“You don’t?” Bess teased back, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. “I always thought that was the most important part of your duties.” She didn’t see the appeal of the military, but William seemed to enjoy it, and though the army took him away from her, she never thought of asking him to give it up. She had no problem at all minding the store while he was away.

She laughed at his remark about the food in the army. Bess had heard many times that it was barely edible. Their own cook was excellent at her job and he would eat well from now on.

Once the patter of the boys’ footsteps disappeared up the stairs, she sighed with pleasure as William pulled her close and kissed her. Pressing herself against him while being careful not to crush the baby, she returned his kisses eagerly. Her body hummed with desire. “Not as much as I missed you,” she replied in a sultry tone of voice.

Stepping away, she kept hold of his hands. “And, of course, I will keep you company.” She had a feeling that she would wind up in the tub with him, which suited her just fine. Releasing one hand, she pulled him down the hallway and into the bathroom. “Did anything else interesting happen while you were away?” she asked while she sat on the edge of the clawfoot tub and turned on the tap.