Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Yes, I really did. Well, the first few days it hurt to talk, much less sing.”
“But by the time we married, you could have sung for me.”
Her color deepened. “Perhaps. I didn’t feel ready then.”
They ate in silence a moment, then she spoke again. “I’ve always had a difficult relationship with singing. There were times I wished I didn’t have any talent, because I always suspected…oh, it’s ridiculous to say.”
“Not ridiculous. What did you suspect?”
She sighed. “Sometimes I felt my mother didn’t really love me, that she only loved my talent. My singing was such a great part of her world, and I resented it sometimes because I was the one doing all the work and having to be so proper and well-behaved so I didn’t get a poor reputation from being on the stage.”
“Hmm. That’s sad.”
“To make myself feel better, I used to pretend that singing would lead to other things. To fame and excitement. To adventure. I think that’s part of why I was so bitter about our marriage. I used to entertain such whimsical dreams and fantasies…”
“Did you?” He handed her a napkin as she took a bite of crumbly cake. “What sort of fantasies?”
“I can’t tell you. They’re too silly by half.”
He blocked her hand when she reached for another forkful of cake. “I can’t let you eat anymore until you expand upon these dreams and fantasies you harbored. Otherwise I’ll die of curiosity.”
“I’ll die of mortification if I tell you any of them.”
“Might I remind you, my love, you still have a spanking coming. It’s a very convenient spanking that I’m continually holding over your head.”
Now her blush turned scarlet, but she managed a smile. “Oh, very well. I’ll tell you one silly fantasy I had, one that concerns you.”
“One that concerns me? Capital. I can’t wait.”
He pushed the dinner tray back to her, but she’d stopped eating to bury her face against his chest. “This is so embarrassing, and not at all funny considering all that was going on at the time, but the night you rescued me from the fire, when you looked so rough and common, I fantasized about you kidnapping me.” She managed a peek up at him. “I was afraid of it happening, but excited by the idea too, because it would take me away from my boring, dutiful life. You seemed so handsome and strong.”
He tightened his arm around her. “Kidnapping and ravishment. A bang up fantasy, in my mind.”
“Ravishment? I hadn’t thought about that side of things. I didn’t think much beyond you stealing me away. You see how silly I was? How utterly protected and proper a girl, all the while longing for forbidden things?”
“Well, I’ve never kidnapped anyone,” he said.
“I should hope not.”
“But I might enjoy such a caper, if my victim was you.”
She laughed, then sobered, meeting his gaze. “Did you mean what you said in the armory?” she asked. “Do you really love me?”
“Of course. You’re very lovable, in an irritating way. I did mean it, and I mean it now.”
“I imagine I love you too,” she said, in utter seriousness. He wished he could kiss her right on her thoughtful pout. “When did you start to love me, Wescott?” He could see her mind working. “What I mean to ask is, did you sleep with other women while you were away, before you realized you loved me?”
“No, my little crosspatch. I was a faithful husband. My irritation with you was all tied up in desire. Another woman wouldn’t have satisfied me.”
She looked pleased, even though she chided him. “You mustn’t call me that anymore. Crosspatch. I’ll try to be sweeter.”
He stood to clear the dinner trays from the bed. “I’ll still call you crosspatch sometimes, as you’ll doubtless be one. But you’re lovable too.” He returned to the bed and pulled her into his arms. Since their recent carnal encounter, she’d become much sweeter and more pliable, to the point he had to try hard not to hoist her upon his cock and take her again. Instead, he held her close, resting his chin against her forehead.
“Do you know why you’re lovable?” he asked.
“I can’t imagine.”
“Because you’re kind to my meddling family, as well as the crossest cat in the kitchen. Yes, I know you’ve made a pet of her. The servants talk.”
“Dulcie is only misunderstood,” she murmured.
“Dulcie? So you’ve named the creature? Good for you.” He ran his fingers up and down her arm, enjoying her small shiver. “I also love that you sang that lullaby about the gentle lambs in the fields, when you’re able to sing any number of fancy arias.”
“I didn’t know you’d heard that.”
“I heard it. It sounded so lovely, I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Do you know, Ophelia, you’ve brought some heart to my life that I didn’t know was missing, and I’m grateful for that.”