“Well…” He panted. “I suppose that answers that question.”
In response to that most apt statement? All Celestine could do was laugh. She laughed and she laughed and she did not stop. To be honest, considering everything, it felt rather appropriate.
“There is something I have been meaning to speak to you about,” Edward said as he stared at the ceiling. His voice was distant, the sense that he had been in his own head for a while.
“Oh?” Celestine lay with her head on his chest. His shirt was off, and she took great pleasure in curling her fingers through the thick hair that covered it.
“Well, in truth, I haven’t thought about much else but…” He laughed. “I am sure that you can guess.”
She laughed too. “I had no idea you were so eager. I assumed you just wanted to marry me for my good company.”
“Well, that too,” he chuckled along. She felt his breathing through his chest, soft and melodic. “But a thought occurred to me just now and we ought to discuss it.”
Celestine hesitated. While what they had just done was better than she imagined, what came after was something that had worried her greatly. In truth, she’d had little time to truly consider it, her concern saved entirely for their wedding night.
But there was a clear sense of worry in Edward’s voice, and whatever he wanted to talk about wasn’t an easy thing.
“Wh – what is it?” she asked, pushing herself up so that she could look at him.
Thankfully, he smiled, and it did much to ease her. “I know that traditionally, a honeymoon would be expected between us. And after tonight, I do want one.” He chuckled. “More than you can know.”
“All right…”
“However.” His expression turned serious. “As you also know, my chief concern this Season is Millicent. Her future is what matters to me more than anything, and I cannot just leave her here alone while you and I…” He looked away with guilt. “I need to stay for the remainder of the Season, Celestine. I am sorry.”
Celestine frowned at Edward, and then she laughed.
“What?” he asked. “What is so funny?”
She shook her head and lay her head back down. “You seem to think that I do not know you at all, Edward. Silly, really, as that is the main reason that I married you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I too want Millicent’s first Season to be special, just as I know how important it is. And if that means delaying our honeymoon until after the Season, so be it.”
“Really?” he did not sound as if he believed her.
She leaned forward and kissed him. “Of course. In fact, I want to help Millicent. She is my family now, and her future is my future. There is no need to act so worried.”
“Celestine… I…”
“I know,” she said as she started to curl her fingers through his hairy chest. “I know.”
Their marriage was not traditional, and always there had been that worry of what might happen after their first night. But with this new objective found, it gave Celestine something to lookforward to, something to do, and something to distract herself with.
It was, in many ways, a perfectly expected and traditional request. So much so that she could not help but wonder if this marriage might just work out after all.
Chapter Nineteen
“You’re leaving, Your Grace?” Mr. Mortimer walked into the office and paused when he saw Edward hurriedly collecting his things.
Edward looked up. “Ah, Mr. Mortimer, I was just about to come and find you. This will save me the time.” He did a quick look over his desk, made sure he had everything, and strode across the office. “As you so astutely noticed just now, I am heading home.”
Mr. Mortimer blinked in surprise. “We are not even open yet, Your Grace. Not for another hour.”
“I am aware.”
“Forgive me…” He clicked his tongue. “I would have thought that with all the rumors lately, you might have wanted to…” He clicked his tongue again. “I am surprised to see you going, is all. It is not like you.”
