Chapter 334: Chapter Three Hundred And Thirty Four
Delaney woke up the next morning.
The very first thing she felt was the steady, rhythmic beating of Rowanโs heart. He was holding her securely against his broad chest.
During the quiet hours of the night, he had pulled her even closer, burying his face deeply into the back of her neck. His strong arm was wrapped heavily around her narrow waist, keeping her safely anchored to his warm body.
Delaney did not want to wake him. She lay still for a few moments, simply enjoying the wonderful peaceful feeling of being held by her husband.
Slowly and carefully, Delaney began to move. She reached down and gently took hold of his large hand resting on her stomach. She slowly loosened the tight grip of his arm. She moved his arm softly, placing his hand onto the white pillows so she could slip away.
Rowan let out a very low, sleepy murmur, but he did not wake up. He simply rolled onto his back, his chest rising and falling in a deep, peaceful sleep.
Delaney got off the large bed. Her bare feet touched the smooth wooden floorboards of the bedroom. The morning air was slightly cool, but really refreshing.
She walked quietly over to her traveling trunk. She opened the brass locks and took out a simple day dress made of soft yellow cotton. She slipped the dress over her head, smoothing the fabric down her sides. She did not bother to tie all the complicated buttons at the back; she only fastened a few to keep the dress secure.
She turned around and finally looked properly around the room.
Because they had arrived late yesterday evening, the cottage had been covered in dark shadows and dim firelight. This was the very first time she was seeing her new home in broad daylight.
The room was incredibly beautiful and spacious. The wooden floors were polished to a bright shine, and the walls were painted a soft, calming cream color. Sunlight streamed brightly through the large glass windows, filling the entire room with a cheerful, golden glow.
Delaney walked slowly toward the windows. She noticed that the bedroom had a lovely set of double doors that led directly outside. She pushed the glass doors open and stepped out.
The balcony, too, was incredibly spacious. It had a highly sturdy wooden railing. The view from the balcony was completely breathtaking. It oversaw a massive, endless expanse of bright green grass and a wide, beautiful country meadow. The morning dew still sparkled brightly on the tall grass.
She walked to the edge of the balcony. As she looked down, she saw a long wooden flower box resting right by the lower window. The box was filled with beautiful, brightly blooming flowers in shades of pink, blue, and white.
A gentle morning breeze swept past her, carrying the sweet fresh scent of the blooming flowers directly to her nose. Delaney inhaled the fresh scent deeply. She closed her eyes, completely delighted by the simple, perfect beauty of nature.
She turned her head and looked back into the bedroom.
Rowan was still sleeping peacefully on the large bed. The white bedsheets were tangled around his waist, exposing his broad, muscular chest to the morning sun. He looked strong, yet entirely relaxed.
Delaney felt a massive wave of gratitude wash completely over her heart. He had given her this wonderful peace. He had given her this beautiful home.
"Thank you," Delaney whispered softly to her sleeping husband.
She turned away from the balcony and walked quietly out of the bedroom. She went down the wooden stairs. As she reached the bottom step, a wonderful delicious smell reached her nose. It smelled of sizzling bacon, toasted bread, and fresh, hot tea.
Delaney followed the delicious smell down the short hallway and walked directly into the bright kitchen.
She met an older woman standing near the hot iron stove. The woman wore a clean gray dress and a crisp white apron. It was the same woman Rowan briefly met last night.
Delaney smiled a very warm, polite smile.
"Good morning," Delaney spoke softly. "You must be the housekeeper."
Mrs. Emma turned around quickly. Seeing the Duchess standing in the kitchen, she immediately wiped her hands on her white apron and dropped into a highly respectful, deep curtsy.
"Good morning, Your Grace," Mrs. Emma replied, offering a kind, highly motherly smile. "I am Mrs. Emma, and I will be entirely in charge of the cleaning, the washing, and the cooking during your stay."
Delaney nodded her head gently. She liked the older womanโs warm, polite manner.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mrs. Emma," Delaney said sincerely. "The cottage is completely beautiful, and it smells wonderful in here."
Mrs. Emmaโs smile grew even wider, entirely pleased by the high praise from her new mistress.
"Breakfast will soon be ready, Your Grace," Mrs. Emma spoke, gesturing toward the hot stove. "I am just finishing the eggs now."
Delaney nodded her head. "Take your time. We are in no rush today."
She turned around and went back up the wooden stairs. She walked quietly into the bedroom.
As she stepped through the door, she saw that Rowan was no longer sleeping. He was sitting up on the large bed. He was leaning his broad back comfortably against the wooden headboard. His l blond hair was messy from sleep, and his eyes were completely awake and highly alert.
"You are awake," Delaney said happily.
She walked across the room and climbed right back into the large bed to be with him. She did not care that she was already wearing her day dress.
Rowan immediately reached his arms out. He pulled her onto his lap, holding her tightly against his warm, bare chest. He wrapped his arms securely around her waist, resting his chin gently on her shoulder.
"Do you like it here?" Rowan asked softly. His deep voice rumbled directly against her back, filled with a quiet hope that she was happy.
Delaney looked around the sunlit bedroom, and then she turned her head to look at his face.
"Absolutely," Delaney replied, her hazel eyes shining with truth. "I really love it. Thank you, Rowan."
She leaned her face forward and kissed him affectionately on his warm cheek.
Rowan narrowed his eyes slightly. A playful spark danced in his gaze. He shook his head slowly.
"I wonโt accept that," Rowan spoke, his voice dropping into a slow, teasing drawl.
He lifted his large hand from her waist. He reached up and gently tapped his own lips with his finger.
"If you want to show your true sincerity to your husband," Rowan instructed smoothly, enjoying his game, "you have to go absolutely all the way."
Delaney let out a soft amused sigh. She rolled her eyes playfully at his demanding attitude. But her heart was completely fluttering with joy.
"Fine," Delaney spoke softly, pretending to be put out by his request.
She reached her small hands up. She gently held the sides of his face, feeling the slight, highly masculine roughness of his morning beard against her palms. She leaned forward and kissed him directly on his warm lips.
It was a very deep passionate kiss. Rowanโs arms tightened instantly around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest as he kissed her back fiercely.
After a long moment, Delaney finally broke the kiss and pulled her head back.
Rowan opened his eyes. He slowly, deliberately licked his own lower lip.
"That was delicious," Rowan murmured smoothly, offering her a very wide sinful smirk.
Delaney let out a bright laugh. She raised her hand and playfully smacked the side of his head.
"You are absolutely impossible," Delaney scolded him lightly, though she could not stop smiling.
