More of the honeymoon. Or at least my wishes for it.
After setting her cup of tea on the table beside the bed, she lifted the duvet and slid back to her place beside her husband. She pressed her feet against his legs and laid her head on his shoulder. He grunted and folded the newspaper he had been reading.
"How did your feet get that cold so quickly?" he grumbled, putting his arm around her and drawing her closer. His thumb started a familiar pattern over her shoulder blade and then down the line of her back.
"Are you complaining, Mr. Carson?" she asked, "I could wear socks to bed and a thicker nightdress."
Dropping the paper beside the bed so that he could wrap both arms around her, he answered, "Not at all, Mrs. Carson. I'm reasonably certain warming feet was in the vows."
"You must have heard slightly different vows," she laughed and kissed his cheek.
He turned his head and captured her lips with his. "With my body I thee worship"
There was no way to answer that but to kiss him, a long and lingering kiss. Dear, sweet man.
"And what would you like to do today, Mrs. Carson?" he asked when she released his lips.
"We could stay here," she suggested and his smile warmed her heart. After her initial trepidation, she found herself eager for his touch and the pleasure it brought them both.
"As much as I would like that," he said, hand stilling in its exploration of her back, "I had wondered if you might like to do a bit of shopping while we're here."
The caution in his voice alerted her, and she stiffened immediately, "What sort of shopping?"
"Well, there are more clothes shops here than in Ripon," he said, "and I thought you might…"
"I appreciate the thought, Charles," she said stiffly, pulling away from him. "But I've no more budgeted for clothes for another month or two."
"I understand," he said patiently, hand making soothing circles on her back, "but I noticed that your coat is getting a bit bare and if you wanted a new blouse or…"
"Charles," she was starting to sit up straighter, and her voice was sterner, "I told you that my budget wouldn't allow it."
His hand tightened on her back, not letting her pull away. "Elsie, love, I understand that your budget might not allow it, but I believe that ours will."
She wasn't mollified. "I do not need you to buy me clothes."
"Mrs. Carson," he said gently, "where was your head during the service? Did you hear any of the vows? With all my worldly goods I thee endow."
"That's all well and good, but I've taken care of myself for quite a while now," she said, anger rising.
He took a deep breath. "I know that. Of course I know that. I admire and respect you for that, but now we are to take care of each other."
Knowing that his motives were well-meaning, she spoke softer now, "I do not need you to spend your money on me."
He smiled, "Again, Mrs. Carson, you do not attend. It is not my money. All of what were formerly my worldly goods are yours."
"Ours," she corrected.
"Yours," he said, shaking his head. "The vows don't say we share. What little I have is yours." He tilted his head toward her, "I would prefer it if you allowed me to retain at least one suit of clothes, however."
She laughed incredulously, shaking her head at him in wonder. Speechless. Her dear, sweet man had her speechless.
He watched her carefully, taking her hand in his and tracing her wrist with his thumb. "So," he began hesitantly, "shall we go shopping?"
"There might be one problem."
"Only one?" he asked.
"I rather prefer you like this," she indicated his bare chest with a tilt of her head. "Perhaps I may not let you retain your clothes after all."
He laughed again and drew her over his lap, "We can shop tomorrow before we catch the train."
"And today?"
"Today, dear wife, I will convince you to allow me my clothes."