“Stroll with me, please, Mistress?”
“No.” She planted her feet, but saw an opportunity—he needed a reminder of her rules. “Did you forget what happens when you touch without permission?”
“Fine.” Heaving a huge sigh to indicate his suffering, William acquiesced quickly, making her narrow her eyes at him. “We shall do it your way for now, my lady. I shall see you at your home in a couple of hours then. I do hope you enjoy your time here. I know you shall enjoy your time later.” This last was said in a low tone to ensure it was not overheard.
Charlotte blushed, but as always with him, arguing was futile.
* * * *
Charlotte sipped sherry in her bedroom, not daring to change out of her ballgown for fear she’d leap on William as he came through the door.
She was debating a second sherry to calm her nerves and temper her lust when he burst into the room.
He was in full puppy mode, eyes eager, panting, his hand wrenching at his cravat before he dashed over to scoop her into a hug.
“Mistress,” came out as a sigh against her hair.
“William. If I had any doubt after your letters that you missed me, this would dispel it. I missed you as well.”
“Good. I mean—” he gulped.
She laughed “I understand. But we do need to talk. Come sit.” She led him over to the seating area. “Sherry? Something stronger?”
He waved it off, and plopped down as soon as she sat.
“What are your plans now you’re home?”
“To continue managing things in my father’s shadow, to alleviate some of the burden on my mother, and to woo you.”
She sighed. She’d been afraid of that.
“William, we discussed this before we started. This was supposed to end last summer.”
He sat forward, taking a breath to respond.
She held a hand up, and he closed his mouth, waiting to hear more.
“Your letters made it obvious that you were not planning to comply with that. And—” she heaved a breath “—as I said a minute ago, I missed you too. I have a new proposal.”
He straightened in his chair and grinned. “I’m all ears.”
“I hope notallears, puppy,” she said with a glance down at his lap.
He choked on a laugh.
“I am willing to have the same arrangement as last summer. But we need to set an end date. At some point you need to find a more suitable girl to marry. I know you have many responsibilities already heaped on you, but heirs are important. You’ll need to consider them soon.”
"I want to consider them with you.”
“I can’t.”
“Don’t you mean ‘shan’t’?”
“No. I mean I cannot. William, do you know how long I was married?” She raised her hand to caress the heart pendant that hung on a chain around her neck.
“Uh, I believe it was close to ten years?”
“Yes. And what is the next thing anyone says about my marriage, when you hear others talk about it?”
