Chapter 21

The following evening, Tamsin accompanied Isaac to watch him harvest the honey. It was a cool but clear evening, perfect for their task. The sun was low on the horizon, the days growing shorter as they moved toward the solstice.

Isaac worked meticulously, with two tenants, including Oliver, helping, removing the drawers and extracting the honeycomb. Tamsin observed from a distance, seated on a blanket at the base of the knoll nearby.

When they were finished, Isaac thanked Oliver and the other tenant for their assistance. They then departed with the honeycomb, which the tenant's wife would process, separating the honey from the wax.

Isaac approached Tamsin on the blanket, noting her expression was apprehensive. "Not a single sting," he proclaimed, hoping to put her at ease. "More importantly, all the bees are alive."

She relaxed, her features loosening and her lips spreading in a wide, proud smile. "This is a remarkable achievement. What will you do to persuade more people to revise their manner of harvesting?"

He sat down beside her on the blanket. "I hadn't considered it, but I suppose I could write something for publication or some sort of distribution." He arched a brow at her. "Are you encouraging me to work more?" That morning, he'd promised her he wouldn't spend so much time away from her. He didn't think he could anyhow. Indeed, every moment he'd spent apart from her today had been torture.

Tamsin laughed. "I can sit in your study while you write. I'll read. Or embroider."

He nuzzled her neck, kissing her sweetly scented skin. "That won't be distracting at all. Five minutes won't pass before I toss up your skirts and have my way with you."

"Promise?" She turned her head, her gaze burning with desire, and kissed him with a fiery passion.

She pushed him onto his back and straddled him, arranging her skirts so she was bare against him—her sex against his thickening cock through his breeches. Leaning forward, she kissed him again.

Isaac cupped her nape and lifted his hand to stroke her breast through the frustrating layers of her garments. If they were not so exposed, he would loosen them and give them both what they sought.

It was several minutes before she took her mouth from his. Sighing, she straightened. "I like the view from up here."

"Good. I think you need to ride me like this later. You can control the speed and the thrusts, taking me as deep as you like—or not. And your lovely clitoris will be open for my ministrations." He waggled his brows at her. "I plan to drive you mad."

Her lips were parted, and he could see her pulse thudding in her throat. "Let's go now."

"We have dinner with Aunt Sophia first." As he spoke, he slipped his hand beneath her skirts and found her wet heat.

She gasped softly, then rose up slightly, widening her stance so he could easily stroke her. "Is this wise?" she asked in a ragged whisper.

"You'll have to keep your eyes open and look out for anyone approaching from the house." She had the right vantage point. The only thing he could see was the delightful rise and fall of her breasts as they strained against her gown.

Isaac stroked her clitoris, then thrust his fingers into her ready sheath. She ground down on him, her hips rotating.

"Keep my eyes open," she breathed as she fisted her hands around the edges of his lapels.

He watched as her eyes narrowed to slits, her hips moving as he impaled her with his fingers. He moved faster, knowing they should hurry. He doubted anyone would come upon them, but he didn't want his bee helpers to return for any reason. So he worked her faster and harder, holding her hip with his other hand.

He felt her muscles clench as her sex clamped around him. "Don't scream." She'd done that once last night, and he'd had to swallow it as best he could with a kiss.

"This is so hard," she said through clenched teeth. Her eyes closed then, and her head fell back.

Isaac guided her through her orgasm, then withdrew his hand from her skirts. She pulled her leg over his body and sat heavily on the blanket, her breath coming fast. Sitting up, he licked his fingers, and Tamsin's eyes rounded.

He shrugged. "You taste divine."

"That was naughty," she said breathlessly, her hands smoothing her skirts, but she wasn't at all untidy. "Anyone could have happened upon us."

"It was unlikely. And you were looking out—until the end, anyway."

She blushed. "I did try. But see if you can survive an orgasm with your eyes open. I'll wager it's impossible."

"Hmm. I haven't tried. I shall have to conduct an experiment later. Would you care to assist me?"

She leaned over and kissed him. "Count on it."

He helped her to her feet, and she picked up the blanket to fold it. He took it from her, and they walked back to the house, hand in hand.

Isaac had never been so happy in his entire life. He'd never even imagined this level of joy was possible. To think he would have this every day was incredibly humbling.

And he couldn't help thinking it wasn't fair, that poor Mary, whom he'd loved and cared for, wouldn't have this or anything at all. He would not dwell on such maudlin things. There was nothing he could do except try to find the optimism in what had happened. Yes, she'd died, but she'd also been able to hold her son, to tell him she loved him, to know that he would be safe and cared for.

Isaac had only been able to do the latter, and he knew he could accept, in time, that it was enough. The pain was still raw, but it was less than yesterday, and he knew, with Tamsin's love and support, it would continue to ease. But he would never forget them—Mary or his son.

Tamsin had read his mother's letters this morning. She'd wept, but they'd been happy tears as she'd exalted in the joy that finding them brought.

"I received a letter from my grandmother this afternoon," she said, interrupting his thoughts. "She is delighted to spend Christmas here with us and thanked us for the invitation. I wonder if Somerton and his mother will be disappointed that she won't be spending it with them."

"Do we need to invite them too?" Isaac asked. While the idea of having so many people didn't enthuse him, he would manage it. Somerton being his friend helped matters.

"I can ask my grandmother when I respond, but I think his sisters might come to Winterstoke, and if they came here instead, that would be a great many people. I think the last thing you want, particularly for our first Christmas, is a Yuletide house party."

He smiled at her, their eyes meeting as they paused in their walk. "You already know me so well."

They began walking again, and she said, "Someday, I may ask to host a house party, but no time soon. I am just learning to plan this harvest celebration. Aunt Sophia says it is good practice for when I host things in London. I am most relieved that she spends the latter part of the Season in London."

Isaac was so grateful that his wife and aunt had formed a bond. He truly did have a family, and it was even more than just the three of them. It was his aunt's daughters and their families, Tamsin's grandmother, Somerton and his family, even his other friends, Shefford and Price. But not Bane. He'd forfeited that closeness when he'd ruined Tamsin's friend. Isaac thought he might like the man even less now that he'd wed Tamsin.

"You're brooding," Tamsin said.

"I'm not. I'm woolgathering. I was thinking of my extended family, actually. Of how they'd really always been there. I just didn't see them that way. And I should have, especially with Shefford."

"I confess I wondered why you weren't angry with him for his involvement with Mary," Tamsin said. "But he is a good and loyal friend, and I determined you must have realized that."

"Oh, I was angry with him for some time after that. But you are right that I didn't hold a grudge. I think I may be doing that with Bane, however. I can't bring myself to think of him in the same manner as my other friends." He stopped again, and she faced him. "The worst part is that I am not much better than he is."

"You made sure Mary was cared for. You didn't run away instead of accept responsibility. You are not a rogue," Tamsin said firmly, stepping closer to him. She released his hand and touched his face. "I have broken nearly every rogue rule with you, and I would do so again and again, especially the one where I show you my heart, for it belongs to you entirely, Isaac. Whether you want it or not."

"Oh, I want it." He gathered her in his arms. "Along with every other part of your body."

She twined her arms around his neck. "I love you, Isaac. You have all of me."

"I love you, my darling Tamsin—you are all that I am and all that I hope to be. Thank you for bringing me joy and hope."

The sun dipped into the west as he kissed her, and happiness settled deep into his soul.