Charles looked at the large clock mounted on a wall and decided he’d been here long enough and would go check on his bride. He knew she was going to be beautiful in spite of how hurriedly they’d left Kent.
When he opened the door to their room, he found her sitting on the side of the bed waiting for him. She wore a stunning lavender dress with dark purple piping. She was beautiful beyond words. Her hair was worn down, flowing past her shoulders. Charles had never seen her with her hair down. She would have to do it more often.
“For a moment I thought I’d entered the wrong room,” he said. “You are breathtaking.”
She smiled. “For a second, I was afraid you had a change of mind. That you fled, leaving me behind.”
“I would never do that,” he replied.
Standing up, she walked toward him. “Shall we go and marry?”
His breath hitched as he simply nodded his reply. Words would not convey what he was feeling at that exact moment. Whatever it was, he hoped it never ended.
As they walked outside in the crisp air, he felt her once again tuck her hand in the crook of his arm. He didn’t look down at her; instead, he patted the top of her gloved hand as they walked across the street. The smithy’s shop was neat, causing him to wonder how he got any other work done aside from marrying couples.
What happened next was a blur of emotions. In one second, he found himself questioning everything. From the recent changes in his life, to standing here in front of a few select people. Instead, he repeated his vows in a clear, steady voice. It was after that he vaguely heard the man pronounce them husband and wife. He leaned down and kissed her on the lips, for perhaps too long.
As they walked back across the street, Charles once again wondered how much his bride knew of consummating the marriage. It would have been a discussion her mother would have had with her. Women were fickle creatures. Most didn’t know anything but the fundamentals, or at least that’s what he understood. He would be gentle and together they’d discuss this.
Upon returning to their room, he gathered her in his arms and kissed her greedily. It dawned on him that this may be something either of them had never experienced. He certainly hadn’t, but it seemed the proper thing to do. When they broke the kiss, he saw she was flushed. On the table was a bottle of champagne and two glasses beckoning them. He’d made sure it would be in place for when they returned. Besides toasting their marriage, it would help take the edge off and relax them.
“Come, sit down while I pour us a glass of champagne.”
“Of course.”
Moments later, he passed her a flute and joined her in a simple toast. After finishing the glass of champagne, he said, “I certainly don’t feel any different.” He placed the empty glass on the table.
“What do you mean?” she said.
“I don’t feel any different now that we’re married.”
She smirked. “You really didn’t think getting married would change you, did you?”
“I suppose not, but it got you to smile.”
“It did.”
“There is something I’d like to discuss with you now.”
“What’s that?”
“What would you say to us holding off consummating our marriage until we arrive in York?”
She smiled shyly. “I would be forever grateful to you if we did that. I’d rather save it for somewhere we can truly be alone.”
“Good, I’m glad you concur for the same reasons I have.”
She bent over and removed each of her shoes and climbed up on the bed. Patting the bed, she beckoned him to join her. He obliged her by removing his shoes and jacket and joining her. Then she asked him a curious question.
“Will you allow me to continue with my music?”
“Of course. You don’t even need to ask such a question. Yes, you may. Your talent is extraordinary, and I would never expect you to give anything up. Especially your music. I know how much it means to you.”
“Thank you.”
He would move mountains for her, and he’d never had those feelings about anyone. They seemed to be able to talk to each other about anything. Not even the fears he harbored since childhood phased her. She was quite remarkable.
“What would you think about living in London?” Charles asked.
