𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 . . . robert dudley ( @leiccsters ) 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 . . . dover .
the road from london to dover had been made even more difficult by the weather, evening downpours softening the ground beneath their feet in the morning until not even the relentless pace maintained by the front of the entourage could compel the stragglers to move any quicker in pursuit ─ by the time they had reached the encampments around dover castle, the countess of leicester had to be helped out of the litter, fingers pressed against her mouth as a maid guided her from the courtyard to the prepared rooms close to where her mistress was positioned. she would have preferred to make the journey on horseback as the fresh air would have helped to soothe her unsettled belly but amy would not risk the health of the babe with such a harsh pace and an unfamiliar mount, confining herself to the swaying litter even if it had made her feel wretched beyond belief. the only other person who seemed to be as miserable as she felt was, coincidentally, the earl of leicester, whose ill - temper had seen their shared rooms emptied of servants that morning which suited her well as she unpacked their belongings slowly, laying out one of his doublets on the bed so that she could find a gown that closely mirrored the colors of his velvet.
holding a sleeve up to the window, her head turned instinctively towards the sound of his approaching footsteps, lumbering with a heaviness that foretold his prickly exteriors ─ the thought brought a secretive smile to her face as she pressed the rich fabric of his doublet to her lips, turning on her heel to greet him as he entered the room. ❝ you are still in a mood. ❞ a fair brow raised in teasing mockery even as her stomach sank. amy could play the fool quite well but even a fool could not ignore the obvious reasoning behind his change in temperament, his impatience with everyone but a select few. the pleasure of possessing his undivided attention was still fresh but how long could she feign blindness to his unhappiness ? as she held one hand out to beckon him closer, the countess of leicester decided that she deserved to be selfish for a moment longer though she would also attempt to appease and distract him when possible, if only to spare the servants from rotating duties to avoid their corner of the castle. ❝ i have sent the servants away so i fear you will have to terrorize me instead. come here, my bear, and change out of that. i've found a gown that better suits this doublet to let me lay claim on my husband through his clothing, if nothing else. ❞ the babe was still a poorly kept secret, at least until she could tell her mistress anne and receive her blessings and permission to retire to kenilworth once the period of laying in arrived, but already amy had to take out a few inches from her waist to make space for the swell of her belly, the ribbons of her bodice loosened even now to allow her more room to breathe freely.
❝ you are not cross with me, are you ? you cannot be, not after your child has left me feeling bereft of strength. if anything, i should exile you from my bed after this ... already he has inherited your ornery demeanor. ❞ turning back to the bed, she pulled the curled length of her fiery mane to one side, exposing the pale stretch of neck and shoulder with the impishness of a wife, demanding for her husband to slide around the softness of her body kept solely for his delight.