Norribeth Drabble
This is in reply to the current challenge at Black Pearl Sails ('Tremor'), and also for hereswith, who wanted some tense and romantic Norrington/Elizabeth. This one lacks tension, being a sequel to Seconds, but she says she doesn't mind that this is...
...pure romance. ;)
~ Delicious Repast ~
They stayed abed all that day, until early evening when they elected to dress for dinner. It was served to them in a secluded alcove of the rain-washed garden of the inn. Crystal, china, and linens were all of the best, and there were several delectable courses, though Elizabeth, languorously sated, had little appetite. James seemed concerned by this. His bride, amused, basked in his coddling and care.
When she had eaten enough to assuage his fears, he said, "That's better. You must keep up your strength."
"James!" she objected. "Am I some delicate, milk-and-water miss?"
He considered this, most thoughtfully, and a surprisingly wicked little smile touched his lips. "No. I wouldn't say that."
Fleeting glimpses of the night and day just past came to mind. It had all been of a most satisfactory nature, and yet a tremor of renewed desire now shook her to the core.
She felt herself coloring, and sat up abruptly, very straight, and then colored more at the tender mementos of their encounters. She said, faintly, "I… I find myself somewhat fatigued, actually. Shall we retire, again?"
He got up, and she stood as he came round the table to her, and she could not help giving a soft sound of relief as he took her in his arms and kissed her.
~.~
...pure romance. ;)
~ Delicious Repast ~
They stayed abed all that day, until early evening when they elected to dress for dinner. It was served to them in a secluded alcove of the rain-washed garden of the inn. Crystal, china, and linens were all of the best, and there were several delectable courses, though Elizabeth, languorously sated, had little appetite. James seemed concerned by this. His bride, amused, basked in his coddling and care.
When she had eaten enough to assuage his fears, he said, "That's better. You must keep up your strength."
"James!" she objected. "Am I some delicate, milk-and-water miss?"
He considered this, most thoughtfully, and a surprisingly wicked little smile touched his lips. "No. I wouldn't say that."
Fleeting glimpses of the night and day just past came to mind. It had all been of a most satisfactory nature, and yet a tremor of renewed desire now shook her to the core.
She felt herself coloring, and sat up abruptly, very straight, and then colored more at the tender mementos of their encounters. She said, faintly, "I… I find myself somewhat fatigued, actually. Shall we retire, again?"
He got up, and she stood as he came round the table to her, and she could not help giving a soft sound of relief as he took her in his arms and kissed her.
~.~