Page 56 of Watching the Earl

“You don’t bore me at all. I asked because I’m interested. What does your mill grind?”

“Our mill grinds mostly wheat and barley. Grinding our own saves expenses for our tenants.”

She smiled up at him, too happy that he continued to talk about the estate as theirs and not his. “Then we are fortunate to have a river running through the estate.”

“Yes, we are.” He smiled at her before leading her through the open doors of the terrace into the dining room. “And I’m thinking that we may need to have the cook order many more bags of almonds to be ground if you are to have your favorite food daily.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to be a bother. I do like other desserts such as flummery, Shrewsbury cakes, and ice creams.” She took her seat as the footman held her chair for her. “Does the village have a bakery? I do enjoy trying new desserts.”

“It does indeed. Perhaps after you’ve finished meeting our tenants, we can plan a trip to the village. There is also a nice inn there, as well as a few shops.”

“I’d enjoy that very much. You don’t mind? I can always take my maid if you’re otherwise needed.”

“This week, you’re my sole focus. After all, we will be returning to Town as a married couple, and the more we know about each other, the better.”

He said the loveliest things. If she wasn’t careful, she could well fall in love with him, but she wasn’t willing to let allow that quite yet. Words, as she’d learned, were as fleeting as migrating birds. It was deeds that held great weight, and his deeds so far had been most flattering. “I imagine I will need some pin money if we are to go into the village.”

He waited for the soup to be laid before them then addressed her. “There is no need for pin money in the village. The merchants will charge the estate, and I will be certain you have some for Town when we return.”

“Are there any printers or book shops in the village? There is another book on birds I’d like to add to my collection.”

“No, there isn’t, but you can purchase it in Town. I have an account at Hatchard’s, so you may acquire as many books as you wish.”

She paused, staring at him, her spoon halfway to her mouth. “Truly?”

“Yes. If we need more room, we can always have more bookcases built.”

As she savored the pea soup, she contemplated the change in her status. She’d never been told she could buy as much as she wanted. Now, as a countess, she could redecorate rooms, purchase books, and order what she liked to eat. It was so perfect that she felt that something would ruin it, but that was silly.

As they ate dinner, she learned more about her new home and the many people who kept it functioning. Afterward, they moved to the parlor, where they played a card game he called piquet and bet kisses. When it grew late, he walked her to her room, assuring her he’d be in to visit…and he was.

She fell asleep in his arms, her dreams as beautiful as her waking moments. When she did wake, she found herself draped halfway over her sleeping husband. He’d stayed the entire night! Not sure what to do, she stayed completely still, watching him breathe. There was something reassuring about his chest moving slightly upward and then down again as he exhaled. That chest was broad and strong. He’d told her that was from rowing in college. And his thighs were truly remarkable. He said that was from riding. She didn’t much care why he made her belly quiver, just that he did.

She moved her gaze to his face, which in sleep was much softened. He did have an angular face, with a strong jaw and nose. His eyes, the blue of the sky now hidden, seemed to darken whenever he wanted to take her, sending desire racing through her in an instant. She liked watching him like this, when he was not aware and relaxed. She could lie all morning tucked beside him enjoying the view.

She let her gaze roam down past his bare chest to where the sheet gathered at his hips. She liked what was just beneath, so much more than she’d thought she would. Obviously, Lord Ashfield didn’t know how to have intercourse correctly. Now she understood why her married friends were so content. She’d never felt content before. She’d always wished to belong, and at school she’d finally felt that, and realized it wasn’t just belonging she longed for, but someone she could depend upon and who could depend upon her.

She was truly fortunate Philip had lost his bet and asked for her hand. She did wish she could call him Philip, but she didn’t like it when he wasn’t happy, so she wouldn’t. She didn’t mind his being serious all the time, but when he was unhappy, she wanted to cheer him up. Still, she didn’t understand why his mother calling him Philip would be upsetting for him. From what she’d seen, his mother adored him.

“Do you see something you like?”

At his softly spoken words, she noticed the sheet she’d been staring at had risen a bit. Grinning, she looked into his beautiful eyes. “Yes, I see you, and I like you very much.”

His arm around her tightened. “Are you getting cheeky with me?”

She laughed, far too happy to hold it back. “I am.”

In the next second, he’d pulled her atop him, grasping her behind through the sheet. “Then I’d best show you where that leads.”

From the hard ridge pressing into her pelvis, she had a good idea of what he meant. She set her hands on either side of his chest and lifted up, aware that she’d just pressed herself against him. “But it’s morning.”

His chuckle reverberated against her. “Yes, which means we have a whole day to enjoy each other.”

“I thought we were seeing the rest of the tenants for the next four days. But we could put it off if you like.”

He growled. “I do like, but I also wish to get it over with so I can have you all to myself. I’m sure once we return to Town there will be so many engagements to attend that I will see much less of you.”

Her chest filled as her heart swelled. If he kept saying lovely things like that, she would be sure to fall in love with him. “Could we meet more of your tenants than you planned today, even if it takes all day? Then we could have one more day to ourselves.”