Between the Lines of Time

chapter 24

"Wake up, darlin'" Stephen cooed into Maddie's ear.

Stirring in her sleep Maddie slowly opened her eyes to see the sun barley peaking through the windows. "Why so early?" she questioned, sleep still strong in her voice.

"Well I have some work in Wilmington this week and I couldn't bear the thought of being away from you and Elias for that long, so ye are coming with me." Stephen replied, smiling smugly. He has known about this business venture for some time now, even the dinner party hosted by his 'partner' Lord Tryon. He knew telling Maddie in advance might cause her to argue or devise a plan to leave him, so he decided to wait to tell her till the day of.

While Stephen's presumptions were correct in assuming Maddie still wanted a way out, it didn't negate that things have been better between the two of them. They had settled into a routine of spending most of their days together, followed by every evening having some sort of intimacy. It wasn't always sex, but Stephen did make it a point to pleasure her in any way he could.

The idea of being in Wilmington again had Maddie feeling on edge. She had not stepped foot into that town since the wedding and she was not sure if she was ready to be there again.

"Oh, um, while we will miss you, I don't think us going is necessary" Maddie tried to reason sweetly. She hoped by playing into his fantasy much like she has been the last few weeks, that Stephen would agree as he is believing her act of falling in love.

"Nice try sweetheart." Stephen concluded, pulling the covers off of her, "Ye are coming with me, and there will be no arguing" he then turned to head out the door, stopping at the threshold, "We leave in one hour, make sure ye and our son are ready." he left promptly after that.

Maddie sighed, she really hated that even if things were better, he still had the power to make her do anything he wanted. Recognizing that she still was not free, she made a mental note to look for ways to leave with Elias on this trip, or at the very least, look for things in Stephen's work that would be useful to breaking this law enforced arrangement.

Traveling to wilmington was painfully slow in Maddie's eyes, she missed the days where she could drive anywhere and the trip wouldn't be that bad, or that the very least she would have some sort of entertainment whether it be music or an audiobook, or even a podcast. But the carriage ride of nearly 6 hours with no noise other than a sleeping Elias, and the occasional passes that Stephen would make, trying to engage in deeper conversation, was utterly boring.

"Darlin' glarin out the window like dat won't make us go any faster" Stephen chided, smirking at her impatience. He never understood why Maddie would get so annoyed traveling, he loved seeing everything move by his window, but he much preferred the sea.

"How much longer?" Maddie asked, turning her glare towards him.

"Now darlin' ye know better than to talk to yer husband like dat," Stephen mock scolded, "maybe I should teach ye another lesson when we get to the Tryon's"

"I thought we were going to wilmington?" Maddie questioned quickly, ignoring his attempt to engage her.

"We are, but we will be staying with the Tryon's, thought ye would like the accommodations a lot better." Stephen confirmed, but still held a glint of mischief in his eyes, "besides, most of me work is with him this week."

"We are staying all week? I thought you said it would only be 3 days!" Maddie grumbled

"Now ye see why I couldn't leave ye, I know ye'd miss me too much!" Stephen concluded smirking.

Maddie just rolled her eyes and looked back out the window. The rest of the ride continued in agonizing silence as they made their way to the Tryon's

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Bonnet!" a servant said, opening up the carriage door for the three Bonnet's to step out. Maddie internally cringed at the announcement of her now surname, Stephen beamed with pride.