'Alexander why didn't you wake me? Er__my lord you promised to wake me up,' Sybrina amended when she saw Alexander was not alone with little Spencer. Mr Charles seemed to be keeping Alexander company. 'You should have woken me up,' she scolded her husband softly.

'My lady, you've hardly been asleep for two hours?' Alex smiled.

'How is he? How's Spencer?' she questioned anxiously when neither of the men answered.

'Countess, the lad woke up,' the butler beamed.

Sybrina swiftly moved to the boy and placed the back of her wrist on his forehead. 'My lord the fever's broken!' Sybrina threw her arms around Alexander and hugged him joyously. When she remembered they were not alone, she self consciously dropped her arms and stepped away from Alexander.

'He's going to be okay,' she looked up into Alexander face and smiled.

'Thanks to your quick thinking,' he murmured, cupping her face.

Alexander looked tired. There were creases around his eyes. His hair looked like he'd been running his fingers repeatedly through it. At least she'd had some sleep. It was early hours of the morning and Alexander was still in the clothes he had taken her riding the previous day. Where they had together watched the sun setting. Then he had kissed her, and she had wanted more than just his kisses. She remembered his sensuous lips at her bosom. Her cheeks flushed just remembering how much she had enjoyed that__.

'My lord why don't you go and rest? I can take over now,' Sybrina laid her palm on his hand.

Spencer was on the road to recovery. The fever had broken. His temperature was no longer high, just a tad warmer than it should be. He was going to be fine. The boy was going to enjoy eating her strawberries again. And she was going to have more than a word with him about wandering into the fields.

'Countess why don't you and my lord go and rest. I will keep watch over my nephew,' the butler smiled sincerely at Sybrina for the very first time since she put foot into Cavendish Castle.

'Your nephew?' Sybrina repeated.

'Barkis is my brother,' Mr Charles smiled for the second time in less than five minutes.

Come to think of it, she could now see the resemblance between Barkis and Mr Charles. It was not striking, but they did have the same kind of charcoal coloured eyes, and similar bone structure. With eyes only for her attractive husband, scarcely did she catch sight of any other man. She had asked the butler for additional staff for the garden and the very next day he had presented her with three able labourers for which she was rather grateful for. Well Spencer's illness seemed to be a blessing in disguise, for it had unwittingly obliterated the butler's prejudice against her.

'I think it is safe to leave young Spencer in his uncle's capable arms my lady,' Alexander boldly placed a soft kiss on his wife's cheek, causing Sybrina to turn crimson. Shyly she moved away from Alexander and knelt down next to the boy's bed.

'Spencer,' she whispered, 'I'm so glad you're going to be okay,' she ruffled the hair on his head. 'Rest well. I will see you later in the morning, I promise,' she kissed his forehead, and fussed over the sheets around his body. Sybrina could have sworn, the butler's eye's looked a bit moist as she spoke to Spencer. She could be mistaken.

'What happened to his mamma?' Sybrina spoke softly to Mr Charles.

'She took ill with tuberculosis two years ago. She never recovered__,' the butler's voice trailed off.

'I am so sorry,' Sybrina whispered.

Alexander moved closer to Sybrina, placing his arm around her waist. 'Are the family all taking medication now?' Alexander cautiously enquired. 'Has the boy been treated against it?'

'Yes my lord,' Mr Charles stated, 'for six months we have all received treatment and have no signs of it,' he assured Alexander.

'Good. We will be down again at six Mr Charles. Has somebody taken up hot water for me?' Alexander checked.

'Yes my lord. It's already in your wash room for you.'

'You still look tired my lady,' Alexander observed as he escorted her to her bed chamber.

'You do too my lord,' she looked up at him shyly.

'Where ever did you learn those healing skills my lady?'

'On my father's estate, I borrowed many books from the lending library on how to treat different ailments. I planted many of the herbs that could treat the most common ailments. I treated a lot of the staff, labourers on the estate,' she half smiled.

'My wife is a multitalented lady. I'm very proud of you,' he smiled.

'Thank you.'

'Now go and get some rest. I will take a bath and rest myself. In the morning I will fetch you so we will go down to little Spencer together.'

'Yes,' Sybrina's heart rejoiced happily. 'See you later this morning my lord.'

They stood gazing into each other's eyes. Neither making any attempt to turn in, until Alexander opened her door, and gently ushered her in.

'My lord come in.' Sybrina answered the knock to the door adjoining their bedrooms. Harriet was just helping me undress for my morning routine. 'Well she won't undress me now that you are here,' Sybrina blushed profusely and lowered her head.

The Earl's teasing eyes locked with Sybrina's. His lips twitched into a smile. She looked so strikingly beautiful early in the morning. Her face flushed. Her eyes dancing with eager anticipation for what their day held in store. Her hair was all tousled around her shoulders. Her bosom was slightly visible in the night bodice she still had on. He quickly shoved his hands behind his back before he did anything to embarrass himself and his wife in front of Harriet.

Why is he staring at me?

'Thank you Harriet. I would like to have some words with my wife,' Alexander opened Sybrina's door for Harriet to exit.

'I shall be in the kitchen,' Harriet bowed, before departing.

Alexander and Sybrina were truly impressed with Harriet. She had observed the way the other servants addressed and behaved before the Earl of Cavendish and had started to do likewise. Sybrina found it amusing seeing Harriet curtsying before her, and tried to deter her from doing it. Harriet, insisted on being treated like the rest of the servants, and proceeded to show the Marchioness of Cavendish the same respect everyone showed to the Earl.

'I will be ready to see Spencer in about five minutes my lord.'

'That is fine, however there is something I wish to speak to you about.'

'You wish to speak to me about something my lord?' she repeated.

Her heart beat excitedly. What was it? Was he finally going to demand his right, as her husband? She wanted him too, she would say yes. Finally she would be able to lie in his arms. He would teach her the ways between a husband and a wife in bed. God above knew, every night, she lay awake, tempted to go to his bed, and demand that he do his husbandly duty with her. She didn't know how she'd managed thus far not to beg him to make love to her.

'Happy birthday my lady,' Alexander draped his arms around her waist.

'You remembered my lord?' she blushed as she felt her whole body tingle from his touch.

'How could I forget?' his voice was husky, his eyes filled with desire.

The blood in his veins was searingly hot. He wanted to ravish his wife. He wanted to rip her clothes off, carry her to her bed and make wild passionate love to her. He could feel her nipples aroused against his chest, it tortured him. He longed to close his mouth over them and let his tongue lave over it until she screamed and begged for his love. But he remembered his vow to her.

'I have something for you,' he released her abruptly.

He saw the frustration in her eyes. She banked her eyelids, but not before he saw the disappointment there. She wanted him too, he could see that. He'd given her his word. He was a man of honour. She would have to come to his bed. He would not force himself on his wife, even if his raging desire killed him. Alexander slipped his hand into his pocket and extracted a beautiful platinum chain.

'My lord, it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life,' she gasped as he clasped it around her neck. His fingers stayed a little longer than it should have.

'Thank you,' she instinctively draped her arms around his neck. She reached up on her toes, her lips touched his. She remembered how he had run his warm lips over hers that first day he had kissed her. Boldly she did the same now. His grip tightened around her. She felt every muscle of his become taut. Sybrina became more bold, her tongue snaked out and traced over his lips.

'Sybrina,' he groaned, roughly pulling her closer and took over from her experimental but dangerous ministrations. His mouth captured hers in a fiery and passionate encounter. His hand pressed against her shoulder blades, wanting their bodies as close as possible.

'My lord,' Sybrina whispered clinging to him.

'Yes,' he prompted, wanting her to speak the words, the both of them needed to be released from the vow he had made.

'I__ I__. Thank you for my present,' she breathed huskily.

Disappointedly, he dropped his hands and gently stepped back. Her hands fell to her sides.

'I shall be home early tonight my lady,' he smiled. 'We shall have a special supper for your birthday, just you and I.'

'Oh yes my lord. Thank you. I am looking forward to it.'

'I will have another present for you tonight,' he promised.

'More than one present?' she was astonished. 'My father never even__.'

He saw the pain in her eyes. It made him angry. He wanted to call the Marquis out for treating his beautiful daughter in such a shabby, disgraceful way. Sybrina looked away. Her father had never once wished her on her birthday. So she never treated it as a special day. It was just a day like any other. Her father never once gifted her with anything.

'Good morning countess.'

'Spencer you're awake! Oh I am so delighted,' Sybrina stooped over his bed and hugged him.

'The lad woke up two hours ago, demanding a meal, countess,' Mr Charles smiled.

Sybrina smiled politely at the butler, 'how are you feeling Spencer,' she touched his forehead.

'Fine, thank you. Can I go outside to play?' He was oblivious of all the drama he had caused.

Sybrina laughed softly,' Just rest for a little while longer,' she urged.

'Good morning Lord Cavendish,' Spencer popped his chest out and extended his hand to Alexander.

'Good morning Master Spencer,' Alexander grinned, playing along.

'Tis a sunny day Lord Cavendish. Do you think I can kick my ball about?'

'You do as the countess requests today, then tomorrow I will play as much ball with you as possible, until you are tired,' Alexander promised.

'I can never get tired of playing?' He gave Alexander a puzzled expression. Who gets tired from playing?'

'You rest for a little while. I will come back and read you a story. Would you like that?' Sybrina coaxed.

'Yes please,' he nodded excitedly.

'Okay, I will be back after we break fast, and I complete a few chores,' Sybrina promised.

The butler brought a chocolate cake with a single candle on it, whilst Alexander and Sybrina were taking breakfast.

'Oh what is this?' Sybrina's face coloured.

Mr Charles, Harriet and Cook wished her happy birthday. Alexander was relaxing with coffee and chatting with his wife in the breakfast room when the dowager marched in.

'What is the gardener's child doing in the guest room?' she scorned.

'Good morning mamma,' Alexander stood.

'Alexander we should not set a precedent here__.'

'The lad took ill mamma.'

'We have plenty of rooms on the estate Alexander.'

'It was my decision,' Sybrina's eyes challenged the dowager.

'That was a bad decision,' the dowager vented. 'Servants and their children are not attended to in the castle.'

'Why is that dowager countess?' Sybrina demanded.

'Alexander __tell her!'

'You mean my wife, mamma? She is the countess. I will not undermine the Countess Cavendish, mamma.'

The dowager stared at her son. Her eyes shifted from one to the other, her lips pursed angrily.

'Mamma why don't you wish my wife. It is her birthday today.'

The dowager huffed and stormed out.

Sybrina giggled, and covered her mouth with her hands.

'I am sorry about mamma's poor manners,' Alexander grinned.

'Don't be,' Sybrina smiled politely. 'She will come around.'

Alexander walked over to Sybrina's chair and lifted her up, 'just like Mr Charles did,' he smiled.

Sybrina lowered her head, and just half smiled.

'You are an amazing woman my lady. I am so glad I compromised you,' he grinned.

You're just satisfied that you have an efficient Countess for Cavendish Castle.

'My lady, you enjoy your morning. I do not want you doing any chores today. I will be home early for our special supper, and I promise I will have another gift for you.'

'Oh I am looking forward to it my lord. I can't wait,' she exclaimed enthusiastically. 'My chain is beautiful,' she touched it and smiled.

'You are more beautiful,' he cupped her cheek. 'I shall take my leave,' he kissed her lips softly.

'Yes,' she whispered. 'Yes.' What she was saying yes to, she was too nervous to articulate.

'Countess, shall I bring in supper?' Mr Charles enquired.

'Not yet,' Sybrina emptied her glass. 'The Earl said he would be home early.'

'Perhaps he is delayed countess. The hour is late. Perhaps you should take supper.'

'No Mr Charles. Fill my glass again,' she instructed.

'My lady should you have another on an empty stomach?' he enquired gently.

'Just pour it Mr Charles. It's my birthday. I should celebrate,' Sybrina smiled.

'May I bring you coffee instead countess?'

'No! The wine is delicious. I will have another.'

Mr Charles hesitated for only a moment, when Sybrina's eyes glared at him, then he quickly relented.

Her first bottle was almost empty. She should have eaten something, with the wine, but she was waiting for Alexander. He promised he had another gift. What would it be? Would it be a gown? More jewellery? She would love it if he bought her pretty drawers.

'My lady, I think you must take supper now,' Mr Charles spoke with concern.

Where is my husband, damn it!

'Anytime now he will be here. My lord will be here just now,' Sybrina insisted.

'Please have supper my lady. Lord Cavendish will be most upset if we have not served your meal.'

'He will not. I will explain to him,' Sybrina smiled, emptying her glass, and waving it to Mr Charles again.

'Countess, I do not think you need any more wine.'

'You are not to think Mr Charles. Fill my glass,' she commanded.

'Yes my lady,' he hurried to fill her glass.

'Thank you Mr Charles. Just leave the bottle there, and you may retire,' she waved him away.

'Yes my lady,' he bowed and stepped out.

Alexander where are you? You said we will take supper together.

An hour later and Sybrina was still waiting at the supper table. Still no sign of Alexander. She went to the pianoforte and began to play the keys all out of tune. It was pretty loud too, but nobody dared say a word. She was the Countess Cavendish.

'My lady, I apologise for keeping you waiting. One of the tenant's house caught fire__. Sybrina!'

'Ah my lord,' she hiccupped, 'you have finally come home!' her eyes felt blurry. She could swear there was soot on his forehead.

'Sybrina, saints of heaven, you are drunk!'

'You said fire?' she walked to him and touched his forehead, moving the soot from his face to her fingers. 'You have been putting out a fire?' she could smell smoke on his clothes. 'You are not hurt are you my lord?' she wrapped her arms around his neck.

'No, no. I am not hurt at all.'

'Good, because I would not want you to be hurt my lord,' she cupped his face. 'Did I ever tell you that you are mighty dandy my lord?'

'Not when you were sober, no,' he smiled.

'You are my lord,' she pressed her lips to his, 'you are most fine on the eyes,' she whispered.

'Have you taken supper Sybrina?'

'I was waiting for you my lord. For my present. Did you get me pretty drawers?' she hiccupped. 'Oops sorry,' she giggled.

'Sybrina just how much wine did you drink?'

She lifted two fingers up.

'Two glasses?' he asked unbelievingly

'Bottles,' she giggled. 'Two bottles my lord.' It was delicious, but not as delicious as your kisses my lord,' she reached up and covered his mouth with hers.

Saints of heaven! She tastes sweet. Delicious. She is torturing me.

'Sybrina, I think you need to sleep off that wine, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to her chamber.

'Oh yes my lord, yes,' she held him tightly around his neck. 'It is my birthday my lord. I had a good day,' she giggled.

'I can see that you and the two bottles had lovely fellowship.'

'You are so strong my lord. Am I not heavy,' she kissed his lips. Her tongue was caressing his throat,' as he was trying to lay her on her bed. As Alexander bent to lower her onto the bed, she pulled him onto her body and kissed his lips. 'I like kissing you Alexander,' she whispered. Her lips teased his, she forced her tongue into his mouth.

Sybrina you're killing me!

'Alexander?'

'Yes?'

'Love me my lord' she unbuttoned his shirt, and slid her fingers onto his chest, exploring his flesh. She captured his mouth again, her tongue seeking his.

'Sybrina no!' Alexander tried to remove her hands.

'Do you not want me my lord? You said I should come to you. I want you to be my husband tonight. Yes I want you,' she persisted.

'Sybrina!' he shoved her away. 'We cannot. Not when you are drunk. Tell me you want me when you are sober,' he spoke angrily. 'I am going to undress you and I want you to sleep. Do you understand?'

'Yes sir. Three bags full sir,' she even gave him a proper salute at the temple.

Alexander gave up trying to undress her. He could not do it. Hell he was not made of rock. He could not see his wife's naked body and walk away. Not after the way she so torturously aroused him. He had to get out of there and take a cold bath.

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