Chapter Seven
Lavender Cottage
Angelica trailed through the dower house, making notes of the things she wanted to change. Each time she wrote down an item into her small, leatherbound notebook, she built a future in her mind of what she hoped would happen.
The upper level held four bedrooms, which included the suite for the dowager duchess.
It was where she’d planned to live out the remainder of her days, unless she decided to sell some of her mother-in-law’s treasures.
Then she could convince Caleb to purchase a property and a new cottage on her behalf somewhere far removed from anything Tittleford’s memory had ever touched.
Everything depended on a few things.
When she came downstairs, she spent time ticking off changes to the other rooms—drawing room, study, parlor, morning room, small dining room.
New upholstery, draperies, and rugs would go a long way into making the space her own and reflect her style, something the duke had never allowed her to do in the London townhouse or the manor.
There were two tiny rooms attached on each side of the corridor that she had no plans for and didn’t know what to do with them, but perhaps she could convert one of them into a stillroom.
One of the things that brought her joy was arranging flowers, and she would like to learn how to properly dry them for further arrangements.
Perhaps if she puttered about outside and planted an herbal garden, she could also learn how to make her own poultices and tinctures. If nothing else, it would help to pass the time.
When the sound of the front door opening then softly closing filtered to her ears, her pulse accelerated, for that meant Caleb had arrived for their arranged meeting.
With a lilt in her step, Angelica moved out of the drawing room to receive him.
“I’m so glad you kept our appointment,” she said as she met him in the corridor, outside the morning room.
Perhaps she was greedy or a bit in need, but she roved her gaze up and down his person.
“But I know it’s more difficult for you to move about the estate.
” What she wouldn’t do to have him naked so she could explore his body again.
Yesterday, they had shared some kissing, but it didn’t evolve into coupling, and she craved that intimacy.
“As if I would pass on the opportunity to be with you in any capacity.” He came toward her, amusement and wicked promise twinkled in his blue eyes. “What are you doing?”
“Cataloguing the things I wish to change or update in this cottage.” Holding out the open pages of her notebook, she sighed. “Eventually, I’ll move in here, and I want everything to be ready and finished once that happens.”
“Do you already have a favorite room?”
After snapping the notebook closed around the pencil, she wrapped the leather strings about it and tied them.
“I favor the mourning room, but there are a couple of smaller rooms that are used for storage just now. I’d like to have a stillroom and perhaps a music room or a salon. I haven’t decided yet.”
“Whatever you wish can be yours, but surely it will be a long while before you are a dowager yourself.”
“Ha.” She snorted and led him into the parlor at the front of the cottage then waved him onto a low sofa. After she sat beside him, she met his gaze. “We can only hope. However, life is fickle.”
Caleb nodded. “Why do you seem in a blue study just now?”
How was it that he was so observant when it came to her? It was flattering but also disconcerting. “It doesn’t reflect well on me to admit.”
“There is no shame here, Angelica. You can tell me anything.”
There was that. With a nod, she found his gaze. There was something quite comforting in the cool depths of his eyes. “It’s been so lovely being free of the duke for the past few days.”
“On this I can agree with you.” He took one of her hands in his. “This culmination of years of longing between us. I won’t say I’m sorry we’ve done what we have.”
“Neither am I.” For the space of a few heartbeats, she stared at the notebook in her lap.
“I have put much thought into this decision. At the end of the month, when Tittleford returns to London, I will not accompany him. Though I might not move into this house right away, I will be alone in the manor house, and frankly, I’m looking forward to it.
Hopefully, the duke won’t show himself for an arse when I tell him. ”
“I see.” Clearly, the news had taken Caleb by surprise, for mild shock shadowed his eyes. “You should do what you feel is best for you, of course.”
“Yes.” The urge to sob rose in her throat, but she swallowed it down. “You’ll go back to London and resume your life, and that is as it should be.”
Without her, because she wasn’t free.
“Why would you say that.” He squeezed her hand even as sadness crept into his expression. “Have we not been good together this week?”
“Yes, of course we have.” The thought of him not being here with her left her desolate and almost despondent. “But you should move on from me. Find a woman to marry, have a life.”
“Stop.” A huff escaped him. “I have already told you that there is no one else in this world for me beyond you. That is the truth.”
A tremble went through her heart. “You are a romantic, Mr. Marsden.”
“Perhaps, but I also think that you and I were always meant to be together, but fate decided to throw a challenge into the mix.” He was silent for a few moments before speaking again. “If you are to remain here in Surrey, perhaps we could plan monthly meetings.”
“As much as I would like that, I don’t know how it would be possible.” Tears welled in her eyes. “We would need to sneak about, and that isn’t fair to you.”
“Or you.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back. “But if that is the only way we can be together? Why wouldn’t we? Tittleford will see his mistress in London. Why can you not do the same?”
“You know why.” Angelica shook her head. “The duke’s rage is legendary. If he tries to hurt you…” Her words died away in the face of a poorly stifled sob.
“Shh, sweeting. All will be well.” The dear man removed the notebook from her lap then he gathered her into his arms. “This week isn’t the end of what we have. I promise you that.”
The comforting rumble of his voice in her ear shivered through her. “I don’t wish to spoil the time we do that with worry,” she whispered as she turned her head and pressed her lips to the side of his neck.
“Neither do I, so let us do this instead.” Then he nudged her head upward with a curled finger beneath her chin and he claimed her lips in a gentle kiss.
When she surrendered to him with a barely audible sigh, he pulled her into his lap so that she straddled his thighs as awareness shivered down her spine.
“Perfect position for scandal, hmm?”
Briefly, Angelica closed her eyes merely to enjoy being close to him like this. “There is no place I’d rather be,” she said in a whisper, for his presence threatened to overwhelm her.
And it was beyond lovely.
Seconds later, his hands were in her hair, releasing it from its pins and combs.
Those accessories fell to the floor with soft pings.
When he buried his fingers into her tresses, cupped her head and held her steady in order to kiss her more intently, Angelica wanted to close her eyes and escape into the world he promised.
“Golden hair like an angel,” he said against her lips. “I haven’t seen you naked, but I’ll wager you have wings hidden somewhere.”
She giggled, and wondered at it, for she’d laughed more in just the handful of days with him than a lifetime with her husband. “I fear you’re merely a rogue with all these compliments.”
“Mmm, perhaps.” He nuzzled the crook of her shoulder, and as he did so, he tugged at the bodice of her dress until it came down and bared her modest breasts. It apparently wasn’t that much of a challenge, for she’d made certain to wear a day dress that had a low bodice for just this purpose.
The ambient coolness in the air seeped into her skin and tightened her already sensitive nipples while anticipation buzzed along her spine. “We shouldn’t…”
“But we are.”
“Oh, I quite agree.” This wasn’t a good idea, not at all, for she would only want him more acutely once he went back to London, but she didn’t bid him nay as he lightly danced his fingers over her breasts, teasing her as if he had all the time in the world, circling her nipples until she thought she might go mad if he didn’t touch her.
“In fact, we should make the best use of the time we have left together.”
“Yes.” She’d give him anything if only he’d make her fly again.
“After this, we’ll make plans, because I refuse to give you up.”
“What have I done in my life to deserve such a wonderful man as you?” The words dissolved into a moan, for she desperately wanted him. Her back arched of its own accord, which put her breasts more firmly into his hands.
“I adore how needy you are.” A chuckle followed, which only loosed more tingles into her lower belly.
With his palms, he caressed those buds, teased and tormented until pleasure zipped between them and her core.
“So beautiful.” His words coupled with his actions sent need pulsing between her thighs. “How can you not be an angel?”
“No one has ever called me that except you.” She wanted him to take her in a firmer grip, but he never did. The man continued to tease her breasts with the lightest of touches, apparently in a bid to drive her insane.
“Then everyone around you must be blind, for you are goodness personified, both inside and out.” He followed the statement by nibbling the side of her neck.
“Caleb.” The word came out on a dreamy whisper as he continued to bring her to the brink of pleasure through her breasts alone. No one had ever taken the time to do such a thing, except maybe herself with her own fingers when she craved those feelings and she needed an escape. “This is lovely.”