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Ellen hung her head. “So what do I do? I did not want this marriage, Golda. No one seems to understand what I am going through,” she lamented.
“Well, you are here now. May I suggest you put your preconceived notions about Lord Simon aside? It will be much easier to forge your way forward.”
Ellen nodded, her lower lip quivering slightly. Golda’s tone softened, and she gave a short laugh. “Oh, Ellen, it is not as bad as all that. I know you are nervous about the future, but I think you will come to find that Simon is a very caring and loving individual. Give him a chance to show you.”
Golda turned as the musicians began tuning their instruments. She took Ellen’s hand and started to lead her out of the library. “I do believe the dancing is about to commence. We should return so you and Simon can open the dance floor.”
Ellen nodded and allowed herself to be towed back to the great hall. Golda was right, for when they entered the hall, Ellen could see Simon scanning the crowd of guests for her. When he spotted her, he started toward them, flashing a tentative smile. He bowed to Golda and then turned to her. “Well, wife? Would you dance with me?” he asked, holding out his hand.
Her heart nearly jumped into her throat, but thankfully she managed to nod and take his hand. They must keep up appearances of the happy couple, of course. He led her to the middle of the hall, which had been cleared to make way for the dancing.
He wrapped his arm around her waist, and they began to twirl around the room to the waltz. He said nothing to her as they danced, and she felt a pinprick of guilt. He had been aloof all afternoon, and it was her fault.
She searched for something to say, feeling it was the right thing to do. “I hope your friends have been enjoying themselves,” she said.
He looked down at her as if surprised she had spoken to him. She gulped, wondering if he would refuse to talk to her for a moment. His face softened. “Yes, they are. Thank you,” he replied.
“I-I should like to meet them after the dance,” she offered. Ellen licked her lips, thinking back on what Golda had said. What things would her marriage reveal about her? Certainly, she had been selfish over the last few months, thinking only of her own happiness.
On the other hand, Simon had been nothing if not a gentleman. Deep down, she knew she did not want to be miserable for the rest of her life. But she was unsure how to let her guard down and trust Simon after the years of tricks and annoyances he had wrought on her.
“I should be happy to introduce you. You know Lord Carlisle already. But Lady Genevieve is very agreeable,” he explained.
Ellen nodded, not knowing what else to say. They finished the dance in relative silence, and afterwards, he took her over to meet Lady Genevieve. The woman was polite but offered little by way of conversation.
The rest of the evening passed with a bit more congeniality between her and her husband, and she even found herself relaxing and enjoying herself a bit. That is, until the guests began to depart, and Lord Grant announced that it was high time they sent the couple off to bed.
Ellen’s heart began to race, and her stomach turned with nausea. She glanced at Simon, and he started saying goodnight to his family and friends. She did the same but barely heard their congratulations. She felt like she was walking through a dream as her mother kissed her on the cheek, hugged her, and bade her good luck. All too soon, Simon took her hand, and they started up the grand staircase together.
Chapter 10
Simon’s mouth went dry as soon as his father announced they should send the couple off to bed. He cleared his throat, glancing at Everett. His friend clapped him on the back. “Good luck, my friend,” he whispered, giving him an encouraging wink.
Simon laughed at this. “From your lips to God’s ears,” he whispered back.
Lady Genevieve stepped forward, looking as pale as he had ever seen her. She extended her hand, and he shook it warmly. “Goodnight, Lord Simon,” she said haltingly. She looked up at him, and her mouth quivered ever so slightly. He squeezed her hand gently.
“Goodnight, Lady Genevieve. Thank you for coming,” he said, and he meant it. She could be difficult at times, but he felt she genuinely cared for him as a friend. She nodded, and Everett offered her his arm. They walked out of the hall toward the foyer and were soon gone.
Simon then turned to his parents, seeing that Ellen was saying her goodbyes to her family. He had been dreading this part of the day since it had begun. But there was no escaping it now. He dreaded the awkwardness that would be prevalent between him and his new wife.
“Goodnight, Mama,” he said, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek.
She patted his arm as he leaned away. “Congratulations, my boy. I cannot tell you how proud your father and I are of you. You have done the whole Grant family proud today.”
Simon gave a short laugh. “I am not sure how I did such a thing, but I thank you.” All he had done was mumble some words after the reverend, but he did not feel married at all. Perhaps he never would, especially if Ellen continued in her coldness.
His father was next in line to wish him well, and he shook his hand firmly. “Goodnight, Simon. Your mother is right. You have made us all proud.”
Simon was not sure how much more pride he could handle. He cut his goodbyes short and waited for Ellen at the bottom of the stairs. He offered her his arm as she approached, and she took it. He felt her tremor as they walked up the steps and again hardened his heart against her.
Once at the top of the stairs, he led her down the corridor toward his room. The room that they would now share. He would be lying if he did not admit that he was a little anxious about the arrangement. However, like everything else in his life, he would have to make the best of it.
He opened the door for her, and she walked in. However, she did not move away from the door, sticking close to the shadows. He sighed heavily and walked into the room. A bright fire was burning in the hearth, and a bottle of iced champagne and two glasses were waiting on one of the tables at the end of the settee.
He picked up the bottle and saw that it was one of his father’s rarest bottles from the cellar. As a wine connoisseur, Simon could appreciate the lengths his father had gone to with the gift, and he was touched even though he doubted Ellen would share it with him. Indeed, when he turned around, she had still not moved from her spot near the door.
“You need not fear, Ellen. I have no intention of harming you,” he said softly. Her mistrust of him stung. What lengths would he have to go to prove himself? She still saw him as the mischievous boy instead of the responsible man he had grown into.
