“You are the best!” Henry lunged at him, wrapping his arms around Alex’s legs. “Thank you.”
Alex ruffled Henry’s sandy-brown hair as he stared down at the boy. His heart seemed to swell and he realized the lad had managed to gain some measure of his affection. "You are welcome," he said, before stepping back.
Daphne laid her hand over her heart, her eyes soft as she smiled at them before nodding toward the house. “Go on, Henry. I will be there in a minute.”
“Bye.” Henry waved farewell to Alex then shot off toward the house.
Alex watched him disappear, his amusement peaked once again over the boy's antics. What he would give to be young and innocent again. To have his heart intact and be filled with optimism. Alas, the days of his youth had long past and there would be no retrieving them.
Daphne's hand slipped away from Alex's arm as she glanced over her shoulder in the direction her son had gone. “You are very tolerant of him,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion, “Thank you for that.”
Alex smiled, his gaze warm and steady on hers. “There is no need to thank me. I enjoy his company.”
Daphne stepped closer, her breasts pressing against his chest and sending a jolt of desire coursing through him. When their lips met, it was like the spark of a thousand candles flaring between them. Her soft lips caressed his, then she suckled his lower lip and passion burned through him.
He resisted the urge to wind his arms around her, fisting his hands at his sides. Too soon, she pulled away, leaving him breathless and longing for more.
Bloody hell, she was going to be the death of him. It took every ounce of his remaining self-control to keep from pulling her back into his arms and ravishing her.
A smirk tugged at Daphne's lips and her eyes sparkled with desire as she whispered, “Better?”
Alex nodded his head, lost in the moment.
“See, you get what you deserve.” Daphne gave a saucy grin then sauntered away with a pleased glint in her eye, leaving Alex to wonder what he’d done so right.
Seven
Daphne tried her best to take in the moment as she and Henry waded through the cool and inviting creek that separated Almerry Castle from Chesterfield House. Henry was quick to investigate every rock, stick, and leaf he encountered while Daphne watched and smiled. Tilting her head skyward, she felt the warmth of the sun on her face and the gentle caress of the summer breeze as memories of Alex’s last kiss flooded her mind.
Kissing him felt like coming home. Their mouths moved in harmony, their bodies flush against each other, her skin tingling and alive with longing for what she had been without for so long—the passionate touch of a man.
Daphne had not felt the burn of passion since the night before Roland left for the war. She had been a widow for three years now, and it had been even longer since she shared a bed with her husband.
A part of her felt undeniably guilty. Almost like she was dishonoring the love she and Roland had shared. She sighed and glanced down the creek where Henry splashed. He was all she had left of the once grand love between herself and Roland. And he was the best parts of both of them wrapped up in one little person. Roland would be so proud of their son if he were alive to see him.
Daphne sighed, releasing her breath in a huff. Roland wasn't coming back. Though she believed with her whole heart that he watched over them, she knew death was final. Her mind wandered back to the last night she'd spent with her beloved husband.
She had laid snuggled in his arms after lovemaking, her fingers playing over the taut muscles of his chest as he'd dropped a kiss to her head before saying, “Should I not make it home, I want you to move on. Find another to love. A man worthy of you and our son.”
She had looked up at him, her heart pained at the very idea and said, “Do not say such things.”
“I am serious, Daphne. Promise me you will.” Something somber and serious, had filled his blue-grey eyes.
Daphne’s heart had nearly broken as tears welled up at the thought of losing him, but she had nodded, making the promise all the same.
Perhaps it was time she started seriously working to fulfill that promise. Henry deserved to have a man in his life—a father figure at the very least—and she wanted someone to grow old with.
Of course, Lord Brunsford would not be that man. He simply wasn’t the sort and she would not fool herself into thinking he was no matter how she longed for his touch.
“Mama, look,” Henry yelled, drawing her attention. He held up a wriggling crayfish, victory shining all over his face. “I caught one. Come see.”
Daphne's eyes glittered with amusement as she hitched up her skirts and splashed further into the creek.
Henry ran toward her, arms raised triumphantly in the air, clutching a small animal to his chest. “Please Mama? Can I keep him?” He gazed at her hopefully, the critter's whiskers twitching in anticipation.
When they reached each other, Daphne took a moment to study the crayfish. She reached out one hand and trailed a finger over its hard-shelled tail. “He is a rather large one.”
"I know.” Henry beamed up at her.
