As a hint of sanity began to niggle its way back into Lilly’s passion clouded thoughts, she dropped her legs from around his waist.
They sat quietly, holding each other as their breathing slowed. Michael turned his head and pressed his ear against her chest. The beat of her heart squeezed at his own.
“I will speak to your father.” He finally found his voice. “When will he arrive in London? If not soon, then I will journey to Plymouth myself.”
“He should be here when we return from your house party.” There was a smile in her voice. She was everything he ever wanted.
Remembering he was leaving tomorrow, he pulled her closer once again.
“I wish I could go with you.” It was as though she read his mind.
Michael laughed and moaned a little, both at the same time. “I’d have to take you to Gretna Green first, my love.” He then lifted his face to gaze into her golden eyes. “Be patient, Lilly. We have the rest of our lives.”
She nodded, touching his face. She seemed to marvel at his whiskers. His jaw was roughened slightly as his most recent shave had been early that morning. Her eyes were warm and loving.
“I can’t wait to see your home. I will love it, you know, simply because it is yours.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been there.” Michael was uncertain as to how much work awaited him, but he would make the repairs himself, if necessary. He wanted it to be perfect for her.
Before his resolve left him, Michael pulled Lilly’s dress up to return her to modesty. With his assistance, she hopped off the branch and then attempted to straighten her skirts. He watched her, smiling, as she did her best to tidy up. She had leaves in her hair, and her skirts were twisted tightly around her.
“Hold still, love,” he said. He plucked the leaves and twigs out of her hair and then tugged at her dress in a few strategic places. “Now, turn around.”
As she did so, she looked over her shoulder watching him. “You’re rather good at this, you know.” She sounded surprisedas he brushed some dirt off the back of her skirt. “Now come here. Let me fix your hair. It’s all mussed up.”
“Who’s to blame for that?” he teased but did as she asked and then delighted in her touch as she massaged his scalp lovingly.
He would have her touch every day. Soon.
Over the past several weeks, they had cultivated this connection, this…relationship. He had never imagined being blessed with a wife whom he could love so thoroughly. He was a lucky man indeed.
“When I’ve visited before,I paid more attention to the farming side. I barely looked in the house…God, I hope it’s not in ruins.”
Danbury chuckled and shook his head. The two men had been friends since they attended Eton. They reminisced for a while as they made their way out of town, and then Hugh sighed loudly.
“You are going to offer for her, then?” he asked as they rode leisurely heading south.
Michael looked over at his friend and nodded. “As soon as her father arrives in London.”
“That’s what I was afraid of. How can you be ready for this? You’ve just returned from war, and already you are taking on a wife. Hell, man, you’ll be setting up your nursery come Christmas.” It was well known that Hugh considered marriage a necessary evil. Even then, only for gentlemen well into their forties, or fifties…if one could get away with it. “For Christ’s sake, you’re too young for this!I’mtoo young for this! If you marry, my mother will never let me hear the end of it. Don’t do this to me! Sow some wild oats first, for heaven’s sake.”
Michael pondered his friend’s words. Danbury’s mother,sister, and aunts had been pressuring Hugh to marry since he’d inherited the title three years ago. He was the last of his line, and the burden to secure it was heavy, indeed. Michael knew Hugh though, and the more they pestered him to marry, the more he would avoid it.
“It’s not like that for me, Hugh.” He understood his friend’s concerns. “There is no pressure from anybody. In fact, my father and brother couldn’t care less what I do.” A part of him anticipated introducing them to Lilly. They would love her. They would realize he was ready to settle down and, perhaps, even worthy of some respect. He hated that he craved their respect.
“They care,” Danbury contradicted him. “In their own way. You just never see it. Your brother and father are two of a kind. Stoic. Undemonstrative sort of fellows. They think they’re doing right by you, allowing you to live your own life. You’d appreciate them if you had my lot.
“But that’s not what we’re talking about.” Danbury pressed his point. “We’re talking about Miss Bridge. Marriage. Children. Forever after and all that.”
“I know.”
“And?”
“I know I am young. Good God,she’sonly seventeen. But I also know she isthe one. I can’t let her go—I won’t let her go.” Michael looked over at Danbury again. “When you’ve met the right lady, you’ll understand.” Then unwilling to continue this line of conversation, he said, “Let’s pick up the pace, man. We’ll never get there at this rate.”
“Oh, Miss Bridge.”The lady’s maid gasped as she assisted Lilly out of her nightgown that morning. “You’ve got love bites!”
“What?” Had Betty saidlove bites? The memory of Michael’smouth upon her skin came quickly to mind, and Lilly glanced down in horror.
