“But…surely you’ve always worn shoes.”
She shrugged. “Only when I have to. I wore them to church, of course, but I went to a small country school, and they were just a suggestion there, so I rarely wore them. I just can’t seem to like them like other women do. My sister Elizabeth has eight pairs of shoes. Have you ever heard of anything so wasteful?”
He blinked. “I hope you know to wear your shoes in public here. The streets can be filthy at times.”
“Yes, of course, I’ll wear my shoes.” At least she would always wear them while he was looking. It wasn’t something she would do without prompting.
“So what would you like to do this evening?” he asked. “I have books, and we could read, or we could play chess…or…”
She laughed softly. “It’s our wedding night. There’s no need to find something to do. We’re supposed to do each other. Well, that was rather crude. I just mean, we should be exploring one another…”
He chuckled. “I wasn’t sure if you’d feel comfortable making love so soon…”
“I enjoyed our kiss, and you’re my husband. It’s not something I’ve ever done before, but it’s meant for us to do that together.”
“I suppose you’re right,” he said.
She reached forward to pick up her shoes. “I’ll let you lead the way to the bedroom then.”
Thomas didn’t have to be asked twice. He was more than happy to take her to the bedroom and start their wedding night. He stood and held a hand down for her to help her to her feet, and she happily took it.
When they reached the bedroom, he opened the door wide. “This was always my father’s room, and my mother’s room was next door. You may have her room if you’d like.”
Joy laughed. “Now why would I want to sleep alone when there’s a tall, handsome man in the next room? No, I’ll be sharing your room with you.”
He felt the corners of his mouth curl up with a smile. “You’re something pretty special, aren’t you, Joy?”
“I don’t know about that, but I don’t think we need to be worrying about making love together. We’re married after all.” She dropped her shoes onto the floor and reached up to remove his suit coat. He was a little surprised, but he stood still and let her get it off.
It didn’t take him long to get into the spirit of things, even though he was visibly nervous. Slowly, they undressed each other, fingertips brushing against fabric with a delicacy neither knew they possessed. The layers of Joy’s gown fell away, leaving her standing bare in the moonlight that crept through the window. She watched as Thomas’s formal attire was discarded piece by piece, revealing the man underneath the banker.
“Never thought I’d get you out of that suit,” Joy teased.
“Only for you,” Thomas replied, pulling her gently toward the bed.
As they lay down, their nervousness was palpable, a tangible entity between them. Yet, as their bodies entwined—their lips meeting in a kiss that was tentative at first, then growing more confident—they found a natural rhythm.
Afterward, as they lay together, a serene stillness settled over the room. Joy listened to the distant hum of Boston outside their window—a symphony of carriages and late-night revelers—and felt a world away from the quiet of the countryside she’d left behind.
“Everything all right?” Thomas asked, sensing the shift in her energy as she lay pensive beside him.
“Just thinking,” Joy murmured, her head resting on his chest. “Big city, big buildings…big changes.”
“Change can be good,” Thomas offered, stroking her hair.
“It’ll be good if I can figure this big city out. I’m a country girl at heart.”
His chuckle vibrated beneath her cheek. “My money’s on you, Mrs. Worthington.”
Lying there, with the steady beat of Thomas’s heart under her ear, Joy felt a spark of excitement for what was to come—a life filled with love and laughter, and perhaps a touch of the unexpected.
Thomas rolled over in bed, drawing the cotton sheet up over his shoulder as he watched Joy’s silhouette against the dim light of dawn. She stood by the window, one hand resting on the glass, her posture a mixture of contemplation and resolve.
“Can’t sleep?” he ventured, his voice still husky with remnants of sleep.
“Too many thoughts,” she replied without turning, her gaze fixed on the awakening city.
“Care to share?” Thomas asked, hoping she’d rejoin him in bed.
