Jane laughed. “I haven’t any brothers. Perhaps that’s a blessing. At any rate, I’m pleased to meet you too.”
“We shall call each other sisters from now on, not sisters-in-law, don’t you think? Nothing would make me happier.”
Felicity was a beautiful, dazzling woman. She possessed the stately manner required by her position, but a warm persona as well. She gave Jane’s clasped hands a squeeze, holding her gaze, and her friendliness put Jane at ease.
“I would love to be sisters,” she answered. “I’ve truly enjoyed becoming part of your family. Your parents have been everything kind, and your children are simply…” Jane cast about for a flattering enough word. “Delightful. Scrumptious. Honestly, I’d love to eat them up. But not in a cannibalistic way, of course.” Hush, Jane, you babbler. For goodness sake.
But Felicity only laughed, and agreed the children were delightful most of the time. “Not always, though. Sometimes they’re a great handful of trouble, like all children. I’m happy if you’ve enjoyed their company so far. I hope they will grow close to your own children one day.”
“Oh yes, won’t that be wonderful?”
“And we’ll have none of this prince and princess while we’re here in England,” she said. “Call me Felicity or sister, and I shall call you Jane rather than Lady Townsend while we are among family.”
“Of course, if it pleases you.”
Edward finally appeared beside her. Being closest in age to Felicity, there was an obvious bond between them.
“You are too late,” Felicity told him. “I have already introduced myself to your wife, before you could come and tell her falsehoods about me.”
“She picks her nose when no one’s watching,” he told Jane in a loud whisper. “And she has a pet snake. Oh no, that’s you who has a pet snake.”
Felicity’s gaze brightened. “Honestly? You have a pet snake? How wonderful! What sort of snake is it?”
“A python regius from Africa. An albino royal python. It’s very light in color.”
“I can hardly believe it. What a lark, to have a pet that’s so exotic. A royal, no less. Please tell me the creature has a stellar name, like Caesar August-hiss, or Queen Sss-harlotte of Snake-sony.”
Edward chuckled beside her. Jane was forced to confess her exotic pet’s name was the very not-exotic Mr. Cuddles. Felicity’s laugh was not the mean sort, but one that loved to share a joke.
“Well, I hope we can meet this Mr. Cuddles at some point during our visit, as he sounds very charming indeed.” She glanced at Edward. “My brother must adore you, Jane, to be willing to share you with a snake. He has no love for the things, as I recall.”
“The choice was out of my hands, Felicity. She showed up with it on our wedding day.”
“Did she?” His sister probably pictured her carrying it up to the altar.
“It was the day after our wedding, actually,” she explained. “It wasn’t until we arrived at Somerton that he learned of my snake’s existence.”
Now Jane and her husband shared a look, and she had to try hard not to squirm at the memory that had resulted in her first spanking.
“Mr. Cuddles lives in the kitchens,” Edward told his sister, “in a very secure enclosure. You’re welcome to visit him at any time. He’s never too spoiled for attention.”
“Well, I must say, Eddie, I’m happy you’ve married an adventurous lady.” She turned to Jane. “In my opinion, my brother has never been adventurous enough. I think you’ll be good for him.”
“We are very happy together.” Jane felt a little shy to say it in front of her husband. What if he didn’t agree? What if it wasn’t true? But he only smiled and kissed her hand.
Later that night when they finally arrived home, Edward took her to bed in a heightened sort of state. At bedtime, anyway, he loved her company. He undid her clothing with fewer words than usual, and left his own clothing strewn upon the floor so they could be naked together as soon as they got to her room.
“So much family. So much politeness all day. I’ve ached to be alone with you,” he whispered.
“And I you.”
“I don’t wish to be polite tonight, sweet Jane. I hope you’ll forgive me.” His caresses ended with a nipple pinch that made her squeak.
“You needn’t be polite if you don’t wish to.”
His hand crept up to her neck, squeezing a little, which excited both of them. There was some need in him, she could tell. He turned her onto her hands and knees and pushed inside before she could even brace herself.
“I want you. I want you,” he murmured repeatedly, like some meditation.
“You have me. I’m here.”
She pushed her hips against him and gave herself to his frenzied lovemaking, arching her back to meet his hard thrusts. He surged into her, kissing, stroking, grasping at her waist and shoulders until they rushed together toward the height of their bliss.