Months had passed since Archie's spells of severe pain. Lilias and now Archie believed that this was due to the new medicinal regimen enforced. Lilias convinced him to see Dr. Gibson her own family's personal physician. Archie trusted his brother but he trusted Dr. Gibson, because Lilias trusted him. It was necessary to divulge to Neville that these new prescriptions were from an accredited source. Neville felt betrayed and personally insulted over this.
"Neville, Lilias only wanted to do everything she can to see me well, awake, and alive. She would not want you to think she's done this to impune your work or your efforts to improve my condition. She would not stop until she'd exhausted all treatment plans. Why she loves me so, I cannot fathom, but I'll be damned, if I'm not going to obey what is her will for me. Her love is my life."
Lilias walked in on the brothers arguing.
"Neville, I will no longer see Archie in so much pain, confined to a bed days on end. I want him to live experiencing as much joy as possible."
"You don't think that's what I want?"
"Dr. Gibson had new options for care, and I trust him. He's not a stranger. He's my family doctor. Surely, you can respect a fellow doctor's opinion as well as your own. He's entitled to a little respect. You share the same career goals-that is to help others...to help your brother live a full and happy life."
"And a full life means children, does it?" Neville mocked.
"If God chooses to bless us, then yes." Lilias responded.
"Yes, leave it to God. You must also accept that you may not get your wish."
Lilias was used to Neville knocking down hope. She would not let him destroy her optimism.
It had been many months since Archie and Lilias's honeymoon and the union of thier bodies in the truest physical sense, for Lilias was trying to obey Neville's orders-orders from a doctor. Though Archie was still a young man in his early 30's, she feared for Archie's good health because of his infirmity and a variety of resulting health issues. She did not want there to be any trouble with his heart or his arthritis associated with his back condition. She struggled to deny him access to her body. Lilias's body was starving for Archie's as his was for hers, but she did not want to take the risk of injuring him in any way- as Neville said his heart was not healthy enough for relations. However, this new treatment plan could be the key. Dr. Gibson never mentioned the restriction that Neville so adamantly placed upon them.
Betty smiled as Lilias packed a large hamper for a picnic in the garden with Archie.
"You know these are all of Lord Craven's favourite things to eat. Thank you so much for making this dessert. It's lovely."
Neville looked out the window and saw the couple as they walked the trail round the outside of the house towards the garden wall. When they got to outside the garden wall. Ben was there and handed them some cushions and a picnic blanket.
"Thank you, Ben." Archie responded. "Those'll do very well. My wife and I prefer to relax and picnic upon the ground today rather than at the garden table."
"Yes, Sir." Ben nodded.
Archie and Lilias found their places upon the ground in their secret paradise quite comfortable.
"This is all so delicious. Quite satisfying. I cannot eat another morsel. Archie lay back on his elbows. An afternoon nap might be in order after all this glorious food."
Lilias laughed and lay back with him. Then, they both stretched out entirely upon their backs staring up at the sky.
The breeze picked up, and they could see the clouds beginning to roll by.
"Archie, listen. Close your eyes." The birds were sweetly chirping and singing and the wind was rustling. "Such a heavenly song here in our paradise."
Archie obeyed. His eyes closed, and his face held a peaceful expression.
Lilias then moved slightly over him.
She began to gently and delicately with a featherlight touch trace the contours of his face.
Her fingers moved to his jaw, his neck, down his chest and the front of his body. Archie smiled at this suspicious prelude to seduction.
"What are you doing?" He said to her quietly and sweetly with his eyes closed.
"Memorizing you... How beautiful you are!" Her fingers played upon the gentle lines of his forhead and made half a circle travelling from his forehead to his chin.
Archie subtly shook his head in silent disapproval of her last statement.
"You...are...beautiful." She repeated.
The birds continued their song as the wind continued to rustle through the trees and the grass. It was evident that his expression was one of pleasure, an expression in approval of her efforts.
She began to kiss him along his jaw and then met his lips. The kissing became passionate but maintained a sense of tenderness.
Archie's heart beat with pure love for his wife. They both felt a yearning from deep within their beings. Archie's fingers laced tenderly through Lilias's hair as it lay long and free down her back. A clap of thunder, and it began to rain. Drops of water decorated their faces as they kissed. As the rain grew heavier, so did their desire to be one.
Archie could have made love to his wife-his Lilias-then and there, but he worried for her comfort and protection from the elements. He didn't want her to catch cold or a chill in the rain with or without her soaked clothing upon her body.
Archie swooped Lilias up into his arms carrying her bridal style back to Misselthwaite, so that she could avoid slipping on the muddy grounds. She laughed sweetly with her arms wrapped about his neck. He lay his frockcoat over her as if to shield her from the deteriorating climate.
Medlock looked out the window and saw Archie carrying Lilias across the lawn both of them soaked through clothing sticking to their skin.
She stepped outside of the entrance and she and the butler could not hide their disapproving looks at the door.
"Caught in the rain, I'm afraid." Archie answered their stares.