Author's Note: Hi all! I'm not a new fanfiction writer, but I am new to the Poldark genre. This is the first of 3 parts, set in S1 of the current Poldark series, right after Dwight Enys is introduced to the story.

A small disclaimer: I've never the read the books and have only seen parts of the 1970's version of Poldark, so this is purely based on the current Masterpiece series and my imagination. I'm also from the U.S. and have little clue about Cornish accents. Forgive me for any mistakes I make in that area.

Hope you enjoy! Would love to hear any feedback you may have!


A Demelza of His Own

Dwight Enys leaned back with a contented sigh and patted his stomach in appreciation. "That was delicious, Demelza."

Demelza Poldark's beaming smile only broadened when her husband enhanced their guest's praise with some of his own as he took delight in licking his fingers free of every last morsel of the tasty dinner she'd prepared for Dwight's first meal at Nampara. "I told you she was a marvelous cook."

"Judas, Ross." Rolling her clear blue eyes as a faint blush colored her cheeks, Demelza couldn't help but tweak her husband in front of his old friend. A friend who, despite his breeding and education, she felt completely at ease with after only a few short hours of meeting him. "I could serve you stone pie, and you would gladly eat it with that healthy appetite of yours."

"I remember that appetite. Used to say he could eat a whole cow back in Virginia." Dwight smirked, blue eyes dancing as he joined Demelza in teasing one of his dearest friends. "With your talents in the kitchen, Demelza, it's no small wonder Ross here isn't as fat as a rolly-polly."

"Oh, he has his ways of workin' it off." Ross chuckled knowingly as Demelza sent him a flirtatiously saucy wink. She began clearing the table, only to return a few moments later with tumblers and a jug of rum.

Ross' arm circled her expanding waist as he drew her to him, concern etching his handsome features. "Only two glasses?"

Seemingly oblivious that they had an audience, Demelza and Ross seemed to be trapped in their own world and wholly unwilling to escape. Running her fingers though his dark, unruly hair, she smiled away his worry. "I've had a long day and must be abed. Your son…"

"My daughter." Ross corrected, his eyes dancing with laughter as he placed a gentle hand on Demelza's protruding stomach.

"Your son…" Demelza asserted tweaking his nose playfully in what was clearly an ongoing dispute about the sex of their unborn child. "…has been quite active today. I must take advantage of his stillness and get some rest. Besides…" She cast a glance in Dwight's direction. "…tis been a while since you've seen Dwight. You'll be wantin' to catch up." She leaned down, a coy smile tracing her lips. "And you don't need me for that."

"I need you for everything." Ross quipped, gaze plastered to hovering lips only seconds before an anticipated kiss rerouted to land on his cheek, signaling his goodnight.

She made it as far as the bottom stairs before Ross excused himself to follow in her wake, like a lost puppy searching for its master.

Dwight grinned to himself.

In all the years he had known him, Dwight had seen many a young woman lose their heart to the handsome and dashing Ross Poldark. He had never once returned the favor.

Oh, how times had changed.

Ross Poldark in love was quite a sight to behold.

Not that Dwight could blame him.

Demelza was everything Ross had described.

And more.

Watching the carefree and loving interactions between the young couple had an oddly unsettling effect on Dwight. For the first time ever, he felt the lack of a true companion weighing down on him.

He suspected that in Ross and Demelza's presence, it would not be the last time.

Despite their whispers, Dwight could clearly ascertain the reason for Ross' sudden absence from the table, and even more clearly their words…

"Demelza."

"Hmmm?"

The swift swish of fabric against the stone floor and the slight hitch in Demelza's breathing was the result of an impatient Ross spinning his pretty wife around to face him.

"That was not a proper kiss."

"We have a guest." Demelza gently reminded her husband as she languidly wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers instinctively diving into his hair. "You will get a proper kiss when you come to bed."

Ross' eyes narrowed, contemplating his wife's response. "And if you are asleep when I do?"

"Well, then I guess you'll have to wait 'til the morn." Demelza responded flippantly.

A pause.

"Or…" Ross' voice lowered suggestively.

"Or?" Demelza repeated, feigning innocence.

"Or I could just wake you."

Another pause. Sparkling blue eyes. A blush as fiery as her red hair that made Ross wish he had banished all friends to the ends of the earth.

Or had no friends at all.

"Yes, Ross." The smile in her voice could be heard in the next room. "You can just wake me."

"Get some rest, my love." Ross' gaze dropped to Demelza's lips, desire darkening his eyes. "You will need it."

"And you be careful of the stories you tell on me." Demelza warned, amusement sparkling in her eyes. "Else it will be you who will need the rest."

"I shall tell such lies…" Grinning, Ross whispered seconds before he claimed her lips in a kiss that left no doubt of his future intentions. "…that he will want a Demelza of his own."

Tbc…