Page 35 of Never Second Guess a Lord
He did not want to wait, and Donal saw that clearly enough. Although tempted to say such and rail against not following Prudence from Mayfair to Dalness straight away, he knew better and understood that this leg of the journey was for her and her alone.
That did not mean he would not be with her every step of the way via letters, though. To that end, he wrote her back en route and had the letter delivered when they stopped halfway home. Had it sent directly to Mayfair so she might receive it upon her arrival. His words were not ones of affection, per se, but a brief note of support. Strength he knew she could use. Words that might bring a smile to her face when such was needed.
And it was the first of many letters he wrote her daily, even if he did not send them all.
24 November 1815
My Dearest Prudence,
I can only hope you arrived safely at Mayfair and that you stormed the front gates of your enemy’s castle. That you laid siege and took no prisoners. For I can see you in all your glory, chin held high, shoulders thrust back, as you breached their defenses.
Know that I stand by you in spirit always, every inch your second-in-command. I hope you saw your way free of all that stood in your way and laid waste to all those demons. Ever the conqueror. That in the end, you came out the victor, as I am quite sure you did.
Until next time, fair warrior.
Your Stalwart Protector,
Jacob
After that, their banter and growing friendship only flourished. While there were a few longer, more heartfelt letters in between that made things harder than they already were, they largely kept things brief and took on the role of a lord and lady from yesteryear. It became an entertaining bond that kept a smile on their faces when he imagined every moment apart was as hard on her as it was him.
15 December 1815
My Dearest Second-in-Command,
I am pleased to report I laid siege to the castle knowing you stood by me every step of the way. It was not an easy fight at first, mainly because my own pesky soldiers disguised as memories got in the way, but when everything was said and done, all bowed before me.
Moreover, I am pleased to report that he who stood watch at the gate has opted to journey forth to my new home in Scotland with me. You remember me telling you about the fellow. A certain butler, Mr. Fenwick, who lumbered with teeth bared at the door? Or better put, with beady eyes as he scowled so much one could not see his teeth.
Nonetheless, after many a day of evil eyes and beastly looks down his pointy chin, he finally succumbed and decided he would protect his new queen when thrust into the wilds of an unkempt country. So having turned my castle over to another, I now journey forth to my much more impressive estate north of the border.
Your Appreciative Commander,
Prudence
Jacob chuckled and grinned at Donal as he helped him put on his suit jacket. “Are we Scots so unkempt then, my friend?”
“Indeed not, Your Grace.” Donal looked down his nose every bit as much as Jacob imagined her butler did. “If anything, we are verra much the opposite.”
Jacob meant to reiterate that in a letter, too, but things became busy. Non-stop until the holiday was upon him, and he longed for her more than ever. Wondered what she might look like in a Christmastide gown. He fantasized endlessly about how she had looked in that blue gown when last he saw her.
Many a night and too many mornings to count, he remembered the warmth of her lips beneath his. How sweet she tasted. How lost he had become in a mere kiss. Lost in a way he had not been since his late wife.
Perhaps, however hard to believe, more lost.
The way Prudence responded to him on the MacLauchlin’s battlements had been intoxicating. He had not thought she would let things go that far. That she would have allowed him to touch her like that. Feel her sweet heat. Bring her to her peak.
Watching her head fall back, eyes slide shut, and her lips part as she struggled to draw in air, had been intoxicating. The bliss on her face had aroused him to no end. Made him so hard he was shocked he did not take her then and there.
Because they had wanted it.
Needed it.
Yet he had held back and was thankful now. Grateful he had not yanked up her dress and thrust deep inside her. Because if he had, he might have never let her go. Never let her out of his sight again for the sake of knowing he would need her again too soon. That no other would measure up. Could not.
Having Prudence like that would be his end in a way he did not quite understand yet. Feeling her from the inside out. Because it would be just that. A merging of flesh and soul he knew he could never turn from.
So they wrote.
