A small, genuine smile lifted the corners of her mouth as she allowed herself a moment of ease. For the first time in days, she felt a flicker of calm, a fragile but welcome relief amid the uncertainty.
“So, what actually happens on the wedding night?”
Just as the warmth of the moment settled comfortably between them, Lucy suddenly piped up from her corner, eyes wide with genuine curiosity.
Every head turned to her in stunned silence, brows arching in disbelief at the bluntness of the question.
Lucy, undeterred, grinned sheepishly. “I’ve heard that mamas usually have a talk with their daughters about it. I’m just curious. What sort of things do they say? I mean, Dorothy should know since she’s the one getting married.”
Cecilia and Emma exchanged a quick, conspiratorial glance, their expressions a mix of amusement and mild exasperation.
Emma smoothed her skirts and smiled. “Lucy, perhaps you would do well to go downstairs and assist with the wedding preparations. That sort of conversation is not meant for your ears.”
Cecilia nodded, adding. “When it is your turn to marry, dear, you shall have the talk yourself. Until then, you’d best leave it be.”
Lucy opened her mouth to argue, but was cut off by their unwavering gazes. With a dramatic sigh, she gathered herself and retreated, muttering, “Fine. But one day, I’m going to demand to know.”
As the door closed behind her, the room filled with laughter, and Dorothy felt a lightness she hadn’t known she’d needed.
“We do need to have that talk with her,” Emma said to Cecilia once the laughter died down.
Dorothy arched her eyebrows. “There really is a talk?” she questioned. “What is the talk about? What happens on the wedding night?”
Emma and Cecilia settled beside Dorothy, exchanging uncertain looks before Emma spoke first, her voice gentle but hesitant.
Emma began delicately. “Well, Dorothy, the wedding night is quite... an important occasion. One might say it is when two become truly joined, not just in name but in spirit and understanding.”
“It needs to happen for one to be truly... married,” Cecilia stuttered.
Dorothy’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Well, what am I supposed to do?”
“Participate,” Emma answered, nodding with furrowed eyebrows.
“Are you... sure about that?” Dorothy questioned, studying Emma’s face. “You look confused. You don’t seem to be certain. Am I supposed to participate or not?”
“You are,” Cecilia added and scratched the top of her head. “You should participate. You... need to participate.”
Dorothy nodded slowly. “All right. Participate in what?”
“The wedding night,” Cecilia answered.
“What happens on the wedding night?”
“We just told you,” Emma said.
“You become... one,” Cecilia said, softly clapping her hands together. “One... person.”
“One person?” Emma looked at Cecilia with a dazed gaze.
“Well, what was I supposed to say?” Cecilia asked.
“How is she supposed to understand that?” Emma asked.
“Well, you explain it better.”
“How am I supposed to explain it?”
Dorothy let out an exasperated sigh. “Maybe just tell me how your wedding night went,” she suggested. “Because I am utterly confused. What are you talking about? How do we become... one?”
