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They all watched Edwards stand up. She stared at Petal, and opened her mouth to speak, but chose not to say anything. Instead, she stalked out of the room without saying a word.
“What an odious creature,” Mrs Kempton murmured once she had gone. “Well, I think a nice cup of tea is in order. Aggy? Come and help me.”
Petal closed her eyes and willed herself to remain calm. She was still undecided whether anything had happened between her husband and the nurse, and it was doubt that unnerved her more than the nurse. Edwards had just seemed so adamant that they had been intimate.
She set her doubts to one side to consider later when her father stepped forward.
“Well, if this is what Petal wants then it is fine with me. I just hope you know what you are letting yourself in for,” he declared teasingly as he shook Aidan’s hand.
“Father,” Petal chided ruefully. She shook her head and walked into her father’s open arms. “You are incorrigible.”
“Well, that is something your husband needs to keep in mind. It will stand him in good stead for the future if he remembers that runs in the family,” he teased and kissed her forehead before he released her. “Well, I must be off. I have a farm to run. Come and see me when you can, Petal. I have a few things of your mothers she wanted me to give you when you married.”
He nodded politely at the dowager, but made no attempt to speak to the woman. Not only did the look on her face warn against it, but he had nothing to say to the woman. As far as he was concerned, he had seen enough to know that Aidan’s husband adored his new wife, and that was alright in his book. The old bat on the chair could think what she liked. Having seen for himself how effectively Petal had dealt with the other woman, he suspected she was capable of holding her own amongst them.
Petal nodded and walked with him into the hallway. Once there, though, he turned toward the back of the house rather than the front.
“You need to start to come in through the front door,” Aidan assured him from the doorway. “You are family now.”
“Aye, but my horse is around the back,” the farmer replied with an unrepentant grin. “Besides, Mrs Kempton has made a lovely apple cake. I am hoping she will take pity on me and let me take a slice home for my tea.”
Aidan grinned at him. “She didn’t tell me about that. Ask her to send some to us, will you? Apple cake is my favourite.”
Jerry smothered his laughter. He also felt that it was the time to take his leave and allow the married couple to adjust to their new arrangement. He glanced at his mother, who was staring blankly at a spot on the carpet, deep in thought.
“Mother?” he prompted when she didn’t appear to notice him next to her.
She jumped in alarm and looked up at him blankly.
“I will escort you and Edwards home. I think Aidan needs to rest now. Let’s go.”
When she didn’t immediately move, he grasped her elbow and guided her reluctant form toward the door. Thankfully, she remained silent as she left but, at the doorway, she paused to look back. Everyone waited with bated breath to hear what she had to say. Rather than speak, she quietly left the house.
Aidan looked cautiously at Jerry, who shrugged and followed her.
“Do you think she is angry?” Petal asked once the door was shut.
“I have no idea but, do you know something? I don?
??t really care,” Aidan declared firmly. “Not after all the scheming she has done. I am sure that once the shock has worn off she will be back. Until then, there is something we need to do.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him what happened next. Were they to sit at home and wait for the Dowager to re-appear? It was all a little odd. Petal wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do. A part of her felt as though she should be going to the scullery to help Aggy fold some sheets or something, but that wasn’t her world anymore. Her world belonged beside Aidan.
“I didn’t touch her, Petal,” Aidan warned. Now that they were alone they could discuss what was really troubling them.
Petal looked at him in a silent plea. “I just don’t know what to think.”
“She was fully dressed, darling. I was in my night-rail. How could you think I could do that to you after what we shared? How could you think it meant so little to me?” He tugged her unprotestingly into his arms. “We made love three times, Petal, you and me; three times. Believe me, when I tell you that it takes time for a man to recover. In my physical state, it takes me longer because I still haven’t regained my full strength. I couldn’t possibly have been able to show her the same attention that I showed you. My body is just not capable of it. I couldn’t possibly have touched her. Not only because I seriously don’t like the woman, but there are no drugs available that would make that creature appealing to me. Besides, after what you and I shared, you have completely ruined me for any other woman. I am afraid that is partly why I had to secure you as my wife. Nobody else will do I am afraid. It has to be you, and only you.”
She blushed prettily but inwardly heaved a huge sigh of relief.
“I am sorry for not believing you,” she whispered.
“Just trust me, that’s all I ask,” he pleaded, and kissed the back of her hand when she nodded and smiled at him.
She did trust him; she had to. Aidan was her husband now.
“You will get used to it in time,” Aidan assured his new bride.
