Chapter 2 (at the end of 08.05 Murdoch Takes Manhattan)

The afternoon was pleasant as they sat in Central Park upon a blanket borrowed from the hotel. William leaned against a tree while Julia sat opposite him, her legs curled under her and the remnants of a pleasant picnic between them.

That morning, they had eventually made it to the American Museum of Natural History. Julia had thoroughly enjoyed William's awe at the towering dinosaur skeletons in the lobby. They had walked arm in arm through the exhibits until their feet hurt and their stomachs growled audibly in hunger making William chuckle and Julia giggle. Finally, they settled on the grass, continuing to discuss the museum specimens as they indulged in a picnic packed for them by the hotel.

Eventually, once they were full and the conversation lulled into a comfortable silence, Julia decided that a new form of entertainment was in order. "William…" She scooted across the blanket, so she was next to him and leant against his arm. She toyed with the lapels on his jacket as she had become accustomed to doing, then trailed a hand down his chest.

Her torso encased in her corset was firm, yet in pleasing contrast, her arms and the tops of her breasts above the corset were soft against him. It took all of his willpower to capture her hand. "Julia…" He brought her fingers up to place his lips against her knuckles while glancing around their surroundings. "We're in public. People can see us."

"And just what do you think I want, Mr Murdoch?" She placed a kiss to his jaw, breathing hotly into his ear as the placed more of her oh so pleasant weight against him. "What could be so scandalous that we can't do it in a public place?"

He choked, then averted his eyes from a couple scowling at them as they walked by. She decided to take pity on him and pulled back so she could drag the picnic basket towards. her. "William, do you remember a few months ago, after our dip in Lake Ontario, you read Shakespeare's Sonnet XXIII to me?"

"Of course?" Yet he frowned, confused about what was surely a change in topic, although Julia's voice remained coquettish, a sure sign that she wanted something, although what that was, he did not know.

"Well…" She flashed him a disarming smile. "I was wondering if you had any intention of ever reading to me again?"

Still, he was unclear. "If you wish. But why bring that up now?"

Julia merely grinned, dropping her act and reached into the picnic basket, pulling out a book she had previously taken great care to hide. William immediately recognised it as the book that had resided on her bedside table all those months ago. He marvelled that she had managed to hide it from him until then. She held it out to him. "Please, William?"

"Very well." He took the book from her and opened it while she once more pressed against him, allowing her to look over his shoulder. "What shall I read?"

"We'd do best to avoid A Lover's Complaint, I feel, given that we are on our honeymoon." She placed a kiss on his cheek at this, and he nodded in agreement.

"It feels a little too prophetic, doesn't it?" Perusing the contents pages, he revelled in the feeling of Julia's weight at his side, and the intimacy that was developing as they grew to know each other as a married couple. "On a similar vein, let us avoid the tragedies."

"Agreed." She nodded so that her curls brushed against William's neck, eliciting a shiver. "Cold, William?" she asked slyly.

He grunted and she giggled and bestowed upon him another kiss. She, too, was enjoying the opportunity for them to just be together. No crime, no calls from the asylum, nothing to do but enjoy each other's company as they wished. Their more carnal activities were certainly proving to be delightful, but Julia also enjoyed the other intimacies: the occasional caress, linking hands or arms while walking, cuddling together while they sat, trading stories of their pasts, and even shared excitement at a museum exhibit.

"I think Much Ado About Nothing will suit," he said at last, turning to the start of the play. "I believe there is a wedding in it, at least."

"How fitting," she agreed. "Although, other plays have weddings, too, do they not? Why this one in particular?"

"The character, Beatrice, reminds me of you," he replied as he settled more comfortably against the tree trunk at his back.

"Really?" she asked, intrigued, as she was unfamiliar with the tale. "How so?"

"Witty, intelligent, strong of mind." He watched her as he said this and was fairly certain he could discern a blush to her cheeks as she lowered her gaze with a soft smile. He was used to seeing her confident in her professional capabilities, yet shy Julia was new to him. A feeling of renewed tenderness washing over him, he lifted his arm to invite her to curl against him, heedless of the impropriety; the pleasure of holding his wife far outweighed the disapproval of strangers.

As he began reading aloud, she snuggled into his side, her head on his shoulder and her body within the circle of his arms as he held the book. She could have traced the words as he spoke, if she wished, but she preferred to close her eyes and let his voice wash over her, feeling the vibrations in his chest as he spoke.

For his part, William could not complain about this current position. His wife was in his arms, the sun was shining upon them, and he was reading something he particularly enjoyed. He hoped that their honeymoon, a combination of eventful, intellectually stimulating, loving and relaxing, would continue in all their married years to come.


A/N: Thank you so much for reading! I have a few more ideas in mind for future chapters, but I think it would be fun to take suggestions/prompts for this series. Let me know if you have an ideas!