She did as he’d suggested and he moved slowly. Soon the tension was building again, and waves of pleasure crashed through and around her.
“Adeline!” he called her name as he plunged one last time before collapsing off to the side and bringing her with him. He pulled up the blanket from the end of the bed and covered them. “Are you well?”
“Yes.” She was overcome with a sense of peace and belonging she had never felt before. Making love had been everything she had been told it would be and more. It was no wonder no one was able to capture the feelings in words. “I am better than well. I could spend the rest of my life here with you, making love.”
“We shall never leave.” He kissed her temple, and held her closer. “The vicar will have to come here to marry us.”
Laughter burbled through her at the image. “That would be a sight.”
“Our mothers and friends . . .” He laughed too. “I don’t think my mother would mind nearly as much as your mother would.”
“Oh, dear. Can you imagine her face?” She wondered if her mother and father had anticipated their vows. It seemed a great many betrothed couples had.
Frits went on with a list of people who would have to come to them for the ceremony and celebration. “Maximus, of course, and—”
“Not Humphries.” Adeline was in whoops, and tears flooded her eyes. “I do not wish him to see me in bed.”
“I don’t wish any man other than me to see you in bed.” Frits kissed her hard. “Are you hungry or thirsty? There is food and drink in the basket.”
She was, rather. “Now that you mention it.”
After making sure she was well covered against a chill, he padded to the table and brought the basket back. “Let’s see what we have.” He opened the lid. “Ham, the one I told you about, our estate cheese, roasted chicken, our cook’s seed cake, bread, pickled vegetables, probably my grandmother’s recipe, and wine.”
“I think whoever packed the basket thought we would be here for a long time.” She flashed Frits a grin. “I wonder if they are expecting us for dinner?”
“I can assure you that they are. My mother mentioned it to me.” He glanced at the daybed and shook his head. “I think we’re better off using the table.”
Adeline agreed. “Hand me my chemise.”
He’d rather that she remained naked, but he did as she asked. Eating while unclothed would come later. He took the basket back to the table, and they unpacked it.
He was elated when Adeline declared the ham and the cheese the best she’d ever tasted. “I understand why the ham is so prized. We make cheese as well, but it is not as sharp as this. It is excellent.”
“I still need to decide if we should breed our cows with the Friesian.” He’d put off making the decision while he was courting her.
Placing her elbows on the table, she linked her hands and put her chin in the middle. “You are concerned it will affect the milk for the cheese?”
“Yes. It’s not only the cheese, but the butter and cream as well.”
Raising her head, she drank some wine. “If only you could taste the milk and the products produced from it before making a decision.”
“Holland isn’t far.” Frits let his words hang there. He was certain that she was as much of a homebody as he was. Still, a short trip across wouldn’t be too much trouble.
“No,” she said slowly. “It is not.” He was right. Adeline was no more eager to make the journey than he. “Then again, it would be good for the barony to find out if the breeds are compatible. You might decide that they are not, but you want the milk on its own.”
“In that case, we will go. I have cousins in Holland I haven’t seen for years. Maybe we can visit them as well.”
“That will be interesting. I thought Frits was German, but it is Dutch?”
“Yes. My grandmother—the one living in the Dower House—is from Holland.” He smiled at her. “She will probably be at dinner this evening.”
“I wonder what time it is.” He’d seen Adeline glancing around. But there was no timepiece here. He hadn’t even brought his pocket watch.
“I’ll look.” He rose from the table and walked out to the shallow terrace. “It’s going on six.”
“We must be going.” She touched her head. “Help me find my hairpins.”
“I like your hair down.” She shot him a glare. “Very well. I’ll find your pins.” Frits started searching. It was amazing how far they could go. “They won’t start dinner without us. My valet will tell them to set it back.” Adeline was on her hands and knees, looking under the bed. The view of her round bottom had him getting hard again, and he sighed.
