Page 98 of The Moonstone Marquess
She grinned. “I’m not sure what to make of you yet.”
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes, on land. I’m not sure about you in the water,” she said with a laugh.
He kissed her softly on the mouth. “You can always trust me. Anywhere. Anytime. Ready to try that naughty thing amid the waves? They’re quite gentle.”
“Will you hold on to me?”
“Yes, love. Keep hold of my shoulders and wrap your legs around my hips.”
She was glad she did not deny him, for this was yet another way they sealed their bond of marriage. He easily held her up in the water with only one arm, something he seemed to manage with little strain. There was also something to be said in favor of wet bodies rubbing and sliding together.
Especiallytheirbodies.
She held on to him as she felt her passion build and then erupt. She clung to him, her breaths shattered and quick. She loved him beyond reason for the way he held her and tenderly told her that he loved her.
As the tide began to roll in, they waded out of the water and hurried to dry themselves off. She put on her robe and helped him tie his. Yes, tying a belt was such a little thing for someone with two hands to do, and an impossible task for him.
She felt his ache as she assisted him.
But they’d had a nice time in the water, and she was not going to allow a moment’s obstacle to diminish the fun they were having.
She stretched up on her toes and kissed him. “Love you, my lord.”
He emitted a laugh, one that sounded rather mirthless. “You don’t need to console me, Phoebe. I’ll be all right in a moment.”
He took her hand, and they returned to their bedchamber moments before her maid, Gwendolyn, and his valet, Gunyon, knocked at their door.
She allowed Gwenny to take her to her dressing chamber, where she washed Phoebe’s hair, and then properly bathed and groomed her for the day.
Phoebe left her hair down to allow it to dry faster.
Cormac rejoined her shaved and groomed, but had not bothered to don a waistcoat, jacket, or cravat. “My brother won’t care, and his girls certainly won’t. Shall we join them for breakfast?”
She liked the idea. “Yes, let’s steal as much time as we can with them. They’ll be leaving tomorrow, so we must make the most of today.”
When they heard little footsteps running down the hallway and pattering down the stairs, they stepped out of their bedchamber and joined everyone in the dining room. The girls leaped out of their seats and ran to their uncle. “Did you enjoy yesterday’s party, ducklings?” he asked, kneeling to hug each of them.
“Oh, yes,” Ella said. “It was the nicest ever.”
Imogen nodded enthusiastically. “But I’m sad.”
He sat her on his bended knee. “Why, duckling?”
“Because we’re going to leave tomorrow, and we won’t see you and Auntie Phoebe for a long, long time.”
“We shall come to London soon. I have business affairs and parliamentary duties that will bring me there. Then maybe your mama and papa will allow you to come here for all of next summer. Would you like that?”
She nodded.
They spent the day with Cormac’s nieces and their parents, going into town to show them the harbor—and then a stop at Mrs. Halsey’s tearoom, where Imogen got her fill of strawberry tarts. They went down to the beach again in the afternoon, and Ella showed off her swimming abilities to cheers.
Cormac had put on an old shirt and pair of worn breeches, and went into the water with his nieces. He carried Imogen in with him, going no deeper than waist-high. He was the only one she would allow to bring her into the water. “Show your mama and papa how well you kick your feet,” he said, ever so gradually easing her in beyond her ankles. “That’s my girl! Look at you! You’re swimming faster than a fish.”
She was so proud of herself.
Phoebe cheered them on from the shore.
