“You don’t know how I’ve missed you,” he said.
“Oh, I think I have an inkling, Captain.”
He leaned forward, pressing a kiss on her forehead. Then he placed a warm kiss to one of her cheeks, then the other.
She lifted her chin, hoping, hinting...
He murmured, “Surely you might call me Stephen by now?”
“Kiss me, Stephen.”
“My three new favorite words.”
He lowered his mouth and touched his lips to hers softly, then again more firmly. He held her face, his long fingers threading into her hair. Then he angled his head and deepened the kiss.
Safely nestled between them, Mary let out a little cry of protest.
Hoping the child would remain content a while longer, Sophie ignored the first squeak and pressed her mouth to her husband’s. She knew it was almost time to feed Mary again, but oh, she wanted this kiss to go on and on.
He broke away first, resting his forehead against hers.
“Is she all right?” he whispered.
“Yes, just hungry. Blasted timing.” She managed a shaky chuckle.
“Shall I leave you?”
Sophie bracketed his face with both hands and slowly shook her head. “Never again.”
She rose and took Mary, stepping to the cradle to retrieve a muslin cloth. She glanced back at him over her shoulder. He sat on the upholstered chaise longue, propping one knee on its length, while his other stocking foot remained on the floor. Because Mrs. Thrupton had insisted he remove his muddied boots, he could at least relax and put his feet up while he waited for her to nurse Mary Katherine. But he did not look relaxed. In fact, he looked quite the opposite.
Feeling self-conscious, she wanted to turn her back. But she was the one who’d told him not to leave.
Hitting on an idea, she walked back to the chaise. “May we join you?”
His brows shot to his hairline and his lips parted. “I... of course. How will you...?” He retreated as far against the backrest as he could.
She turned and sat down between his knees. Her back was to him, affording her a bit of privacy while staying near. In fact, they had never been in such an intimate position. She loosened the front flap of her gown, lowered the fabric cup of her corset, and positioned Mary to nurse. If he watched or averted his gaze, she could not tell, which was somewhat of a relief. It meant he could not see her blushing face either.
Mary latched on easily, and Sophie felt the sweet sting of milk coursing through her. They had become accustomed to one another, and Sophie was ever so glad those awkward early days of trial and error were over. As Mary began to suckle, Sophie’s attention lifted from baby to the man behind her. She could almost feel his tension, his uncertainty.
Tentatively, she leaned back against him. Understanding her intention, he exhaled and some of the tension eased from his body. She slowly allowed herself to rest fully against him, her legs paralleling his on the chaise.
He slid his outside arm around her, drawing it up her arms, so they both shared Mary’s weight. He gently eased her back more firmly against him. She found it comforting, holding her little one close, while being held close to her husband. She felt cherished. Protected.
She looked down and tried to see what he might see. Mary’s content face, eyes closed, lashes against pale cheeks. Little red lips bowed over Sophie’s white bosom, Mary’s small fist, gradually relaxing open.
Could he hear the sounds of drawing and swallowing? She could, over the muffled beating of his heart.
Stephen raised his hand and ran a gentle finger over Mary’s soft cheek and the curve of her neck. Then he bent and placed a kiss at the sensitive juncture of Sophie’s shoulder and neck. A shiver of pleasure rippled through her.
He cradled her close. Cradled them both close. And Sophie closed her eyes to savor the warm wonder of his embrace.
Eventually, Mary’s mouth popped off in a wet sigh of satisfaction.
Sophie kissed her soft, downy head. Then she repositioned her corset cover and bodice. She stood and held Mary at her shoulder, patting her back. She was more nervous now than when preparing to nurse Mary in front of Captain Overtree—this husband she was only coming to know.
What now?
