The Butchers Love

Chapter 23

The faintest smell of Lavender and honey invaded my senses as I awoke. William was practically dead with how heavy he was sleeping which was oddly adorable. I nudged his arm and all he did was groan and crack his eyes open a little.

"It's far too early..." he mumbled and rolled over so he was facing away from me "5 more minutes"

"come on sleepy head" I gently stroked through his chestnut locks and he turned to face me once again "If you wake, you can kiss me"

"I'm awake" he smirked and sat up rather quickly, bashing his head on the headboard as he did so "Ah, Jesus" William rubbed the back of his head and side glanced me "The things we do for love"

I held back a laugh and covered my mouth with my hand "sorry" but the best I could do was choke back my laughter.

"Does me hitting my head, amuse you?" he quirked an eyebrow.

"it's your eagerness"

"to kiss my wife? I will always be eager" he sat on his knees before taking his shirt from the bedside table and putting it on "I'd go insane if I couldn't"

"And we both don't want that" I smiled and brought him into a kiss "I love you" William gently held the back of my head and leant his forehead against mine "happy?"

"nervous" he mumbled and brought his head back up "today I'm taking you somewhere very special"

"And where would that be?"

"The back of beyond" When he saw my look of confusion, he smiled and shook his head slightly "it's a secret, do you trust me?" As he spoke he stood up and started putting his boots on.

"Of course I do"

"Then please get dressed" William asked and all I could do was smile and nod. Once I was fully clothed William took a satchel from his desk before walking up to me.

"Where exactly are you taking me?"

"That's for me know and for you to find out" he smugly spoke before walking towards the door "I won't let anything harm you"

"Promise?"

"I swore in front of God that I would, of course I promise" He shot me a warm smile and offered me his hand "and I need to go to the kitchens, unless you fancy starving"

"Very funny Tavy"

"Tavy?"

"Yes tavy" I stuck my tongue out and smiled playfully "it's a new nickname" with my word, I stood up and walked up to him.

"I prefer Will" he mumbled and hooked an arm around my waist "What was it you said at the ball? Willy and the rebel?"

"Exactly" I smiled and embraced him "I love you"

"and I you" he spoke softly before bringing me into a kiss "Give me a moment darling" William walked over towards his desk and took his haversack from the chair "now I'm ready"

"What are you taking that for?"

"so I can carry some things" he smirked and opened the door for me "must you ask so many questions?"

"Obviously"

"Come on darling" he offered me his hand, to which I took it, and we started walking down the corridor. Once we reached the kitchen, William walked in and came back with a small bundle of food and a canteen of water "my daily allowance" He joked and put the bundle in the haversack "now we just need to saddle up Ares"

"I'll help you" I offered, William shook his head and took my hand once again "You're perfect for me"

He flushed slightly and we started walking out of the estate, down the path towards the stables. William took his saddle off the shelf, along with a saddle blanket and bridle. I offered to help once again but he refused. Eventually, when the horse was saddled, he helped me onto him and sat behind me. He nudged Ares and guided the horse through the stables. Once we were out in the open, he dug his spurs into the horse and we started cantering down a dirt path.