The staff, especially Cook and Mr Charles was falling over themselves being nice to her this morning. Could it be because the entire household now knew that her husband had spent the entire night in her bed? She was not particularly hungry this morning, but Cook had laid out a spread for her as if she had been on a ten day fast.

'I cannot possibly eat all this food Cook,' Sybrina complained.

'You need your strength countess, and you need the nourishment,' she gleamed knowingly.

Oh I am not with child, for heaven's sake!

Mr Charles was at her other side serving her a glass of milk, not tea as she would have loved.

'I prefer tea,' she objected, but when she saw his countenance fall, she relented. 'Fine Mr Charles. I'll take the milk.'

'Thank you countess,' his smile lit up his normally stoic looking face. 'We want you to be in good health countess.'

'Where is my husband?' She knew he was not in his chamber. She had peeked through the library door, he had not been there either.

'The earl is attending to some business matters countess,' the butler politely replied.

He had really turned one hundred and eighty degrees did Mr Charles. Previously if she had dare ask him if the sun was shining, a scowl would appear as wide as the east is from the west, on his face. Sybrina wished some of it would rub off on the dowager. She really was a right royal pain like arthritis in the knees.

'I will be in the garden Mr Charles.'

'Countess please put your hat on, and keep out of the sun.'

Yes sir. Three bags full sir! Drat!

When she really was with child, Mr Charles and Cook were going to drive her batty.

'Barkis,' Sybrina smiled, 'how is little Spencer doing?'

'Morning Countess. 'He is doing just fine. Thank you for healing the bairn,' he bowed profusely.

'It was no trouble at all,' Sybrina smiled politely.

'Countess, if I may be so bold, you are like a ray of sunshine at Cavendish Castle. Mr Charles says even the Earl is happier and smiles more often, since he married you.'

Did he now?

'Thank you Barkis,' Sybrina offered him another polite smile.'

''Excuse me countess, while I check on the lads working,' he tipped his hat.

Sybrina strolled around her flower garden. She loved the conservatory that Alexander had built for her. He had added a comfortable bench for her to sit and take tea.

In the early evening, it was wonderful to relax there and gaze at the multitude of the stars clothing the sky. Once or twice Alexander had joined her there, it had been extra special having him there. Sybrina picked some rose buds for the table in the receiving lounge. The miniature sweet peas look attractive. She would put a bunch in her chamber.

I wonder how Alexander would feel if I put a bunch in his library?

'What are you so deep in thought about my wife?'

Speak of the devil__or think about him.

Sybrina turned around, 'my lord, I thought you were attending to business.'

'I was,' he draped his arms around her waist, and planted a lingering kiss on her lips. 'The Duke of York, would like us to visit in London for a few days.'

You mean your lover!

'Why? I do not want to go. You go,' she stammered.

'Sybrina, you will be going with me. Besides we have not had opportunity to check on our London estate in recent months,' he informed her. 'You may want to change some of the decor.

'Take your mamma with,' she urged.

'I would prefer my wife with me. In fact I insist,' he captured her lips in a sensuous kiss.'

'What time shall we leave,' he persisted, 'teasing her lips with his.

'My lord do not kiss me in public,' she pushed at his chest, even as her lips begged to part and respond to the inviting kiss.

'Do not? He challenged softly, sensing her weakening.

'Do not ,' she repeated, even as her eyes closed, and her face lifted invitingly.

'Do not?' he repeated one more time. His husky voice, smooth like dripping honey.

'Do not stop,' she implored, as her fingers at his chest pressed against his flesh. Her lips parted for him. She groaned, angling her head to deepen the kiss. Alexander pulled her closer, moulding her to his frame. Her palm reached up and gently cupped his cheek.

'Oh dear! Should I go back home? Or should I sent your maid out to inform you I am here,' Claudia laughed .

Sybrina tried to pull away, but Alexander held her tightly in his embrace.

'Claudia, what a lovely surprise,' Alexander greeted their visitor.

'Good morning Sy. Your butler says, I'll not be able to get you out of your garden. And Alex what on earth are you doing home at this early hour?' Claudia chuckled.

'I am newly married. Do you blame me?' Alexander smiled into his wife's eyes.

'Hah newly married? Sy don't believe that. Ralph still chases me about, even two years into our marriage,' her endearing tone spoke volumes of her love for her husband.

'As it should be,' Alexander grinned. 'Shall I leave you ladies here? Or would you prefer to take tea inside?'

'It is beautiful outside,' Claudia smiled, taking in the picturesque beauty of the conservatory.

'My lord will you request Harriet to bring us a tray of tea and refreshments,' Sybrina did not think her weak knees could manage the walk back.

'Certainly my wife. So what time shall we leave to London?'

WE are not!. You are going alone, her angry eyes conveyed.

Alexander read her silent message loud and clear and took two intimidating steps towards her.

'We shall leave just after lunch, my lord.'

'Let me see about refreshments for you Claudia,' Alexander gave her a victorious smile.

'Claudia , thank you for visiting. Oh it so lovely to see you,' Sybrina hugged her friend.

'When you came to visit, I thought you looked troubled. I thought there were problems between you and Alex. But a picture paints a thousand words, you two are so in love,' she laughed.

You're mad! We are not in love. He is certainly not in love with me.

'Why did you think I was troubled?' Sybrina looked confused.

'I do not know. You just seemed so withdrawn. Are you trying to have a baby Sy?'

'What!'

'Well, I thought perhaps when Ralph announced I'm with child, I thought perhaps you were troubled about yourself. But do not be in a hurry Sy. It will happen, just be patient. God will gift you with a baby in His time.'

Drat! I do not just have to deal with only Cook and Charles!

'I know all of that Claudia, although I will admit, that the dowager is rather impatient for me to produce a grandchild for her.'

Claudia paused whilst Harriet entered with refreshments before she could respond.

'Thank you Harriet,' Sybrina smiled.

'Countess, the Earl has instructed that I begin packing for the trip to London.'

He can not wait, can he?

'Yes please Harriet. We will leave just after we take lunch.'

'Do not take too much notice of the dowager Sy. Alex will not allow her or anybody to hurt you. He will protect you with his life,' Claudia assured her.

What if he is the one hurting me?

'I bet you cannot wait for the little one to be born,' Sybrina wanted a change in the conversation.

'Oh absolutely,' Claudia smiled. 'You will not believe what a mother hen Ralph has become. I had to beg and plead to make this short trip to you,' she laughed. 'I am so jealous you are going to London. I love it at this time of the year.'

'It seems the Yorks have invited us for a few days,' Sybrina pronounced unenthusiastically.

'Oh you will have a fabulous time. The duchess always throws the most grand parties,' Claudia cooed.

My husband will no doubt have a fabulous time.

'Shall I bring you something back from London?' Sybrina offered.

'Thanks, Ralph has just returned from London. I'm hardly showing yet, but he has ordered me gowns for when I will not be fitting in these anymore,' she laughed, finishing her tea.

'Oh, I am so happy for you two,' Sybrina hugged her friend again.

'Let me take my leave, you have some preparations to attend to.'

'Will you wear your new gown for me,' Alexander murmured, standing behind her, with his arms around her waist.

'Yes,' strangely, it was the same dress she had thought to put on as well.'

'Shall we take lunch, so we can be on our way?' Alexander spoke softly, his lips were doing erotic things at her ear lobe.

'Is your mamma travelling with us?'

'No. I've sent her ahead with our luggage. She would want to get there while it is still daylight.'

'Are you going to ride in front with your groom?'

'Would you want me next to you?' his eyes teased mischievously.

'Yes.'

'Then I shall my wife,' he kissed her cheek. 'Now how about you feed me. I am starving.'

'Where is everybody else?' Sybrina asked, scanning her eye around Hyde Park.

'Everybody else?' her husband echoed in confusion.

She could not bring herself to mention the duchess. She had also expected the dowager to accompany them, when Alexander strode into her chamber that morning to inform her they were attending a picnic in Hyde Park.

Sybrina had been quite determined to spend every single day in her chamber in their London estate, but she suspected her husband would have carried her over his shoulder and unceremoniously dumped her into his phaeton to this picnic.

The previous day in the conservatory when she had refused to answer him, she was convinced he would have kissed her into submission, right in front of Claudia. The Earl of Cavendish could be arrogant when he chose to.

'Are we picnicking by ourselves?' she demanded.

'Did you want somebody else in particular to join us?' he teased, pulling her shoulders against his chest, as they lounged on the picnic mat.

'My lord don't__.'

'Don't what?' he murmured, as he adjusted himself to support his wife's shoulders.

How often had Sybrina longed to have a picnic in Hyde Park with a handsome gentleman, when she started to take notice of the opposite sex. Now, finally she was not only with a handsome gentleman, he was also her husband.

'I didn't want anybody else joining us,' she heard Alexander break into her reverie.

'What?'

'I wanted you all to myself,' she heard his emotion filled voice. She could not see his face, for her back was being supported by his strong sturdy chest. She lifted her head to gaze into his adorable face, 'you wanted us to picnic just by ourselves,' she whispered.

'Yes,' he nodded, softly brushing his lips to hers. 'And I am not going to apologize for being selfish,' he grinned.

Oh no need whatsoever to apologize.

'You should have told me before we left home,' she admonished, 'I had asked the kitchen staff to prepare for about six people.

'Who were you expecting?' he demanded.

Your lover and her husband and who knows who else?

'Nobody in particular. I just assumed you had invited other couples.'

'Good. You do not mind just your husband for company do you?' He laced his fingers through hers.

'I suppose you will do,' she feigned disappointment, secretly delighting in the hand holding and the romantic picnic for two.

'Now feed me woman,' he instructed.

Sybrina opened a container and lifted a dainty chocolate topped pastry filed with fresh cream and fed it to his mouth. Clasping his hand over hers, he bit into it and licked into the chocolate that melted on her finger. Sybrina moaned softly, and as she did Alexander took the remaining pastry and fed it to her. Deliberately, he ensured the chocolate messed her lips and took absolute delight in cleaning it up with his tongue.

'Alexander,' she groaned, 'do you know where we are,' but it did not stop her hand trailing into his hair.

'I am enjoying a picnic with my very beautiful wife. Don't nobody try to stop me,' he puffed his chest out for good measure.

'Oh Alexander you are crazy, but thank you for the lovely picnic. I am enjoying it too,' she smiled shyly.

'Tell me what exactly, you are enjoying,' he fished, dipping a fresh strawberry into the chocolate and forcing it into her mouth.

Being in your arms in Hyde Park. Sharing pastry with you. Holding hands with you.

'Definitely my delicious strawberries from the Castle gardens,' she answered seriously.

'The strawberries! Not my riveting company,' he tickled her mercilessly.

She laughed mirthfully, clutching his hand hoping she could make him stop, 'please__,' she pleaded.

'Tell me that your strawberries will never rank higher than me in any future picnics ,' he commanded.

'No strawberries will rank higher than you, my lord' she laughed.

Nothing or no one can ever for that matter.

Alexander 's London chef had prepared a most delicious feast of turkey, fresh crab meat. Tender pieces of lamb grilled in a sumptuous mint sauce. Sybrina was certain her stomach was going to burst at the seams. The chilled wine had also been superb.

'I do not think I could take another morsel,' Sybrina tapped her tummy. 'Infact I think I'm going to go without supper.'

'How about we walk off lunch. I know just the place to go to,' he smiled.

'Where?' Sybrina asked suspiciously, her mood suddenly changing.

'To the lending library. We will send the carriage ahead, to wait for us there,' Alexander smiled happily.

'The lending library? But will it not bore you?'

'My wife loves it, so that is where we are heading,' he tucked her arm into his.

'But what about everything here?' she waved at the remains of their picnic meal.

'We will walk, whilst the grooms pack away everything back into the carriage. Besides there is not much left over, after you served the grooms more than a healthy portion,' Alex informed her.

'Oh good. I'd hate for there to be any waste,' Sybrina nodded.

'Do not concern yourself my wife. The kitchen staff always share whatever is left over every night.

'Are you sure you want to walk to the lending library?' Sybrina smiled up at her husband.

'You think I am not fit enough?' he imagined she was challenging him.

'No my lord. It is a distance. I thought you would want to use the carriage.'

'We shall walk. I want you to take supper with me tonight,' his eyes held hers.

'You are already thinking about the next meal?'

'I am always hungry,' he brushed her lips in a slow lingering kiss.

Now why did Sybrina suspect that he was not referring to food.

-end chapter nineteen-