Thank you for your kind words! Though some readers were impatient to return to the present, the majority of you enjoyed knowing more of the past.
Lady Delaney was someone everybody loved to hate, no difference of opinion there!
Usually my guest reviewers are quite nice, but I had to delete a few reviews sent by one, they were so obnoxious. Please, if you don't like the story, don't read it. If you don't agree with the characters' actions, there is a mature way to express your opinion.
Unbeta'ed.
Chapter-14
( Present )
There are no dreams to disturb my sleep, with Edward's arms surrounding me. There is, however, a dream-like interlude when his hands begin to explore my body. At first they are content touching me over my nightgown, but slowly they pull it up so that my legs are bare.
Edward must have taken off his pyjamas, for I feel his naked legs pressing into mine. Then his hands move under my gown, covering my breasts, squeezing them gently. Even though I can barely open my eyes, my breath quickens and I moan with pleasure.
"Bella." His breath is warm on my neck as he pushes his leg between mine, making me very conscious of the hardness of his member. "Are you feeling sore?"
"Sore?" I ask sleepily.
One of his hands move down, his fingers pointing out the part he means. "Here. Is there a…discomfort? Any kind of pain?"
I take a moment to answer. Pain? No. soreness? Yes.
But I also remember the pleasure associated with it. And as unlike a lady it may be, I want the pleasure again.
"I want you again," he says from behind me. "But only if you feel all right."
"I am a little sore," I admit. "But…I want you too."
His kiss on my neck is in the shape of a smile. "Are you sure? It is not an obligation."
I squirm against him, making him groan. "I know, and I am sure. You made me very happy, Edward."
"That is…good to know," he chuckles softly. His finger dips inside, moves and presses. It takes me only a few seconds to become wet.
"I want to try something new, all right? Lift your leg and hook your ankle behind mine."
The instruction puzzles me, but I comply with it. As soon as I do, however, I feel his hardness at my entrance. Is he going to…? I had no idea it could be done this way!
Evidently it can be, for a few thrusts of his hips result in all of his staff being sheathed inside me. I feel full, even more than when he took me before. With his arms around me, and his hands stroking and squeezing, I feel as if I am completely surrounded by him.
Once more he confirms that I am good with this, and then he begins a slow, rhythmic movement that has me thrusting back soon. Unlike the previous time, however, he does not speed up after a few minutes. Rather he moves one of his hands down and begins doing what he had done before to make me wet. Only this time it feels…much more, perhaps because I am already full of him.
His lips nip at my ear. His words encourage me to cry out when I scream his name. There is nothing in the world but these sensations, running up and down my body as our pace quickens and our breathing becomes panting. Finally, finally we stop, shuddering and clinging to each other. My name on his lips is a fervent call; his on mine is the trembling answer.
Slowly my breath returns to normal. Slowly, his arms loosen around me, and I turn to face him, even though I can't see him at all.
Combined with the fact that he didn't take off my gown completely, it could have reminded me of my experience with Anthony, but it does not, not a whit. Those times are as far removed from this present as the sky is from earth.
He peppers my face with kisses, chanting 'I love you' all the while. I giggle, realising I am sweaty but it doesn't bother me any more.
He situates my nightgown, pulls on his pyjamas and kisses me once more. I fall asleep with my head pillowed on his chest, his heartbeat a lullaby without words.
-ATW-
Waking up in the morning, I am conscious of three things: that I am alone, that my body is deliciously sore, and that there is too much daylight in the room.
These thoughts do not articulate themselves as soon as I open my eyes, of course. In fact, I am sure that I expected Edward's warmth around me in the brief time period between sleep and wakefulness. I may have pouted when I discovered that he had left the bed without waking me up.
But then the memories of the night come back, making me smile as well as blush. It is unbelievable that a single night has brought me so much pleasure. The years gone by were like a wasteland, so there is no comparison. But even before that, the little experience I had of the marital bed was nothing like this. Of course, I did not realise the blandness at that time, having nothing to compare.
Finally, the sunlight streaming through the open curtains makes me realise that I have woken up much later than I usually do. For a second I feel guilty for sleeping so much, but then I shrug it off. It is not as if there was any particular reason to get up early. It is only a self-imposed rule, and can be changed if required.
"My lady?" Alice's voice startles me. "Would you care for refreshments, or take a bath first?"
My stomach growls, making me realise that I am famished. But I still want to wash myself first of the night's activities. There is a different smell about me. Perhaps I smell a little like Edward?
"I will have a bath first, Alice."
She calls for the scullery maids to bring hot water, and soon the bath is ready. It is a relief to my aching muscles to slip inside the soothing water, scented with the oil of lavender. Alice washes my hair and rubs my back, and I moan as my lower muscles relax.
Who knew that lovemaking could make certain muscles ache so much?
Finally I am dressed in a robe and Alice is combing my hair dry in front of the fireplace.
"Where is Ed—my husband gone to, Alice? Do you know?"
She smiles as if she knows exactly how much I want to see Edward.
"Yes, my lady. Lord Edward was to see his uncle off after breakfast, and then he was to meet some farmers in the village. He said he will be back for lunch."
Ah, so James is gone. Good riddance!
I dress in a peach-coloured gown, matching my mood and the weather outside. I wish I could have Edward's company for breakfast, but I am hungry enough to do justice to the meal anyway.
After paying a visit to the kitchen, I go and find Rosalie in the stable. She is pleased to see me, and gracefully accepts a carrot from my hand. Once she is saddled properly, I take her for a canter in the paddock. With my muscles still aching sweetly, I don't feel like galloping.
Finally I stop and get down, with the intention of sitting on a bench near the fence. It is then I hear the sound of another horse's hooves. The sun is in my eyes as I try to figure out who is the rider, but then Rosalie lifts her head and gives a joyful whinny. It can only be Emmett then, and that means Edward.
I am smiling widely by the time Edward slides down from his horse. He leaves Emmett to graze with Rosalie, and wishes me a good morning, his smile matching mine.
"Did you sleep well, my lady?" There is a hint of mischief in his smile. It makes me blush.
"I did, my lord." I gather my courage and carry on boldly. "Our…um, activities made me greatly tired. Though in the morning I wondered if they were a dream."
"Oh Bella." His eyes darken and he glances around quickly. Then he enfolds me in his arms and begins to drop kisses on my eyes, my nose and my cheeks. Finally he presses his lips to mine, and I feel as if I can breathe properly again. I don't resist even when his tongue enters my mouth and strokes mine. It doesn't bother me that it is day, and we are outside our house, in an open field where anybody can see us. All that I can think is that it is wonderful to be wanted so much, to feel so close to someone that being in his arms means feeling emotionally secure and forgetting the world. Finally he lets me go and looks at me with adoration written on his face.
"I missed you," he says, my hands still captured in his large ones.
"It has only been a few hours, my lord."
He shakes his head. "Edward. Nobody is listening to us here. And a few hours away from you is long enough to miss you, my darling."
His words, and the intensity in his voice makes me swallow before I can manage to say anything. "I missed you too. I just didn't want to say it because it sounded silly. But now that you have admitted it…"
We find a bench and settle down, with Edward's arm around my shoulders.
"Why didn't you wake me up in the morning?" I don't want to whine, but I suspect that's what I sound like.
He doesn't seem to mind though. He smiles and strokes my hair. Alice has pinned most of it up, but there are a few locks kissing my neck and shoulders.
"You were sleeping so peacefully. I didn't want to disturb you," he answers, his fingers twisting a strand of my hair and pulling it lightly, then letting it go. When they brush against my neck, shivers run down right to my toes.
"I wouldn't have minded." I pause to let the shivers pass so my voice wouldn't wobble. "So…James has left?"
Edward chuckles. "Yes. Let's hope we won't have to see him any time soon. He is turning into a megalomaniac. If he had even one subject, he would consider himself king!"
I look at him curiously. "You didn't say that to him, did you?"
He snorts. "Not in so many words, but I let him know that I was getting annoyed with his buffoonery and he would not be welcome here unless he mended his ways." My eyes widen as a corner of his mouth lifts up. "He was not exactly pleased."
"I can imagine. But Edward, if we antagonise him too much, he might take away your title."
"I don't care about that, sweetheart," he says seriously. "And he can't do that, in any case. I got a written document from him before I consented to take the charge for the estate. It has the king's seal on it. I knew James would try to keep me under his thumb."
"Oh." This changes things considerably. For years I complied with the instructions Anthony had given to me on behalf of James. I wonder if Edward will allow a few changes.
"I was wondering," I begin hesitantly, and Edward tilts his head towards me, giving me his full attention. "If we do not have to follow every rule set by James, may I go and see Lizzie more frequently?"
He looks surprised. Maybe he agrees with James in this—that children should be kept at a distance?
"I will not disturb her routine too much…" I add in a small voice.
But then he surprises me with laughing and hugging me. "Oh Bella," he says, his chin resting on the top of my head, "you are so selfless. I thought you were going to ask for something you wanted. Of course you may see Lizzie more during the day. In fact, you can see her whenever you want to; I am sure she will love that. Though I think it is a good idea to speak with Maggie first, as she has been in charge of Lizzie since she was little. What do you think?"
I am so happy with his answer, I want to get up and dance. Instead, I place my hands on his shoulders and kiss him full on the lips. I intended to make it quick, but he prolongs it, his hands on my back not allowing me to move back.
Both of us are beaming when we separate. "Thank you! I will speak with Maggie today itself. And I am not selfless—this is for me. It will make me very happy!"
He shakes his head, clearly amused. "Would you like to go and see Lizzie right now? There is a little time yet for lunch, I think."
I actually scream a yes, I am that happy.
A.N. Did any of you vote for the contests on ff? There were so many entries, especially for Straight Thru the Heart, it was very difficult to choose!
Bella's nights are going to be quite busy, don't you think so? ;)
Do you think changing Lizzie's schedule is okay, considering she is used to see her mother only once a day?