Twenty

Gwendolyn

7 December 1814

Hunter Matthews. My husband, spouse, partner, consort, companion… the list went on and on, spinning madly in my mind. I could no longer claim to be a single woman. And after that unexpected and enlightening conversation last night in the dimly lit corridor, I couldn't help but feel at peace knowing I would not be spending the rest of my married days alone. And today, as the first real day of my married life, I looked at my future through new eyes.

The very thought kept me up all night… well, in truth, that and the recollection of Hunter's hands on my waist. The warmth of his touch penetrated my nightdress so easily it was as if there was no fabric between us at all and, even now, hours later, I still felt his phantom touch.

My cheeks warmed and my pulse raced. For a woman who had schooled her features and emotions so perfectly for years, I found the task nearly impossible in Hunter's presence. He had a way of bringing all sorts of feelings to the surface.

I spent hours last night ruminating over what other misunderstandings had been orchestrated around us or for us. Yet, despite the time lost over such fabrications, I would not let it alter my plan and entered the breakfast room an hour later with a new resolve.

When Hunter entered the room several minutes later, I met him with a smile… a sincere one. It felt good to finally allow something so natural to surface, albeit reserved. The very act drew him closer with a smile of his own. He tilted his head with curiosity. "You look as though you have a secret to share." He sat beside me and offered me his full attention.

"I do. Well not precisely a secret but more of a game."

He laughed. I couldn't help but smile again, for the rich rumbling was a sound I could listen to indefinitely. "Yes, you love games. I know this. What do you propose?"

"Are you familiar with Questions or Commands?"

One of his eyebrows arched significantly. "Are you?" he countered.

My lips pursed with apprehension. It wasn't the most ladylike of games. "I only know of it because of my friend Davina. Her older brother taught it to us when we were younger."

His mouth now gaped open. "I must ask again, are you truly aware of the concept of the game?"

I brushed it off. "I know that the game has its moments of unseemliness…"

"That's putting it mildly," he chuckled.

"But it has moments of value as well. I propose we start a game of it, you and me. Of course it will be within the bounds of propriety, but once a day I will ask a question or command and you will do the same. Only in our version, we will alter the turns slightly. If it's my turn I choose whether you must answer a question or be assigned a command, and you will do the same for your turn."

"To what end?"

"To learn of my husband and for you to learn of me, one day at a time."

He rubbed his jaw. "We can sit down in the parlor right now and ask all manner of questions."

"But where is the fun of that?" I arched an eyebrow now.

He laughed louder. "I daresay it would not be quite as entertaining. Very well, you begin. Question or Command?"

Though I proposed this game, I didn't realize he would have me start. Thankfully, I had thought of several possibilities while waiting for him to arrive this morning. "Question." I paused, a bit unsure of myself.

He waved his hands outward. "Do your worst."

I gathered my courage together. "Do you regret marrying me?"

He coughed. "Heaven forbid we begin with something like a favorite color."

I laughed, then bit my lip, suddenly nervous. Was I prepared to hear the answer even if it wasn't the one I hoped for? I quickly added, "And we must promise to always tell the truth."

"No."

"No?" I was shocked. Why would he not wish to tell the truth?

"No… I do not regret marrying you," he clarified.

Oh. I took a deep breath and looked down at my plate. Okay .

"My turn." The deep timbre of his voice brought my eyes to his again.

When I caught sight of his sly smile, I suddenly wished I had not been so bold. What might he ask?

"Question?" I asked timidly. I could only hope.

"Nope, certainly not. Command."

I swallowed hard. He had only told me last night that he wouldn't…

"I command you to spend the afternoon with me."

He watched me intently with those deep brown eyes. A sudden fluttering filled my bosom. His first command would hardly be a command at all. I wanted to spend time with him.

"Forgive me," he continued. "Let me rephrase that. Despite the rules of the game, I would be most honored if you'd spend the day with me, Gwendolyn, but you have a choice. You will always have a choice."

His comment referenced those exact words I said to him outside of the Boxing Academy. Looking back on that day, I would have never guessed how much one can change in so short a time.

"So do we have an accord?"

At his words, my heart unfurled and the full smile I'd been holding back blossomed across my face. "Yes, I'd love to."

He stared. His eyes fastened to mine and for several seconds we sat there entranced in one another's smiles.

Though he said nothing more of the game, the air thrummed with an excitement that hadn't been present before. Hunter strode over to the sideboard to retrieve his breakfast and I seized the first normal breath I could since he entered the room.