William raised a brow. “Are you offering the woman the position so you may play matchmaker?”
“I am offering her the housekeeper position because I feel she and I will get along. If Dawson and Marta rekindle their romance, then two needs are served at once.” She shuffled her papers. “I assume you have no objection to fraternization between people who intend marriage.”
“No.” He chuckled softly and caught her up into his arms. “What did I do before you came along?”
“I don’t know, but I prefer not to speculate.”
His hand smacked against her bottom. “Dearest Matilda, my wife, my darling, my savior. You are the only woman who has ever spoken to me with so much honesty. I don’t know how I survived without you, and I couldn’t live without you now.”
She blushed at his promises. Accepting his rules and punishments was easy. Keeping her place in his world took all her strength, but she was willing to be instructed. She wrapped her arms about his neck, smiling up into his face. “I can be all you need, Billy.”
He kissed her hard. “Darling, say that again.”
“Billy,” she whispered into his ear.
William hoisted her off the floor and moved toward their dressing room.
“I want you over my knee right now, Matilda,” William said before drawing up her skirts. A cold draft tickled her bottom, and his fingers teased the back of her thighs in a distracting dance. She loved him when he was bossy.
But there was one thing more she needed to say before he would continue. Something vitally important. She whispered his name. “Billy.”
Twenty-Four
William let himself inside their new home and smiled at the change Matilda had already brought to the place after just a few short days. Mirrors were hung, hall tables placed exactly where he’d expected them to be and topped with flowers gathered from their own garden. He pushed the door closed on the outside world and placed the heavy wicker basket on the floor gently.
He’d been away, attending to the final packing of their possessions, which should arrive in the next day to conclude their move from London to the country.
The move had gone smoothly and was completed so quickly that he was impressed. Matilda had handled everything beautifully. He’d allowed her to stay here without him for two nights, but only because Dawson and the new housekeeper had already assumed their new roles.
He was standing in his first-ever home, and quite proudly too. He imagined many happy moments in this place with Matilda. He imagined raising their family here together one day too.
He made his way to the butterfly house but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw what was going on. The room was filled with plants now, a cozy pair of chairs and a side table had been placed in one corner. But it was his Matilda that stilled him. His beloved was kneeling on the floor, her beguiling bottom swaying back and forth as she scrubbed at something she shouldn’t be touching. “What is this?”
She spun around, eyes wide. “William, you’re back!”
She scrambled to her feet and removed the soil-stained gloves that protected her fingers before she hurried to greet him with a peck on the cheek.
William put his hands on his hips. “I’ve come for my Mattie, but who is this urchin scrubbing at the tiles?”
“It was just a small spot,” Matilda promised, appearing not the least bit guilty. “It was stubborn, and I could not stand it there a moment longer.”
He grunted. Stopping Matilda cleaning their new home had become something of a battle between them. The minute he went out of a room she moved things, dusted, or started polishing windows. The number of times he’d spanked her for infractions, and she’d not complained, was a little alarming. “Very well. I will let this go just once.”
She fell into his arms. “You were gone a very long time.”
“Three days and two very long nights.” He cupped her face with both hands and lifted her gaze to his. “An eternity.”
“It was.” She took her lower lip between her teeth but then smiled brightly. “I trust you left your family in good health.”
William kissed her. Hard. Pleasantries could wait a few minutes. Gods, he’d almost run mad with missing her. “Victoria had a marriage proposal just as I left Newberry House. She’s going to consider it on the journey back to Newberry Park and write to let us know what she decides.”
Matilda’s face grew serious. “She did? Who?”
“Lord Thornton. He’s a kind man. I’d be very happy with the match if she accepts him.”
Matilda turned away. “Does she love him?”
“Hard to say. Victoria keeps her feelings to herself much more than the other pair. Do you know how they met? My sister almost skewered him with an arrow of all things. He’s a brave man to offer. He must wonder if he can survive the marriage.” William laughed heartily, recalling how Victoria had blushed and stammered when she’d recounted the story. “Do you remember our wedding day?”<