-

Elena's eyes shot awake when she felt the carriage stop. She lifted her head off Benedict's chest and looked out of the window. They've arrived. The sun was already gone and the sky was pitch black.

"Did you sleep well, love?" Benedict asked.

"Yes, I did. Thank you for letting me sleep on your chest." She smiled at him.

A servant opened the carriage door and held out his hand. Elena accepted it and got off the carriage. Even if it was dark, Elena could still admire the beautiful cottage while the servants brought the luggage inside the house.

It was so beautiful, just like she remembered it. There were vines and so many flowers growing on the walls. There was a small bridge and a pond behind the house. Elena knew the view in the morning would be breathtaking.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Benedict stood next to her, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"I always used to come here when I was a little girl... this place hasn't changed at all." Her eyes sparkled as she kept staring.

"We've finished moving the luggage into the house, Sir." A servant went to them.

"Ah yes, thank you."

"Will there be anything else?"

"No, we'll be fine thank you." Elena smiled at him.

"Perfect. We shall be back in a few days, so we can bring you to your home in Oxford." The servant said and went back to the carriage and leaving.

Elena was about to go inside the cottage but before she could, Benedict swiftly picked her up in a bridal style. She squealed as he started walking inside.

"Benedict! What are you doing?" She laughed.

"What?! We're married now, aren't husbands supposed to do this?"

When Benedict entered the house, he gently put Elena down on the floor. After they prepared the kitchen and the bedroom, they lit all of the candles in the house and they were getting ready for bed.

"Did you know that Colin was engaged?" Benedict asked his wife, laying on his bed while reading a book.

Elena was in the bathroom washing her face and changing into her nightgown. "No, I didn't. To who if I may ask?"

"To Miss Marina Thompson."

"Ohh, I remember her. She's very gorgeous."

"The thing is that they just met and they announced their engagement so soon. I'm not sure if it's a good idea." Benedict said his eyes now glued to Elena as she came out of the bathroom.

She came out of the bathroom smiling in her new nightgown. "What do you think? Doesn't your wife look like a princess?"

"She looks more like a goddess to me." Benedict replied with a smirk, standing up and picked up Elena and twirling her around.

He was getting very dizzy which made him fall on the bed with her in his arms. They both laughed as they went to their side of the bed.

Benedict turned to Elena who lying down, all out of breath. He stared at her with sparkling eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Mr. Bridgerton?" She teased.

"I just..." He looked down to her hand and gently took it. "...can't believe I get to call you mine." He placed a long kiss on it.

-

The next morning, Elena woke up rather early, than usual. Well, that's what she does when she's excited or nervous. Feeling cold, she snuggled closer to Benedict and rested her head on his chest.

Benedict groaned, covering his eyes from the sun. "Oh, is it morning already?"

"Yeah..." Elena tiredly replied but then shot her eyes open. "Morning. Oh! It's morning!" She exclaimed, getting out of bed and opening the backyard door that was in there room.

"Oh! The ducks are out! Benedict the ducks are out!" She screamed again, getting out of the house without even putting on her shoes.

"Elena! Where are you going?" Benedict screamed as he saw his wife crazily run down the field towards the pond.

But afterwards he smiled, at the sight of her free spirit. It was like watching a child run around and play. Elena had thirty minutes to herself while Benedict brought a chair outside and watched her.

Elena fed the ducks, picked up so many flowers even made a flower crown, climbed a tree and rode her horse for a while. She went up the hill that led to the cottage and joined her husband who was just on his chair.

"I do hope that my dear husband didn't miss me too much." She said, sitting down on Benedict's lap.

"Oh, no. I quite enjoyed seeing you go crazy." He replied which made Elena lightly tap his chest. "So, what do you want to do today?"

"Benedict, there are no maids, no servants, no mamas constantly watching every move we make. We can do anything we want now. I will do whatever you ask for." She gave a peck on his lips.

"Well... I would like to do some archery, a few rounds of fencing and just spend the rest of the day with you." He smiled at Elena and gave her a long passionate kiss.

"Your wish is my command."

They did everything they could possibly do the whole day. Did a little bit of archery, a lot of fencing rounds because Elena kept challenging him, a walk in the forest, mushroom picking and ect. They had a very light supper, after all of the things they did today they were very tired.

Same as last night, Benedict was already in bed but this time, he was sitting on the edge of the bed. Elena just got out of the bathroom, removing her elastic from her hair.

"I had a lot of fun today. Especially when we were fencing, I kicked your ass so many times."

Elena teased her husband, removing the elastic from her hair.

Benedict annoyingly stood up and went towards her. "Well you kept putting pressure on me and I was getting tired." He half whispered, pulling her close by her waist .

Elena wrapped her arms around his neck and back. "I'm sorry..." She said before kissing him gently.

They pulled away and stared deeply into each other eyes before attaching their lips again. But this time it was more rough, more heated. Elena closed her eyes and squeezed Benedict's arm as he trailed kisses down her neck and onto her chest.

He lifts up his head and caresses her cheek, pulling her in again. His hands slowly crept up to her back, unzipping her dress.

"Jump." He whispered into the kiss as Elena obeyed.

Benedict picked her up as she wrapped her legs around his waist. They made their way towards the bed still kissing. He gently placed her on it and hovered above her, lifting up her leg a little. She let out a shaky breath as he did.

"Do you want me to stop?" He whispered.

"No, do not stop."