Page 67 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
“Let me help you with your sling.”
“Yes, that is a good idea. I’m afraid all this activity has strained by arm.”
Charlotte sat up in the bed and grabbed the crumpled sling from the floor by the bed. She looped it over his head and arranged it for him to place his arm.
“Thank you.” He brushed his lips lightly over her mouth.
They both settled into the bed, with Elliot pulling her back against his chest.
“Are you sure you want to do this? You need to rest your arm.”
“My arm is well rested. Just go to sleep.” He slid his good arm under her neck, where she rested her head. He kissed her on the back of her head. “Good night.”
Despite being exhausted, and relaxed after their lovemaking, Charlotte was wide awake long after Elliot began to snore softly beside her. Their relationship had certainly taken a turn in a direction she wasn’t sure was a good thing. Her feelings for Elliot had grown over the weeks they’d spent together, culminating in tonight’s dalliance.
The overwhelming wave of pleasure that had washed over her when Elliot had done incredibly naughty things to her still had the ability to take her breath away. She now knew what she was missing when she and Gabriel had made love. She also understood the mysterious looks passed between husbands and wives that she had often wondered about.
It was a mystery no longer. Despite having been married before, she finally felt like a woman who knew what the joining of a man and woman really meant. How it could change one’s life.
Eventually, her exhausted body took over and sleep nudged at the back of her mind. With a wide yawn, she succumbed, and fell into a deep slumber, comfortable in Elliot’s arms.
The sun peekedout from behind the partially drawn curtains at the window. At first she was confused at having a warm body next to her in her bed.
“Good morning, sweetheart.” Elliot’s deep voice jolted her for a minute, then the memory of last night, and the pleasure they’d shared, warmed her.
She cleared her throat. “Good morning.” She rolled over and faced him. “You should have left my room earlier. Bridget will be up here soon.”
“I will scurry back to my room momentarily. But first there is something I wish to say.”
“What?”
He tilted his head as he watched her carefully. “Actually, it is more of a question.”
She returned his regard with raised eyebrows, her heart thudding. “Yes?”
He took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. “Mrs. Pennyworth, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
