“I would like nothing better.” He squeezed her free hand then brought it to his mouth to press a kiss on her knuckles.
Clarissa’s heart sped up. “Good, because there is no other place I would rather be than with you, Francis.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” His deep voice was full of warmth. “But before we get there, I have a question for you and I want your honest answer.”
She swallowed at his ominous words. “And I’ll give it to you.”
His eyes still held uncertainty. “Do you wish our marriage to continue?”
That was easy to answer. She held his worried gaze. “Yes, I do,” she said, with conviction.
“Do you wish to resume it as one of convenience or one with full marital relations?”
I want it all, Frank!“What do you wish for?”
“I think you know very well what I desire from our marriage, but I’m willing to respect your wishes. Do you want chaste marriage, or one where we can freely express our love for each other?”
Clarissa halted, forcing Francis to stop too. His gaze found hers, his brown eyes intense and hopeful.
“Francis, I want everything you will give me. And I want to give youallmy love too.”
His shoulders relaxed. “Good.” He grinned at her. “I love you, Clarissa. I couldn’t bear the thought of being without you for one day, let alone a whole theatre season.”
“I love you too, Francis.” She gazed into his dark eyes, lit by light spilling over the front stoop of The Brody School.
“Then why are we standing here? Let’s go home to bed,” he urged. “I want to show you how much I need you.”
She chuckled. “Ooh, I can’t wait.” She tugged at his arm, urging him along the street. “Hurry, my love.”
By the time they reached Atcherley Chambers, the evening was fully dark. They hurried upstairs. Francis pulled out his key and inserted it into his lock.
The door across the corridor opened and a young man in natty evening clothes stepped out, ready to socialize somewhere. He caught sight of Clarissa.
“Oi, you can’t have a woman in here, Reverend!” he said in outrage.
“She’s my wife,” Francis answered, in a curt fashion.
“Still, not allowed, old chap.” He leaned against the wall as though he had already had plenty to drink.
“I’m moving out as soon as I get other accommodation sorted. No need to report me.”
“Well, that’s all right then.”
“Glad you think so,Merrick.”
“Don’t I recognize you?” Merrick asked Clarissa. “I’m sure I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
Thank goodness he doesn’t recognize me yet.Clarissa smiled over at him. “I’m sure we’ve never been introduced.”Please don’t figure it out!
He lifted a corner of his mouth. “Right you are. Pity. Evening, Mrs. Brody.” He tipped his tall hat and walked carefully down the hallway.
Francis opened their door and whisked Clarissa into the room. He pressed her up against the closed door and stared down into her beautiful face. They shared asmolderinglook. “I love you, Clarissa.”
Hearing those words again warmed her heart. “And I love you.” She had no doubt about her feelings now. She would tell him every day.
They lunged towards each other. Their mouths met with a clash of teeth. Clarissa giggled, but Francis soon stopped that with his questing lips.
He bent and effortlessly lifted her into his arms, and carried her into their bedroom.
