“Truly, Your Grace, there is no –”
“Do not argue with him, Mother,” Celestine spoke up as she crossed the room. “If His Grace wishes to escort us, we should not deny his offer.” She made sure to look right at him. “It is most kind.”
Edward’s smile was as generous as it was real. He looked right at Celestine, no words needed because his thoughts were as clear as day. He wanted to help, just as he wanted her to know that he meant it.
“Can we hurry up?” Marigold demanded. “Why are we just standing here?”
Celestine might have liked a moment alone with Edward, if for no other reason than to thank him personally, while doing the obvious thing and telling him he need not worry. Despite her feelings, Celestine still insisted on denying them, just as she felt that she had to make it known to Edward that he need not play his role so perfectly.
Alas, there was no time for such things.
Celestine’s mother rushed across the foyer and hurried her daughters outside. Edward strode ahead and readied the carriage, instructing the driver on where they were to take them. And then, all five of them climbed into the carriage together, a most uncomfortable setting indeed.
Edward sat on the other side to Celestine, and down from her so they could not talk quietly together. And Celestine’s mother rambled and spoke worriedly about her daughter the entire ride, leaving little room for a private moment.
Nonetheless, more than once, Celestine found Edward’s gaze. She held it. She let him see just how much this meant to her. And as she was starting to know Edward so well by now, she knew without having to ask that he did this not because he thought he should, but because he wanted to.
“Where is my daughter?” Celestine’s mother cried out as soon as the carriage arrived at Holloway Estate, the very second her feet his dirt. “Where is she?”
There was a footman waiting for them and he led them inside. But he did not lead them to Ariadne, as they expected, but to the morning room.
“What? What is this?” Celestine’ mother demanded.
“Her Grace is in labor, my lady,” the footman said nervously. “And His Grace has requested that she not be disturbed until –”
“Do I look as if I care?”
“Mother…” Celestine took her hand and directed a smile at the footman. “Thank you. Please, let me sister know we are here, and if she needs anything…”
“It will be done.” The footman bowed and left the room.
Once again, Celestine wanted a moment alone with Edward. She did not know what she might say. She did not even know if he wanted to be alone with her. But all week, she had been thinking about him, unsure of her feelings, needing answers to questions she was too afraid to ask.
It is likely in my own head. Is that not the point? To make others believe this engagement is real?
Once they were in the room, it was realized that they were not alone. Ariadne’s eight-year-old daughter, Emily, was there already, and she rushed to Celestine and hugged her around the waist.
“Mummy was screaming,” she said with worry. “Is she hurt? They won’t let me see her.”
“Oh, she will be fine.”
“She better be!” Celestine’s mother cried out as she started to pace. “Honestly, never in my life…”
“Mother,” Isolde snapped. “Will you calm down?”
“You are making things worse,” Marigold agreed.
“Worse?” Emily looked fearfully at Celestine. “Will it be worse? Will mummy be…”
“She will be fine.” Celestine pulled Emily to a chair and sat her on her lap as she stroked her back. “Do not let grandma frighten you.”
Celestine scowled at her mother, but it did no good. Her mother paced the room, muttered under her breath, and made it so the tension in the room was heavy and awkward.
“Do you know who you remind me of?” From nowhere, Edward appeared beside Celestine and Emily. He crouched down, his voice was gentle, and he wore a soft smile that he made sure Emily could see. “My niece.”
“Wh -- who?” Emily asked as she sniffed back tears.
“Oh, you don’t know her,” he chuckled. “She is eighteen now, but she was once your age.” He looked at Celestine and winked. She frowned in response, not sure what was going on. “In fact, I remember the day she was born as if it was yesterday. Would you believe that I acted even more crazed than your grandmother is right now?”
