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Chapter Twenty-One

Wren woke to find Grant dressing; he stood in front of a full-length mirror, his eyes moving to meet hers in the glass.

“Good morning,” he turned and came to the bed, and placed a lingering kiss on her lips.

“I overslept,” Wren said, sitting up and pushing disheveled hair away from her face. “Goodness, I normally braid my hair before sleeping.”

He picked up a strand of hair from her shoulder. “I prefer your hair like this, the aftermath of making love with my beautiful wife.”

Despite herself, Wren couldn’t help the smile that curved her lips. At the same time, her face warmed.

“Take your time. I will be downstairs. Warm water has been brought.” Grant kissed her again and then walked out of the room wearing only his shirt and trousers. She was glad to see they dressed casually while at home, as she wasn’t sure what to wear.

When she walked to the mirror, she stopped at seeing dried blood on the inside of her thighs. She gasped and ran back to the bed. Pulling back the bedding and seeing a red stain, Wren covered her mouth with both hands. What exactly should she expect to do?

Quickly she went about washing up and dressing, ensuring to be protected in case more blood came. It wasn’t time for her courses. Perhaps the excitement had brought blood. Or it could be that marital relations made the woman bleed.

Once she was fully dressed in a blue morning dress with short sleeves and an empire waist, Wren made her way down the stairs and followed the sound of voices to the dining room.

Inside were Grant, Evan, and Felicity. Her sister-in-law stood and came to her, taking her in with her bright eyes. “I was about to come upstairs and see about you. Is everything to your liking?”

“Everything is perfect.” Wren managed a smile and then whispered, “I must speak to you about laundering the sheets.”

Felicity gave her an understanding look. “No need to worry. They will be changed immediately. The staff will see to it.”

“You don’t understand,” Wren said in an urgent whisper. “They are… I, er…blood,” she finally said, sure her face was fire red.

Grant and Even stopped talking and looked at them with curiosity, and Grant’s expression turned to worry.

“We will return shortly,” Felicity said. “We require a moment to talk about something that is only for women’s ears.” She threaded her arm through Wrens. “Come. We will go to the sitting room for a bit.”

Once they entered the smaller room, Felicity turned to her and gestured to the settee. As they sat, she said, “It is normal for the first time.” She then hugged Wren. “I am sure you are shocked. It only happens once. Rest assured.”

“I—I wasn’t sure. Your staff…”

“Both women, Rosalie and Joan, are married and will not be shocked. If anything, it is a statement that you remained pure until you wed. It’s actually a badge of honor, for a bride.” She smiled.

Immediately Wren felt better. “So, I will not bleed each time?”

Felicity laughed and took her hands. “You are asking the same questions I did. I raced to my family home and asked Mother all these things.”

“Thank you,” Wren said, meaning it. If her mother had been alive, she would have done the same, but now, she realized she’d not only gained a husband, but a new sister and she was grateful for it.

When they returned to the dining room, Grant stood and held a chair out for her. He kissed her temple. “Is everything well?”

“Yes,” Wren beamed up at him. “Everything is perfect.”

Evan nodded in greeting. “We were discussing where you are to live. Grant wishes to rent a townhome. Felicity and I insist you remain here for a few months until you’ve had time to adjust, and then together you can decide where to live.”

Such a decision was impossible. Wren hadn’t considered where they’d live. She’d assumed they would remain there since it was where Grant lived. The home was enormous, and it wasn’t as if they’d be in each other’s way.

“I will leave the decision up to Wren,” Grant said and looked at her. “Upstairs on my side of the house, there is my bedchamber, and a water closet, as well as a sitting room and another room that I use as a place to write.”

Felicity met her brother’s gaze. “It can easily be changed into a sitting room for you and Wren to host company.”

“What about my aunt?” Wren asked.

Evan replied, “She can have one of the bedchambers downstairs, or there are two on the second floor. Although the one down here has an adjoining room that she can furnish or decorate as she sees fit. And as she gets older, perhaps she’d appreciate rooms on the lower level so she can easily come and go as she pleases.”