Page 87 of Maid for the Marquess

He returned my smile. “Another day.”

CHAPTER 24

ALEXANDER

Maddie was outside, waiting for me. I could see her nervous pacing as the cart moved toward the house along the winding road. Edward spoke, his voice low and steady.

“She will be relieved this is done. That he is gone.”

“Yes. The worry is not good for her. Or the babe. I wish that I could erase the past few days.”

“Just be there for her, Alexander. She draws her strength from your love.”

I glanced at him. “When did you get so wise about love, my friend? Since you found your own?”

He shook his head. “This is not about me.”

I chuckled. “Somehow, I think it may be.”

He ignored me, pulling the cart to a stop. I jumped off, ignoring the jarring pain in my arm, desiring Maddie to see me fit. She hurried forward, and I embraced her, holding her close with my good arm. Behind her, the footmen began their work of emptying the cart. Edward watched over them, instructing them where some items were to go. He handed Lydia the presents I purchased for my wife, and I saw how he bent low, speaking to her, and the way she gazed up at him. I didn’t miss the way he grazed his finger over her cheek as he sent her inside. He looked at me, raised an eyebrow, and turned his back, making me want to taunt him, but I refrained and concentrated on my anxious wife.

“All is well, my love.” I drew back and met her eyes. “He is gone and will stay gone. You have no need to be fearful.”

“Are you certain?”

“I have made sure he understands the consequences should he choose to act foolishly or talk needlessly. He will not risk my anger.”

“How is your arm?”

“I stopped at Dr. Atwood’s. He said you are a miracle worker. It is healing well, and he has no doubt of my full recovery.”

She smiled, looking relieved and joyful. But I saw traces of exhaustion under her eyes. She had not slept well, trying not to disturb me but failing, as I, too, could not rest.

“I believe our plans the other day were rudely interrupted. I feel as if a picnic is in order today. The sun is shining, and the breeze makes it most agreeable. I will visit my farmers, then we can spend the afternoon together in the sun, enjoying the day.” I touched the end of her nose affectionately. “Just the two of us.”

“I would like that.”

“Yes? Some delicious morsels to feast on, some of your favored drink, a comfortable chair, and perhaps your favorite sonnets? I will read to you as you relax. We can be naughty and roll up our hems and splash in the brook if you wish.”

“What if I wish to be even naughtier?” she whispered, a small glint appearing in her eyes.

I lowered my head and touched my mouth to hers. “Then I shall be happy to oblige my wife in any way she pleases.”

The breeze rustled Maddie’s hair that hung down her back in ripples of dark silk. I had convinced her to remove her bonnet and the hairpins keeping it tethered to her nape.

“It is one of my greatest pleasures—to see your hair down,” I had urged, knowing she could not resist my plea. She wished to indulge me in any fashion I wanted, and I was prepared to take full advantage of her soft feelings.

I had discarded my waistcoat and cravat, loosening the buttons on my shirt and rolling up my trousers, letting the breeze kiss my skin. I had also persuaded Maddie to remove her gown, the petticoat, and her stays, remaining only in her chemise, in order to be comfortable. She was leery at first, but I could see she was enjoying the freedom. Her chemise was loose and fairly modest, and I assured her no one would see her but me. The servants would not appear until we returned to the manor and they came to clean up. I did not tell her how much I enjoyed the view of her unencumbered breasts and the way they moved under the thin linen of her shift. We had both removed our stockings and shoes, letting the breeze play over our toes. It made her giggle, and I enjoyed watching her happiness. She laughed as I lifted her hems to her knees then kissed the dimpled swells, telling her how much I loved her legs and instructed her to leave them on display.

“You present such a delicious tableau for my eyes, Maddie,” I whispered with a lingering kiss to her lips. “Please stay as such.”

She rested in a comfortable wicker chair the footmen had brought out and placed in the shade beside the brook. I sat on a stool beside her, the picnic basket in front of us mostly empty now. Cook had packed a feast for us, and I had plied Maddie with all the tempting morsels, feeding her from my hand. Pork pies, cheeses and breads, savory meats and the choicest of cakes and tarts were enjoyed by us both. The delicious lemonade and fresh fruit rounded off the repast.

I smiled at her, pleased to see the color returning to her face and the strain around her eyes easing. My arm was hardly paining me at all, thanks to Maddie’s care. We did not talk about her father, but rather the babe and the room she wished to prepare for the arrival of our child. The drawing she had been working on. A new idea I had for the farmers.

“Did you always love the land?” she asked, sipping her lemonade and resting her head back.

“Yes. Even as a child, I spent time out of doors. When I was old enough, Edward and I would sneak down to the farms and watch. Learn. Eventually, they allowed me to toil with them, although we made sure my father didn’t see.”