With Theo's assistance, Mari climbed to the top step of the carriage, then turned her back and tossed her bouquet to the guests. A very shocked Nurse Lister was the lucky and unintended recipient.
Moments later they were inside the carriage, completely alone. Mari waved to her friends as they pulled away from Talcott House.
"Are you sad to be leaving?" Theo asked, his voice the same soft, caring tone as when she first encountered him in the garden.
She turned away from the window and faced her husband. He narrowed his gaze and said, "The truth, Marigold. Even if you think it will hurt my feelings."
How had he known what she was thinking?
"I will miss my friends," she said, truthfully. "But," she blushed and stared at her feet, "I am looking forward to being your wife very much."
He leaned across the carriage and took her hands in his, squeezing until she looked up at him, staring into his blue eyes. "I am looking forward to that as well."
He moved to sit next to her and drew her to him, his hands cupping the sides of her face as he tipped her head back and lowered his mouth to capture her lips in their first real kiss. His lips were warm and coaxing as they moved over hers and Mari found herself melting into him as his arms pulled her close. The kiss continued and somehow she found herself seated on his lap as he looked down at her with eyes filled with affection and the promise of so much more.
Chapter Six
"Stop, stop," Mari pleaded. "It is too much." She stomped her foot and stopped dead in her tracks on the second floor of Willowmere Estate.
When she realized what she'd said, Mari gasped and covered her mouth with both hands. "Oh, my sincere apologies, Your Grace," she said against her fingers.
Eyes wide, she stared up at Theo. Clearly his little girl was in distress.
They were in the midst of a tour of the estate and seeing the near-panic in his bride's face, Theo felt like a twit. To him, this was all normal. Almost commonplace. But to his new bride, who had already expressed her concerns at taking on the role of duchess, it had to be overwhelming.
However, that did not excuse a tantrum.
Taking her firmly by the arm, he led his new bride down the hall and into a large bedchamber he'd designed just for her. This was not how he'd intended to share this special space with Marigold for the first time, but it seemed it was necessary.
Closing the door behind him, he knelt down in front of Mari and took both her hands in his. Silently, she gaped around the room, her eyes wide with astonishment. "Oh, Papa," shewhispered, and his heart soared to hear her say it. "It is beautiful."
"I am glad you like it, little girl," he said, squeezing her hands to get her attention. "It is meant to be a special place for us to spend time together as Papa and Little Mari."
"It is wonderful," she said. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome," he replied. "But this room is also for when you misbehave."
Her face fell. "Misbehave?" she asked.
"Yes. For example, stomping your foot at Papa."
Her pink lips, which he had so enjoyed kissing in the carriage, fell open. "I am sorry. Truly I am. But it was all so much. The staff and the gardens and the big house. And we've only gotten to a small part of it."
"Yes," Theo said. "I ought to have realized it might be overwhelming for you. What I take for granted is probably much more daunting to you. And while I take responsibility for my part, that does not give you the right to stomp your foot.”
There was a long pause. "A-are you going to p-punish me?" she asked.
It took all of Theo's resolve not to gather his anxious little bride into his arms and soothe away her worries, but he knew he had to begin as he meant to continue and so correction would come first.
"I believe a few minutes of corner time will help you to settle down and clear your head. There will be punishment and then I will give you a tour of your room."
"Really?" She smiled up at him and he was sorely tempted to ignore her punishment.
Before he changed his mind, Theo led his bride to a corner of the room and stood her where he wanted her. "You will remain here without talking or moving until I come to get you. Do you understand?"
"Yes," she said, forlornly. "I am sorry. I have ruined our wedding day."
Putting a finger beneath her chin, he raised her gaze to his. "Nothing could be further from the truth. We are just getting started. Now, be a good girl and stand in the corner. I promise there will be a nice surprise for you when you are finished. If you do as you are told."
