She shivered.She loved it when he cursed.
She looked at his beloved face, at the love shining from him, her own love so big her body could barely contain it, and any remaining fear melted away.“Then by all means, let us wed.After.”
Epilogue
Benedictcheckedhispocketwatch.“Make haste, El, or we shall be late.”
El pulled on her gloves slowly, in a way he knew she did deliberately just to be annoying.“How can we be late when I do not know to which we rush?”She nodded at his pocket watch.The one she had given him.“It looks well on you.”
He snapped it shut.“You say that every time.”
“Well, I mean it every time.I knew you would like that watch,” she said smugly.
“Yes, yes, you know me too well.Now hurry.”
“Do not rush me, Benedict.You know I shall then forget something and we will have to return, making us even later.”
He did know that.His wife was nothing if not consistent.
His wife.It still punched him in the chest, every time he thought of her as such.El was his wife.How astounding.How wonderful.
Five months they had been wed.They had married less than a fortnight after they had declared their love, Benedict correct in his statement the Earl would not quibble on a special licence.It had been held at her townhouse, with his family and El’s friend, the Countess of Kiloughlan, in attendance.The countess had worn black but still she had come, her friendship with El stronger than her mourning.
After a brief honeymoon in Penzance—where they had admittedly not stepped foot out of the cottage they had procured and had barely left the bed—they had settled in to married life.They had neither moved into Caraney House nor had Benedict moved into hers.Instead, they had found a house together, starting their life together in a house that was theirs.They were not more than a brisk twenty minute walk from the Earl’s residence, so Benedict still could visit the children as much as he wished.He did miss being in the same house as them, but living with El more than compensated for such.
This evening, they were on their way to El’s birthday surprise.It was her first birthday after they had married, and he was certain she would enjoy the surprise he had arranged, though perhaps it was more accurate to say he was halfway confident.Very well, he had no idea.It was not as outlandish as previous celebrations, nor as lavish.He hoped like hell she liked it.
“I am ready,” she finally announced, giving him a cheeky grin before heading out the front entrance.
Shaking his head, he followed, but then he would always follow El.
She was already seated in the carriage when he alighted, moving so he could sit beside her.She took his hand as he settled, linking their fingers.One of the perks of marriage he liked well was they could touch each other and none would comment, garnering nothing more than perhaps a raised brow from those who yet disapproved of even that small affection between a husband and wife.However, he had no concern for those who would sniff at he and El.Her hand was in his, his ring was on her finger, and that was all for which he cared.
A deep sense of contentment rolled through him as he squeezed her hand, signalling to the driver to start their journey.
“Will you tell me now where we are to?”El said as the carriage pulled from their house.
“No.”He ran his finger over her wedding band as they rumbled over the cobblestones.He wore his own band as well, unusual he knew but he wanted the world to know he was El’s.He always had been, but now there was physical proof in the simple gold band on his left hand.“How was your afternoon tea?”Lady Kiloughlan had arranged an afternoon tea for El’s birthday and he’d yet to have a chance to ask her of it.
El lit up.“Oh, Benedict, it was ever so delightful.Victoria had arranged for a candle on a lemon drizzle cake, and you know that is my favourite.She then led a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ and it was a little embarrassing but not so much that I did not love it.You know I love a bit of a fuss on my birthday.”
“I do know that,” he murmured.
She beamed at him.
“And Lady Kiloughlan confirmed the salon will still be held tomorrow?”El still attended Lady Burfield’s salon, of which he was most appreciative as she would always come home in an amorous mood and he was the most willing of beneficiaries.
“Yes.”She frowned.“I do not know quite what is happening, but you know Lady Burfield cancelled our last one and this one was not confirmed until today.She is acting very strangely.”
“Lady Kiloughlan?”
She shook her head.“Lady Burfield.”
Before he could ask anything further, the carriage slowed.“Ah.We are here.”
El’s brows shot up.“Well, that was hardly worth it.We were barely in the carriage before we arrived.”As she looked out the window, her brow creased.“Benedict, this is Colgrove House.”
“Yes.”He jumped from the carriage and offered her his hand before their footman could.
