Page 77 of Ironvine

Charles wanted all of her. He was a bloody lucky man.

He’d heard of many a wife turning the other way while her husband got on with servicing himself whenever he wished. She would not refuse, complain, nor say a word. Simply lay there, lay still, endure until he was done.

Not he and Georgina.Not his wife.His seed exploded in his hand, and he let out a groan.

He was gloriously fortunate indeed.

Charles got out of his bed, washed, and went to the double doors that separated their rooms. He opened one door gently, just a crack, and there she was. Her hair was being brushed by the young lady's maid he’d just hired for her. His bride was humming to herself, her dressing gown around her, her feet bare.

The girl he always knew, the woman who was now his wife.

All his.A smile curved Charles’s lips as heat flared through his veins.

He’d leave her to her preparations. She was settling into a new home as its mistress, and she would have to create a new routine for herself. He would leave her to it. He returned to his bedchamber and wrote a letter to her brother Thomas to kindly expect them later this morning to retrieve his wife’s belongings. His manservant attended him and had the note despatched forthwith.

After he dressed, Charles made his way to the dining room, where breakfast had been set on the sideboard. He treated himself to a full dish of eggs and warm rolls, cheese, and a generous slice of ham.

His wife entered the room. “Good morning.” Her cheeks flushed the second he met her gaze.

“Good morning. I assumed you would take tea in your rooms.”

“I did enjoy a cup, but I found I was hungry for a full breakfast and wanted to enjoy it with my husband, if that is to your liking?”

“Your hunger is very much to my liking, madame.”

Letting out a laugh, she served herself. Charles gestured at the servants to leave them, and they darted out of the room. Georgina sat down next to him.

He buttered another roll. “I was surprised to have woken to an empty bed.”

She put down the jam. “Oh? I had presumed you would want your chamber to yourself after…”

“Make no presumptions about me, Georgina. I greatly enjoyed our night together, and I fully expect to enjoy our mornings as well.”

“Mornings too?”

“This strikes you as unusual?”

Is it not part of the prescribed marital programme you had spoken of?”

“No, it’s not.” She laughed. “I must say, after giving it some thought, I feel a programme would not work for us, Lord Ryvves.” She bit into her crusty roll.

“I am most pleased to hear it, wife, but what has brought about his change?”

“You.” She brushed his lips with hers. Gentle, warm. Marvelous.

Sunlight suddenly poured through the room, the clouds having moved. Her skin glowed. Her brown eyes gleamed. The rich blue dress she wore was almost the colour of the sky, not that dark hue he’d noted when she first entered the room. A delicate creature, but no, she wasn’t fragile. Georgina was strong and vibrant.

He cleared his throat. “I sent word to Thomas at Fairthorn that we would be coming to collect your belongings.”

“Did you? Thank you, Charles.”

“The carriage will be out front for us in two hours’ time. I’ll drive us there.”

“I am to see my brother and mother again. They will see that we are married and not living in scandal.” She chewed on her lip as she pushed her plate away.

“You’re anxious?”

“A bit, yes.”

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