“No,” Celestine said without pause. “He will not.”
It was funny to think that Celestine had once claimed that she knew so little of her soon-to-be husband. That she had used that as an excuse to align her fears and encourage her worry. It was funny because, as she had since come to understand, she knew him better than anyone.
I think I have always known him, even from that first promenade all those weeks ago. It just took me a while to realize.
She had thought then that he was being false, a character he played to trick thetoninto believing their lies. What she had since come to realize was that Edward was more like that version of himself than even he had known at the time. It was who he wanted to be but was afraid to admit to.
Like Celestine, he had been playing a role for so long that he’d forgotten who he truly was. But their most recent conversation, the confessions he had made, revealed that truth, and now she felt as if she knew him intimately.
She could trust him… rather, she wanted to trust him. And that was what mattered.
“There…” Isolde stood back and gushed. “Ready.”
“Me too.” Marigold joined Isolde behind Celestine, both gaping and gawking at their older sister. Their eyes watered, their smiles shone, and Celestine knew that today meant almost as much to them as it did to her.
“How do I look?” she asked shyly as she studied her reflection.
Marigold snorted. “Do you need to ask?”
As a girl, Celestine had often pictured the gown she would wear on her wedding day. Indeed, she had imagined most aspects of the day in question, likening it to the day when her life was finally ready to begin in earnest. For a time there, she had forgotten those dreams, stuffed them away so that she could pretend they had not been real.
That was no longer the case.
Her gown was sunbeam yellow, the type that challenged the sun so that most might mistake her for that which brought a day aslovely as this one. It flowed around her legs, billowing out as she swayed her hips. It cinched her waist, lessening her curves but not hiding them entirely. And where it was also tight around her bosom, its neckline scooped low, revealing perhaps a tad too much skin…but I know that is how Edward will like it.
Indeed, her chest flushed to picture the look on his face when she walked into the church. And then it flushed further when she imagined later in the evening… their wedding night.
It had not been spoken about, but it was without a doubt that which occupied her thoughts the most. And while she was nervous, in order to fight those nerves, all Celestine had to do was remember their kiss, Edward’s fingers, and that feeling which only he seemed capable of coaxing from her.
I wonder if he is as excited as I am? Probably… I hope.
“I’m ready.” Celestine turned to face her mother.
“Thank God,” her mother exhaled. “Come…” She held her hand out. “Let us hurry.”
Celestine was about to take her hand, but she paused as a final thought came to her. “Mother, there is something that I…” She clicked her tongue and looked at her two sisters as well. “These past few years, I know I have not been so easy to deal with. And the rumors I have purposefully encouraged.” She shook her head. “You have all been far too patient with me.”
“I rather liked it,” Isolde said.
Marigold snorted. “Only because it took the attention away from you.”
“The point is,” Celestine spoke over them, making sure to look gratefully at her mother. “I did not make it easy and I am sorry.”
“Oh, Celestine.” Her mother sniffed. “There is no need –”
“There is.” She took her mother’s hand. “And for that reason, I need to thank you now before it is too late. You always did what you believed was right by me, and I am so grateful that you never lost hope.”
Her mother’s chin wobbled and she pulled Celestine into a hug. “You are my daughter, Celestine. At times, I might have wished to kill you with my own two hands…” They both laughed. “But I always knew you would find your way.”
“Does this mean you’re not longer the Mad Hargrave Sister?” Isolde asked with humor.
Marigold laughed. “So, there’s an opening?”
They laughed together. Isolde and Marigold joined Celestine and their mother in the hug. And for a few moments, they remained that way, and Celestine knew that she had never been so happy as she was just then.
Yes, she had been difficult to deal with ever since Lord Edmonton. She had not made things easy for her mother, or even her sisters. And more often than not, she had given up the notion that she might one day find happiness.
But that was of the past, and as mentioned, Celestine was determined to look forward. She wanted this marriage, she wanted Edward, and she wanted to commit fully because if there was even the slightest chance that this would all work out for the best, then she would be a fool not to take it.
