"Expectations" (Book 2), by Gratiana Lovelace (2018-2019), (Completed)

Ch. 34: Their first morning of wedded bliss

"Expectations" (Book 2)--Ch. 34: Their first morning of wedded bliss,
September 12, 2019 by Gratiana Lovelace (Post #1260, & on Wattpad)

[an original Regency romance copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace, 2018 - 2019; all rights reserved); [(1) story cover art, above left]

[As is my custom, from time to time I will illustrate my story with my ideal cast consisting of (in order of importance/mention in this chapter): Lord Duncan of York, the Viscount Lindsay (portrayed by Rupert Penry-Jones); and his wife Lady Elizabeth the Viscountess Lindsay (portrayed by Jessica Brown Findlay)]

Author's story content and serializing scheduling notes: For the most part, my ratings for the chapters will be PG-13—for romantic interludes and dramatic moments. If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with these ratings, then please do not read that chapter. This is my disclaimer. And I always put the previous chapter's brief recap at the top of the next chapter. Also, I hope to post new chapters nearly weekly. I hope that you enjoy this chapter.

Ch. 34: Their first morning of wedded bliss

Awakening first the morning after they wed, Lord Duncan gazes upon the sleeping beauty who is his bride Lady Elizabeth. Her waist length hair is a riot of tousled brunette waves fanned out upon their pillows and upon her person. Owing to the chill in their bed chamber now that the fireplace embers have dwindled low, he suspects, he finds her hugging the bedding around her torso—enticingly hiding her womanly curvy treasures underneath. Her soft breaths puffing out her mouth and lips that seem to beg him to press his lips to hers.

But Lord Duncan must first rise to attend to his morning waking routine, and he reluctantly leaves their marriage bed. First he stokes the fireplace hearth and adds a log to the flames. Then ducking into the adjacent bathroom, Lord Duncan looks at himself in the mirror and smiles in remembrance of the night of love he and his young wife Elizabeth just shared, and he smiles at himself whilst rubbing his slightly stubbled chin.

After splashing his face with water, he shaves. Lord Duncan shaves as less of a morning grooming routine, than it is in consideration for his lovely young wife's delicate skin. It would not do for him to have his whiskers scratch her skin's creamy surface as he kisses her, causing an irritation and redness there for all to see. And he does plan to kiss her again this morn.

Returning to their marriage bed, Lord Duncan slides into bed behind his sleeping wife Lady Elizabeth. He remembers her mentioning the chill last night—and how he warmed her with the fever of his warm chest. So he repeats that warming embrace.

Lady Elizabeth: "Hmmm!" She sighs, grateful for the warmth now enveloping her body. As her husband's kisses trail from the tips of her fingers, up her hand, wrist, arm, shoulders, neck, and face, Lady Elizabeth unconsciously turns toward the kisses for a morning kiss with her husband. And now she is fully awake, and she pulls back a bit with her one hand over her mouth. "Oh Duncan! My apologies! I have not visited the bathing chamber yet this morning and chewed on a mint leaf." She does not think that her mouth tastes sour from sleep, but then she is accustomed to how her mouth tastes in the morning.

Lord Duncan: "Elizabeth, My Darling! Welcome to a new day!" He smiles tenderly and passionately toward her.

Lady Elizabeth: "Thank you! Happy morning to you as well. But I must arise and ... well tend to some things." She blushes. Her husband Lord Duncan nods and does not prevent her from getting out of bed. But she has a dilemma. "Duncan?"

Lord Duncan: "Yes, My Love?" He waits patiently for her query.

Lady Elizabeth: Lady Elizabeth rubs her bare upper arms with the still slight chill in the air. "I seem to have misplaced ... I mean, last night I wore ..."