Regardless of what he had said, Adelaide knew that such an action was not performative. If it were, he would have kissed her, too. His touch was possessive, protective, and unmistakably intimate, the very opposite of what he had told her to expect.
She caught Cecilia’s eye, and her friend gave her a look of triumph.
Perhaps Cassian had decided to change, just as she had. Perhaps he would become an entirely different man, now that he was married. She needed it to be the case, for the hope that had bloomed in her heart threatened to abandon her.
Regardless of the size of their wedding party, they had a wedding breakfast. It was grander than the ceremony itself, decorated with roses and with musicians playing in the corner of the room.
At last, it felt as though Adelaide was celebrating, and it only made her more secure.
“I told you!” Cecilia grinned a short while after their arrival.
“I do not believe that is what happened.” Adelaide chuckled. “If I recall correctly, you claimed that he is a dreadful man who will never love me.”
“I did, yes, but I also said that he could change my mind, and it seems that he has. That touch had to mean something, Adelaide. It had to.”
Adelaide dared to hope, dared to believe that there was something more to it. But when she looked at her husband, she knew that something was wrong. He would not meet her eyes, and he sat to eat without asking her to join him.
“Nerves,” Cecilia explained. “Do not let it distract you. This is what you wanted, and it is yours. Be happy with it.”
Adelaide made her way to the table and took her seat. She waited for Cassian to say something, but he remained silent.
“That was a nice ceremony,” she tried.
“No, it was not. It was plain.”
“I shall have you know that I liked that. It was about us, rather than how much money you spent.”
“If that is what you think.”
Adelaide raised an eyebrow, confused as to what had so suddenly changed. She had not imagined what had taken place, for Cecilia had also witnessed it, but nothing else made sense. His actions indicated that he truly wanted her, while his words indicated otherwise.
“I do like what has been prepared here,” she tried again. “So, if it is anything to you, I suppose you are right. I do enjoy the decorations.”
“You have the housekeeper to thank for that. This was her idea. I wanted no part in it.”
“But—”
“Adelaide, I have already told you what I want from all of this. Do not try to change my mind.”
That was not what she was trying to do.
Anger rose in her chest.Hehad made her believe that he had changed his mind, even with such small gestures. She had not forced him to do that.
“Very well,” she said through gritted teeth. “I will not.”
At that moment, her mother raised her glass, her smile wide.
“I would like to congratulate the happy couple,” she began. “I have always dreamed that my daughter would find the love I shared with her father. She may have gotten here through unconventional means, but I cannot claim to be any less proud of her.”
Adelaide looked at her husband out of the corner of her eye. It was strange for her mother to tell such a story, because there was nobody there to convince. It was evident that there was no love between them, and there never would be, but she did not seem to care about that at all.
“And, Your Grace,” her mother continued, “I want to thank you. I have always wanted a son, though I have been fulfilled by my dear daughter. When I lost my husband, I prayed that someone would save my family, and you have done just that. I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me. You will be there to protect my daughter, and I cannot put a price on that.”
Even Adelaide had to acknowledge the irony of calling his efforts priceless, when he had not even received her dowry.
“Mama, thank you. You may sit now.”
“But I am not finished! I also wanted to say that I am pleased that you have the protection of a man now, for that is the duty of a husband.”
