Betrothed |h.s|

four

Jane

A cool breeze blows through the air. The sun shines down onto the meadow beyond the creek in the late hours of the afternoon. A perfect spring day.

"Jane..." His voice whispers, his lips so close to my ear that I could feel his smile. A smile tugs on my own lips as I nuzzle closer to his chest. His hand brushes my hair back ever so gently. "Darling, you must awaken."

My eyes slowly flutter open, greeted with the sight of my Harry. His smile grows when he sees my eyes are open, his eyes crinkling on the sides as they do when he is exceptionally happy. I reach up, caressing his face gently. "Hi." I whisper, which only makes his smile grow.

"Hi." He whispers back, leaning down and pressing his lips to mine. As he pulls away, he brushes his thumb over my bottom lip. "Marry me?"

Harry has been asking that question every waking moment since the night I showed up to the cottage unannounced. After every kiss, over every meal. He's nothing if not consistent.

As usual, I ignore the question for now. "What time is it? I do hope we did not waste the entire day napping."

With a playful smirk, he pulls his watch out from his pocket, "Half three. Plenty of time left before sundown."

"Perfect. I believe there may be some leftover berries from our lunch if you don't mind going to the house and fetching them for us." I offer him a pleading look which only makes him laugh.

"For us, or for you?" He teases, standing up from his spot on the grass. "I shall return with the berries."

"Oh what a gentleman you are!" I call to him, giggling as I watch him make haste back toward the cottage.

As he crosses the creek, I can't help but think of the times I've watched him bathe. I've known it to be improper since the first time, but it's become increasingly harder to look away. I've seen more of him than I'd care to admit to, but I can say with quite certainty that he has truly been blessed.

The more time that passes, the more liberties that have been taken. Straying hands, lingering kisses, lustful stares. They have become more frequent in the last few days. Risks have been taken, testing the limits of one's self control.

I know these lustful desires are wrong. A woman of honor should never indulge in such thoughts, but I cannot stop myself when his handsomely sculpted body is on display. Or when his skilled lips shower me in the most passionate of kisses.

Harry returns quickly with the basket, plopping down next to me once again. "The berries, my love."

We go back and forth, feeding each other from the basket of fruits and sharing kisses between every bite. His lips are stained pink and taste sweet, and I'm sure mine must be the same. Once the basket is empty, we reside to laying amongst the flowers once again. I let him adorn my hair with the tiny white flowers he plucks from the earth as I commit every angle of his face to my memory.

It is in moments like these where I feel the most loved and beautiful.

"I should have brought my supplies. What I would give to capture you in this moment looking like the goddess you are."

I blush at the compliment. "I do not mind waiting while you go back."

"I know. However, I cannot bring myself to get up. Perhaps another day." He leans forward, kissing me again. I savor his lips, knowing someday soon they will be but a memory.

As he pulls away, he gazes deep into my eyes. "Marry me? And do not ignore my question this time, Jane. Just marry me."

"Harry..."