“You wicked thing!” Jasmine’s voice screeches as her ladder teeters on its legs. I rush to hold her steady.
“I blame you for this you know.” I say jokingly. “Whatever scent you sold me last time sent him overboard.”
Jasmine manages to make her way down the ladder without falling in her excitement. Before I know it, her arms are thrown about my neck in a fierce hold. “You deserve this my little bird queen.” I laugh at her quirky behavior, returning the hug. “And I will take the credit for this union, thank you.”
We break our hold and she leads me over to the counter where she busily tidies the display. “So, don’t tell me you’re out of that scent already.”
“No. No. I wanted to invite you to a party. We’re having a celebration in two weeks announcing our engagement to Barrett’s colleagues. I would be thrilled if you would be able to join us.”
She smiles wide, her white teeth almost blinding with how they sparkle. “I wouldn’t miss it. But since you’re here, why don’t you and Alfred come in the back and help me take care of a rowdy patron with me? He was planning on killing his boss to inherit his position.”
“What do you think, Alfred?” I ask, to which Alfred swoops down from his perched position landing on my shoulder puffing out his chest and flutters his feathers. “I think that’s a yes. Lead the way, Jasmine.”
* * *
Alfred chirps happily from above,his squawks always loudest when he’s been fed. “Don’t tell the others, or they’ll be jealous.” I scold, knowing the flock won’t be thrilled to have been left out of today’s feed.
A part of me had worried that with the breaking of the curse, that my birds would go with it. But thankfully, they’re loyal creatures. Alfred swoops down, dropping a shiny letter clip in my hand. It’s always so precious when the birds bring me trinkets they find as a way to show their gratitude. “Alfred, that’s quite enough. I appreciate your enthusiasm, though. Now go enjoy the day.”
The weather is indeed one to be relished. The skies have parted for once, sun shining, and the air isn’t as heavy with smoke. Though a chill still lingers in the air, I tilt my head back as I walk, taking in the rays of light on my skin. People smile as they walk past, nodding their hats in my direction. London is bustling with happiness, making the streets more crowded than usual. I don’t mind though. The energy is uplifting, as if we’re all experiencing the same lift in our moods. Funny how people can be so connected and yet never come to know each other. Just strangers passing on a cloudless day.
Rounding the corner, home comes into view, the lane dotted in the familiar cherry trees that I’ve come to love.
Home.
The thought of calling Barrett’s manor my home still hasn’t begun to feel real. Though a massive diamond now sits snuggly on my finger, the idea of being a wife feels like I’m living a dream that I hope to never wake up from.
Children’s laughter flitters past carried on the wind and the sound lifts my already soaring spirits. Walking up the steps, I’m taken back to the first time I arrived at this house, never imagining that it would one day become my home. As I open the door, a shiver runs up my spine, almost feeling like a warning. I shake it off. Probably just the wind.
“Ah, there you are my love.” Barrett wraps his arms around my waist, tucking his nose against my neck and breathing deeply. I melt against him, returning the embrace fully, dropping my umbrella and bag on the floor without a care.
He moves to take my face between his hands, staring adoringly down at me before kissing me on the mouth.
This.This is what happiness is.
My lashes flutter closed as I reciprocate his enthusiastic greeting, letting the taste of him linger on my lips as our tongues find each other. It takes everything in me not to wrap my legs around him. It wouldn’t be proper. Pulling back, he helps me out of my coat, hanging it in the closet and storing my items tidily away.
The house is bustling with energy in preparation for the party. Barrett has hired on a slew of new servants in the wake of our betrothal. Ellen, I can tell, is thrilled at the announcement. Though her face is ever pulled into a scowl, I caught her humming as she fixed up our breakfasts earlier that morning. Noises of cleaning and moving furniture can be heard throughout the normally quiet house. It’s as if life has been breathed back into the house at long last.
“So, what did she say?” He asks as we move into the parlor room, asking after my meeting with Jasmine.
“She’ll come.”
“That’s wonderful. I know some of the society ladies can be a bit much to stomach. I’m glad you’ll have a friendly face to entertain you. I’m afraid you won’t see much of me as it’s typical to mingle amongst the other men.”
“What an antiquated and sexist idea.”
He chuckles, taking my hand and lifting it to his mouth giving it a quick peck that sends a jolt of desire straight to my core. Amazing how that small touch can turn me into a puddle of neediness. “Quite. But it will be an excellent opportunity to introduce you to my colleagues and their wives. Celebrating our union.”
“You’re right.” He smirks and I can’t help but think how handsome he looks. Freshly healed, his scruff that I’ve grown to love has been shaven, revealing a chiseled jaw that looks as if it’s cut from marble.
“I suppose I can suffer through one night for you. Now, I must go check on the children and relieve Ellen for the night.”
He turns me into him and kisses me soundly, pushing me up against the wall before I leave him with a nip to his lip and run up the stairs. He lets out a laugh and stares gaping up at me as I disappear from his vision.
With the revelation of his wife’s betrayal, he decided it best to treat the children as he always had. In his mind there is no difference in how he feels towards them. His exact words were “Why punish them for something they had no control over.” Seeing his determination to care for them as if nothing has changed only endears me to him more.
Blocks are littered across the floor haphazardly. I tsk my tongue, going over to where Royland has fallen asleep curled up on the new carpet. We had to have the old one replaced after Charles leaked his blood all over it. Such a shame to lose that lovely pattern, but this one is almost as good.
