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Nicholas pushed open the heavy doors to the sight of what looked like a laboratory. The entirety of the east wall was lined with shelves housing all of her missing rocks and even more exotic samples she didn’t recognize. There were also glass jars containing labeled soil samples. Another wall was covered with floor-to-ceiling shelves, stocked with all manner of books on geology and sciences.
“Nicholas,” she breathed, too awestruck to form a full sentence.
Her eyes found magnifying glasses of different sizes around the work table and other tools she could use in her. Some she had only seen sketches of in books. Jenny finally turned to face her husband, still at a loss for words.
"I thought you could use a workspace," Nicholas said, smiling down at her. "Do you like it?" The expectant to look in his eyes reminded her of when he had been younger and sought to be complimented after doing something good.
"I cannot believe that this is for me, Nicholas." She looked back at the bookshelves and rock and soil samples, committing the image to her memory. When she spoke again, her voice was thick with emotion. “No one has ever done this for me.”
"Every inch of it is yours." He took her hands in his. “And I am happy to be the first to do this for you.”
"Oh, Nicky!” She threw her arms around his neck. "I have no words."
"None needed,” he teased, drawing her closer against him. "Consider it a wedding present. I hope it is close to what you were expecting."
"Oh, I have not been expecting anything, Nicholas.” She pulled away and gazed up at him, all of her disappointments fading. “This is...this is magnificent."
"I am glad you like it,” he said. Jenny pulled away and began exploring the shelves and instruments while he leaned back against a table, watching her with a smile on his face. His posture of ease lightened her heart and she was momentarily torn between exploring her new laboratory and going to him.
"You had my rocks all along, did you not?"
"I made arrangements for them to be secretly removed from your things while they were being transferred.” He pushed off the table and walked toward her. "Poor Sarah truly had no clue,” he added with a chuckle.
Jenny laughed, not minding that he had tricked her. What he had done for her more than made up for it. "Mrs. Wells told me that this room is restricted."
"Yes, upon my instructions. Planning this and keeping it from you has not been easy. Several times, you walked in on our secret meetings."
"So that is what all the hushed whispers have been about!" Jenny grinned "I knew something was happening. I should have investigated."
“And risk ruining your surprise? I should think you are cleverer than that, Jenny.” He came to stand in front of her, tucking away a stray wisp of her hair behind her ear.
“I wouldn’t. Once Mrs. Wells said this place was your mother’s, I kept away.”
“I know. I asked her to say that. We used the times you were out of the mansion to do most of the work."
"How long have you planned this?"
"Since I rediscovered your love for geology. Before our wedding."
All the feelings that she had assiduously repressed surfaced anew right then, enveloping her heart in warmth like never before. Without thinking, she took hold of his lapels and drew him down to her. Nicholas immediately kissed her, his arms circling her waist, pulling her flush against him. His mouth moved over hers in a sensual rhythm that left her knees weak while her heart thundered in her chest.
"I should make you more laboratories if this is the reward I receive," he murmured against her lips before trailing small kisses down her jaw.
Be bold, Jenny, her mind’s voice called, reminding her of what her friend had told her. Nicholas wanted her and she could have him if she tried.
“I am your wife, Nicky,” she whispered. “You do not need to do something for me to receive a reward.” She hoped that would encourage him.
And it did. He picked her up and set her down on a table, settling himself between her legs. One hand sank into her hair and her eyelids fluttered with pleasure while the other played with the neckline of her dress. He kissed the base of her neck where her pulse throbbed before kissing lower and lower…
“Your Grace? Your solicitor is here.” Bentley called from outside the laboratory.
