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)
“You present such a delicious tableau for my eyes, Maddie,” I whispered with a lingering kiss to her lips. “Please stay as such.”
She rested in a comfortable wicker chair the footmen had brought out and placed in the shade beside the brook. I sat on a stool beside her, the picnic basket in front of us mostly empty now. Cook had packed a feast for us, and I had plied Maddie with all the tempting morsels, feeding her from my hand. Pork pies, cheeses and breads, savory meats and the choicest of cakes and tarts were enjoyed by us both. The delicious lemonade and fresh fruit rounded off the repast.
I smiled at her, pleased to see the color returning to her face and the strain around her eyes easing. My arm was hardly paining me at all, thanks to Maddie’s care. We did not talk about her father, but rather the babe and the room she wished to prepare for the arrival of our child. The drawing she had been working on. A new idea I had for the farmers.
“Did you always love the land?” she asked, sipping her lemonade and resting her head back.
“Yes. Even as a child, I spent time out of doors. When I was old enough, Edward and I would sneak down to the farms and watch. Learn. Eventually, they allowed me to toil with them, although we made sure my father didn’t see.”
“You have a strong bond with Edward.”
I nodded, sipping the claret I had chosen for the meal. It was rich and decadent, the flavor bursting on my tongue as I drank it. “We have been like brothers. I know no finer man than he. We experienced so much of life together. Good and bad. We made an oath as young men we would stand by each other until the end, and I believe we both mean to stick to those words.”
“It is good you have him.”
“I think so as well.”
We were silent for a moment. I slipped my hand into my pocket and laid the delicate gloves on her bare knee. “I saw these and thought you would like them.”
She gasped in delight, slipping one on and admiring the lace. “Alexander, they are beautiful!”
“I have no desire for you to cover your hands, but if you wish to, I should like it if you wore those, not heavy leather ones.” I picked up her hands and studied the palms. “The salve the healer made for you has lessened the scarring, and they are no longer rough.”
“It has. But it will never be totally gone.”
“These light gloves will help hide them.”
She leaned forward and kissed me. “Thank you. I will wear them. I would feel better in mixed company if they were covered. And these are so lovely!”
I touched her ear where the small knot of pearls lay I had given her earlier. “I am pleased you are happy with my gifts.”
“I am spoiled by all your gifts.” Her eyes glowed. “Though none is as dear to me as the gift of your love.”
I dropped to my knees in front of her, wrapping my hand around her neck and pulling her face to mine. I pressed my lips to hers, groaning as she immediately opened for me. She tasted of sweet berries and lemon. Of life and love. Of Maddie.
She sucked my tongue, as desperate for me as I was for her. I kissed her deeply, exploring the sweet recesses of her mouth as though it were new to me. And it was—every time. She flung her arms around my neck, tearing away the band of leather holding my hair back and delving her fingers into the heavy strands, pulling and twisting them. I slid my hands to her knees, pulling them apart and pushing the fabric of her chemise out of the way, feeling the warmth of her bare skin under my fingertips. I stroked up her legs slowly, still kissing her. She mewled in frustration as I teased her thighs, throwing her head back. “Please, Alexander. I need you.”
I smiled against the heat of her neck, licking, kissing, and biting along the delicate arch of her throat. “You want my hands on you, my sweet? My fingers inside you? Are you wet for me?”
“Yes to all,” she panted, shivering as I bit down at the juncture where her neck and shoulder met. “Can it be done here—outside? Is your arm—”
I stopped her words. “My arm is fine. And as for doing it outside, yes, my sweet. I will happily show you.” Impatiently, I tugged at her bodice, wanting her nipples in my mouth. She wiggled, exposing her luscious breasts, and I wasted no time in drawing a stiff pink nipple into my mouth, teasing and sucking, then doing the same to the other one. She gripped the back of my head, whimpering my name. The low, hungry sounds she made in her throat made me frantic. More desperate for her. I slid my fingers up her legs, finding her silken heat, wet and ready for me.