Good heavens, that was a sweet thing to do.
She rested her head on his shoulder.“You are taking quite well to the role of husband, aren’t you?”
“I hope so, but it is more about you.I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“I’ll be fine, but this is nice.Isn’t it, Alex?”She had been raised by good men who looked after their families, so this was not something completely new to her.But being looked after by a husband filled her with an unexpected warmth.
“It is nice,” he said, furrowing his brow as he gave it some thought.“I’ve been on my own for so long.I thought it would be hard to adjust to having someone else to think about and worry about.So far, it has felt quite natural and easy.”
“Well, it has only been one day of married life for us.I think how we handle settling in at Thornwycke Hall will prove to be more of a challenge.”She felt him tense at the mention of the Davenport estate that held such bitter memories for him.
Since they had gotten very little sleep last night, Tulip found herself drifting off throughout the ride.
It was easy to relax when Alex held her in his arms.
That night, he took her in his arms again and made love to her.
He had an exquisite way of holding her and kissing her that touched her heart and made her feel treasured.
She did not think he loved her yet, but he knew how to make herfeelloved.She dared not make too much of it.He was handsome and experienced, and knew how to send her soaring and shattering.
He could melt her with a mere smile.
She had never imagined anyone could be so beautifully formed.His body was sleek and powerful, his muscles rippling as he moved over her and pressed his weight lightly atop her.With his body coiled and tense, as any animal would be when hunting its prey, there was no mistaking he was the ravenous predator and she was the tender morsel he was eyeing for his supper.
She felt devoured whenever he kissed her.
“Tulip, how do you feel?”he always asked once he had pleasured her, and did so again now.
“Boneless.Weightless.Breathless,” she responded while calming from the throes of their latest coupling.
“Yes,” he said, taking her into his arms once they were done.“I thought it was nice, too.”
They had fallen into a pleasant travel routine and were right on schedule to arrive at Thornwycke Hall by the end of the week.
Tulip sensed the tension rising within him as their travels drew to a close and they rode past the town of Burnham where she had been raised.
This was the last leg of their journey.
They would reach Thornwycke Hall within the hour now.
The grand manor house that served as the seat of the Davenport dukes stood a short distance beyond Burnham, past green hills and lush pastures.Over each rise they caught glimpses of miles and miles of salt marshes in the distance.It was not long before they caught sight of an impressive fortress perched atop a hill.
“Thornwycke, I presume,” Alex muttered.
“Yes.”As they drew closer, Tulip studied the place with an owner’s eyes.
Much of the old turrets and original fortifications had survived, but over the years most of the original fortress had been replaced, expanded, and remodeled into a stately home fit for a duke who enjoyed his comforts.
Tulip poked Alex lightly in the ribs when she thought his tension was about to explode.“You are a married man who sleeps with his wife,” she said.“You do not drink to excess.You do not gamble.I am sure we will settle into a very quiet, boring life here.”
He laughed and drew her onto his lap.“I do not need you to reassure me that all will be well.”
Yes, he did.
Despite his jovial laugh, his eyes remained darkened by dread as he now stared at the manor looming before them.
This was to be their home.
