“How was the meeting with the tenants?” Millie had visited most of them shortly after her and Winston’s arrival several days ago. Winston had met with them again that morning to explain the changes he wanted to make and ensure they liked the new steward.
Winston set the basket on the ground and sat beside her. “They understand the reason for the changes, and several expressed relief that Jenkins is gone.”
“Well done. I’m so proud of you.” She leaned close to kiss him. “I know this hasn’t been easy.”
“It has with you at my side. Your faith in me means the world.” His green eyes glittered with emotion. “I love you so much, Millicent, and am blessed to call you my wife.”
“Yes, you are,” she teased, earning a chuckle in return. “And I am equally blessed to have you as my husband.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I’m pleased to say my secret seduction was a complete success.”
“What?” He drew back, feigning a frown. “I am the one who was secretly seducing you. From the moment Aunt Frieda toldme she loved the gift you helped me select, I made plans to seduce you.”
Millie laughed. “What a pair we are.”
“Good to know we have been of the same mind all along.” He reached to lift her onto his lap. “That proves how perfect we are together.”
“Agreed.” She couldn’t resist wiggling on her perch before kissing him, loving the passion that so quickly rose between them. “I missed waking up with you this morning.”
He had left their bed early to prepare for the meeting. She knew how important it was to him that the tenants not only understood but agreed with his plan to change some of the crops they raised. He’d researched the topic thoroughly but was still nervous. She thought that adorable.
“Have no worry, for I intend to make it up to you. It’s all part of my master plan, beginning with a picnic.”
“Oh?” She glanced around, noting how private the spot was. They were surrounded by trees and hedges and far enough from the house to be well hidden. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm with a cloudless blue sky. “Perhaps we shouldendyour plan with the picnic.”
His eyes darkened with desire at her suggestive look. “I don’t know what I did to earn your love, but I’m happy I did.”
She cupped a hand along his cheek. “You don’t have to earn it. It is yours for the taking. Unconditionally. I love you, Winston.”
He released a shuddering breath. “And I love you, Millicent, so very much.” He kissed her, his tongue sweeping into her mouth as his hands gently squeezed her waist.
Millie ran a hand over his broad shoulders before unbuttoning his jacket to ease it off, then repeated the same with his waistcoat. “Do you happen to have a blanket in that basket?” she whispered, touching him everywhere she could reach.
“I do.” He reached behind her to unfasten the row of little buttons that ran from the collar down the back of her floral gown. “I was thinking ahead. I’m very good at that these days.”
“Yes, you are.” She kissed him while he worked, resulting in laughter and even more embraces. The buttons of his white linen shirt were easy to manage. She soon slipped a hand into the opening to run her fingers over his sculpted chest with its fine coating of black hair.
Though new to lovemaking, she liked to think she was already getting much of it right based on his sighs and moans.
He helped her out of the sleeves and lowered the bodice of her gown, kissing her heated skin as he went. She arched in his arms, the movement pressing the hardness of his manhood against her bottom. The feeling stirred her even more.
He trailed a finger along the top of her chemise and corset then freed her breasts, lavishing each one with attention from his lips and tongue.
The feel of his hand along her stocking-clad calf had her sighing as well. There was nothing she liked more than the feel of his hands on her skin. He progressed upward, desire making her breathless. His fingers dallied at the top of the stocking before moving to her inner thigh. “Open for me, my sweet.”
She readily complied, and he cupped her mound only to groan when she shifted again on his lap.
“You will have me undone before we’ve undressed,” he whispered. Then he removed his hand from beneath her skirts and lifted her to stand, following suit. “Allow me to find the blanket.”
He spread a soft woven blanket beneath the canopy of trees and quickly returned to her side. Millie wasted no time stepping out of her gown, then reached for her stockings only to pause when Winston held out a hand.
“Indulge my vivid imagination and leave them on.” He ran a hand over her corset. “This as well.”
“Oh. Well.” Though feeling rather wanton, Millie nodded as she removed her other undergarments. “As you wish.”
“Those words were part of my dream as well,” he admitted with a wink as he toed off his shoes followed by the rest of his clothing.
He helped her to lay on the blanket and settled beside her, the warmth of his body welcome. With his head propped on an elbow, he slowly ran a finger from beneath her ear down her body to the top of the stocking, leaving shivers in its wake. “Delightful. Delectable. Mine.”
He kissed her once more, and she wrapped her arms around him, loving the feel of his body against hers. As if they had all the time in the world, he caressed her until she shifted with need.