“Would you care to join me in seeing what Mrs. Beaton left us to eat?” Elinor asked.
He gestured towards the table with a flourish. “After you,” he replied.
Elinor took a seat, waiting until Alden settled beside her before reaching for the napkin. With an exaggerated motion, she pulled it off, revealing a modest spread of bread, cheese and meat.
“Ladies first,” he said.
She reached for a piece of bread and began to eat. After a long moment of comfortable silence, she decided to speak up. “Will you tell me about yourself?”
Alden plopped a piece of cheese into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. “What would you like to know?”
“I suppose we should start from the beginning,” Elinor replied. “What were you like as a child?”
“I was the handsomest of children,” Alden said with a grin.
Elinor laughed. “Of course you were,” she responded. “But I am more curious as to what you were like growing up.”
Alden leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “Well, I was always getting into trouble. My brother and I had quite the rivalry, always trying to outdo each other. I suppose it made me who I am today.”
“Tell me more. What kind of trouble did you get into?”
He chuckled. “Oh, where to start? There was a time we tried to build a raft to sail down the river. It fell apart almost immediately, and we ended up soaked and covered in mud. Mother was furious.”
Elinor smiled, imagining a younger Alden covered in mud. “That sounds like quite the adventure.”
“It was,” Alden agreed. “But enough about me. I want to learn more about you.”
“I am not that interesting,” Elinor attempted.
Alden leaned forward in his seat, his gaze unwavering. “I disagree,” he said. “I find you to be utterly fascinating.”
The intensity of Alden’s gaze made a blush form on Elinor’s cheeks. She struggled to keep her voice steady, feeling the warmth of his presence. “You are kind.”
“It is merely the truth, Elinor,” Alden said, moving closer. “I wouldn’t have married you otherwise.”
Alden was so close now that she could catch the faint, tantalizing scent of orange wafting from his person. It was intoxicating. She wanted to close the distance between them, to give in to the urge to kiss him. But she held herself back. If she kissed him now, there would be no going back, and she wasn’t ready to risk her heart just yet.
Chapter Fifteen
Alden knew he needed to move slowly with Elinor, and all he had was time now that she was his wife. As much as he wanted to kiss her, he knew that Elinor wasn’t ready.
He leaned back in his chair and picked up a piece of cheese off the plate. “Now, tell me more about yourself and do not leave out any details.”
“That could take all night.”
“Do you have anywhere else you need to be?” Alden asked, his eyes sparkling with a playful challenge.
Elinor smiled. “My bed, considering I enjoy sleeping.”
Alden returned her smile. “All right, we will just converse until we finish the food. Then you can go to bed and sleep.”
Glancing down at the plate, Elinor said, “I believe I already told you that I had a wonderful childhood.”
“You did, and you were rather mischievous.”
“I was,” Elinor said, her eyes lighting up. “I loved wearing trousers and riding my horse bareback, but at some point, everyone has to grow up.”
“Well, I do not take issue if you want to wear trousers to go riding,” Alden said, reaching for a piece of bread.
