The weather cleared up in the afternoon, and when they came to a small clear river, Tessa said, “What about a picnic lunch here?”She was enjoying traveling and looking out at the passing scenery, but the carriage did jolt and bounce along the road and her bones could use a break.
Marcus shrugged.“Why not?We’re in no hurry, after all, and we should enjoy the good weather while we can.”
So they picnicked beside the river on bread, cheese and sausage, washed down with a local wine.Afterwards Tessa paddled in the shallows.How long since she had been able to do this?Not since she was a child, at Ferndale.It gave her an idea.With a mischievous glance at Marcus, she pulled off her loose traveling gown, waded in and plunged in dressed only in her chemise.
“What the—” Marcus began, and then, when she laughed up at him, and sent a splash in his direction, he stripped down to his drawers and dived in after her.
Laughing and splashing they frolicked like children.
Afterward, seated on the bank, she watched him dry his chest, and let out a big sigh of contentment.“I’m so glad I married you.”
He gave her a sharp glance.“Because?”
She spread her arms out wide.“All this.”
He frowned, not clear on what she meant.
She lay back on the grass—indifferent to possible stains—and stretched out, still in her damp chemise.“The water was chilly, but so fresh and glorious.Thank you.”
Marcus said nothing.She was unlike any woman he’d ever known.He hadn’t given her anything, but she acted as though an impromptu swim in a river was a precious gift.
Her hair clustered around her face, forming tiny curls as it dried in the sun.The damp fabric of her chemise clung to her every curve.He could see the dark circles of her nipples, still hard from the cold water, the shadowed vee at the base of her stomach, but she didn’t seem the slightest bit self-conscious.
He sat down beside her on the grass.
She gave another contented sigh and added, “I haven’t been swimming since I was a girl, at Ferndale.I didn’t realize how much I’d missed it.”She stretched, and added with a smile of dazzling sweetness.“I didn’t really know what people did on a honeymoon, but I can see now why they enjoy them.”
“Swimming isn’t the only reason,” Marcus murmured and bent over her.She laughed softly and pulled his head down.
They made love in the open air, on his spread-out coat.Marcus had never done anything so frivolous or improper in his life.
He didn’t regret a moment of it.
Though he was very glad their driver and guide were back with the carriage beside the road.
#
THEY SPENT A NIGHTin Ghent, and then on to Brussels.After a couple of days exploring the beautiful old city, where Tessa came away with several lengths of the exquisite, hand-made lace for which the city was famous, they made plans to go to Waterloo the following day.
“It’s about ten miles,” Marcus said.“The weather is looking to be fine, so I thought we could ride there, send the carriage on with Tomas, and meet up with him at the next stop after Waterloo.What do you think?”
“Ride there, on horseback?”Tessa exclaimed.“That would be delightful.So much better than being cooped up in a stuffy carriage.”
Marcus smiled.She was very easy to please.“Then I will hire some horses.”
The following morning after breakfast, a groom arrived at their inn leading two rather fine horses.To Tessa’s surprise, one, a dainty-looking gray, part-Arab mare, wore a side-saddle.
Marcus shrugged.“As soon as they heard one of the riders would be a lady, the stables insisted on this.They seemed rather proud to have it.I hope you don’t mind.I know you wanted to ride astride, but the mare is trained for sidesaddle.”
She laughed.“I don’t mind.I’m just happy to be out in the open air and riding.And she looks very sweet.”She offered her mare a sugar lump on her palm and the mare lipped it delicately.“Beautiful manners too,” Tessa added.
Their belongings loaded into the carriage, Tomas headed off with it, and Marcus tossed Tessa up into her sidesaddle.
Once out of the city, they enjoyed a refreshing fast gallop, but after that they took things fairly slowly, enjoying the scenery—at least that’s what Tessa seemed to be doing, stopping every so-often to admire this little cottage or that orchard, though he could see nothing remarkable about them at all.She took delight in all kinds of small things.
She was putting off the moment they arrived at the battlefield, Marcus decided.He didn’t blame her.It was bound to stir up memories of her brother, Louis.Still, it was what she’d wanted.
They slowed their horses as they entered the village of Plancenoit, and as they passed the church he noticed the cemetery wall was pocked with holes.Musket balls, Marcus decided, hoping Tessa hadn’t realized it.
