The sun was high in a clear sky. Gentle waves of heat gave the garden a warm and temperate air. Elise had Mr. Clarkson set an alfresco luncheon by the garden’s stone bridge for their picnic. Elise could barely relax. Stephan was never demanding with his birthdays, but she wanted him to feel appreciated today. She wanted him to know that their partnership was stronger than ever.

Mr. Clarkson scurried across the garden, pointing and remonstrating with the servants to make sure that everything was in place for Stephan’s arrival. Elise was glad to have him. The man took deliberate care with his profession and wanted to impress his Lord every bit as much as she did.

“Are we ready, Mr. Clarkson?” she asked as he approached her.

He looked out over the low luncheon table loaded with all Stephan’s favourite dishes; a whole roasted turkey, green-topped strawberries, fresh scallops, and baked potatoes. “I dare say that this will be Lord Andrews’ best birthday ever,” said Mr. Clarkson, giving her a knowing wink.

With that, he went to check on the cakes and punch, leaving Elise to make the final preparations. She stood under the shade of an old, weathered oak tree smiling to herself at the wonderful surprise that awaited her husband.

Amy arrived soon thereafter in a flowing muslin dress which made her look delightfully elegant. She smiled, and they greeted one another with customary warmth.

“He will be here soon,” Elise urged.

She was right. With the unerring instincts that had given renown to her relationship, Elise could almost sense the precise moment of Stephan’s arrival and swept through the doors to greet him. He had been away on a short business trip and that had given her the time to make all the perfect arrangements. Now she was eager to see him. On perfect cue, she heard the clatter of hooves that accompanied his carriage’s arrival and Mr. Clarkson hurried to the carriage door. She found her heart beating with excitement as she waited for him to climb out

His friend Matthew was the first to appear and Elise let out a sigh of released anticipation. It was a pleasure to see Matthew again of course but he was not the object of her present attention and desire.

Stephan stepped out next.

He was dressed simply in white linens and a white cravat that left no part of his chest exposed. At the sight of her he slipped into an easy, appreciative smile.

It hadn’t lost its power on her. It still made her swoon whenever she saw it.

She strode up to him and he took her in his arms, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“I wish you a happy birthday my love,” she whispered.

He glanced down at her. “Thank you.”

They came apart, but she kept a whole of his hand, her smallest finger locked around his. “I have something to show you in the garden,” she said.

He raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

She grinned. “It is indeed.”

They moved through the house and emerged at last at the garden. He noticed immediately that yellow roses were twined through the grass arches and smiled. What better place to celebrate this most auspicious day than Stephan’s favourite place in the house?

“What do we have here?” he asked, glancing over at the arrangements.

She tightened her grip on his hand and led him towards the luncheon table. “I wanted to celebrate your birthday in a special way,” she said.

He leaned close to whisper. “Every day is special when I’m with you.”

“So, this will be even more so,” she replied squeezing his hand gently.

She escorted him past the luncheon table, slowing to show him all his favourite dishes and over to manicured lawn where a table had been set up for a picnic.

“You really have gone out of your way, haven’t you?” he said with a grin.

“I have tried to,” she said.

The picnic table was set with silver and white linen, and easy cushioned chairs that combined comfort and elegance. The servants began to serve the food, and a quartet played a stately air on a dais in the corner.

For all the hours she had spent in his company, it still surprised Elise that she would rediscover the magnitude of his allure time after time.

When he saw his sister Amy, the easy joy in his countenance made her love him all again. For all his former coldness, Stephan had proven to be a man whose loving heart was always evident.

“Amy, I thought you were visiting our dear Uncle?”

“My dear sister-in-law wrote to me a fortnight ago, bidding that I came in haste to attend on this special day.”

He took Elise’s hand, squeezed it tight, and they made their way at last towards the table.

Stephan hesitated before they reached the table and whispered to Elise, “You are a vision.”

She laughed, free and deep. “You have a poet’s tongue, Stephan.”

He smiled. “No one knows my tongue better than you.”

She covered her mouth as she giggled, pulling her husband close. “Come let me see you.”

She adjusted his collar, letting it fall open to reveal the tender hollow at the base of his throat.

“There.” She said patted his cheek.

He leaned in close. “This is a beautiful day my love, but I know you are not fond of being a host for terribly long. You know you’ve only to say, and once we are quite happy with the celebrations, we can make our way upstairs again.”

“I know.” She said and gave him her most serene smile.

“Good, then. You need only whisper it to me or shake your head.” He said.

She touched his hand. “Don’t worry about me, enjoy your day.”

He broke into an easy smile and joined the table again.

Stephan was at his smooth, charming best. Conversing easily with those dearest to him. He laughed and joked with equal freedom and Elise could see they were having a wonderful time.

After the second course, Stephan raised a glass. “This is beautiful,” he said, “all of this, thank you all.”

Amy smiled. “Thank you, Elise, for making us truly a family again,” she said, and they all raised their glasses.

The quartet began to play a slow, sweet melody and Stephan’s eyes fell on her. “Shall we dance?”

She nodded with a smile.

They danced, close and smooth. She felt watching eyes as they got closer, but they were amongst family and friends. She leaned into him, her head resting on the underside of his chin. Warmth shot through her from inside. The music slowed, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes fixed on his. There was barely a naked inch between any part of their bodies.

When the song came to an end, she did not want the dance to stop.

He leaned close and whispered in her ear. “You are quite an excellent dancer for a country girl,” he teased.

She smiled and then she was laughing, freely and fully. “Well, you fell in love with a country girl.”

He looked at her, smiled, and tucked a loose braid behind her ear. “That I did.”

She stiffened, and she realised they were well within kissing distance. There was a moment, a small piece of eternity where time seemed to present him an opportunity. His chin sagged.

She looked up at him and smiled. “Stephan, I have something to tell you.”

He straightened and raised an eyebrow. “Tell me?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“What is it?”

She looked past him at Amy who was nodding and smiling in encouragement. He too took a moment to glance over his shoulder and saw that everyone was watching them.

“I considered for a long time what precious gift I could give to a man who has given so much to others and I finally found my answer.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Which is?”

“The gift I discovered cannot be found in shops or markets. Or from traders and merchants,” she cupped her stomach and smiled. “This is the greatest gift I could ever share with you.”

His eyes widened as he stared down at her. “Are you saying-”

She nodded. “We are going to have a child, Stephan,”

He let out a slow, ragged breath and covered his face, overwhelmed with emotion. Then he bent down and kissed her stomach, wrapping his arms around her back. “You are going to make a wonderful mother.”

Matthew appeared at his side, summoning Clarkson with a bottle of wine. “This is a true cause for celebration!”

They celebrated until the sun retired from the sky and the quartet let the music die down to silence. Matthew made his polite goodbye, congratulating them heartily on all the happenings of the day, and wished his friend Stephan all the very best.

As they retired at last to the manor house, with Amy in tow Elise had great abiding hope for the years that were to come. Her family which was now a mere two strong would soon rise to three and thereafter grow in a way she had always dreamed. Amy retired to her bedchamber and Elise and Stephan walked down the corridor with hands intertwined. Stephan’s scent seemed to thicken in the air the closer they got to their bedchamber, and she felt that ache for him come alive in her stomach.

Almost as soon as they were alone, he pulled her into a kiss, touching her face with reverent fingers.

They held each other tightly, and she glanced up at Stephan. He had that look in his eyes again. The one that told her that she was loved and cared for. And wanted. Her heart beat faster at the prospect, and the tide of desire surged within her blood, relentless and unending. She sucked in a breath, but her longing was emblazoned on her skin in the violent red undertones as she followed her husband to the bed.

His arms were around her powerful and strong. She felt safe. No longer having to fear for a future that threatened the cruelty of the past but one that harboured a promise of more moments of bountiful bliss.

Her mouth found his ear, and she gave a gentle nibble that sent a tremor through him. He glanced back at her and grinned. “Well, my dearest love. Now that you have given me my gift. It is time I give you mine.”

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