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“We?”
“Well, I don’t think the very first bath should be taken alone. Who knows what might happen?”
The question filled Penelope’s mind with tantalizing pictures. “Yes,” she breathed.
“And although you deserve the…treat after your hard work, I find I can’t wait.”
Abruptly, Penelope ached with longing. What if they shed their clothes right now and leapt into the water like naiads? The vision was delicious, right up to the part where they ended up dripping with an obstacle course of corridors and servitors between them and towels. “Tonight,” she said. “After the servants have gone to bed.”
Daniel started to protest that he couldn’t wait so long, and then realized she was right. He didn’t mind the staff knowing that he was besotted with his bride, but to act out their desires publicly was outside of enough. A day of anticipation would make their adventure even sweeter.
Still, the hours dragged, and Daniel found it difficult to keep his mind on estate business. The time seemed eternal before finally, finally, they were sneaking down the stairs in their dressing gowns, whispering and laughing like errant children.
The house was silent. Shadows cast by the lit candles in their hands jumped on the walls. They saw no one as they made their way to the bathing room, and found it transformed. Two chairs had been brought in, along with a wardrobe. Opening it, Daniel found piles of towels and scented soap. Curtains covered the tiny window. A small table held a candelabra. Penelope lit those tapers from her candlestick. “I thought this would be more comfortable,” she said. “I had coals put under the tank to heat the water, too.”
“You don’t think the servants will suspect?”
“That I might wish for a bath? Why else did we build it?”
“Indeed.” As Daniel bolted the door, a thrill went through him. The combination of novel and clandestine was immensely titillating.
Penelope plugged the drain and turned on the water. The tub began to fill. Steam wafted through the air.
“I imagined you here, you know, rising like Aphrodite from the waves. Glorious.”
“I imagined you doing the same. Well, from the steam.”
“You didn’t!”
“I did.” The huskiness of her voice roused him as never before.
They laughed breathlessly. Daniel removed his dressing gown and laid it over a chair. Then he gazed at his wife, waiting.
With a teasing smile Penelope copied him and stood there in her nightdress. Candlelight shone through the thin fabric. He could see every line of her body.
Daniel pulled off his nightshirt and kicked away his slippers. She did the same, and they faced each other, naked. Penelope’s blond hair was pinned up. She was as lovely as a goddess. His response was obvious. No way to hide it, and she didn’t seem to wish him to. He moved closer and offered his hand. She took it, and he escorted her ceremoniously to the tub. She stepped into water and sighed. “Ah. That’s wonderful.”
He got in, wondering how long he could maintain control in these delirious circumstances. The water was perfectly hot on his lower legs.
They sank down to sit facing each other, water rising over their knees. Little lapping waves teased Daniel. He’d never bathed in such a state of arousal.
Penelope stretched out her arms. “So much room in a bath.” She cupped her hands and ladled water over her breasts.
Daniel groaned.
“Is it too hot for you?”
“The temperature is fine. The sight of you is driving me mad.” The water rose to her midriff, and higher.
Penelope giggled. “Turn off the water, or we’ll have a flood.”
He did so, and she slithered toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He drew her into a searing kiss. And another. She was soft and slippery and wildly desirable. “You’re like a mermaid,” he said.
“If I was a mermaid, I’d have a tail,” she breathed.
“True. I was never sure how that worked.”
“Worked?”
