They crossed the threshold of the main entrance in a dazes haste, steering each other across the entrance hall without paying any consideration to their surroundings.
At least she knew she was not.
Unlike James, she had never cared about being caught. And the few times they had almost gotten interrupted, had been rather entertaining to her. The last time having become particularly memorable. Even now, months later, remembering the sensation of his body struggling to arrest above hers, or the sound of his aggravated grunts at the smallest hint of noise anywhere near the door to his study, still provoked a satisfied giggle.
Distracted as he'd been, James had refused to relinquish their venture no matter how many times it happened. Instead, his movements would become hurried, graceless... absolutely delightful.
In this occasion, Elizabeth was simply much too lost in his mouth to even possibly remind herself there were other people walking around the halls of their home.
And if the attentiveness with which his tongue was stroking hers was an indication, James did not appear to hold much regard nor care for it either, but her eyes remained tightly shut as she attempted to advance backwards without having to move her lips away from his, so she couldn't ascertain her guess.
She had been relishing on the cleverness of his lips, until the back of her heels bumped against the base of the staircase, forcing her to separate from him as to avoid falling on her bottom in a most humiliating way.
But his arms circled around her waist in the second that she stumbled.
"I'm sorry." he panted softly, tightening his grasp around her as his gaze examined her with meticulous attention. "Are you hurt?"
The corners of her eyes wrinkled at the absurdness of the question. She had barely grazed against the surface.
"I'm perfectly alright." she whispered seductively, allowing her fingertips to put light pressure against the crease between his eyes, forcing it to dissipate before she regained possession of his mouth and continued to pull him up the stairs by the collar. All while she attempted to keep her body firmly pressed against his.
Absently, she realized that it would have been less had she simply waited to reach their bedroom before kissing him again, but it became an irrelevant musing once her back finally met the sturdy surface of the door, reaching blindly for the knob until her palm collided with it.
Her hands clutched onto his lapels, having had every intention to tug him down on the bed with her, but before she was able to, James had grasped her hips, lifting her off of her feet and delicately placing her on top of the inviting linen in one fluid motion.
The sudden change momentarily disoriented her, resulting in her stare of confusion and mild displeasure. His actions might not have vexed her as much, had he not remained looking down at her with a sly smirk, leaning forward and depositing a kiss on her cheek.
"You have to be more lenient with your body, Love."
An incredulous huff expelled thru her parted lips, but she found herself incapable of arguing such innocuous statement. Besides, the faint blow of his pants fanning her face and tickling her nose was cause for much distraction.
"The risk you could get injured is greater now." he continued as he straightened back, disposing of his uniform with too much of a delay for her taste.
Her limbs moved into action as her patience quickly depleted, raising on her knees as her hands darted forward to assist her dawdling husband. Demanding his presence on the bed as soon as his belt was discarded; holding onto his shoulders and taking a comfortable place on his lap the moment he was sat.
"I am gentle." she argued.
The only response she received was a quiet chuckle accompanied by a disbelieving smile. His interest otherwise engaged by the lace on the back of her dress.
"I can be gentle" was her playful amend, running her tongue along the line of his neck with purposeful determination. "So gentle, and very careful" she assured him, moving her palms to spread feather-like caresses over his covered chest, down his abdomen, along his thighs. Every brush carefully intended to support her claim.
Truthfully, she was merely doing her best effort to imitate the way in which his hands usually moved along her body. Smirking in victory when his exposed skin raised and his muscles tightened.
"Do you believe me now?" she boasted.
The frantic urgency from before had dwindled, but she was engrossed on the feel of him as her hands freely wandered over the contours of his body.
"I apologize for daring to put your capabilities into question" he conceded with ease, tenderly brushing her cheek with his thumb.
However, her plan to demonstrate her delicate nature utterly failed when his face lowered and his lips sought hers. The distraction proved to be sufficient enough to make her neglect her objective. Grabbing onto the nape of his neck firmly, she let her back meet the softness under them as she pulled him along.
"... zabeth"
She knew he was attempting to direct her attention, and there was still enough presence of mind in her to offer a small sound of acknowledgement, but the last thing in her plans was to put any distance between them.
Rather than ease on her caresses, Elizabeth became more tenacious; pushing her hips insistently against him and sighing in delight against his mouth once his hand grasped her thigh and pulled her closer, helping relieve her need a little.
However, her blissfully absent mind had forgotten about his half-way opened shirt, until the moment the path of her hand down his front was interrupted by an impertinent button. The force of her tug ripped the thing off of his immaculate uniform.
She meant to apologize to him when he abruptly sat back, but James simply pulled the garment over his head and returned to his position above her; caging her head between his forearms as his lips roved over her neck with enough dexterity to make her writhe.
The lulling beat of his heart, the steady movement of his chest and the gentle breaths hitting her skin were all she cared to think of as her body slackened into the soft surface underneath. Occasional sighs would escape between her lips whenever he nipped a particularly sensitive spot on her jaw, near her ear, or down her neck, and then she would press against him with a little more strength.
His touch left her unable to form coherent thoughts, but the temperature inside the room had risen to the point her body was starting to swelter. It felt almost suffocating so she pushed on his chest and opened her eyes to tell him so. Then promptly forgot about it when her eyes met his.
Whenever he looked at her, his usual green was light and clear, almost innocent in its sincerity; but the moment his pupils grew his gaze became dark and hungry, beckoning her into his embrace with unfair effortlessness.
"Your eyes are frighteningly compelling" she whispered, not expecting the breathlessness she heard coming from her own mouth. Unsure if it was a result of their kisses from just before, or if it was something else.
His brow twitched as one of the corner of his lips raised and his head tilted faintly to the side. "Is that considered a favourable thing?"
"I love them" her declaration was honest and unapologetic, and so was her smile.
Her words made him chuckle in amused satisfaction this time. "Yes, you might have voiced some fondness for them before" he quipped back, brushing down her jaw and forcing a low moan out of her when she felt the deliberate suck at the juncture of her neck and jaw.
"Your arrogance is unbecoming."
Her accusation was accompanied by a rough scratch to the back of his head, but instead of retaliating, his face leaned upwards so he could captured her mouth again.
James' eyes remaining half-open as he stared at her while his lips caused havoc down to the base of her stomach.
Having those thin rings of green so close was making her toes curl with impatience, but the fluttering inside her chest made her shift around with nervousness, so she wrapped a leg over his hip in order to distract herself from all unnecessary concerns, and to assure he would stay close to her body.
"I wouldn't mind it if our child had them" she blurted out as soon as her lips were free. Her boldness was so unexpected that she felt the blood move away from her limbs and towards her face.
The silliness of her comment provoked an urge to hide her face that was so strong her hand actually raised to block his view before she had given the command.
"I meant to say that…"
James simply kept staring at her with the same expression, unfaltering, undaunted... elated.
"If it's what you wish for" he agreed without hesitation.
A giggle escaped her at his ridiculous answer. He spoke as if they could willfully decide such thing and command it into reality.
Her hand abandoned her face, and moved to stroke his, carefully passing a knuckle over the corner of his eye. The contact made both of them flutter close and his cheek lean into her palm.
A soft noise of pleasure released from her throat when his fingers buried into her hair and began massaging her scalp.
"You're covered in sweat, Elizabeth" he noted with a hint of concern, bringing his palm from her hair to her forehead.
Her own quickly pushed it away once she realized what he was doing.
"I was never ill, and my fever is gone now" she reminded him firmly, narrowing her eyes at him before he could start fretting over her again.
"It´s this dress's fault. I think it's trying to stifle me to death" she complained with annoyance, remembering the uncomfortable sensation of her body as it remained trapped inside countless layers of fabric.
His eyes moved down with a perplexed look as his hands treaded over the line of her silhouette. "You look lovely with it."
Simple words without a hint of deceit, his compliment made her colour in slight embarrassment, but also delight in it.
"And without it?" she whispered in his ear, stroking his jaw with her thumb as she pressed her face against his.
"You take my breath away."
His low response made the thin hairs on her nape rise.
"Mine is already feeling deprived" she complained childishly against his cheek.
A prominent scowl of concern drew on his face at that, laying down on his side and bringing her along.
His hands moved to her back and quickly loosened her bodice, allowing her to take a comfortingly deep breath of air into her lungs. Humming in relief when the cool air hit the bare skin of her arms.
"Is that more to your liking?" he inquired with a raised eyebrow. Staring in amusement as she sat up and swiftly got rid of her skirts, carelessly pushing them off the bed, being left in nothing but her thin chemise.
When a faint shiver ran down her spine after a chilled breeze entered thru the windows, she hurried back into the warmth of his arms.
James brought her close without protest as soon as she did, but he remarked playfully "You can be very odd sometimes, Love."
Her response was a languid hum against his chest as her arms wrapped behind him and held onto his shoulder blades, basking in the comfort he provided.
"And your preferences are questionable." she responded in immediate challenge, staring at him with the utmost sobriety.
Their lips couldn't stay still for long, and they ended up laughing at each other.
"I truly adore you, Elizabeth." he sighed contently; allowing his fingers to lightly trace down her middle, until they reached her abdomen. Although his movements were too tender to have any provocative intentions, liquid warmth gathered between her legs.
Yet, he didn't say a word, simply watched the aimless path of his own hand with endearing focus. Watching him behave like that made every emotion inside her intensify with a strength Elizabeth had not known herself capable of feeling.
"James"
His eyes raised with curious intrigue at hearing her voice.
A grin drew on her lips at the patient, expectant look on his face. There was nothing she wished to say, she had merely wanted to call his name.
Her fingertips moved carefully over every single line that defined his features, completely immersed on every detail in the face of the man in front of her.
When she finally grew too impatient, her arms surged forward as her mouth captured his, holding him as close as she possibly could.
James had said he 'Adored her.'
Elizabeth found it to be a very accurate description of her own sentiment towards him. She held him dear, more than she would have believe it possible, and the depth of her feelings was much more profound than she knew how to express appropriately in words.
That night, his touch was more delicate than ever, possibly even more so than the first time he touched her, and unfairly knowledgeable of all her weaknesses this time.
She smiled against his mouth, joy travelling all through her body as she pulled him closer, until she could feel every inch of him surrounding every inch of her.
Each one of his caresses was soft, and so very gentle as he took her in his embrace. But regardless of where they went, his hands would return to rest against her stomach every so often, with such lightness that it made her shiver, and whenever she giggled, he would simply smile and do it again.
The sensation was foreign but soothing; pleasurable in a way she'd never know before. Nonetheless, his touch remained reassuringly familiar.
It was the very first time she had no desire to compel him into hastening his pace. It was also the first time she felt the heat inside her rise to such point; the first time his touch helped her cool instead of scorch her, as if he was putting cold water over a burn. She loved it. She loved him.
She was going to have his child.
The realization that he'd just given her something far more precious and irreplaceable that she had ever possessed, made her ears burn and her stomach quiver with anticipation.
James had decided to spent all afternoon by her side that day. Relaxing in the garden under the shade of one of the grand trees as they enjoyed a leisure meal.
He had glanced at her with interest a few times, but after the third time his eyes had strayed to her middle, she had harassed him into laying down on her lap, so his head was peacefully resting on her lap as her hands played with his hair now.
Her eyes remained fixed on his form as his palm pressed against her still flat stomach, enjoying the light pressure of his hand while her own continued to fiddle with a lock of his hair, watching his body completely relax for the first time in months.
"I still can not understand how you are remaining so serene" she complained, with just the smallest hint of disgruntlement in her voice as her index finger moved down the bridge of his nose.
His eyes glinted with mischief, understanding her meaning with admirable speed. "It's our child, Elizabeth, not a monster."
A small huff escaped her at his composed reply, staring down at him with a small frown.
Of course he was correct, but she couldn't understand his apparent lack of fear, or even nervousness.
Her piteous knowledge on the subject had her heart stuttering in doubt each time she thought about it too deeply.
"Would you rather I was uneasy?" he inquired, sounding truly perplexed.
"No" she agreed quickly, leaning forward and catching his mouth with hers. Having the certainty that it would have been impossible for her to have a moment of peace if he demonstrated to be as anxious as she felt.
"But... aren't you scared?" she flinched, regretting the last word as soon it left her mouth. She had no desire for him to have any doubt of her feelings for their child.
James appeared surprised by the question, but not affronted. Yet she rushed to explain.
"I didn't mean to say I regret this." she promised sincerely, moving her hand to his chest and brushing it over his heart with reassuring strokes.
His gaze narrowed as he regarded her with caution.
"Are you scared, Love?"
"Of course not." she denied, much too quickly "I… maybe I am."
The realization of that fact was truly bewildering for a moment, and then she sighed resignedly, already feeling guilty over her own admittance.
Her hand moved to the collar of his shirt, fiddling it between her thumb and index fingers. James made no attempt to interrupt, simply waited for her until she decided to speak again.
"But I am not, scared.. only, slightly… worried, that is." she babbled incoherently, feeling her ears heat when her attempt to reassure him failed miserably.
"I grew up without my mother," she reminded him. Children were a completely uncharted territory for her. "and I'm not accustomed to children... What if I can't do it correctly?"
That, above every other worry, scared her the most.
"Do what correctly, Elizabeth?"
"Be this baby's mother" she confessed, so quietly she hoped he wouldn't have heard her, as she was unable to hide the dejection the thought caused her.
It did not work.
James heard it clearly, sitting up in one swift movement and leaning so close to her that she had no other choice but to face him.
"I do not know how to be a father either." he reassured her kindly, brushing his hand over the side of her face.
But it wasn't the same.
Elizabeth couldn't imagine that parenting would be something he could ever do wrong. James was patient, and kind, and his love was gentle. It was impossible to imagine him doing anything to their child that she would disapprove of.
"It is not the same."
"It's not?"
"No. It is not."
His smile at her response was indulgent. "How so?"
"Because it is not!" she insisted stubbornly, feeling frustrated. "I am reckless! And terrible at maintaining etiquette..! I break the rules, frequently... And my temper is..."
"Elizabeth." he called, grabbing onto her flailing arms to keep her still "Why would our child care about any of that?"
His voice was devoid of ridicule, only genuine curiosity and confusion shined on his tone as he looked at her with such fondness it made her sigh in defeat.
"It will be alright."
"... You don't think it's too soon?" She wasn't truly certain as to what exactly she wanted to hear from him, or why she continued questioning him. "...we've barely been married for a year." But the more she spoke, the deeper his perplexed frown became, increasing her frustration and provoking a light scowl to appear on her lips.
His calmness made her feel somewhat foolishly.
"I fail to understand how that would be of any relevance now, Love" there was a hint of mirth he was trying to conceal, but he was clearly amused by her.
An unrestrained laugh finally erupted, as her chest lightened considerably. Being teased while she was trying so hard to explain herself would have normally irritated her more, but at that moment it was helping put her mind at ease.
James smirked proudly at the sound of her giggles.
As she stared at his handsome face, partially covered by the shadow of the tree, a new question invaded her thoughts.
"What do you want?" she asked abruptly, placing her hands on his thigh and leaning closer, gazing at him with eyes full of expectancy, making his brow raise in open surprise by the unanticipated question.
"What do you mean?"
"Would you like our baby to be born a boy or a girl?" she asked impatiently, lips pursued and nose crinkled, as if the meaning behind her question should have been obvious.
"Oh"
James' eyes narrowed in concentration as they gazed forward, while his back leaned against the trunk of the tree. He appeared to be thinking of the correct answer with the utmost earnestness, although he ended up shrugging in defeat. "I do not have a preference for either."
"Do you really not?" she insisted, unable to complete hide her surprise at his answer.
Her husband wasn't one to lie unnecessarily, but she wanted to know if he truly meant it, so she reached for his chin and pushed it gently until his eyes met hers.
None of her questions seemed to be irritating him, his small smirk betrayed his good mood.
"I am not attempting to deceive you" he assured her "I truly have no preference. I had not ever entertained the possibility of having children before we married."
Elizabeth maintained a doubtful stare, but could only answer with a disbelieving grunt.
"I wasn´t convinced you wanted them." The mumble with which she spoke the words made her eyes squeeze in embarrassment. "You have not taken me seriously whenever I mention them before." she added quickly when she saw his mouth open in protest.
Both of his eyebrows raised as he stared at her like he had no idea of what she speaking of.
"I cannot remember an occasion when we ever discussed the prospect of having children" he argued confidently.
Her lips parted and her brow wrinkled as her hands grasped his shirt. "I certainly did!" she asserted, feeling indignant at his lack of attention.
"When did this happen?" James dared to look completely perplexed.
Elizabeth's response lingered on her tongue when nothing came to mind. She was certain she had thought of wanting to have children with him, even fantasized about it, but…
Had she really never told him so? She was convinced she had…
"Back in England!" her mind finally supplied after a short delay, making her feel vindicated. "I talked to you about wanting children."
His expression closely mirrored her own bafflement, but then his features relaxed into understanding and open amusement.
"A passing comment on the subject, does not constitute having a conversation about the future of our family, Love. I thought you were merely using it to amuse yourself at my expense."
So she had worried about it so intensely, and James... simply had not understood her? Elizabeth wanted to laugh, instead she let her face bury against his shoulder.
"The possibility didn't occur to you?" she was in disbelief, but her mouth raised into a smile the more she spoke "Even as we've spent so many nights… engaged with each other?"
Her mood becoming provocative as her fingers started running down his neck, to his chest... He caught her hand in his before she could reach too far down, making her smirk widely when their eyes met.
"I know it should have, but I don't think much of anything when I'm with you." His brazen words were devoid of any shame nor regret; staring at their hands for a second before he used them to bring her closer, pulling her body until she perched on his lap "And you really don't have the right to judge me on the matter" he countered, bringing his hand to the back of her head to keep her in place while his lips moved down her neck.
There was a playful defiance in her as she retorted arrogantly "And why would that be the case?"
His face buried against her shoulder as he sighed contently, bringing his arms around her back. "Because I was not solely responsible for it."
"Even so, you've always remarked on how especially talented I am at getting us in trouble" was her unrepentant reminder, arching her neck so it would be easier for him to reach it. "You should have been more careful." she chided mischievously, delighting on the light shade of red his ears turned at the accusation.
Lifting his head he brought his lips inches from hers, making them itch with anticipation.
"I can only be thankful I wasn't." The warmth coming from his breath continued to torture her without ever fully closing the distance to permit a kiss, waiting for her to do it.
Rather than do what he wanted, her face pulled away from his, straightening her back and raising an eyebrow at him. "So you like children?"
Elizabeth finally managed to break his composure, making him unable to stop himself from releasing an undignified snort.
"You keep asking me questions in a strange order, Love."
"They are all very important questions."
One of his thumbs rubbed the angle of her jaw as his eyes glinted with recognition a moment later. "Are those questions what has you looking so distracted recently?"
"Distracted?"
"I relish on admiring you as much as I possibly can. It shouldn't surprise you that I am very familiar with your expressions" he admitted, cradling her face.
Accepting that his perceptiveness had improved considerably, Elizabeth made an effort to try to explain the feeling that she couldn't completely understand herself. Feeling the need to make him understand.
"It feels like everything will be different" she confessed, moving her arms to circle around his neck.
"It will be." he agreed calmly, not allowing his eyes to reflect anything besides his attentiveness as he pushed locks of hair over her shoulder.
It was obvious; a child would make things change, and she was excited to see how they would change, she wanted them to change. However, she also wished for things to stay as they were. The thought caused some conflict and even greater guilt.
The comfortable silence was broken when she had the sudden urge to tell him. "I'm sorry." she mumbled against his hair, feeling more relaxed as she basked on the scent coming from his body. "I do love our baby." she assured him, holding tightly onto his shoulders.
Initially, her worry had been such that she hadn't allowed her mind to wander with distracting thoughts. Now that she'd told him, the sole focus of her mind was conjuring up images of a small, beautiful, green eyed babies; and she found her hands often wandering to her stomach without her conscious decision.
"I know you do." he replied, his voice devoid of any recrimination, his hand brushing down to her front again "I feel the same way."
"More than you love me?" she asked, knowing how immature it was to ask such question.
His head lifted swiftly at her question, but when he looked at her eyes there was nothing but mischief and indulgence shining in them. "I cherish you, the same as I cherish this child, but…" he interrupted himself, reaching for the side of her head and burying his fingers in her hair. "I probably wouldn't feel as much affection for it already if it weren't yours as well."
The faint grimace that followed his words attested to the sincerity behind them.
"Your honesty is admirable, but that is an entirely callous thing to say, James." she reproached him, once her laugh subsided enough to allow her to speak.
"Certainly" he conceded easily "but I can't bring myself to feel too terribly about it." he persisted guiltlessly, keeping his complacent expression unchanged and making her laugh again.
"And just when people were finally beginning to find a different subject to gossip about." she lamented. Leaning her head on his shoulder, a tired exhale was all she could muster.
Grabbing her chin, he lifted her face towards him.
"What did the Governor say after you gave him the news?" he asked with an inquiring eyebrow raised at her.
His expression denoted genuine curiosity and expectancy, but her body tensed as her eyes stared blankly at him.
"Pardon?" was her eloquent response.
Amusement appeared in his features at that. "Your Father, Love." he repeated gently, carefully articulating the words. "What did he say after learning we are expecting a child?"
Her eyes widened and her back straightened instantly. "I forgot about telling him!" she exclaimed, covering her face with frustration. Remorse quickly making itself known.
His incredulity was painfully palpable.
"Then why have so many people already expressed their well wishes to me?"
It took her only a few seconds to understand what had happened. "Arghh! It's that quack's fault!" she growled with annoyance, while at the same time praising her decision to not wait to tell her husband. Elizabeth would have felt beyond dismayed if some presumptuous idiot had told James about her pregnancy before she gathered the courage to.
Taking her off of his lap, he stood up, dusting his trousers before offering her his assistance. His strength brought her to her feet before even allowing her to plant her soles on the ground, which landed her in his arms.
"Hello" he greeted pleasantly, using his nose to trace down hers.
"Hello" she replied cheerily, a big smile adorning her face as her palms rested comfortably on his chest. Complying with her mind's command and allowing her lips to seize the opportunity.
She remained entirely focused on her task until he rasped against her "We need to go find your father before the news reach him."
Those words, and the imagine of her father's recriminating expression, were all the encouragement she needed to retreat from his embrace, holding onto his hand and hastily dragging him back into their home.
Note: It is taking me a little longer, but I promise I am doing my very best to keep the updates as consistent as possible. Thank you for the encouragement!
