Ethan laughed, wrapping her closer against his chest. It felt wonderful to laugh in such a serious moment.
Months ago, in that inn off the beaten path in Warwickshire, she’d cursed how his scent affected her. Now he smelled like love, safety, and a warm future full of moments like this. Although he could use a bath.
With a grin she teased, “It’s probably best that we aren’t doing this in the Church of England. I don’t think we could keep a straight face for that part of the vows. But the rest? The rest is there. I will honor you. Keep only to you, forsaking all others. In sickness and in health. Are we married now, by Scottish standards?”
“Close enough,” he whispered, already bringing her close for a kiss.
Positioning his cock at her entrance, she moaned at the sensation of having him inside her again. With the carriage movement dictating their rhythm, they clung to one another.
Ethan helped tug her dress and shift down to free her breasts into his eager hands. Muttering expletives that sounded like praise, he lifted one breast to his mouth and drew heavily on the tip. Closing her eyes, she threw her head back and surrendered to the sensation.
“I’ve missed you, Ethan.”
He moaned encouragements against her skin, then switched his attention to the other breast while his hold on her hip tightened to guide her along his shaft, building the friction they both needed. “Keep talking, lass.”
“What’s the rest of it? With my body, I thee worship.”
“I think that’s my line. With my body, I thee worship. An’ all the rest that I can’t remember right now, because holy hell, Lottie, you feel amazing.”
As he met her stroke for stroke, they stole kisses, gasping for air that tasted of rain and pleasure. “Tell me again.” His intense gaze fed her desire.
She knew exactly what he asked for. “I love you.” The carriage rocked beneath them, their bodies chasing pleasure as fast as the wheels could take them.
“I want you tae come apart in my arms.”
Tremors began in her thighs, then her belly quaked. She lost the rhythm, so he carried her through as the tension within finally released and stars ran through her veins. Below her, his hips bucked, surging into her body, as he followed her over the edge.
Clutching her in the aftermath, he stroked her back, then down her arms and back up to begin again at the base of her neck. Touches to calm and cherish, not entice.
With a happy sigh, she said, “I love you. I know I said it a few minutes ago in the middle of all that, but my brain was spiraling out the top of my head at the time, so I’m not entirely sure I got my point across.”
His arms tightened around her. Ethan buried his face in her hair. “I’ll never tire of hearin’ it. I adore every gorgeous, bossy inch of you.” He squeezed one breast. “Especially these bits.”
A growl rumbled through the coach. They looked down at Ethan’s stomach. He shrugged a bit sheepishly.
“I can fix that.” After setting her dress to rights, Lottie reached for the hamper on the opposite seat.
“You did this?” Ethan unpacked the basket.
“Of course not. I was busy having an emotional breakdown. Darling and Agatha are the heroes here. They packed the basket, sent for the carriage, and gave us their blessing. They’re going to rest for a bit, then follow behind us.” Lottie popped the cork off a flagon of wine and pulled out two metal cups. “I don’t know what I’d do without the two of them.”
Ethan swallowed a mouthful of food. “What does Lady Agatha think of the plan tae marry in Scotland? Won’ she want the grand gown and St. George’s?”
“She said—and I quote—as long as she’s there to wish us happy, we could get married naked in the woods if we wanted. I can now testify that Scottish ceremonies are very loose in your wild country, so the naked thing is definitely an option.”
His laugh warmed her to her toes. “And Darling? Did you suggest she come along and marry her coachman while there? Because that sounds like one of your plans.”
Lottie gaped in mock outrage. “I’m not that managing—” He cut her off by shoving a slice of ham in her mouth. “Fine, yes. She and Patrick are coming with Agatha,” Lottie confessed around the ham.
“You are nothing if not efficient, love. Did you ladies plan out the rest of Patrick’s life?” He washed the teasing down with a healthy gulp of wine.
“Of course we did. They’ll either move with us to Kent or breed horses in America.” Lottie nibbled a piece of cheese, returning his sarcasm with her own.
“Either way, we’ll always have room for them. They might be a good fit for an idea I had while home.”
She brushed away a bread crumb stuck in his scruffy beard. “What have you been concocting in between fighting fires, catching saboteurs, and rescuing damsels who poison people?”
“The man Montague hired, John Billings. He worked against his conscience tae sabotage my home in exchange for barely enough money tae feed his wife and children for a week. He’s a former soldier. Lost his leg in the war. How many more soldiers are desperately tryin’ tae feed themselves and their families but can’t find work because of a physical handicap? I want Woodrest tae be a place where
