Waking up curled next to Will was fast becoming my favorite part of being married, especially when I was still exhausted from the night before. He would make small noises and shift, pulling me closer or moving closer to me himself. I sighed as he did so, running my hand up his chest. What we had worn to bed had been discarded in the early hours of the morning when we had decided that we needed to engage in the act again. Surprisingly, I wasn't as sore as I expected, but rather tired. Will stirred beneath my hand, "Hmmm, Ana."

I giggled as he rolled over, trapping me beneath his weight for a moment before he lifted himself. "Good morning, my love."

"What time is it?" He shifted, trying to see the clock by the bed. "Half nine, ah." He rolled onto his back, bringing me with so I was draped over his chest. One hand kept stroking my back, "I don't suppose you have anything you want to do today."

"Not particularly." I mumbled, relishing in the touch of his hand. "Do you?"

He chuckled, "I want to stay in this bed with you all day." He brought his hand up to pass through my hair. "Give me a moment to call down and arrange for some food, and I'll have them let Reggie and Louise know they have the day to themselves. Hell, I'll give the both of them some pocket money for the day." I made to get up after him as he rose, grabbing a blanket to wrap around his waist. He froze, looking down at me. "What are you doing?"

"I was going to get the money," I shifted up, looking at him. "And I wanted to retrieve something from a hatbox and use the lavatory. Am I allowed to do that?"

He snorted. "Get what you want and use the facilities, but then I want you back in that bed. We're not leaving it all day after all."

"What about food?"

"We'll call down for it and have them leave it in the sitting room."

"Which I am not allowed to be in, if I cannot get out of bed."

"Ana," He came over, cupping my cheek. "I will bring everything to you and feed you like I was the favorite of some great empress."

I laughed at that. "I am far from an empress, although you are my favorite." I did not wrap anything around myself as I slipped over to the bathroom, and I took a moment to study myself in the mirror. Will had taken to leaving small marks on my skin, where they could be hidden by my clothes but he could easily see when we were alone. I brushed my fingers over one that he had left just under my left breast, it didn't hurt at all even though the skin was slightly red.

I took the time to brush my hair, and moved back to the bedroom. A certain hatbox had been left by Louise yesterday, I had asked her for it, and I quickly had it open. The gifts for Will's family, fans, cigarette cases, silk handkercheifs and more, were pushed aside as I felt under the tissue paper. I wrapped my fingers around the slim volume, carrying it with me to the bed. While I could never say it to Morgan's face, I thanked her silently as I paged through the text. There were so many ideas, things that I would never have thought to try. I glanced towards the sitting room door, still shut as Will handled business over the telephone in there.

I huffed as I settled into my reading, every scene making me wish dearly that Will would come back in and take some inspiration from the book. As I kept reading, I let my hand begin to wander, gently touching each mark Will had left on me before sliding over my breast and teasing my nipple. I gave a slight gasp as it hardened under my palm, then I groaned as I found myself wishing it was Will's hand. His calloused skin was far more pleasurable to feel than my smooth hand, and I twisted in bed, wishing he was back.

When the latch of the door sounded, I popped up immediately. Will, his blanket still around his waist, smiled. "The food is here, Your Majesty."

"Wonderful," I chuckled, "Bring it here, servant." I could't keep up the charade much longer as Will wound up wheeling a tea trolley in, and I broke down laughing. "We're having tea in bed?"

"You are, at least." He grinned, "After all, I'm allowed a chair." I shook my head, and he quickly had the blanket off and joined me in bed. Sandwiches were quickly distributed, and tea was poured. Will glanced down as he was munching away, a brow rising as he noticed my book. "You brought that?"

I shrugged, "I thought it might have some things we could try, although quite a few of the stories seem to feature flogging and I'm afraid I just can't allow that."

"I have marked you already." Will reached over, brushing over the slight bruises he had left. "But flogging seems a bit extreme. I don't suppose you noticed any other ideas for us."

"Well," I leaned closer to him, whispering. "There was something I wanted to try, with me on my hands and knees."

"Ah," An arm went around me, Will's voice a rumble in chest. "I think we can arrange for that." Our little luncheon was quickly abandoned as Will laid me back on the bed, tracing over my body like he had never touched me before. I lay back, smiling with my eyes closed, simply relishing in his touch. He followed where his hands moved with his lips, and when I felt him on my neck, I drew him up to kiss me properly. He smiled into it, pulling back briefly. "God, Ana. I don't know how we're going to manage once I start working again."

"Well, I know where your first stop will be when you dock."

"The offices?"

"Alright, then the second stop." I ran my leg up the outside of his, lifting my hips to rub against him. "And you won't leave, and you're going to traumatize all the servants."

He chuckled, his hips moving in response to mine. "Reggie and Louise already seem fairly inured, I'm sure it won't take long for the others to get used to it." He moved back to my lips, his tongue licking over them before delving deep into my mouth. I groaned, thrusting my own tongue against his, the kiss turning into an utterly wet and sloppy embrace as we both began to pant with our need for each other. Will drew back for a moment, "Get up."

I scrambled to do as he asked, only grabbing a pillow to place by my head as I got onto my hands and knees. "Like this?"

"Yes," His hand roamed over my bottom, finding my hips and gliding around to gently squeeze my breasts. I pressed myself back against him, making him groan. "Fuck, Ana. You're a wanton little thing, aren't you?"

"Perhaps I need to be punished." I felt a coquettish smile break out.

He paused. "And here I thought you were against flogging." It was rather exciting to not be able to see him as his hands retreated, coming to rest on my bottom. "Although I can make do." One hand vanished and I started when it came down with a sold smack on my backside. Will was immediately full of concern. "Was that alright?"

My breath had hitched for a moment, "Yes, but not hard."

"Understood." The hand that had spanked me quickly moved over my flesh, soothing the slight pain until it was gone. Now it slipped around my waist, quickly seeking out my seat of pleasure and caressing it. I groaned, thrusting myself against his hand. Another smack followed, but lighter than the first. "Such a greedy thing." I could only pant as he began to tease me, although he quickly had himself situated against the outside of my slit so that he could thrust himself slowly along me, wetting him with my desire as he urged me on.

"Will, God, I need you." I groaned into the pillow, thrusting back against him. He pulled back, and I felt his head slowly broach my entrance, sliding forward until he was fully sheathed. My breath exploded out of me as he did so, "Agh, Will, fuck."

"Good?" His voice was strained.

I nodded into the pillow, forcing myself back up onto my arms. "So good, you're so deep."

"You're so tight." He withdrew, then came back again. He seemed content to take it slow, and I closed my eyes, focusing on the feeling of being filled, over and over again. There was something about the angle he was at that made me moan as he began to move faster, and I thrust myself back against him. He bucked in response, his hips slamming into me. The sound of him sliding into me, wet as he drew me on and on in that race of pleasure, was almost lost in the sound of skin on skin as our flesh slapped together. He spoke through his teeth, "Ana, I'm so close."

"So am I." I panted, feeling like my arms might give out. "Harder, oh Will, harder." He gripped my hips to pull me back harder at that, and between the angle of his invasions, my own efforts to draw him deeper and deeper within me, and the way he pulled me tight to him with every thrust, my arms shortly gave out as my pleasure over took me. Will did not stop, ravaging me as I practically collapsed into the bed until he finished, falling on top of me. Both of us were breathing hard, utterly spent. I shifted underneath him, he rolled off and we slowly caught our breath. I glanced over to him, "I liked that."

He was breathing in great bursts, but he still chuckled at that. "You're not the only one." I nestled up close to him, and we quickly found ourselves asleep. I didn't even dream, I was so drained, but in a good way. When late afternoon came, we roused ourselves, devoured the cold sandwiches and tea, and then burrowed back under the covers. That led to a round of touching, which lead to a slow and delicious round of lovemaking, to the point where we didn't order anything for dinner.

Of course, nothing that pleasant could last.

I woke in the early morning with a far too familiar feeling, rushing to the bathroom and huddling in misery for a bit. My thighs were sticky with blood, to the point where I ran the bathtub and washed myself until I felt clean. My chemise was already stained slightly, and I stripped it off. I could only hope that the sheets were still clean. I pursed my lips as a cramp raced through, gasping as I tried to fight through it. I turned the tub on again, running the water hot and sliding in. The water must have woken Will, for he came in, rubbing his eyes. "Ana, oh."

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, slipping further under the water. "I should have been keeping track of the days better. I brought some cloths for it, but they're in one of my trunks. And it's not up here."

Will knelt by the tub, "I can have Louise get them. But are you alright?"

"Yes," I nodded. "Only in pain. The hot water helps."

He brushed a hand over my head, "I can have the hotel send up a hot water bottle, in case you want to sleep in bed all day."

"That would be nice." I tried to smile, grimacing as another wave of pain leapt upon me. "Thank you."

"I'll have them send up some breakfast too," He stood, "I'm sure they won't mind."

I looked up at him, "You don't have to stay all day, I know I'm not pleasant when I'm like this."

"I may step out, but it won't be for long." He leaned down again, pressing a kiss to my head. "Just relax, love. It's perfectly fine." I tried to do as he said, focusing on breathing long and slow as the heat from the water slowly worked its way into my body. By the time Louise had bustled in, her hands full of fresh chemises, cloths, and a bottle of aspirin, I had at least managed to tame down the pain a bit.

She gave me a sad smile, "Ah, ma'am, I am sorry that this goes so hard on you."

"So am I." I leaned back into the water. "Is breakfast up there?"

"It is, and Mr. Murdoch has stepped out for the day. Now, let's get this in you and get you out of the water." She shook out a couple of aspirin, passing over a glass of water and watching as I swallowed them down. I stood, drying myself off with a fluffy towel before donning the belt and cloth under a new chemise. Louise followed me to the sitting room, gesturing to the spread laid out on the table. "Mr. Murdoch was quite insistent that they send up everything they could."

"Would you join me?" I asked as I sat, "There's no way I will be able to eat all of this."

"it wouldn't be right of me, ma'am." Louise shifted uneasily on her feet.

"Then I order you to, because you probably haven't eaten either." I replied as I reached out and snagged a plate of eggs benedict. "Come on, sit down." It took a moment before she did so, her movements halting as she helped herself to some toast. "There, see? Not so bad."

"I still should eat separately." She muttered as she buttered the toast. "I'm just your lady's maid."

"You are, but I am rather unorthodox in case you haven't noticed." I cut through the egg, letting the yolk run over everything. "Now, how have you found Paris?"

"It's been wonderful, Reggie and I spent hours in a cafe yesterday watching a man paint people on the sidewalk." She smiled, "And I was able to do some shopping, I found a lovely hat."

"Good," I smiled, trying not to flinch as it was rapidly becoming apparent to me that the aspirin was not helping in the slightest. "Have you traveled much before?"

"I was born in California." Louise cut into a grilled tomato. "I worked for a family out there for some time, until I could save up the money to buy a ticket east. But that's as far as I ever have, so this is an amazing experience."

"I'm glad you're enjoying it." I sighed, reaching for a plate of bacon. "I hope Will and I haven't been too demanding."

"Of course not, ma'am." She almost started at my comment. "If anything, we should be doing more for you."

I happily bit into a couple of pieces. "You do enough." I looked out over the still full table. "Why don't you have Reggie come up and help you finish all this? I'm afraid it's back to the bath for me."

"If you're sure," She trailed off. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"I'm sure, and there isn't." I sighed, taking my time to stand. "It's always been this way, at least for the first few days. I'll be fine." My steps were rather halting as I headed back to the bathroom, running a fresh bath of hot water. I took a book from my valise with me this time, hoping that distraction would prove some relief. It did, somewhat. But what kept coming back to my mind as the day progressed and more baths were taken, was the same thought. I had surely disappointed Will, he was already older than me and no doubt wanted children as soon as he could have them, and for all our efforts, nothing had taken.

He spoke often about how it would come in its own time, but still, I knew he wanted children soon. I did too, and I knew it was expected that I would soon fall pregnant. To not do so, well, it would be scandal. People would whisper: Poor dear, her marriage bed is so cold. Her husband avoids it, she cannot give him children and where is the joy in a frigid wife? They would be better off divorcing, then he might be able to find a fertile bride. He's getting on in years you know, no man wants to become a father when he's going gray. She would have her money, and perhaps she'd even take a lover.

"Oh God." I muttered, pressing my fingers to my temples as I set the book aside. That was foolishness, complete and utter foolishness. It had taken Mother a good time to fall pregnant, and Father never strayed from her or thought of divorce. And Father had taken a few years to come along, Grandma Mary had once told me. There was time, there was always time. Until there wasn't, and then the thoughts came rushing back.

By the time I heard the bedroom door open to admit my husband, I had made it back to the bed, curled around a hot water bottle with the book back in my hands. I glanced up, seeing Will bearing a great many things in his arms. I gave him a smile, and he sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to brush my cheek. "Better?"

"Somewhat." I nodded, "What have you been up to?"

He began to sort through his items. "Well, I thought you might need some cheering up, so I set about doing that. First, flowers for my bride." He drew out a bouquet, smelling of lavender and featuring a glorious collection of colors that delighted the eyes. "Second, a book. Would you happen to believe that Verne is popular in France?" He snorted, bringing out a battered copy of Around the World in Eighty Days. "They had finer editions in French, but this was what I could find in English. I thought you might like it if I read to you?"

With my nose still buried in the flowers, I nodded. "I would love that."

"And finally, my crowning achievement." He held out a paper wrapped package, flipped it over, and began to unwrap it. "Now, I did get it on the cheap because it didn't set right, but I thought that wouldn't matter too much. Just be a bit messy to eat." The paper parted, revealing a rather squashed chocolate cake. Like he had said, it was rather runny and messy, but it looked delicious. Will looked up, "Ana, why are you crying?"

I wiped at the tears in the corners of my eyes. "You're just so thoughtful, and I-"

"I remembered you like chocolate during your monthly, that's all." He reached over, brushing his fingers over tears that I had missed. "I just wanted to share it with you."

"I don't deserve it though!" I felt my lip quiver. "I should be pregnant, or at least late, and we should be celebrating that."

He sighed, "Ana, you know I am perfectly alright with it taking some time." He held up a finger when I started to speak. "Let me finish, you need time to be a wife before you become a mother. Ana, you are not some broodmare, you are the woman I love and I will not have you torturing yourself every month. And besides," He pressed a kiss to my cheek. "That means we can keep trying, you do seem to enjoy that."

I snorted, nodding and returned his kiss. "So do you."

"So you see, nothing to worry about." He held out a piece of cake. "Now, help me with this." We happily set to, the cake being swiftly devoured and crumbs licked off of fingers. In short order Will had his shoes and jacket off, joining me on the bed and beginning to read through the book he had brought.

Just before they met Aouda, I looked at him. "You know, I won't be offended if you sleep on the sofa, or I can. I know men don't like to be around women at this time of the month."

Will looked over in disbelief. "Love, if I can share a bed with you, I always will, regardless of if you're having your monthly." He shook his head, finding his place in the book again. "It's simply a bit of blood, it's not as if you've caught the plague." I closed me eyes as he continued reading, utterly content with the man I had chosen to marry. He only left to order up a dinner for us, a bowl of hearty beef and onion soup that was exactly what I needed.

The next day was better, and we managed a brief trip out to see the Arc de Triomphe before coming back. Seeing the traffic circle around that marble monument had been rather funny, and I was glad we were on foot. I would have been terrified if we had been in a cab and our driver had been darting through traffic like the cabbies we saw had been. The pain of my monthly slowly faded, and as it did our days became more active. We had hardly seen Paris by the time it was time for us to have the trunks loaded onto the ferry at Cherbourg to take us to Southampton.

Will and I stood at the stern, watching as the shoreline slowly faded. I leaned against him, "We should head back someday, after all we still didn't make it to Versailles."

He snorted. "A run down old wreck."

"But they're restoring it!" I laughed, "Wouldn't you want to see it in all its glory?"

"Hardly, I'd rather visit Dalbeattie again whenever we're back over here." He sighed, one arm going around my waist. "You'll love it Ana, I just know you will."

"What's it like, Will? You've hardly spoken of it."

He considered my question for a moment. "Rather quaint, all things considered." He ignored the laugh that drew out of me. "It's not on the sea, but rather up in the hills. All forests and fields, old houses, and good people. You'll be a shock to them, for sure." He glanced down at me with a grin. "I certainly hope you won't mind that we won't be having a concierge at our beck and call, we'll be lucky if we can get the innkeeper to cook dinner for us."

"Oh no, whatever shall I do?" I pressed a hand to my forehead, feigning a faint. "I don't know how I'll live without one. It's not like I have my lady's maid with me, or your valet." I snorted, laughing. "And when we get there, will everyone be wearing kilts and speaking Gaelic?"

He burst out laughing at that. "Christ Ana, it's not like we're stuck three hundred years in the past. Most only wear the kilts on festival days and Gaelic is sometimes used with family."

"So it's not going to be all thatched roofs and haggis?" I sighed, thinking about all those stories I had read about the Bonnie Prince. "With everyone reading Burns at home before hiking through the heather."

"No, you'll be surprised to learn we even have electricity." He gently bumped my shoulder, "And the heather is in the Highlands, not where I'm from."

"But will you wear a kilt one day, for me?"

He shrugged. "I hardly see why, they're rather bothersome to get on."

"Please? I did marry a Scotsman after all, I think I'm owed the occasional kilt." I poked his shoulder, then hung off it for a minute before he rolled his eyes.

"One day, and no more."

"What about the little bag on front and the stockings?"

"Christ, woman, that would be like you showing up dressed as Columbia to a simple dinner."

I leaned closer and shamelessly batted my eyes at him. "Please? For me?"

Will only held out for a few minutes underneath this amorous torture. "Fine. But not on a day we're seeing my parents."