And yet, it felt like an eternity.
Living here was going to be so vastly different than living in London, he realized while waiting for her to return.
It was obvious Tulip would require a maid assigned to attend to her daily needs.He would require a valet, but not to assist him in dressing or washing or shaving.He could manage those himself as he had always done.But someone needed to attend to his clothes, make certain they were cleaned and pressed, and see that his boots were polished.Those chores had been easily handled by Mrs.Gayle herself or by any number of nearby shopkeepers when he lived in London.
Thornwycke Hall was miles away from the nearest village, so he could not simply take a five minute walk to the local laundress or shoemaker.
He was himself partly undressed and had washed up by the time the door opened again and Tulip walked into his bedchamber.
She looked pretty with her hair down, and wearing a thin nightgown and robe.In her hands was one of the books on the Davenport family history.
Obviously, she wanted to hop into bed and read it.
He had taken off all but his shirt and trousers, for the hour was still early by London standards.He hoped Tulip would prefer to sit with him beside the hearth and talk about their plans first.“All right, I like that idea.Mrs.Granger thoughtfully ordered a pot of hot cocoa delivered to me.It’s in the duchess quarters.Let me bring it in.Would you like to share it with me?”
“No, I have a bottle of brandy for myself.”
But he did not bother with the brandy this evening, for his mind was already in a spin and he did not need it to spin further with drink.
He watched Tulip pour the cocoa for herself.“Do you have the journal, Alex?”
He nodded.“It’s by the bed.Speaking of which, do you have a preference for a particular side of the bed to sleep on?”
She laughed.“No, you choose.”
“I’ll take the right side since it is closest to the door.But let’s not leap into bed yet.”
She had just taken a sip of her cocoa and coughed mirthfully.“I did not think I would ever hear you say that.”
“Oh, I am still hot for you,” he said with a chuckle.“Never doubt it.In fact, there is a very strong possibility we will do something other than reading once we slip under the sheets.”
He sank onto one of the cushioned chairs positioned by the hearth.“But let’s talk for a few minutes first.”
“Just talk?”She set aside her cup and came to his side.
He drew her onto his lap.“Yes, shouldn’t we?”
“Very well.”She put her arms around his neck, obviously feeling quite comfortable nestled in his arms.
He decided to kiss her first because she was so soft and tempting.
And kiss her again.
“Alex!”She laughed as he untied the belt of her robe.“Is this your idea of talking?”
“No, but you are irresistible.”He loved the way her body felt against his, the pertness of her round bottom and the softness of her breasts pressed against his chest.But she was right, they would never accomplish anything if he did not keep his hands off her.
Still, he kept her on his lap.
“Tulip, I think we need to find building plans to this house as soon as possible.I asked Mr.Carver, and he told me he had placed them in the top drawer of the desk in the study last month, but they’re gone now.”
“Perhaps he forgot and stored them somewhere else.”
“He wondered about that, too.But he does not strike me as the sort to forget something as important as that.”
She nodded.“He isn’t at all foggy-headed.He is very organized and his mind is very sharp.”
“Then isn’t it odd that we cannot find the plans?”
