CHAPTER 62 - Travels and ties
FOR THE NEXT WEEK,they traveled. After spending two nights at the beach property, Livvy had grown restless and melancholy again, so they kept moving. He was being so accommodating. So sensitive to her needs. Yet this whole situation must be just as hard on him as it was on her.
They went to Bath, where they spent only one night before proceeding north to another of Dale’s properties near Nottingham. For him, it was a minor estate he visited once a year, but for her, it looked like a charming miniature palace straight out of a fairytale. She still had trouble comprehending a lifestyle that took properties such as this for granted. They were enjoying a bit of cognac in the library after dinner when Dale announced.
“We must leave for York in the morning. I regret to say we won’t have time to visit the Lake District, as the area is quite remote.”
“That is okay, Dale. I’m even regretting having to leave this house so soon. It is lovely.”
“Ah, yes. I like Bradmore Manor as well. The estate is not big, but the house is a jewel. In fact, the house is the reason I keep this property.”
“All these properties... they must take a lot to maintain.”
“Certainly. All my properties are self-sustained, but they are still a lot of work to manage.”
“How do you do it? Manage all these plus all your other businesses, and your charities, and the parliament work?”
He shrugged. “I have good managers and agents. Plus, before you appeared, I had little else to do but work.”
“You never took holidays?”
“For what purpose?” He sipped his cognac. “Work was my refuge. I avoided having free time. That’s when regrets attacked the fiercest.”
“I, on the other hand, don’t think a lifetime will be enough to visit all the places I want to see. I am a little restless.”
He leaned his head back in the chair and studied her under lowered eyelids. “We can stay here one more day and spend only one night in York.” He shrugged. “It is your decision.”
“I am very much looking forward to seeing York. I’ve seen pictures, and it looks very charming. But I also want to stay here.” The parallel with her current situation did not escape her. She sighed. It was so difficult being torn.
“Well, we can not have all we want, can we?” he said, apparently picking up on the direction of her thoughts.
“No. I guess... not.” Suddenly, with startling clarity, she knew what she wanted, and she made up her mind. She wanted to stay here. In this house. With Dale. Enjoy the peace and quiet and his company. She wasn’t torn anymore. York could wait. If only she could decide to stay with him forever as easily.
“Let’s stay. I am enjoying it here.”
He just nodded and sipped his cognac. “As you wish.”
Two nights later, Livvy awoke to his hands roaming her body. They were caressing the side of her waist, moving up towards her breasts. She was completely naked, but that wasn’t strange. Ever since she and Dale had become lovers, they had not worn clothes at night. It was easier to get down to business that way. And she very much enjoyed the feel of his naked body against hers.
He was on top of her now. She opened her legs wider and tried to bend her knees, the better to cradle him. But her ankles were tangled in the sheets, and she couldn’t pull her legs up. She tried to kick to disentangle herself, but the sheet wouldn’t let go.
