Winter activities
She sat by the fire, reading a new novel which he had presented her for Christmas.
Being so engrossed in her book, she didn't hear him opening the door, silently sneaking behind her rocking chair. He bent down, kissing her cheek lightly.
Startled, she turned to him, catching her breath.
„Oh, Charles! You scared the living daylights out of me!"
"Don't say you didn't like the way I did it", said Elsie's husband with a mischievous smile.
"That's not the point, you daft man. Where have you been?" she inquired, putting the book on the table. Turning around, she caught her husband staring at her.
Looking pointedly at him, Elsie asked, "Do you have a problem, Mr. Carson?"
"I was just admiring the fine figure of my beautiful wife. Do you mind giving me a proper kiss to welcome me home from my tiring walk from the village back here?"
Ignoring the actual request, she asked with concern in her voice "Why was your visit so tiring, darling?"
Stepping towards him, she stretched her arm out to caress her handsome husband's face. He leaned into her palm, a loving look on his face. "Because I missed my wife. The discussion was so endless, the arguments so boring, no lively conversation. And the sun shone through the window and reminded me what I could do on a day like this instead of sitting with some people discussing pointless things that do have no real meaning for the villagers. Anyway, I am here now and I want to make the best of the remaining day."
Cupping her face, Charles gave Elsie a chaste kiss and marvelled in the fact that she kissed him back with great vigour.
"So, Mr. Carson. What have you planned to do?" she asked delicately, no doubt about the meaning of her question.
However, she was astounded when she heard him saying "I wondered if you would like to accompany me to the lake. I think the surface is thick enough to skate on it. And as a matter of fact, I was quite good at it in my younger days, in skting, I mean. I believe some of the village kids have already tested the condition, they were very excited when I saw them earlier. What do you think?"
She pondered the possibilities, than smiled at him. "I never did ice skating, my dear, but I do hope that I will know how to do it by the end of the day."
His face lit up and he hugged her to him, kissing her on both cheeks and afterwards on her lips.
"Thank you, Mrs. Carson. I will fetch my shoes, and please look in the bag in the hall, I bought you a pair too. I hope they'll fit." Charles hurried out of the room, up the stairs and only when Elsie heard his footsteps above her, she allowed herself to laugh at the loveliness of her husband. What a darling man!