Chapter 3 #2
“And yet he has not once behaved cruelly toward me. I recognize that he is not the most genteel of men, but he defended me and Tilly without hesitation. For a man of his station, that speaks of good character,” Edith replied.
Ava’s eyes were wide with surprise. “Edith… I am glad you think so highly of him. I am just worried. I have watched you suffer through one loveless marriage. I do not wish to watch you suffer through another.”
Edith softened as she remembered her first marriage. It wasn’t a cruel marriage. Not in the way many ladies of the ton often had cause to worry about. It had simply been empty and terribly lonely.
“I know. You are a good friend, Ava darling,” she said affectionately.
“I do my best for you.” Ava smiled. “And just know, should you ever encounter difficulties or need to leave your marriage, Christian and I will always be there to help you. You can ask anything of us,” she assured, holding Edith’s hand gently.
“You are too good to me,” Edith said, pulling her friend into a hug. “But this is for the best.”
The tender moment dissolved under the giggles of children running through the halls and bursting into the room. Bounding through the door were Tilly and Luke, Ava’s oldest son, followed closely by little Anthony, Ava’s youngest.
“Mama!” the toddler giggled as he wobbled over to Ava.
“The baby talks already!” Tilly laughed.
“Yes,” Anthony babbled. “I can talk really well!”
“He learned very quickly,” Luke said warmly.
“He’s not yet two. You both shouldn’t be leading him around the back rooms of the church!” Edith gently chided her ward.
A moment later, Anthony’s nurse appeared in the doorway. “My Lady, I am terribly sorry for the disturbance,” she panted softly.
“Do not worry,” Ava said warmly.
Tilly giggled and ran into Edith’s skirts. “You look as pretty as a fairy, Lady Nealton,” she said with a big smile.
Edith smiled back. “And you are my little fairy,” she replied, leaning down to hug her gently.
Tilly beamed and buried her face into the lace overlay, still giggling.
A knock at the door drew their attention. The nurse had moved to the side, and there stood Christian, Ava’s husband. He smiled lovingly at the scene.
A sudden, dark pang of jealousy twisted in Edith’s chest.
My future husband will never look at me like that.
“Are you ready, Edith?” Christian asked softly.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Edith nodded.
She placed one hand on Tilly’s back, guiding her gently out of the back room and toward the church’s main hall.
“You know it’s my honor to do this for you,” Christian whispered to Edith. “Still, it is not too late to ask one of your stepsons—”
“You know I have no connection to them anymore,” she sighed softly. “It was why I was so grateful when you offered.”
“You’re Ava’s friend, so you are also my friend,” he said, looping her arm through his.
The church itself felt strangely empty. Aside from the children, Ava, Christian, and the priest, there was only one other witness to the wedding. Edith had heard that Lord Mallowby had stood by the reclusive Duke, but she’d never met the man.
Her gaze drifted to the Duke. He stood tall and formidable in a dark blue suit and pale gray waistcoat. Her spirits sank when he didn’t look up as she entered. His slight had been subtle, but it stung more than she’d expected.
Their short vows were spoken quickly, passing in an emotionless blur.
“I, Laurence Thornwaite,” he began as she reached the altar. “Take you, Edith Heath, to be my wife.”
The familiar words echoed through the hollow church.
Laurence had meant it when he’d said the quicker, the better. As the priest finished, they shared a chaste kiss. His lips were warm and unexpectedly soft against her own, and she felt her cheeks flush at the sensation.
As they parted, a rush of emotion caught Edith off guard.
This is real. I’m married again, to a man I met only a week ago. I’m not usually so impulsive.
Laurence pulled back quickly and avoided looking at her.
When all was said and done, Tilly and the other children began throwing grain as the couple left the church. Edith glanced at Ava, who smiled conspiratorially. This had been her doing.
Edith offered Ava a quiet smile of thanks, knowing Laurence likely didn’t share her appreciation.
Outside the church, Laurence already had a carriage waiting for them.
Ava hugged Edith tightly. “Write soon and often,” she whispered.
“I will,” Edith promised.
“I say, that was a rather short ceremony for a duke,” Christian said, approaching Laurence.
“I found it need not be any longer, Duke,” Laurence replied coldly.
“Your Grace, I don’t suppose there is a reason for your… haste?” Luke asked, flanking him.
The two men smiled at Laurence, but the suspicion in their gaze was hard to miss.
“None that you need to worry about.”
“Indeed!” Lord Mallowby piped up, clapping Laurence on the shoulder. “Let the boy get a bit older before he needs to wonder why a man would rush a wedding, hmm?”
Edith’s eyes widened at his comment. Heat surged up her neck and cheeks, and she covered her face, utterly mortified.
Christian burst out laughing at the insinuation, while Luke looked on, confused. Laurence growled quietly at James and shoved him aside to address her.
“I am…” He paused. “I can only apologize for Lord Mallowby’s impertinence.”
“It is not your fault,” Edith stuttered.
“Why is it funny?” Tilly asked with wide, curious eyes.
Edith let out a choked breath and picked her up. “I think it’s time to go,” she said to Laurence.
“I couldn’t agree more,” he said, hurrying the three of them into the carriage.
Lord Mallowby was laughing with Christian. Ava shook her head and looked over at the carriage before waving and offering a sad smile. Edith waved back.
The carriage soon pulled away, taking the little family to their new life.
Edith sat quietly, watching the world slip past as she left behind the life and people she knew.
Only time would tell if she could once again adjust to life as a married woman.