Calypso Magic (Magic Trilogy 2)

"Go back to sleep and moan for me and perhaps I shall find it within myself to pleasure you again."

She laughed, unfortunately for him, and he slid off her onto his side. "I'm a sweaty mess," she said.

"As in messy, from me?"

"You are becoming more outrageous by the day --- night, rather." She made to get up, but he held her arm. "A moment, Diana."

She turned to face him. "Why? I wish to bathe."

"Lie down a moment."

She obeyed him. "Why?"

He was staring at her belly, and she shifted in some embarrassment beneath his intent gaze. "I am not quite certain what I should be looking at." He splayed his hand over her belly, his fingertips not reaching her pelvic bones. "I have large hands," he said more to himself than to her. "I think our babe can grow comfortably in your belly. But your father is right. When you are with child, we are returning to England."

"He spoke of my mother, didn't he?"

"Yes, and he is terrified that you also could die in childbirth. Needless to say, I shan't allow it."

"I am a big clumsy giant compared to my mother, at least that's what Dido has always told me."

Lyon, still intent on her very lovely belly, didn't answer.

"He still misses her so. Poor Father."

Lyon leaned down and kissed her stomach. "Too tired to even moan for me?"

"Yes. I am beyond anything like that, husband."

He sighed. "Married to a cold woman. Just my blasted luck."

She sent her fist at his shoulder and he obligingly grunted.

"And a shrew."

She punched him again, and he grabbed her hand and rolled on top of her. "Get off me, you brute! You're heavy and sweaty."

"You weren't complaining just a few minutes ago. Indeed, if I close my eyes, I can still hear the echoes of your abandoned yells. Not that I minded covering your mouth, sweetheart."

She suddenly relaxed her body and closed her arms around his back. She buried her face against his shoulder. "I disliked you so very much, in London, at first. I thought you were a dandy and an arrogant, conceited boor. Remember the first time you carried me to the front steps? I felt the strangest sensations and thought I had a stomachache or that I was hungry, or something. Did you know then what I felt for you?"

He gave her his special knowing, very masculine grin. "Yes, you were charming. As I recall, it took all my wits and control to keep from throwing you on Lucia's front steps and having my evil way with you. Your breastsah, they were a mighty temptation. So cocky and innocent you were."

"Then you had the gall to beat me."

His hand cupped over her, his fingertips stroking her lightly. "That," he said, his voice deep, "you deserved. Our courtship was a bit unusual, I suppose. Incidentally, when I first met you, I thought you were a silly, arrogant little twit. I wanted nothing to do with you."

"Now," she said with smiling satisfaction, "now, you have everything to do with me."

"The good Lord knows that! You know what I would like to do? Go for a swim. With any luck at all, we won't stumble over another body."

His humor sounded a bit strained to her sensitive ears, but she managed to say easily enough, "Yes, let's."

There were no bodies to be found that night. They swam in the cool sea, played until they were exhausted. He was holding her against him, her wet hair wrapped about him like a blanket. "Diana," he said quietly, not looking at her, "we shall have to go home soon."

He felt her stiffen.

"Home to England. I have an idea about Mendenhall. Once it is settled, we will return. I swear to you, though, that we will come back to Savarol for visits. And we will stay in London only when you wish to. My estate near Escrick will please you. You enjoyed the moors and the heather, remember? And there are Frances and Hawk."