The kiss spread from their lips through their bodies and wrapped around them so the world faded. Their mouths parted. Their tongues danced. A soft moan escaped from Celestine as she melted. As much as he needed that kiss to confirm his own feelings, she needed it too.
When he parted, he saw the smile on her face, as he saw the flush ripple across her body.
“That… that was not an answer,” she said, her breathing heavy.
“Wasn’t it?” he said with a raised eyebrow. “I do not know what to expect from this marriage, Celestine, but I am excited to find out. And from that look in your eyes, I sense you are of the same mind.”
“Look?” She pretended to look away. “What look?”
“One that tells me you are thinking about my fingers right now and what they might do to you.”
Her eyes widened. “Edward! That is not…” She glanced around the garden to make sure they were alone.
“You can trust me, Celestine,” he said. “I do not know what I want, but trust that I will never lie to you about it.”
“I think that I believe you,” she said, biting into her lip.
He chuckled. “For now, that will have to do. Now…” He let go of her left hand but held onto her right. “Might we finish this walk? Soon, your mother is going to come looking for us, and I would hate for her to see me taking advantage of you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Maybe that will be a good thing? Then, she might insist on ending this marriage herself.”
“Come now,” he laughed. “I know that is the last thing you want. No more lies, remember.”
She laughed as she fell in beside him and together they resumed their walk through the garden.
It had been a strange conversation, and Edward reflected on it quietly as they walked. Not what he expected, but also necessary. As confused as Celestine was, Edward was much the same, and he knew too that such confusions were sure to continue.
But if they remained truthful to one another, then they might overcome their confusion together. Besides, as difficult as married life was sure to be, that kiss alone confirmed that itwould be worth it. What was more, it confirmed that next time, a mere kiss would certainly not be enough to satisfy.
Chapter Seventeen
The day of the wedding arrived, and it could not have been more different to those first few days after the announcement of the engagement. There was still chaos. There was still disbelief. There was still a sense that this was not real, or if it was, that something was sure to go wrong, pulling Celestine back into reality with a harsh reminder that when things felt too good to be true, that they were.
However, what had changed, and what Celestine hung onto, was the excitement that was felt for this day, and those that would follow.
I am doing this, and nothing will change that. So, best to commit and hope for the best, to will it into reality…
Her conversation with Edward that day in the garden had completely shifted her perception of him, as well as her perception of herself. They were both new to this, both learning as they went, but if they remained honest with one another andtruly committed themselves, then why should such a day as this one not be celebrated? And why should she not look forward to married life? She had, after all, wanted it for herself for as long as she could remember.
And then there was that kiss…
It was two weeks ago now, but that kiss was still felt on Celestine’s lips. Edward’s taste. His heavy breathing. The soft moans that escaped his lips as he devoured her. And that wasn’t to mention how her body had reacted.
Their marriage was not a love match. Perhaps it never would be. But if that kiss was any indication, there was plenty to look forward to in from their marriage. And a little more than that…
So, Celestine pushed down her doubt. She ignored the voice of warning in the recesses of her mind. She refused to look back, focusing on what was to come, while accepting that it was not such a bad thing to feel excitement on the day of one’s wedding. In fact, it was encouraged.
“You’re not ready yet?” Celestine’s mother cried out as she swept into Celestine’s room. She was a whirlwind of destruction, as she had been all week. “The carriage is here, Celestine! We need to leave!”
“Mother, will you calm down,” Marigold sighed. She stood just behind Celestine as she finished adjusting her hair.
“It is not as if they will start without her,” Isolde added. She stood on the other side of Celestine, and her attention was on the gown, ensuring that it sat perfectly.
“It is a bad omen to be late,” their mother insisted. “Chances cannot be taken.”
“It is fine, Mother.” Celestine stood before the mirror but she turned back and smiled warmly at her. “Edward will not care about such things.”
“He might!”
