CHAPTER 17
DIANA
I was married.
As promised, the ceremony was indeed quick. The clasping of hands, a few words, assurances we were aware of the solemnity of what we were undertaking. Then we were declared to be husband and wife.
Only a few days ago, I’d forced myself to come to terms with my reality. My season was at an end, and my guardians had informed me I wouldn’t have another. There would be no knight in shining armor coming to my rescue.
When my parents were still alive, I’d always believed that one day I would marry.
My aunt and uncle hadn’t killed that dream, but it had been postponed.
I’d told myself to be patient. Soon enough, I would reach my age of majority, and when I came into my inheritance, I’d finally have the freedom to live my life as I saw fit.
Twenty-one years of age wasn’t terribly old, after all.
I never imagined myself escaping to Gretna Green to elope—and with Clifton, no less.
I glanced up at him, trying to think of something clever to say on this momentous occasion. I wanted to thank him, but that didn’t seem right. For today, I wanted to believe that anything was possible. That maybe one day he’d come to care for me.
He seemed equally at a loss for words. I could still feel the ghost of a sensation on my lips from where he’d pressed his mouth against mine in an all-too-brief kiss after the ceremony. It was a subtle reminder of the one we’d shared at the inn and a hint of what would come on our wedding night.
Tonight.
The innkeeper’s wife bustled up to us and gave me a hug.
“My best wishes for a long and happy marriage,” she said before turning to Clifton and dipping into a curtsy.
I had to admit, I wouldn’t have minded seeing her try to wrestle him into a hug just to see what he’d do. Even if she hadn’t succeeded, the attempt would have flustered his calm, stoic demeanor.
The innkeeper turned to his wife. “Molly, let the couple go now. I’ll take them to their room.”
Clifton raised a brow. “You don’t need to do that personally.”
I glanced sideways at him, wondering what my husband was thinking.
My husband.
I was married to Clifton. It still didn’t seem real, but I had to admit that I was very pleased with the unexpected turn my life had taken.
The innkeeper tutted. “We have a special cottage in the back, hidden behind some trees. We’ve learned that when young couples arrive, they’re often followed by angry parents or guardians. This way, the two of you will have a chance to consummate the marriage before that happens.”
Heat bloomed on my cheeks. It wasn’t unexpected that a newly married couple would be having relations, but it embarrassed me to have it spoken aloud so casually.
Clifton nodded at the man. “Lead the way, then.”
He held out his arm, and I took it before mortification caused me to sink through the floor.
The older man led us outside through the back door.
It took a full five minutes for us to reach the small wooded area.
One minute later, the tiny cottage came into view.
It was nestled within a small copse of trees, its wooden walls clearly hewn from the same type of tree that surrounded it.
The sight seemed utterly romantic given the pragmatic nature of our escape from London. I hadn’t expected even a hint of romance, but I would take it wherever it came, even if it was just in this setting.
The innkeeper unlocked the front door and handed the key to Clifton. “The rooms are kept ready. My wife will come by later this evening with dinner for the two of you.”
Clifton looked down at me. “We haven’t eaten since last night…”
“Molly has already taken care of it,” the innkeeper said. “She would have instructed one of the maids to set up a meal for the two of you.” He winked at me. “You’re going to need your strength, after all.”
I looked away, wondering if it was possible for my cheeks to actually catch fire.
They certainly felt hot enough for that to happen.
Clearly, the man thought this was a love match, and I wasn’t going to say anything to the contrary.
Let him have his fantasies about how he was performing a service for couples deeply in love.
Clifton thanked him and waited for me to enter the cottage before him.
I stopped just inside the threshold, my gaze sweeping over the cozy interior.
The front door opened onto a spacious sitting area with what amounted to a picnic lunch spread out on a low table surrounded by a settee and two armchairs.
The interior of the cottage felt light and airy, quite the opposite of the wooden exterior.
That effect was primarily due to the floor-to-ceiling windows along the far wall that opened up to a clearing.
Awed, I walked over to the windows and smiled when I saw that they overlooked a small pond.
We wouldn’t need to fear approach from that side.
To the left, I saw a closed door that would lead to the bedroom. I turned to face Clifton, who had locked the door and placed the key on a hook next to it. He was watching me.
I swallowed hard and forced myself to be brave. “Bedroom or breakfast?”
He grinned. “Let’s get you fed first.”
I nodded, a small measure of relief coursing through me. I could do this. Clifton and I had been together with very few interruptions since our meeting several days ago. It wouldn’t be at all unusual to share another meal with him.
I crossed to the settee and lifted the pot of tea. “Tell me, husband, how do you take your tea?”