Emily giggled. “No, you didn’t.”
“I did,” he said as if he was serious. “I paced and I screamed and I even broke a chair.”
“A chair? Why?” she gasped.
He grimaced. “Because I was scared, Emily.” His voice was soft and he reached out and took her hand. “Little did I know, there was no need for me to act that way. And certainly, there is no need for your grandmother to act as she is.” He looked at Celestine’s mother and shook his head.
Emily giggled again.
“The point is, what is happening to your mother right now is as natural as breathing. Soon, she will be fine, and soon you will have a little brother or sister. Would you like that?”
“Yes,” she said, the fear gone, excitement taking over.
“Do you think you will make a good older sister?”
“I will.” She grew determined. “The best.”
“I believe it,” he chuckled as he squeezed her hand. “Now, let us not worry so much. And let us ignore your crazed grandmother.”
It was hard to believe what she was seeing. Just when Celestine thought she understood Edward, he revealed another layer to himself that left her breathless.
He had effortlessly brought calm to the room. He had easily distracted Emily from Celestine’s mother and the situation both. And what was more, he had done so not because he was trying to play a role or trick anyone. He did it because he wanted to, and because he cared.
The next hour passed slowly, but not with so much tension. Emily took to Edward immediately, and soon she sat on his lap. Celestine was across the room, she watched as her niece giggled at something he said, and she found all her doubt and confusion from earlier fading like mist in sunlight.
“He is a good one,” Marigold said to her quietly.
“What?”
“The Duke,” she said. “Who would have guessed you’d be so lucky.”
Lucky…is that what I am?It felt as if she was, but such feelings were crushed by the reality of what would happen when this engagement ended. And while earlier, Celestine was convinced it was for the best, now she could not bring herself to believe such lies.
Nor did she want to believe them.
When it was announced the Ariadne had given birth, Celestine’s mother rushed from the room without being told that she could. Marigold followed, and Isolde took Emily’s hand and led her away. That left Celestine and Edward alone for the first time.
Celestine stood awkwardly in the room. Suddenly, she found it hard to breathe, and try as she might, she could not bring herself to look at Edward directly.
“Well, this was an expected turn of events,” he chuckled.
“It was,” she said softly. “And… and thank you, Edward. You did not have to come, nor did you have to…” She forced herself to look at him, and her chest tightened because the expression that he wore was one that might have suggested that she was the center of the world.
“I am glad that I did,” he said simply. “And do not fear either. I will not out stay my welcome.”
“You’re going?” she asked, the disappointment obvious on her face.
“You ought to be with your family.” He approached her, and her heart raced with each step. “But do not think you will be getting rid of me that easily.”
“What do you mean?”
He reached where she stood, a foot between them. She forced herself to look up and meet his eyes, and she knew they were filled with hope… the chance that she would see him again. And that he wanted to see her.
“The opera, remember?” he said. “Tomorrow night. I assume we are still going?”
“Oh. Yes, I… if you want to?”
“Should I not?”
