I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer! I also hope you enjoy this chapter. As you can see, I did move over to "M" because these two just seem to keep heating up more and more. Next thing you know, they'll be forcing me into some porn, lol. And isn't it just wonderful how many Andith stories are in the works? I love that some of our best writers are coming back to finish stories that were dormant for awhile. And we have a few new contributors too that are bringing fresh ideas. I don't think there is a bad Andith story in existence. But I do miss some of the ones that seemed to disappear a while back. Anyway, happy reading!


They chose a leading restaurant in the village, one that offered French cuisine of all things, Anthony thought as they were seated. He was curious to see if it was as French as they claimed. Looking across the table at his bride, a smile spread on his face. "Have I told you how lovely you look this evening, my sweet?"

Edith returned his smile, her eyes twinkling. "You may have mentioned it a time or three," she replied. "Yes, well…. you must forgive my forgetfulness in the face of your beauty," Anthony said softly. Edith was blushing and he adored the marvelous shade of pink that adorned her cheeks.

Their meal was better than Anthony had expected and they were enjoying themselves, lingering over coffee and dessert. Edith was telling Anthony about one of the vineyards she'd been reading about in the brochures at the hotel when a man approached their table. He was a reasonably handsome young man, a few years older than Edith, with light eyes and hair. He stood next to the table and smiled at her. "Pardon me," he said to Edith in a soft voice. Both she and Anthony looked up, Edith looking perplexed and Anthony leaning against the back of his chair, afraid he knew what was coming.

"I'm erm, sorry to interrupt but I wanted to ask if you'd care to join me in a drink after you've finished your meal. There aren't many beautiful young ladies around and I couldn't resist asking. I'm sure your father won't mind," he finished with a glance at Anthony.

Anthony's jaw clenched and he shifted in his chair. But Edith, her mouth slightly agape at the stranger's impertinence, recovered quickly and replied, "Thank you for your offer, but no thank you."

"Oh please," the man persisted. "Come on, you've got to be looking for more excitement than hanging about with your father," he continued in an almost pleading tone.

Anthony threw his napkin on the table forcefully as he stood, glaring at the upstart. Edith reached across the table to touch his hand, distracting him before he said what he was thinking. "As I said, I do not wish to join you in a drink and as you can see, my husband does mind," she stated.

The stranger's eyebrows shot up as he looked at her in surprise. "He's your husband?" the man squeaked before looking at Anthony in disbelief.

"I am," Anthony growled. "And if you persist in bothering my wife, I'll be forced to teach you some manners."

"I, erm…" the man paled. Then looking at Edith, he seemed to lose control of his mouth. "You're married to him? Surely you could have someone more…"

"Now see here," Anthony bellowed as he stepped closer to the younger man. The man seemed to cower a bit, much to Anthony's delight. Two waiters hurried toward them, obviously sent to break up the disturbance. But it was Edith who put the man down finally. "I'm not sure what more you think I should have, but I assure you that my husband is everything I and half the women of London could ever ask for. Now if you'd leave us, we were enjoying our meal before returning to our hotel for…well, some excitement."

The younger man's eyes grew wide. "That's disgusting," he muttered as he shot another glance at Anthony, who simply smirked at him. "I'll tell you what I find disgusting," Anthony said in a low, dangerous tone. "I find it disgusting that you should interject yourself into our dinner with your unsolicited opinions and unwanted presence. I believe these two gentlemen are here to be certain we aren't bothered again. I suggest you take the hint and leave now." The man glared at him and then scowled at Edith before turning ad storming out of the room.

Anthony sat back in his chair, dejected and unsettled. Edith saw his change in demeanor and reached across to take his hand in hers. "Don't let that oaf upset you, darling."

He sighed and titled his head slightly, a grimace creasing his face. "I… he's right, you know. I am too old for you. You deserve one more your own age."

Edith's answering smile had a hint of a grimace to it. "I deserve the man I chose to marry. You saw what he was like. Do you really think I could ever be happy with someone like that?"

"Well, no… not him, but there must be men your own age that are deserving of you."

"If there are, I haven't met them. And I hope you don't think I deserve a boor like that."

"Heavens no," he blurted. "It's just that I….I," his head wobbled slightly as he tried to pull his thoughts and feelings into some cohesion.

"It's just that you can't understand how I could prefer you, at your age, to some brainless, addled child in a young man's body. Well, I can tell you how I can. You are the nicest gentleman I've ever met. You are funny, exciting, intelligent, and while your body may not be as young as his, I find it quite stimulating and if the last two days have been any indication, you have so much more to offer in the physical side of things than that buffoon ever will have.

"Yes, but for how long," he said morosely.

"You're stuck with me, I'm afraid," Edith replied. "At least, until I've had you so much that I've completely worn you out," she added lightly.

"Yes, or until you've killed me," he replied in an equally light tone. "That's your plan isn't it? Use me up until I die of a heart attack and then take my money and run."

"I'm sure that's what some people believe, Anthony. But the truth is, I fear it is you who will do that to me, use me up, I mean. As thrilled as I am with your…. attentiveness, I had no idea a man, especially one as ancient as you," she interjected with a coquettish smile, "could repeatedly do what you do to me in such quick succession." Her face flushed slightly as she looked at him with an impish grin. "Honestly, you've created such inclinations within me, ones I fear will never be put to rest. And at times, I am quite overwhelmed by it all."

His eyes widened at her declaration. "Are you saying…. I mean, I…. well, I'm not quite sure I understand what you are saying."

Leaning over to him and giving him a coy wink, she explained herself more clearly. "What I am saying, my dear husband, is that you are more than enough man for me. And a night with a fool like the one who just left could never even remotely compare to a night with you. And as for anything more lasting…. Well, you may have a few more miles on your engine than someone my age, darling, but your engine still hums and you still make me purr."

Suddenly feeling very warm and not the least bit hungry, at least for anything on the restaurant's menu, Anthony glanced at her plate. "Have you finished?"

"Yes, except for dessert. Shall we have our dessert back at the hotel? I know they don't serve anything but breakfast there, but I'm sure you'll think of something…."

Feeling his blood rise in just about every part of his body, Anthony grinned. "Oh my dear, you have no idea what thoughts you are putting into my mind.

"Oh, but I hope I do. I really do."

Anthony couldn't collect the check and pay the bill quickly enough.