Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
She keened, arching up into him, her body yearning already for more and deeper and harder. She wrapped her legs around his middle, holding on for dear life as he set a fast-paced rhythm, feeling free to cry out as loud as she pleased, now that they were all alone here.
* * *
She egged him on, encouraging his passion as he plundered her depths. He grew more and more frenzied with every minute that passed and Janice had her mouth open in a soundless scream. Her body shook and shuddered as ecstasy took her and she gave herself over to it fully.
* * *
He kept his eyes on her, savoring her completely, so absorbed by her that his own orgasm took him by surprise.
They lay side by side, on the bed, just savoring the afterglow. There was much that they needed to discuss. Janice could feel Arthur literally bursting with it. But for now, she was content to just lay here and wonder at how boneless and free of care she felt. She didn’t understand how or why this matter was shrouded in such mystery. She also did not understand why so many married women looked so miserable.
* * *
“Tomorrow I will go to collect my mother from London.”
* * *
She turned in her arms to face him. “Yes, I know.”
* * *
“I would ask a boon of you.”
* * *
“Anything.”
* * *
“I would like to have you here when I arrive, to help me make her feel at home. You have so much more experience in that than I do.”
* * *
She put her hands around his neck, smiling. “But of course. I would be delighted.”
* * *
“Thank you,” he said softly, lifting his hand to cover hers.
* * *
She shook her head. “No need for thanks. It will be my pleasure.” She sat up, “Now I ought to be getting home before they send out a search party for me.”
* * *
Arthur continued to stare at her affectionately, his eyes soft and warm. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for me, Janice. The last few days have been like a dream. You have breathed new life into my home and into me as well.”
* * *
She leaned towards him and blew on his face, making him laugh. “As I said, you’re very welcome. Now I need to go. I will see you the day after tomorrow when you get back with your mother.”
* * *
“I miss you already.”
* * *
She smiled teasingly. “Look at you, getting all mawkish. Next thing you know, you’ll be bursting into tears.”
* * *
He cocked an eyebrow. “You never know.”
* * *
She leaned down and kissed him on the mouth. “Until the day after tomorrow then.”
* * *
He reached out and caressed her cheek. “Until then, mon petit chou.”
He arrived in London in the early afternoon, tired from his journey. Not wanting to waste a single moment, he went straight to Bedlam. He did not want his mother to stay there a minute longer than she needed to. Sister Sarah met him at the door and nodded. “We have readied her for the journey. I am ready to travel with her to her new home.”
* * *
“I much appreciate it, ma’am. It’s very generous of you.”
* * *
“No, Your Grace, it is you who has been extremely generous with us even though you did not need to be.”
* * *
“You have taken care of the woman I valued most for years and kept her well. I am grateful.”
* * *
She blushed a bit and nodded, leading him to his mother’s room. Her trunk was packed and stood by the door. She sat on the bed, hands folded neatly in her lap, staring out of the window.
* * *
“Mother? We’re going now,” he said as gently as he could. She did not respond or look as if she heard anything. Gently, he lifted her to her feet and led her towards the door while an orderly followed behind with the trunk. He had booked them two rooms at his usual abode, making sure it was comfortable enough for her and her carer.
* * *
Thankfully, his mother did not seem to be affected by the change in environment and after making sure they were comfortable, he turned to Sarah. “I shall have some food brought to you. If you need anything I shall be next door. Do not hesitate to knock.”
* * *
Sarah nodded. “Thank you. I think we shall eat and have an early night, for the journey will be long tomorrow.”
* * *
He nodded his acknowledgment and stared at his mother’s unresponsive expression one more time before leaving them alone. He went to his room and sat down with a sigh, breathing in and out deeply as he stared at the wall. To his surprise, there was a knock on the door. Jumping to his feet, he hastened to answer it. Instead of Sister Sarah as he expected, there was a messenger, holding out a letter to him. He took it and thanked the man, tipping him generously before closing the door.