Welcome to Milton

13

After John's initial faux pas, the week of spending time together was filled with happiness. Thoughts of home rarely crossed her mind and when it did, it was fleeting. Perhaps she was in a coma Alex mused, but this was her reality now and she was happy. That was a blessing.

Alexandria and John Thornton had spent the days following in a leisurely fashion. Hannah and Johnny had just returned to the Thornton home that day. There was a concert that evening that the newlyweds were attending. Alex had just finished dressing when John came in the room.

"You look beautiful." He kissed the nape of her neck.

"But of course, I have to hold my own next to my handsome husband." Alex stood, smiling. She kissed the corner of his mouth warmly.

"Turn around."

Alex did a spin, letting the dress float around her. Facing John once again, she gave him a cheeky grin.

A low chuckle left his lips and the mere sound made Alex shiver with pleasure. John turned his wife so that her back was to him. Carefully, he slid a purple sapphire solitaire around her throat. It was the same design as the wedding ring she wore.

"These pieces were my great-grandmother Thornton's. She was given the ring on her wedding day and the necklace one week later. She loved these pieces. She had left them to me for when I found the woman that would make them beautiful. That woman is you, Mrs. Thornton." He kissed her ear gently.

Looking down, Alex touched the pendant lightly. "John. It's beautiful. Thank you."

"Not a beautiful as you are Alexandria."

Turning, she cupped his cheek with her hand and kissed his lips. There was a moment of sadness in her eyes. "I wish my parents could have known you. They would have loved you just as much as I do."

"Thank you. Although, I must admit that I hope it would be in a different way." John was trying not to laugh.

"John!" Alexandria laughed.

"Shall we?" He offered his arm.

Taking it, they walked down the staircase together. Hannah turned hearing their footsteps. Alexandria and John made a lovely couple. Even with the scarring on John's face, they were absolutely stunning. Alex wore a deep violet gown. It was quite simple, permitting the woman wearing it to shine rather than the gown. John's cravat was made of the same material with a black formal suit.

Helping Alex into the carriage, John sat next to her. Nuzzling at her neck he whispered softly. "How is it that even now I want to take you and make love to you?"

"I don't know but I feel the same."

"You are temptation personified my Alexandria." He ran his fingers right below the necklace, stroking the top of her breasts.

"Keep that up John and I shall ask the driver to return us home."

He laughed lowly as the carriage stopped. "Tempting my love. Tempting."

They mingled for a bit before the show started. Men and women both stared at the newlywed couple. If either of them noticed, it wasn't apparent. As always, Alexandria behaved as a woman of her newly acquired station should in polite society.

While John stopped to chat with some of the other masters, Alexandria separated to talk to the wives of the men.

"Damn Thornton. If we knew that you were so suited for married life we would have bought you a whore years ago while you waited." Watson laughed.