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“There’s tea, ale, cheese, bread, biscuits, and some special cake we give to all the newlyweds.” She winked at Tobias. “And the latest newspaper from London.”
“This looks wonderful. Thank you, Mrs. Insley.”
“Will you be coming down for dinner?” she asked.
“If it’s not too much trouble, we’ll take it up here, I think.” He was loath to leave the cocoon of their room.
“Not at all. That is not an unusual request for those who visited the blacksmith shop earlier in the day.” Winking, she took her leave.
Fiona pushed back the coverlet and quickly donned her dressing gown. “I’m famished.” Her dark red hair caressed her face and shoulders in a riot of unkempt waves. She looked as if she’d been thoroughly shagged—which she had.
A joy and satisfaction Tobias had never known settled over him. Hedidpossess a romantic nature, just as his grandmother had said. He’d always wanted to find a woman like Fiona, and to experience a love like they now shared. That he’d discovered both was still a shock.
They settled at the small round table in front of the window that overlooked the yard below. The Bell and Broomstick was a smaller coaching inn and not as busy today because, as Mrs. Insley had indicated, of the weather.
“Do you think we can still leave day after tomorrow?” Fiona asked before taking a bite of cheese.
“I suppose we’ll have to see what the weather decides. If it keeps snowing like this, however, I would say no.”
She smiled, her mouth full, and her eyes danced with glee. “That would be a pity.” She put her hand in front of her mouth and tried not to laugh.
They ate ravenously for a few minutes, then Fiona poured tea. Tobias plucked up the newspaper and scanned the headlines. Opening it, he found the column with news from the ton and read aloud.
It has come to this author’s attention that the Dowager Countess of Overton was the sole instrument in matching her grandson with his ward, Miss Fiona Wingate. Their shocking elopement to Gretna Green caught everyone by surprise. Well, everyone but the dowager countess. She insists she was part of the planning, and that the couple has her full endorsement. When she arrived in London, she immediately realized they were perfectly suited, and the match was made. Indeed, they weresoperfectly matched that they wished to wed and honeymoon at the same time. The old rumors of the earl trying to dash off to Gretna Green with another young lady have finally been put to rest, and this author wishes the earl and his new countess a very happy life together.
Fiona goggled at him. “That’s what it says? You didn’t just make that up?”
He laughed and handed her the paper. “See for yourself.” That was what his grandmother had said she planned to tell everyone and anyone that asked and to those who didn’t. That she’d successfully made their perhaps scandalous elopement into a romantic tale was more than Tobias could have hoped for. “Now, this would make my father scowl.” He chuckled as he lifted his cup of tea.
Fiona set the paper down, a look of warm happiness on her face. “That was really lovely. I do like your grandmother.”
“And she likes you. I can hardly believe she’s staying in London until we return so that she can spend time with you.” He shook his head. “You, my love, are a miracle in so many ways.”
She stood briefly and then slid onto his lap, curling her arms around his neck. “I am just a simple, ordinary girl from the country, my lord.”
“Not true. You are a countess and there is nothing simple or ordinary about you.” He nuzzled her neck.
“To think, I could have been a spinster. I did consider it.”
Tobias pulled his head back and looked up at her. “I asked Lady Pickering and my grandmother about how a woman achieves spinsterhood. They could only say that a woman eventually arrived there after failing to wed. There are no rules, apparently.”
“I realize I am still somewhat naïve when it comes to Society, but I think there are more than enough rules.”
He laughed at her sarcasm. “True. The Phoenix Club has invited a few spinsters to join. I think we need to invite more. I’ve decided to make it a specific goal.”
Her brow pleated and her mouth flirted with a smile. “Why?”
“Because I think they’re an underappreciated segment of the population. If the Phoenix Club’s aim is to include those who are excluded, I can think of no more deserving group. Can you?”
“I can’t,” she said softly, lowering her head to touch her nose against his. “Tobias, you are the very embodiment of a true hero.”
He slid his fingers into her hair above her nape. “I don’t know if I can agree with that. I’ve done some rather unheroic things, especially with you. It pains me to think of them.” He looked into her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not. Every moment with you, even the ones you might regret, is such an adventure. When Her Majesty told me to have one, I never imagined this.” She rotated on his lap and straddled him, parting her dressing gown so that only his banyan came between their sexes. Grinding her hips down, she kissed him. “I think perhaps I’m hungry in another way now.”
“You are never satisfied,” he said throatily, desire burning through him. “But let me try.” He kissed her thoroughly, his hand tangling in her hair.
“Not true,” she murmured breathlessly against his mouth. “You are quite adept at satisfying me. Over and over and over again. Perhaps you need to remind yourself.” She reached down and pushed the sides of his banyan apart, then curled her hand around his shaft.