Page 33 of Tutoring the Bookseller
His golden hair delightfully tousled and his banyan open to the waist, Daedalus sat on the side of the bed and placed the breakfast tray across her lap. “What makes you think I broke anything?”
“Your use of the wordswhoresonandbollocksand the noise as if Wellington’s cavalry was charging up the stairs? Ooh! Fresh bread. Whatever will we do when Lady Camilla’s visit ends and she takes Nathaniel back to London with her and Lionel?” Cordelia slathered a slice of bread with butter and jam from the jam pot.
“We may yet be saved from growing as large as Prinny?” Daedalus leaned forward to take a bite of the bread she offered. He licked the jam from her fingertips and kissed her tasting of jam and tea and toothpowder.
“How long have you been up crashing about the house without these?” She stretched to pluck his spectacles from the table and pushed them onto his nose.
“Long enough to discover Alice has decided never to venture into London society again.”
“That is the third time this week.”
“Indeed. Oh, and your brother, Sinjin, has brilliantly developed a new variety of rose.”
“So, he and Alice are still corresponding. Interesting.” She sipped her tea and tore off a piece of bacon which she popped into her mouth.
“Cordelia,” Daedalus warned. He buttered his own piece of bread and began to eat.
“I cannot help it, my love,” she replied. “I want everyone to be as happy and settled as we are.”
She was happy. Deliriously so. Their son had been born at Hawthorne Park, the home and estate the Duke of Chelmsford had gifted them on their wedding day. There were six lovely and large cottages on the estate, one of which was already occupied by the two Mary’s, Bess, Sally, and Polly. She and Daedalus spent half their time at Hawthorne and the other half in London where they had a small townhouse on Grosvenor Square, though they were known to spend nights in the offices ofWicked Books and Naughty Novelson occasion.
Cordelia wrote two types of books now. She continued herAn Insatiable Ladybooks with Lady Camilla taking full credit to much acclaim. However, she also wrote guides for young women on all matters romantic and yes, marital intimacies as well. Some decried the books as scandalous and corrupting, but that did not stop increasing sales of the books every month. Daedalus had begun taking on women apprentices in the print shop. Everything she and her husband did was met with some derision and hauteur, but the support of the Duke of Chelmsford and Lady Camilla ensured their success and acceptance in society. Not that she cared a whit for such. But her projects demanded support and she had a son now to protect and nurture.
“What are you pondering so seriously, my love?” Daedalus licked a bit of jam from the corner of her mouth and settled his lips on hers for a long, sensuous kiss. She sank back into the pillows, her hands sifting through his silky hair. He groaned and slowly drew back. “We cannot, my love. Not for—”
“Six more weeks, at least.” Lionel Carrington-Bowles stuck his head in the door and gave them both a reproving glare. “Having your first child make his appearance six months after the wedding has done nothing to make you two behave as proper aristocrats.”
“Thank God,” she and Daedalus said as Carrington-Bowles strode to the cradle and bent over to inspect their sleeping son.
“Amen,” he whispered. “He is looking well.” He straightened and perused Cordelia carefully. “As are you. No weakness? No bleeding? No dizziness or pain?”
“I am perfectly fine, CB, thanks to you.” She reached out to squeeze his hand. Her pregnancy had been difficult at the end. Lionel had tended her with her maid Gilly’s help whilst Lady Camilla and Nathaniel had done their best to keep Daedalus calm.
“We owe you everything,” Daedalus said solemnly.
“Nonsense. Aunt Camilla has suggested an al fresco luncheon this afternoon when Atherton and the others arrive. I see no reason for you not to attend, Cordelia. And you, Whitcombe, will allow your lady wife to walk down to the lake where said luncheon will be served. You willnotcarry her about like some invalid. Giving birth is not some crippling disease. Women in The Dials do it every day and go back to work the next morning.”
“Thank you,” Cordelia said as Daedalus muttered something about modern physicians.
“I’m off to see what Nathaniel is about in the kitchens.” Carrington-Bowles strolled to the bedchamber door, but turned as he raised the latch. “And as for the other, a selfless man might find ways to give his wife pleasure that do not involve intercourse.” He shrugged. “Or so I’ve read in a recent book.” He winked and left, closing the door behind him.
Daedalus stood and removed the tray from across her lap. He managed to set it on the table before the hearth without dropping anything. With a quick check on their son, he shrugged out of his banyan and crawled naked under the covers.
“I don’t need to read a book,” he growled. “I have my own tutor right here. Tell me, my lady, what is your pleasure this morning?’
“Surprise me,” she sighed as he pulled her nightgown to her waist and kissed his way across her belly. “You are, after all, my star pupil.”
And he remained her star pupil for the rest of their lives. After all, one should never stop learning when it comes to love.