Angelica clung tightly to the husband she barley knew. He breathed in deeply her sweet scent. His recovery and journey home was filled only with thoughts of this sweet silent girl.   Her mother in law cleared her throat awkwardly and she remembered that they were not alone.

Anjelica shyly pulled away, stepping back and folding her hands together. Benedict turned to address the elder countess. "Hello mother dear. Father in law." Both the Countess and Angelica's father had risen to their feet in the presence of the returning Lord of the house.

He painstakingly crosses the room and kisses the hand of his mother lightly. "I'm so happy for your return my son, I was terribly worried." She responds. Angelica moves over to stand beside the large embroidered chair in the center of the room. Resting her hand on the backrest.

Augustus Lagot reaches over and shook the hand of his son in law. "Welcome home your Excellency." "Please, we are family now." The count stated "Please call me Benedict."

After a few brief pleasantries are exchanged, the count lips back to his grand chair. After sitting In it he reaches back and firmly clasps his wife's hand into his own. The count didn't want to spend the evening chit chatting with the family. He wanted to spend it holding his wife. She alone had kept his body and spirits alive when even the field doctor had given up on him.

He pulls her hand closer and lightly brushes it with his lips. Causing her to flush slightly. With that he threw his expected etiquette to the wind, pulling on her arm until she fell into his lap. He winced at the sharp pain her impact caused on his wound. Her eyes widened with fear and worry but he simply laughed and pulled her to his chest. It caused him great happiness that she didn't flinch or move away due to etiquette. No she laid her head onto his chest and nearly melted onto him.

Sir Lagot rose from his seat. "I will not stand to see my daughter treated like a common barmaid!" "Son what on earth do you think your doing?!?" His mother screeched. "This is highly improper!"  This time Anjelica did flinch, but he held her firmly.

"Oh put a cork in the etiquette for one night mother, I nearly died!" He calls back. "As for that last remark Mr Lagot, This is my home. Anjelica is no longer just your daughter, she is my wife, and I will treat her in whatever manner she allows." The count retorts calmly, stroking the blonde curls of the girl in his lap. "Now look, both of you... I was a breath away from death when this Angel rode to my side and saved my life. Did you rush to my side mother? Nor did you, dear father in law... But this woman" He nods down to her. "This remarkable young woman did. Now what kept me alive was the thought of

having her safely in my arms, and I'll be dammed if either you will try and stop me."

That shut both of them up. They slowly sat back down into their seats. The discussion went on as usual, as if nothing had ever happened. Soon it was time for both to return to their homes. Angelica stood up and helped Benedict to his feet. He kissed his mother on the cheek, and shook the hand of his father in law.

After both had left, Bernard appeared to help the count up the stairs. Anjelica retired to her room and was helped out of her gown and into her flowing white nightdress. She lay in bed and was about to blow the candle out when she heard a thump from across the hall. Fearing Benedict may have injured himself in a fall, she lept to her feat, grabbed her satchel and dashed to his aid. Her current state of undress forgotten.

She slammed the door open only to find out he had simply knocked over an empty pitcher.  "Ahh my lady wife, what brings you alone to my chambers at this late hour?" He stated through a fiendish grin. Sitting up against the beds head board. Angelica turned as red as a beat at his suggestive tone. Her deep flush only caused him to chuckle. She dug around in her satchel and hurriedly scribbled out a note.

I heard a noise, I was worried trouble had befallen you.

The counts heart melted as he read the words on the parchment. "My sweet guardian angel, always coming to my aid." He smiled warmly, Patting the spot beside him on the bed. "Come, sit with me please."

She suddenly realised that she wore only her nightdress.        But she did as he asked before writing down another note.          How are you feeling?

"Much better now that my Angel is here to watch over me."

I'm no angel my Lord.

"Benidict to you fair lady, not 'my Lord'" He shook his head. "How did you fare while I was away. We're the servants good to you?"

They wonderful, despite the difficulty to communicate. I know not if you know, but only two can read. As for how I fared...

He peeked over her shoulder as she wrote. She paused, as if searching for the right words.

It was rather lonely. I feared for your well being.

She paused again, fearful he would laugh at what she would say.

I missed you.

His heart warmed again at the sight of those three little words. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead. "What did I do to earn such a wife?" He laughs. "I'm suddenly thankful my mother pawned me off. I only wish I had met you sooner, that I could have courted you properly before we were wed."

Angelica laughed, the idea of anyone courting her was an absurd notion.

"So she can laugh..." He smiles. "Though I didn't get to romance you before our wedding, I swear I will try to make up for it my dear."

The candle beside the bed flickered and burned out. Now the room was lit solely by the moonlight that streamed through the open window. Anjelica yawned at the late hour, and started to shuffle off the bed to head back to her room. A hand on her arm prevented her from leaving. "My wife I have one request..." Asked Benedict. "Would you... Stay here with me tonight." His brown eyes pleaded.

Her eyes widened and body tensed as the words of her aunt on what befalls a bride on her wedding night suddenly replayed in her mind. Benedict notices and laughs. "Oh my dear, I am much to weak for...that." He says. "I simply wish to hold you again, like I did earlier. This is not an order though, I swear I will never order you about, EVER... This is simply a request from a husband to his wife. You may refuse."

The nerves in her stomach settled themselves. She hated sleeping in her room, it was dark cold and unfamiliar. What harm would come in simply sleeping in the same bed as a man. Not just a man her husband. She nodded again and crawled under the covers with him. He pulled her into his arms.

She lay with her head on his chest, and he stroked her hair gently, before she knew it she was fast asleep.