Chapter 106 - Hundred And Six
The journey home from Baston Island to Albion was a world away from the tense, silent carriage rides Delia was used to. The sun was warm, the scenery was beautiful, and the man beside her was no longer a stranger or a contract partner, but her husband who is ready to let the world burn for her.
Eric took her hand, his fingers lacing through hers. He brought her knuckles to his lips, giving it a soft kiss before turning her hand to bring her palm to his lips again and pressed a soft, warm kiss into its center before placing it gently against his cheek. "Are you absolutely sure we should go home?" he asked, his voice a low, playful murmur. "Don’t you think we should have stayed for just one more day?"
Delia smiled, a genuine, relaxed expression. With her free hand, she gently arranged a piece of his dark hair that the wind had blown across his forehead. "You have to go to work, Your Grace," she teased. "You can’t leave everything for poor Aiden to handle all by himself."
Eric drew his cheek closer to her hand, enjoying the feel of her soft skin against his. "I’m sure he would be fine with it," he said, his eyes closing in contentment.
"Remember your own words to me," Delia replied, her tone light and teasing. "’I have to be busy and work hard so that I can buy all of Delia’s needs and wants.’ Do you remember saying that?"
Eric smiled, his cheek still nestled in her hand. "How could I possibly forget? I was the one who said it."
"Exactly," Delia said with a satisfied nod. "And Delia has many needs and wants. That’s why we need to come back to Albion and you need to get back to work."
He sighed, a sound of mock defeat, not wanting to argue with his new wife. "Okay, okay. Whatever you say, my Duchess."
Delia smiled and looked out the window, a comfortable silence settling between them. But while her expression was serene, her mind was already working.
"I hope Owen got the letter I sent him before we left, she thought to herself. I hope he has already started working on it." She thought to herself.