“Althea pointed out to me that she has quite a different notion of what should remain private than I do, yet we are as close as sisters.”
He nodded.
“And—” She took a breath for courage, gratified as always when his gaze dropped to her bosom for a second. “—I have realized that you are far more important to me than some perception of independence. Indeed, I feel quite dependent on you and quite like it. The rules for women were too confining, and I acted out. Yet you don’t suffocate me. That was my fear of being hurt or rejected when you’d never given me any reason to think you’d do that. I mean, I’m not asking for forever—”
He smiled, and she broke off in confusion.
“I might be,” he started, taking her hand to hold it on the seat between them. “Asking for forever, that is.”
She gasped, her eyes shining.
“Let us get through this conversation first, though. I need you to find some balance with my desire for privacy. Whilst I find it is no longer a need, per se, ’tis still my preference.”
“It doesn’t matter—”
“Ah, let me finish, Peaches. I appreciate your sentiment. It may matter later. I cannot promise I can overcome it, but I shall try in small amounts. It helps to hear that you’re less focused on being outrageous…” He arched a brow.
She sniffed, indignant, then reluctantly grinned.
“Regardless, I find myself willing to try just about anything to keep you in my life. I miss sharing design thoughts. I want you to meet my potential new blacksmith and help me locate a sketch artist. In short, I quite depend on you as well. Not for any of that, I don’tneedany of that, but I want to share it with you. I wish to find a country manor to raise children if and when you’re willing. I simply need you, because I am completely, irrevocably in love with you.”
Tears welled hot, swimming in her eyes again. She tried to blink them back.
He groaned at the sight. “Please, you must stop crying. You’re killing me.” His arms went round her to cuddle her to his side.
“They’re happy tears,” she mumbled.
“You know, I’ve never understood those.”
She sniffed and wiped her nose on his jacket sleeve before raising her head. “Robert, I love you so much. Thank you for loving me.”
“Shh, never thank me for that. You are warm and caring and beautiful, and you deserve all the love in the world.”
“Nevertheless. Thank you for your love, as it is the most important love in the realm. You are in control, Robert. Of my heart and of our privacy.”
“And of your orgasms.” He grinned at her hopeful look. “Speaking of which, let me tell you about this meeting.”
Epilogue
Robert leaned back in his chair. His gaze roamed the hall of Greenborough Park as he stood waiting for Beth. This was where it all began.
Beth and Folly, as she loved to call him, had become fast friends. Robert did not know whether to be impressed or frightened by some designs they dreamed up together. Some were more metal, such as the bar to keep legs or arms apart, while others were more leather, like the corset with attachments she’d sketched just the other day.
He fingered the nipple screws in his pocket. He and Beth had tested them several times and discovered they should not be worn for longer than an hour or two. Which meant that if he put them on her on the ride home, she’d be begging by the time they returned for dinner. He wasn’t sure if he’d allow her fulfillment before dinner to tide her over or if he’d make her wait.
He hadn’t shared the purpose of this outing. As they climbed into the barouche, he pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket.
“Robert”—her voice bordered on a whine, but she was careful as she knew whining resulted in punishments and delayed pleasure—“please. You must tell me now. Where are we going?”
“I want to show you something first.” He unfolded the real estate flyer and handed it to her. “I have had an estate agent watching for properties in this area. It is familiar to me from spending so much time here with Evan, and ’tis close enough to London to allow me to come and go for leather and accessories as needed.”
She perused the sketch and details of the property.
It was a medium-sized house, with a nursery and servants’ quarters on the top floor. A small ballroom could be used for country dances, and a lovely garden with both flowers and vegetables was just beyond the kitchen. The surrounding land included open fields and others that were leased to tenant farmers. It was a fraction of the size of Greenborough Park but less than two hours’ ride and had as much land and servants as Robert wanted to manage. However, he needed to know her feelings on the house, country life, and more.
“’Tis lovely, Robert.”
“I hope so. I felt we needed to see it in person to be sure.”
