Addie laid on her back, staring up at the sea of blue. Small strips of white clouds moved along through the sky like white caps on an ocean. In the distance, she could hear the sound of the actual waves crashing upon the rocky shore.

She was surrounded by vastness everywhere.

England was only a small spot on the map.

But it was her favorite spot.

Summer came quickly this year, and Addie had been eager to escape London, if only for a short while. Soon, she would be traveling to the continent with a long list of monarchical duties. But for now, the southern coast of England called her name.

"Adelaide," Theo murmured.

She felt his fingers brush through her hair, letting the wind run through her strands as he did. His head popped into her vision, blocking her view of the sky. She nearly scowled, but then realized that this sight was much better.

Theo's lips were curved up in a contented little smile, his bronze hair reflecting the sun as it fell in his face. Somehow his eyes perfectly matched the green garden growing around them. He was perfect.

"Yes, Your Grace?" she asked with a teasing glance.

Her pillow—Theo's lap—instantly vanished from beneath, her head falling into the bed of grass with a thud. Jerking upright, Addie glowered at her husband, who was now standing in front of her.

"Oh, don't look at me like that, Your Majesty," Theo said, rocking back on his heels in amusement. "You know that I do not abide being called Your Grace. Not by you."

Picking a green thread from her hair, Addie stood. She ignored the little trickles of sweat that rolled down her back as she faced him. "What if there'd been a rock in the ground and my head had hit it? I should have you imprisoned for conspiring to injure your queen." She threw him a challenging little smirk.

Theo pursed his lips, considering that. He wore only simple black breeches and a white muslin shirt that billowed in the breeze. It was undoubtedly improper, but they were the only ones around. "Where would my queen imprison me?" he asked thoughtfully.

Addie simply lifted a brow in response.

"You see, there are certain places that I wouldn't mind being imprisoned," Theo continued, taking a step toward her. Long grasses rustled as his boots cut through them.

"Is that so?" Addie folded her arms across her simple, rose-colored day dress. It was the most casual gown she had worn in many months. "Such as?"

"I shall tell you only if you call me by my correct name," Theo said, stepping close enough that Addie could see the fine dusting of freckles that had appeared on this sunny day.

Addie tilted her face up, smiling in the warm, summer wind. "All right, Kingfield."

Theo wrinkled his nose. Sliding one hand upward, he cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb lightly across her lips. "The other one."

Addie caught his thumb between her teeth, and Theo's eyes glittered in the shine of the sun, watching her mouth intently. He extracted his finger slowly, letting it slide between her lips. "Theo," she murmured finally.

An appreciative moan released from Theo. "Much better."

"I've been calling you Theo for many years now," Addie pointed out with a smile, appreciating her husband's whims. "It isn't as though you never hear me say your name."

"Oh, Addie," Theo said, mimicking her grin. "No sound is as sweet as my name on your lips. It reminds me that you're mine, and I'm yours."

"Even when I am scolding you? Like when you allowed Victoria to ride a horse before she was barely even able to walk?"

Theo chuckled, rolling his eyes as he did. "You're exaggerating, darling. But yes, even then."

"Speaking of you getting in trouble," Addie said, placing a hand on his chest. "Where shall I imprison you for your crime?"

Tucking her hair behind her ear, Theo leaned forward and whispered in it, his breath mixing with the breeze as it hit her skin. "I'll show you." Then he tugged on her hand, dragging her across the field to where their horses stood.

"Am I to be imprisoned as well?" Addie called after him.

"Naturally, your attendance is required to exact your punishment." Theo looked back at her with a tilted smile.

Addie threw her head back, laughing. "But the queen is required elsewhere, I'm afraid."

Theo halted, glancing toward his wife with an irritated expression. "And where might that be?"

"I need to get dressed for the dinner party this evening. Besides, Weston will realize soon that we've slipped away from his footmen."

Theo raised his brow. "I assure you, he already knows. And they're your footmen now, Addie. Have been for many years." He chuckled.

For their little holiday, Addie and Theo had been staying at the Aston estate, which belonged to Lord Farrington's family. The aristocrat certainly made for an entertaining host, and Addie was grateful for the chance to be with friends—the people who had supported her when she'd only been a shell of herself. Will was here, as was Emilia and Andrew. Even Madame Mischief was present, though she wasn't reporting at present.

And of course, the most important guest—in Adelaide's eyes—was her daughter, Victoria. The princess had just recently turned eight, and she and Addie had spent yesterday walking along the beach, finding colored rocks to collect along the way. It was a perfect way to spend a holiday away from London. Today, however, Victoria was helping Mrs. Combs with some errands.

Theo groaned then, pulling Addie close to his chest. "But what's this about a dinner party? What are you wearing?"

Regarding Theo carefully, Addie repeated him. "What am I wearing?"

He wrapped both of his arms around Addie, releasing an exasperated sigh. "You're going to wear a ravishing gown, and I'm going to have to behave while Farrington flirts with you."

"When have you ever behaved when Farrington flirts with me?" Addie asked through her laughter.

"I've yet to kill the man, no?" Theo replied though he was chuckling as well. "And to think, I thought he'd stop being such a rogue after his marriage."

Addie shook her head. "I doubt that will ever happen. But it's all rather harmless."

Dropping a kiss on her forehead, Theo sighed again. He continued to rest his head against hers, murmuring against her hair as he said, "So what I'm hearing you say is...that we cannot go back to our bedchamber and imprison ourselves there until tomorrow?"

"No, dear," Addie replied softly, still smiling.

Taking her head in both of his large hands, Theo leaned back, looking down at her with a little frown.

A giggle released through Addie's lips. "I'm afraid that we have to—"

She didn't have the chance to finish her sentence, though, because Theo cut her off with a deep kiss. As always when he kissed her, Addie lost all other thoughts except for the feel of his lips brushing over hers. The feel of his tongue slipping into her mouth, provoking unbidden responses from her.

"Theo," she murmured between kisses. "We have—"

Interrupting her again, Theo broke the kiss, swinging her into his arms. Addie felt her heart flip in her chest as Theo held her close.

"What are you doing?" she asked, breathless.

Theo began walking, still cradling Addie. "You said we couldn't go back to our bedchamber, so I'm making other plans," he replied. His voice was low, a hint of mischief in its tone. Addie heard as his boots hit against rocks then, and she glanced at the approaching ocean.

"Theo, are you doing what I think you're doing?" she squealed, grabbing at his shoulder.

Her husband only smiled. He paused, making small grunting noises as he attempted, and succeeded, to shuck his boots off without letting go of Addie.

"Theo!" Addie protested again, but she didn't dare try to wiggle out of his arms. Because secretly, she was enjoying his closeness. It was a closeness that she didn't get to feel nearly enough.

It was all rather too late anyway because, in the next moment, Addie felt her hot skin hit the cold rush of the sea. Her head sunk into the water like a salty bath, and it admittedly felt good, refreshing. Never did Theo's arms leave her waist, though, which was helpful since her skirts instantly tugged around her, heavy and sodden.

Popping up from the rush of water surrounding them, Addie immediately found Theo's face. It was plastered with a devilish expression. And she took the opportunity to splash it.

Theo jerked back in response, but laughed, loud and full. And still, he didn't let her go.

"You are incorrigible!" Addie chastised him. But she was smiling too, droplets of salty liquid falling into her mouth.

"Let me help you with that," Theo murmured, ignoring her. He spun Addie around, her slippered toes curling over the edges of a rocky bottom as she settled in place. He tugged at the fabric on her back, and Addie knew that her gown was likely ruined. She felt a weight leave her, and then Theo lifted her up by the waist momentarily before setting her back down.

"That's better," he whispered, his wet lips tickling her ear.

Addie rotated in his arms and watched as he tossed her sopping gown onto the beach. Just as wind had billowed through their clothing in the grassy meadow, water swirled between the fabric left on their skin, dancing around their legs. All Addie wore now was her white chemise and tight-laced corset.

"What am I supposed to do when it is time to return to the Aston estate?" she asked, peering up at Theo.

Droplets of water rolled down from the saturated locks of hair that tangled across his forehead. He smiled, and it was like the sun had chosen that moment to drown her in warmth. "I guess it would seem that we're stuck here, then." The humor in his husky voice was unmistakable.

Addie wrapped her arms around his neck, his fingers toying with the ends of his hair. "How is it that you become more handsome the older we become?"

The corners of his eyes crinkled as a little grin played on his lips. In a tender gesture, he brushed a hair out of her face. "How is it that you're more beautiful every day?"

Theo's hands pressed against her tightly as they ran down her back. The feel of his hot skin through the thin chemise and the running of seawater was something entirely new, entirely tantalizing. Reaching her bottom, Theo hoisted her up against him, and Addie wrapped her legs around his waist.

He clutched her tightly.

Grinning, Addie said, "You've managed to turn the tables, haven't you? It would seem you have captured me. It's almost as though you have experience with overthrowing monarchs." She threw him a little wink, and he threw his head back, laughing again.

He spun her around in the waves for a moment and then halted in place. Addie pressed her lips to his neck, catching the drops of salty water before they ran into his soaked shirt, which was plastered to the muscles on his chest.

Theo moaned softly, and Addie pressed a quick kiss to his lips, enjoying the vibration that passed between them. Theo ducked his head, skimming his mouth across her collarbone and then trailing it up her neck. He cupped her face, lightly tilting it back, so he had better access to kiss her jawline. Addie sighed, reveling in the sensations of the sea, sky, sun, and soft lips.

Theo kissed the hollow beneath her ear and then whispered, "I think it's long been determined that we're both captivated, enthralled, imprisoned by our love, Your Majesty."

Both his hands cupped her face, and his lips crushed against hers. Theo's mouth coaxed desire from her core as they swayed in the sea. Addie clung to him, her limbs wrapped around him, holding onto her anchor.

"Your Majesty?" she questioned his choice of words, murmuring against his lips before leaning back to gaze at him.

Theo rested his forehead against hers, their salty hair tangling together. "Adelaide," he breathed.

"That's better," she laughed.

"My wife," he muttered, their breath mingling together.

"I like that too," Addie whispered across his lips, giving him a feather-light kiss.

"My love," Theo hummed. "It doesn't matter what I call you, Addie."

His gaze met hers in a melting embrace amidst the summer day. "But you should know," he whispered, "that you will always rule my heart."

THE END

Read the sequel, Before He Was Mine, here!

author's note:

Thank you so much for reading Before She Ruled and supporting my work! It means the world to me. If you enjoyed it, I hope you'll check out the other stories in the series. The next one follows Will and Emilia's story, and it is titled, Before He Was Mine.

Again, thank you! I appreciate every reader immensely.
-Amelie