“I’ve been meaning to ask you, where are we going to catch the ship to Calais?”
“At Dover. That’s where the majority of the ships depart from, especially if they’re going to visit Paris.
They continued to walk at a brisk pace when they neared the house, which loomed over them. Harriet paused for a minute to take it all in. “I’m so glad you found such a peaceful place to call home.”
“So am I. I haven’t quite figured which one we should make our permanent home.”
“My vote is cast for this one.”
Lucien nodded. “I have to agree with you. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it.”
Inside the great hall, Lucien found one of the footmen and gave him directions to have a luncheon brought to the terrace, where they would be waiting. Grabbing Harriet’s hand one more time he led her to a table and pulled out a chair. She sat down and looked around their surroundings. One could look about and take in all the wonderment of the estate. Whoever had owned the estate before had been fully aware of how to keep it natural and in its true form.
A small herd of deer ran across the meadow, right next to the woods, something she’d never seen on her own family estatebecause her father had always said they lived farther from where humans were living.
“Did you see the deer?” she asked.
“Yes. It’s one of the things I immediately fell in love with. The deer and other wildlife enjoy the entire estate. The estate could be completely self-sustainable on the wildlife alone. There are deer, partridges, fish, wild boar, though I’ve yet to see any boars.”
“They can be quite aggressive I’ve heard,” Harriet said.
Lucien nodded, his eyes still watching the deer grazing, their ears fluttering around for anything unfamiliar. He held his breath as he watched them interact without saying a word. Harriet wanted the peacefulness of the moment to stay a little longer but unfortunately the herd wandered back into the forest.
Lunch was served at the table.
Cold roasted chicken, chilled asparagus, a fruit platter, cheese, and hardy brown bread awaited them. A pitcher of freshly squeezed lemonade sat to one side. Harriet watched as Lucien quietly dismissed the two footmen so they could dine alone. It was one of the small pleasures he enjoyed because if he didn’t do it now, when he became duke, it would be harder to initiate. He sat down across from Harriet. She rose to take hold of the lemonade pitcher and poured two glasses. She passed one to him and set the other to her right.
“This looks divine,” she said as she picked up a piece of bread and set it on her bread plate.
She watched as Lucien speared a large piece of chicken before getting some of the asparagus.
“It’s one of my favorite lunches. Easy and filling,” he replied.
“I know. Easy to serve too.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes. That was one thing Harriet loved about their relationship. There was never thefeeling that you had to make conversation all the time. They felt as comfortable sitting in silence as they did talking.
“Do we head back to London tomorrow or the day after?” she inquired.
“Since seeing Onyx was my reason for coming and I see he’s well and on his way to recovery, we could return tomorrow. It’ll give me a day to make sure the business is ready to continue without me.”
“That’ll give me some extra time to make sure everything is packed correctly. My new dresses and other items should have arrived today,” Harriet said.
Lucien sliced an apple and popped a piece in his mouth. He offered his bride a slice, but only if she allowed him to feed it to her. “London tomorrow then.”
“Yes. I thought I’d invite my mother over for tea before we leave. I don’t want her to think I’m avoiding her.”
“I’m sure she won’t think that. She knows what’s involved in a trip like the one we’re taking,” Lucien quipped.
“You’re quite right. I know she drives her maid mad with all her changes. I don’t think her trunks are ready until the last day when they’re ready to leave.”
“At least our parents worked everything out about a ball in our honor. I think waiting until we return is a far better scenario,” Lucien said with a sly smile. A piece of his hair decided to be rebellious and hung down his forehead.
Harriet had a hard time concentrating if she looked at him. As handsome as her husband was, he never let on that he cared one way or another. He was sly though. He knew what turned her lustful feelings for him on.
Reaching across the table, he picked up her hand and brought her fingers for what started as a kiss that was an invitation to something far more lustful. One by one Lucien put each of her fingers in his mouth. He sucked on each one beforemoving on to another. Harriet felt as though her breath had left her.
Before things heated up further, the sound of footfalls stopping abruptly caused Lucien and Harriet to part. There stood the butler holding a letter of some sort.
