Page 99 of Once Bitten, Twice Mine

“What a lovely omen to see on your wedding day,” she said with a demure smile. She didn’t particularly wish to be discussing beetles, but at least they weren’t a bad omen. The positivity was a welcome change from the other conversations she had that day.

Edgar’s eyes darted over the room. Another side effect of his new nerves. She hoped it would go away for his sake, more than it being a burden of any kind. If anything, his anxiety made her more sympathetic towards him. Lord knew she was riddled with anxiety these past few weeks.

“How much longer do you think it will be before we can slip away?” He asked, his hand tightening on her waist.

“I expect soon,” she said with a tight smile. “We’ve greeted our guests, dined, and danced. The party doesn’t really need us anymore. I can see if my mother can aid us in sneaking off.”

“Please do. I would like to have some alone time with my wife.”

The music stopped, and he kissed her palm. Her stomach flipped, but not in the fun way. If she had to name the source of her anxiety, she supposed this was it. Her time of reckoning.

Consummating their marriage. They weren’t yet technically wed if it wasn’t consummated. There was no use stopping now.

She moved through the reception half-heartedly looking for her mother. The transition was her only concern. She wanted to make sure no one tried to search for them because she didn’t need her mortification amplified. Eventually, someone would notice they were gone. If they were smart, they would know what they were doing. No, she wanted to make sure no one looked for her at all.

“Caro!”

She turned to see Diya flounce towards her with a half-empty champagne flute. It was clear she was in her cups, and she was jealous that her best friend could let go right now. If it wasn’t her wedding, she could be getting drunk off champagne with her, but Caroline had only had a few sips because she wanted to stay alert.

“Have you seen my mother?”

“Not for ages. The last time I saw her, she was dancing with your father. She was talking to my mother for a bit too, but that was even earlier. Who knows where either one is. Why do you need her?”

“Edgar and I were going to retire for the evening, and I wanted to let her know in case anyone wanted to look for us.”

“Oh, of course you can’t wait. I would tut at you for being so eager if you hadn’t waited so long already. I only hope you both know what you’re doing,” she said with an exaggerated wink.

Caroline frowned. “Do you know?”

“No,” Diya sighed wistfully. “However, I have read many, many books and can give you any pointers you need.”

“Thank you, but my mother has already done so.”

The day before had been a particularly humiliating conversation about her “marital responsibilities” that made her want to melt into a puddle. She wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with many of the principles, but the man’s role in it was new, and her mother’s descriptions were ghastly.

She would find out for herself soon enough.

A hand settled on her waist and she tensed because only one person had ever touched her with such propriety.

“Should we get out of here now, my sweet?”

She deflated when she heard Edgar’s voice against the shell of her ear. She turned to face him and gave him a small smile. “Of course.” It was unnerving to see him so close. Part of her wanted to take a step back, but she needed to get used to his proximity.

Edgar led her through the room, and no one stopped them. She wasn’t sure if it was because they knew what they were about to do, or if her nerves had her overthinking everything. He led her to the staircase, but from there she subtly took over since Edgar had never been upstairs.

“Is it silly that I am eager to see your bedroom? I have always wondered what it looks like. Bedrooms are deeply personal, and I wish to know you better.”

“I haven’t thought of it like that, but I guess it is rather personal. Very few people have ever seen my bedroom. I’ve kept the same rooms my whole life, but I have redecorated them several times.”

Diya—of course—had been there many times. She may have been the only person to see every iteration of her room, having slept in there many times over the years. Various cousins had been in there over the years, but even her parents seldom entered.

Valeria had been the last one to see her bedroom.

Caroline stopped before her door, turning to Edgar to point him across the hall. “Your rooms will be there. We can start looking for ideas for decorating tomorrow. There’s furniture and linens, but it’s been seldom used over the years.”

“I’ll let you decorate it, my sweet. I trust your taste in such matters. Besides, I want my rooms to be a place where you’re comfortable as well.”

“That’s quite considerate of you.”