Talk of the Ton | S. Basset DoH

The Inn

The Inn

The Duke and I - Part III

Previously...

"Do not be," he tells me. "If anything, it is an ego-boost." I stare at him in shock. He only chuckles again and pulls me to lean into his side. A sudden yawn bursts from my lips, and he smiles into my hair. "Rest love, we've still a long way to the inn."

I nod, agreeing, and close my eyes, "You should rest too, Simon," I say before drifting of to sleep. The last thing I hear is and 'I love you, my Elena. Sleep well,' before sleep consumes me, a soft smile on my face.

}~~~~~~~~~~~{

I woke up about an hour away from the inn, Simon not too long after, so to pass the time we talked about our life together and our possible future. By the time we make it to the inn, night has fallen. The innkeeper is quick to check us in and show us to our room. "I do hope everything is to your liking," He says, a small, tentative smile on his face. "Should you require anything else at all, please let me know. Your Graces." With that, he slightly bows turns and walks away.

I step into the quaint, warm room with a homey atmosphere. I look around, smiling softly. "It is quite charming," I say, turning to my husband. "Come." I hold out my hand to him. He smiles, walks into the room, takes my hand, and pulls me to him. "Hold on," I giggle. I grab the door and swing it shut.

As soon as the door is shut, Simon grabs my waist and pulls me back to him. He turns me to face him, capturing my lips in a passionate kiss. I gasp as his hand grabs my bottom and squeezes ever so slightly. "You," he starts, his lips moving from my mouth to my neck. "Are such an amazing woman." He pauses his ministrations, seeming to think for a moment before he pulls away completely.

"What is it?" I ask, suddenly worried he does not want me anymore. "Is something the matter?"

"No," he answers, then takes a breath, "Yes." My brows furrow in confusion.

"Well, is something wrong or not?"

"Yes," he says, finality laced into his tone.

"Well then what is it?" I ask, an incredulous laugh tumbling from my lips.

"You've not eaten since the reception at your family's home. We should go down to dinner." I sigh in frustration and walk past him toward our overnight bags, unpacking mine to give me something to do. "Elena? I..." he walked toward me but I only step away. "Are you not hungry? The food is excellent here, I assure you. The last time I visited-"

I laugh incredulously again. "I do not want any dinner!" I shout, my hands flying away from my body in slight anger. I turn to him and stare at him for a moment, taking the time to breathe. "Why did you stop?" I ask him softly, looking into his eyes for any sign of regret, but see none. "Do you not-" I breathe out tremulously. "Do you not want me any longer?" Tears fill my eyes when he does not answer. I nod and turn back to my bag. "Go, I shall join you for dinner momentarily."

    I expect to hear his footsteps retreat to the door, they do not. "Everything I told the queen was true, everything thing that happened in that carriage was real." I stop what I am doing, and turn to him, angry confusion written across my face. "I cannot stop thing of you. From the mornings you ease," he says softly, slowly walking closer to me. "To the evenings you quiet, to the dreams you inhabit..." he insists. "My thoughts of you never end." My breathing hastens as I listen to him, my confusion and frustration only growing. "I am yours, Elena. I have always been yours."