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)
“I can show you another way to enjoy the water, Maddie,” I growled against her breast, sucking hard. “One so scandalous you will cry out my name repeatedly.”
“I would like to try that,” she murmured, arching her back. “Alexander,” she pleaded as I bit down gently, then blew over her nipple.
I smiled against her skin.
Swimming naked had never been so stimulating, and I liked the added benefits. I would assume that my wife did as well.
Repeatedly.
That evening, I laid out the new dressing gown I had purchased for her and waited impatiently for her to finish her nightly routine. I heard her exclamation of delight when she spied my gift. A moment later, my wife appeared before me, wearing the gown and nothing else. We both enjoyed sleeping skin to skin, and she found herself too warm these days with a nightgown. The violet silk glowed in the firelight, clinging to her form. I held out my hand, drawing her to me.
“You are a vision,” I murmured.
“Alexander, it is so beautiful,” she whispered. “You are too generous to me.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think I am generous enough. I love spoiling you, but my love, I believe getting to see you in that dressing gown is more a gift to me.”
She laughed and twirled, a froth of lace and silk circling her. “Exquisite,” I mused, placing a hand over the swell that grew a little every day. “Our babe grows,” I added.
“Hmm,” she replied. “Perhaps it is more I am full of lake water this evening than babe.” She paused. “I believe much entered my body earlier today through your vigorous, ah, actions.”
I looked up at her, her mischievous smile making me throw back my head in laughter. I loved it when she teased me.
I pulled her to my lap and lifted my knees, jostling her. “Shall I shake it from you, wife?”
She joined me in laughter, nestling her head to my shoulder. “No, I shall recover, my lord.”
We were quiet for a moment, and I enjoyed the peacefulness of the evening, holding my wife and appreciating a fine snifter of brandy. Often, Maddie would chat about her day or talk about something she was working on for the babe, but tonight, she was silent.
I pressed a kiss to her head. “Did I exhaust you today?”
“Perhaps,” she said, sounding sleepy.
I had looked forward to removing her pretty dressing gown. Making love to her. But it had been a day filled with many “vigorous actions,” as she phrased it. I knew there would be many nights ahead of us when I could indulge my wish. For tonight, I would be happy to hold her in my arms and sleep next to her.
After our swim earlier, we had dried in the sun, then dressed and returned to the manor. My waistcoat covered my torn shirt, and Maddie carried the blanket in front of her, hiding her disheveled appearance and the fact that her clothing wasn’t proper. Half an hour after returning, we had met in the library, both put to rights, my arm rebandaged, and looking dignified again. She had blushed prettily when I informed her I preferred it when she looked tousled. She had lifted her chin, trying to appear stern.
“You, sir, must learn to behave.”
I grinned, lowering my head to hers and pressing a kiss to her sweet mouth. “What fun would that be, my wife? I think you like me just as I am.”
She had smiled. That beautiful, wide smile she had only for me. “I do.”
I glanced down, seeing she was asleep. Her eyelashes rested on her skin that was slightly rosy from the sun today. I ran a hand over her head, feeling the silk of her hair. Liking how she relaxed against me, knowing I would keep her safe. I rested my hand on her stomach, pleased to know it wasn’t the only place she was growing. She was no longer thin and malnourished-looking. Her skin glowed, her hair was luxurious, and her body had filled out well. Add in her condition, and she was glorious.
I finished my brandy and carefully lifted her from my lap. My arm pulled a little, but it wasn’t overly painful and I ignored it.
I sat her on the bed, carefully divesting her of the pretty silk gown and laid her down. She slept through the entire happening, obviously more tired than she allowed me to see.
I stretched out beside her, smiling as she rolled into place with her head in the crook of my neck and her arm flung over my chest. I lay in the dark, the stars outside bright in the night sky. I was thankful for this day. For every day. Perhaps more aware now of how precious they were.
Then I slept.
CHAPTER 25
ALEXANDER
Three days later, I strode into the library, taking note of the cheery blaze in the fireplace. Maddie was on the chaise, reclining against pillows, a blanket draped over her feet. She was staring out the window at the stormy sky, heavy with rain. It had begun to cloud over the day before, and my farmers predicted it would last for a few days. Lydia was in the window seat, looking despondent. I had a feeling it was due to the fact that Edward was in London on a task for me. He had looked rather grim when he departed the day before, his mouth turned down in an unfamiliar frown. He usually enjoyed the missions I sent him on, but then again, he’d never left behind someone he cared for.