Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 157450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 630(@250wpm)___ 525(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 630(@250wpm)___ 525(@300wpm)
Should I tell him?
But as she follows him into the bedroom, her courage fails her. She likes how they are at the moment. She has no idea how he’ll react, and she doesn’t want to burst their bubble.
“I will get dressed and cook for you.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “You don’t have to get dressed.”
She feels her cheeks pink. He has no shame. But he beams, his smile so dazzling that it takes her breath away.
* * *
It’s almost midnight, and I lie gazing at Alessia, who is fast asleep beside me.
What a wonderful, lazy, falling-in-love Monday.
It’s been a perfect day.
Making love. Eating. Making love. Drinking. Making love. And listening to Alessia play the piano…and watching her cook.
She shifts and mumbles something in her sleep. Her skin is translucent in the light from the little dragon, her breathing soft and even. She must be exhausted after all we’ve done…yet she’s still a little shy. One of these days, I want her to touch me. Everywhere.
I stiffen at the thought.
Enough!
She will. In her own time, I’m sure. We didn’t even leave the house today. All day. And she cooked for me once more, another delicious and wholesome meal. Tomorrow I’d like to do something special with her—something outdoors, provided the weather improves.
Show her where you grew up.
No. Not yet. I shake my head.
Tell her.
An idea comes to mind, and if the weather is better tomorrow, it will be fun, and it may give me the opportunity to tell her who I am….We’ll see.
I plant a tender kiss on her temple, inhaling her sweet fragrance. She stirs and mumbles something unintelligible, but she settles and sleeps on.
I’ve fallen in love with you, Alessia.
I close my eyes.
Chapter Nineteen
Alessia wakes listening to the low rumble of Maxim’s voice. She opens her eyes to see him sitting up next to her, on the phone. He smiles down at her and continues his conversation. “I’m glad Miss Chenoweth agreed,” he says. “I think a twenty-bore for the lady. I’ll have my Purdeys.”
She wonders what he’s talking about. Whatever it is, his eyes shine with excitement.
“Let’s use the easy birds. The teals.” Maxim winks at her. “About ten? Great. I’ll see Jenkins then. Thanks, Michael.” He ends the call and snuggles back down into bed, his head on the pillow facing her. “Good morning, Alessia.” He leans across and gives her a swift kiss. “Sleep well?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“You look lovely. Hungry?”
She stretches out beside him, and his eyes darken. “Hmm…” she says.
“You look very tempting.”
She smiles.
“But you said you were sore.” He kisses her on her nose. “And I have a surprise for you today. After breakfast we’re going out. Dress warm. And you might want to plait your hair.”
He climbs out of bed.
Alessia pouts. She was sore yesterday. She feels fine this morning, but before she can cajole him into a little more time in bed, he waltzes naked into the bathroom. All she can do is admire his fine physique, the muscles in his back rippling as he walks, his long legs…his backside. He turns and gives her a wicked smile, then closes the door.
She grins.
What does he have planned?
* * *
“Where are we going?” Alessia asks. She’s wearing her green hat, her new coat, and I know she’s wearing layers beneath. I think she’ll be warm enough.
“It’s a surprise.” I give her a sideways look, then ease the car into gear.
Before she woke this morning, I called the Hall and spoke to Michael, the estate manager. It’s a crisp, bright day, perfect for what I’ve arranged. After all our rigorous activity yesterday, we need a break and some fresh air.
Rosperran Farm has been part of the Trevethick estate since Georgian times. The Chenoweth family has been tenant farmers there for more than a hundred years. The present incumbent, Abigail Chenoweth, has given us permission to set up in one of the fallow southerly fields. As we get nearer, I wish I were in the Discovery. My Jag isn’t good with fields, but we can park on the road. When we pull up, the gate is already open, and inside I spy Jenkins and his Land Rover Defender. He gives me a cheery wave.
I flash an enthusiastic grin at Alessia. “We’re going to shoot clays.”
Alessia looks bemused. “Clays?”
“Clay pigeons?”
She appears to be none the wiser.
I’m now less certain that this is a good idea. “It’ll be fun.”
She gives me a worried smile, and I get out of the car. It’s a cold day, but not so cold that I can see the condensation of my breath. Hopefully we’ll be warm enough.
“Good morning, my lord,” Jenkins says.
“Hi.” I check to see if Alessia has overheard, but she’s climbing out on her side of the car. “ ‘Sir’ will do, Jenkins,” I mutter as she approaches us. “This is Alessia Demachi.” She takes his outstretched hand.