Chapter Two #2
“Right.” Knots of worry pulled again in her belly.
A child was a definite distraction and would certainly come between them.
Would he grow to eventually resent that fact, especially since it was so soon in their married life?
“I hope you’re right. He’s made me more confident, and I do enjoy being with him, working cases.
There is still much to do in the organizing of his office and setting up some sort of schedule he can try to keep. ”
“It’s admirable what the two of you have, both professionally and personally.
Many couples never find that in a lifetime together.
” Nothing except honesty reflected in Felicity’s expression.
“You’ve made him less crotchety, and that is something to be grateful for.
” They both shared a laugh. “Oh, he’s still a curmudgeon, but now he’s a happy curmudgeon. ”
When she’d first met the major, he was quite off-putting, and she wasn’t sure she could ever be friends with him let alone anything else.
He was a man who believed in being brash and brisk, didn’t have much compassion for those who committed crimes, was far too rigid, and he rarely smiled.
To be sure, he was still all those things, but his edges were softer, and he shifted his thinking at times.
But it was in the quiet times, the private times they shared where his true self came to the forefront.
And he was magnificent.
“I certainly do hope so,” Caroline said then took another sip of her tea.
“Trust him, and trust the two of you together. I’m glad Felix has found you, and I look forward to getting to know you better.
Welcome to the Kourier family.” With a smile, Felicity stood.
“I must go upstairs to attend to my toilette for dinner. My poor husband will be frazzled at trying to dress the boys even with a maid’s help, and we all know Mama will prove trying tonight.
She doesn’t know how to be on her best behavior. ”
“I have only met her twice, so I wouldn’t know.” That was another thing that gave her a bit of anxiety. Did his mother approve of her and their upcoming marriage?
Felicity snorted. “Remember, my mother is horrid to everyone, so don’t take her attitude personally,” she said with a wink.
“Thank you for the talk.” Caroline nodded.
“It helps.” Yet the worry persisted. Their lives would change by having an infant in their midst; there was no getting around that.
What if Felix fell out of love with her because she’d fallen pregnant?
Because he didn’t wish to have children?
What if he regretted taking her to wife after she told him the news?
Should she keep it secret until after the ceremony?
Would that be essentially lying or if she told him ahead of time, would that be trapping him?
Would he then feel obligated to go through with the ceremony?
She certainly didn’t want him that way. Why was everything so confusing?
In the closed carriage that evening, on the way to the townhouse her parents had rented for a couple of weeks, Caroline sat next to Felix on one of the benches while silence swirled around them.
They would send the conveyance back for his sister and her family and then they would take his mother to dinner.
Eventually, Felix stirred. He slipped an arm about her waist, and she appreciated the heat of him that seeped into her body. “Ready for tonight?”
“Not even a little bit.” Her chuckle sounded forced even to her own ears. “But we will come through it, just like everything else.”
“And after that, we will breeze through the ceremony tomorrow. The reward shall be our honeymoon and the fact we’ll be alone for a while without interruptions.” His low baritone sent shivers of need dancing over her skin.
“That will be lovely.” To be away from her parents stifling monitoring and finally start her life with Felix sounded divine. Yet the same worry that had been with her for weeks continued to rear its ugly head. “Um, what do you think about the possibilities of starting a nursery?”
The major nuzzled the crook of her shoulder.
“I want that later in their marriage, but first I want to thoroughly enjoy you.” He pressed his lips to the side of her throat while one of his hands wandered up her ribcage to caress the curve of her breast. “And things with the private investigatory business are still in their infancy, but my schedule is becoming busier with each passing month.” Lifting his head, he met her gaze.
“Solving cases is what I excel in, even more when you work them with me.”
She simpered beneath his praise and heat infused her cheeks.
Ordinarily, she would have been thrilled with that, but everything would change when her body started growing with the babe.
The life they were carefully building together would be ruined.
Her eyes filled with tears, for opening the detective office was a dream of his.
But what of hers? Did they matter? She pushed the thoughts away.
“You will shine at investigating cases, I know it.”
“So will you. We are a team, you know.”
“Perhaps, but I’m worried. There is so much changing in such a short period of time.”
“Understandable.” He brushed his lips over hers, and she wanted to hide in the security of his arms. “I’m sure the nerves will work themselves out by tomorrow morning.
” Clearly, he misinterpreted her emotions.
“Let’s enjoy tonight. After dinner we’ll take a walk on the shore.
No doubt it will prove beautiful by moonlight.
” When he cupped her cheek, he drew the pad of his gloved thumb over her bottom lip.
“It is your last night as an unmarried woman, after all.”
She nodded. “So it is, and yours as a bachelor.”
“Indeed.” Then he dipped his head and treated her to a string of long, leisurely kisses that accelerated her pulse and stole her breath.
Please don’t hate me once I tell you this secret.
Pulling away, he stared into her face and gave her a grin. “Perhaps, if we have enough time, we can take a quick swim in the sea sans clothing…”
Her eyebrows went up in shock. “You’ve changed your mind regarding that?” It would remind her of the first time she’d met him, when she spied on him bathing—and doing other scandalous things—in that pond a year ago.
“It might take a bit of convincing on your part, but I could be persuaded.” Then he pressed his lips to her temple. “We are going to have such fun together in both work and play.”
“I very much hope so.” It wasn’t the fairytale she’d thought her wedding would be, but it was hers, and she had hope things would still be magical. “Do you think your mother approves of me? Of the fact I’ll be your wife?”
A chuckle pulled from his throat. “My mother doesn’t approve of anyone or anything.
I rather think she isn’t happy in her life and tries to make everyone as miserable as she is.
” He shrugged. “It ultimately doesn’t matter what she thinks.
I am marrying you tomorrow morning. Nothing or no one can change my mind about that. ”
“Truly?” Her spirits temporarily lifted.
“Of course.” In the light of the setting sun, she read the truth in his eyes. “There isn’t anyone in this world that I trust more than you. Perhaps Gabriel Bright, but you edge him out a bit more, I think.”
“That makes me feel so much better.” Slipping her arms about his middle, she sank into his embrace and let steady beat of his heart comfort her.
Perhaps the immediate future wouldn’t be as bad as she thought.