Chapter 24
ALEXANDER
Maddie was outside, waiting for me. I could see her nervous pacing as the cart moved toward the house along the winding road. Edward spoke, his voice low and steady.
“She will be relieved this is done. That he is gone.”
“Yes. The worry is not good for her. Or the babe. I wish that I could erase the past few days.”
“Just be there for her, Alexander. She draws her strength from your love.”
I glanced at him. “When did you get so wise about love, my friend? Since you found your own?”
He shook his head. “This is not about me.”
I chuckled. “Somehow, I think it may be.”
He ignored me, pulling the cart to a stop.
I jumped off, ignoring the jarring pain in my arm, desiring Maddie to see me fit.
She hurried forward, and I embraced her, holding her close with my good arm.
Behind her, the footmen began their work of emptying the cart.
Edward watched over them, instructing them where some items were to go.
He handed Lydia the presents I purchased for my wife, and I saw how he bent low, speaking to her, and the way she gazed up at him.
I didn’t miss the way he grazed his finger over her cheek as he sent her inside.
He looked at me, raised an eyebrow, and turned his back, making me want to taunt him, but I refrained and concentrated on my anxious wife.
“All is well, my love.” I drew back and met her eyes. “He is gone and will stay gone. You have no need to be fearful.”
“Are you certain?”
“I have made sure he understands the consequences should he choose to act foolishly or talk needlessly. He will not risk my anger.”
“How is your arm?”
“I stopped at Dr. Atwood’s. He said you are a miracle worker. It is healing well, and he has no doubt of my full recovery.”
She smiled, looking relieved and joyful. But I saw traces of exhaustion under her eyes. She had not slept well, trying not to disturb me but failing, as I, too, could not rest.
“I believe our plans the other day were rudely interrupted. I feel as if a picnic is in order today. The sun is shining, and the breeze makes it most agreeable. I will visit my farmers, then we can spend the afternoon together in the sun, enjoying the day.” I touched the end of her nose affectionately. “Just the two of us.”
“I would like that.”
“Yes? Some delicious morsels to feast on, some of your favored drink, a comfortable chair, and perhaps your favorite sonnets? I will read to you as you relax. We can be naughty and roll up our hems and splash in the brook if you wish.”
“What if I wish to be even naughtier?” she whispered, a small glint appearing in her eyes.
I lowered my head and touched my mouth to hers. “Then I shall be happy to oblige my wife in any way she pleases.”
The breeze rustled Maddie’s hair that hung down her back in ripples of dark silk. I had convinced her to remove her bonnet and the hairpins keeping it tethered to her nape.
“It is one of my greatest pleasures—to see your hair down,” I had urged, knowing she could not resist my plea. She wished to indulge me in any fashion I wanted, and I was prepared to take full advantage of her soft feelings.
I had discarded my waistcoat and cravat, loosening the buttons on my shirt and rolling up my trousers, letting the breeze kiss my skin.
I had also persuaded Maddie to remove her gown, the petticoat, and her stays, remaining only in her chemise, in order to be comfortable.
She was leery at first, but I could see she was enjoying the freedom.
Her chemise was loose and fairly modest, and I assured her no one would see her but me.
The servants would not appear until we returned to the manor and they came to clean up.
I did not tell her how much I enjoyed the view of her unencumbered breasts and the way they moved under the thin linen of her shift.
We had both removed our stockings and shoes, letting the breeze play over our toes.
It made her giggle, and I enjoyed watching her happiness.
She laughed as I lifted her hems to her knees then kissed the dimpled swells, telling her how much I loved her legs and instructed her to leave them on display.
“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.
“Ah, Maddie mine,” I groaned. “How good you feel,” I praised as I stroked her, my thumb strumming her pearl as I slid two fingers inside her.
She gasped, sliding down in the chair, widening her legs.
She reached blindly for me, and I aided her in unbuttoning my falls so she could reach in and pull out my cock, stroking it perfectly as I worked her.
Our mouths never separated as I passed circles over her clit, slowly increasing the pressure until she was trembling and moaning, her breasts rubbing on my chest, the material of my shirt abrading my skin.
I wanted to feel only her—only us—but I wanted her to succumb first.