“No.”
Once they pulled into Gretna Green, Charles helped Cathryn down from the coach which was parked in front of the hotel they’d be staying at. The skies were a deep, rich shade of blue with an occasional large, fluffy white cloud floating by.
He guided Cathryn across the street to the hotel. Inside he led her to the registration desk where he and the clerk had a discussion about the rooms and how to get married. Next, he signed a ledger marked “weddings.”
There would be a couple of hours wait, so he escorted Cathryn to the room he’d rented for them to spend the night after they were married. He was sure she might like to change clothes or take a bath before she did that. While they waited, he would also change and clean up. The journey by coach had been a dusty one.
Cathryn sat down at a small table and faced away from her intended. Making use of the basin and water pitcher, Charles cleaned himself before changing clothes. He chose a dark-gray suit with a crisp white shirt and a red cravat.
Once he finished, he walked over to Cathryn. “I’m going to find someone to replace the basin and get some fresh water for me. I shouldn’t be but a few minutes.”
“Very well. While you’re doing that, I’m going to lay out my clothes.”
He grunted and walked out the door. It didn’t take him too long to find someone to do exactly what he needed. In a matter of minutes, everything was the way Charles wanted it. Cathryn had laid out her clothes on the bed and sat in the chair waiting on his return.
“I’ll take a walk while you’re changing,” he said.
“No need. I’m going to need your assistance with something since I don’t have a maid with me.”
“What would that be?” he asked.
“My corset. I will need assistance taking it off and tightening the new one.”
He arched a brow at her words. “Just don’t wear a corset,” he replied.
“My dress won’t look right without one.”
“Very well. Just tell me when you need me. I’ll be over here,” he said, indicating the table with his hand.
“You might as well loosen this one while you’re so close.”
He turned and saw she was no longer in her dress, but in her stockings and underwear. “I’ve never done this before.”
“Really? Well, it’s quite easy. Simply unlace me in the back.”
He found where he needed to start, and quickly she could breathe a sigh of relief. Then he walked over to the table, avoiding any eye contact with her or her state of undress. He sat with his eyes closed for what seemed to be hours. When she did speak, she was quiet.
“I’m ready for you to help me with this new one.”
“I’ve never done this before.” Moments later, she was strapped in, though not as tightly as a maid might pull it.
“Really? You did quite well. If it’d been my maid, she would have had it so tight I would barely be able to breathe.”
He sat down in the chair. “Is there anything else you need me to do? If not, I’ll go downstairs and see what’s going on.”
“No, but don’t think you have to leave. We’ll soon be married.”
“I just thought you might want some privacy.”
“I’m fine.”
He rose and found her by the basin. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes. Will that be enough time for you?”
“I can make it work.”
“Very well. I’ll return then.”
He shut the door behind himself and headed to the stairs. The lobby seemed to be bustling with people. It made himwonder how many couples were here to do the exact same thing as he and Cathryn. He sat down in a dark brown leather chair and began to watch the different people as they went about their business. Couples dressed in their finery strolled blissfully through the lobby and upstairs. The latest couple to be wed in the blacksmith’s shop.
