"I remember."
"Aye, I do too."
She shuddered as she looked up at the tall tower which soared over the market square. "I think we need to leave this place."
He shivered with dread as well. "Aye. It's a place of such loss and despair."
They returned to the hotel and found their driver. He was happy to head home early. "After yesterday's storm, I don't fancy riding along that stretch of road at night ever again."
They returned home, checked that all was well with their house guests, and surprised them all by announcing they were going to bed.
"We thought you were feeling better," Parks said worriedly.
"We are."
"Then why—"
"If you have to ask, lad, you're better off not knowing." Will gave him a broad grin, and swung his wife up into his arms and carried her off.
A scalding bath and a great deal of fun with the soap had them gasping for one another. He pulled his wife out of the tub and lay her on the bed without even troubling to dry her off. Her soaking flesh inside and out soon had him gliding deeply within her. With her hips at the edge of the bed, he set up a controlled but driving rhythm which soon had her begging for more, and pleading for him to take his own pleasure within her.
"Pleasure doesn't even begin to describe it, my lovely Elizabeth."
She grabbed his buttocks and scooted off the bed, and then they were suspended in a timeless soaring, the rainbow-like radiance filling the room.
Will raised his head with a groan and looked around. The bed looked as though a hurricane had swept through it.
He felt around for his wife. He realised he had been sleeping with his head upon her stomach. He listened to her heartbeat, and then thought he heard an echo. His own, surely.
But no, it was more faint, and very very rapid. He shook his head. He had to be imagining things.
One thing he didn't imagine was how delectably warm she was, and the joys of waking up in a proper bed instead of an ancient Celtic altar. Not that it hadn't been splendid, but…
His hand moved between her thighs, and soon she was in the throes of the most exquisite pleasure. Her body and mind ceased to be her own as he teased her with his mouth and hands until at last she could stand it no more and just gave in to the delight.
"It's not fair. One touch from you and I melt," she panted.
"It's fair. I love to watch you. You're so lovely."
"Can't I watch you?"
"As much as you like, darling, if you can manage to keep your eyes open."
"That's the trouble. I can't," she admitted with a sigh.
"Try. It'll be fun."
Her eyes flashed. "It might be even more fun to see if you can make me close them."
He grinned. "I might just take you up on that challenge."
He won in the end. But then they both did.
Chapter Thirty-two
Autumn gave way to winter on the southern coast of Ireland. The balmy breezes of October were transformed into fierce storms in November.
Will was glad, for surely only madmen would try to put to sea to invade in such weather. Vevina agreed with him. They were safe for now. The subject of the hidden muskets remained a secret for the time being, and they made lavish plans to celebrate the holiday season in December.
Will had hoped to try to work on renovating Joyce Hall, but Elizabeth had been most insistent that they were truly home at Ellesmere Manor. He had given in because above all he had wanted to make her happy. He had gradually moved over more and more of his things into the Manor, and their room was now a secret haven of delights just as the cave had been.
Every day and night together Will grew more and more in love with his wife. There was nothing he wouldn't do to make her every dream come true. For she most certainly had his. One look from her was enough to enrapture him. He felt as though he couldn't even breathe without her by his side.
Elizabeth couldn't have been happier. Ever moment with Will was a revelation. She knew what it was to love and be loved without reservation for the first time in her life. Her certainty of a child growing within her made her joy complete, and put into the shadows her near-death experience.
Since the couple were now looking so well, and were so obviously ardent for one another, the family group decided it was high time they were left on their own for a proper honeymoon.
Vevina and Stewart packed up themselves and the children, and Mitchell and Baines worked with the stewards from both estates to run things smoothly in order give each couple the opportunity to enjoy some leisure for the first time in ages.
The harvest season was the best it had been for years, Mr. Phelps said, and the tenants were well provided for. They were also eagerly learning how to read thanks to the organization and energy of pretty but formidable Miss Penelope Nolan.