop.
“Lady Beckett told me about Bellingham and Co.,” I said delightedly. “She told me there are various departments, with everything from clocks to bonnets and fans.”
Alexander smiled down at me, offering his arm. “I am acquainted with the owner, Mr. Tarquin Bellingham, and he has been kind enough to procure some special items for you that I think you may find of particular interest.”
I settled my hand in the crook of his elbow, wondering what special items Alexander could have possibly thought of. Already, he had plied me with stockings, gowns, undergarments, bonnets, sewing items, jewels, and books.
We ventured within and were instantly greeted by an affable gentleman who offered to provide us with a tour of the varying departments. Alexander accepted, which was just as well because I was too busy craning my neck to observe the vast array of goods the store sold as we moved about. Furs and fans, haberdashery, fine furniture, jewels, clocks, and even perfumes. I had never seen the like, and certainly not all in one place.
The establishment was a fine one. I had no doubt that everything within was quite costly.
“Mr. Bellingham has gathered the goods he felt may be of interest to you, and they are arranged in a private shopping room, Lord Wheaton,” the clerk said when the tour of the expansive and impressive store was finished. “This way, if you please, my lord, my lady.”
“Thank you, that would be most agreeable,” Alexander said.
The clerk guided us to a door on the periphery of the haberdashery department and bowed. “If you require assistance, I would be more than happy to provide it, my lord.”
Alexander gestured for me to precede him into the small, paneled room. And the moment I was within, I couldn’t contain my cry of pure happiness. I rushed forward, instantly recognizing pencils and crayons for drawing, along with papers and brushes. A handsome mahogany box was on the table at the room’s center.