Page 61 of In Compromise with the Earl
Waking up from a heavy, blissful sleep Aphrodite’s eyes met the tousled hair and sleeping face of her husband. She smiled as the memory of last night sent sparks tingling under her skin. They had made tender love twice last night, before they’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms
Flagrant joy pervaded every cell of her being while her fingers lifted and stroked through his hair. “Good morning, Sweetling,” he murmured, even with his eyes closed.
“Yes, it is,” she replied. “Very much so.”
He reached out and snaked an arm around her waist, to pull her onto his chest. “Would you like go out today?”
“To avoid your mother?” Aphrodite asked. “I’d rather stay. I don’t run from my battles.”
His eyes slitted open. “I admire your courage.”
“I won’t run,” she vowed. “I feel that it will only deepen her mistrust of me. I need to prove that I am nothing like your first wife.”
Taking her hand he kissed the back of her knuckles. “And how do you plan to prove that?”
“I…” she paused to nibble her lip, “I don’t know yet, but I think my actions will be more meaningful than any words you or I can speak.”
His smile was slight. “I have faith you will do the near-impossible. I fear that you and Mother will clash when it comes to running the Hall. She’s done it singlehandedly for near twenty years since my father passed when I was eight.”
She shook her head. “I am not going to usurp her authority, Oswald. No, what I want is for us to come to an amicable agreement to share some duties so that I know what to do when it’s my time to take over all of them.”
An odd look that crossed his face made her curious. “What is it?”
“Claire didn’t even think of taking the reins from Mother,” Oswald said. “She was content to keep things as they were.”
“Nothing?” Aphrodite asked. “Not even the weekly menu?”
“Not even that,” he said while a sorrowful far-away look rested in his eyes.
Realizing what was happening, she reached out and touched his cheek, bringing his attention back to her. “I told Leo this yesterday and I realize I should have told you first. I am not here to compete with the memories you might have of her. I just want to have my place right alongside her in your heart. Don’t be afraid to tell me your memories of her, like you just did.”
“Nevertheless,” he sat up and raked a hand through his tousled hair. “You must tread carefully with Mother.”
Turning her eyes to the window she noted the growing daylight. “What are your mornings here like?”
“Some mornings we do share breakfast,” he said while slanting a look to her. “Are you ready for that?”
“The most strained meal of my life?” Aphrodite ruffled her hair. “No, but I will not put it off. The longer it goes, the worst it will get. I want her to know that I am as dedicated to you as you are to me.”
Twisting, Oswald cocked one elbow beside her and with his other hand cupped her face and kissed her. “You amaze me every time.”
“Tell me that again after breakfast.”
They entered the breakfast room, smaller and more intimate than the proper dining room, to find Dowager Tennesley there, sipping her tea. The Dowager paused to look at them then went back to her tea dismissively.
“Good morning,” Aphrodite said calmly.
She didn’t look back but said, “I wonder what kept you. You’re not one to linger in the morning, Son.”
“Well, it is the two of us now,” Oswald replied as he pulled out Aphrodite’s chair for her. “I’m sure you can allow a few more moments.”
Seated, he poured out his coffee while Aphrodite made her tea, a thick strain of uncomfortable tension stifling the air in the room. Oswald frowned into his cup. “I think this brew has gone stale.”
The Dowager shifted forward in her straight-backed chair. “I believe Cook put in an order for a new batch from the Dutch Traders. The Indian beans are in short supply.”
“How about the Jamaican beans?” Aphrodite added. “It’s the only coffee my father uses, and he swears it is the most flavorful. Moreover, its fresher when you get it off the wharves.”
“We have no compunction to take advice from a deviant,” the Dowager sniffed decisively. “We will stick to the India brand, thank you.”
