Chapter Nine #2
What happened next was a blur of emotions.
In one second, he found himself questioning everything.
From the recent changes in his life, to standing here in front of a few select people.
Instead, he repeated his vows in a clear, steady voice.
It was after that he vaguely heard the man pronounce them husband and wife.
He leaned down and kissed her on the lips, for perhaps too long.
As they walked back across the street, Charles once again wondered how much his bride knew of consummating the marriage.
It would have been a discussion her mother would have had with her.
Women were fickle creatures. Most didn’t know anything but the fundamentals, or at least that’s what he understood.
He would be gentle and together they’d discuss this.
Upon returning to their room, he gathered her in his arms and kissed her greedily.
It dawned on him that this may be something either of them had never experienced.
He certainly hadn’t, but it seemed the proper thing to do.
When they broke the kiss, he saw she was flushed.
On the table was a bottle of champagne and two glasses beckoning them.
He’d made sure it would be in place for when they returned.
Besides toasting their marriage, it would help take the edge off and relax them.
“Come, sit down while I pour us a glass of champagne.”
“Of course.”
Moments later, he passed her a flute and joined her in a simple toast. After finishing the glass of champagne, he said, “I certainly don’t feel any different.” He placed the empty glass on the table.
“What do you mean?” she said.
“I don’t feel any different now that we’re married.”
She smirked. “You really didn’t think getting married would change you, did you?”
“I suppose not, but it got you to smile.”
“It did.”
“There is something I’d like to discuss with you now.”
“What’s that?”
“What would you say to us holding off consummating our marriage until we arrive in York?”
She smiled shyly. “I would be forever grateful to you if we did that. I’d rather save it for somewhere we can truly be alone.”
“Good, I’m glad you concur for the same reasons I have.”
She bent over and removed each of her shoes and climbed up on the bed. Patting the bed, she beckoned him to join her. He obliged her by removing his shoes and jacket and joining her. Then she asked him a curious question.
“Will you allow me to continue with my music?”
“Of course. You don’t even need to ask such a question. Yes, you may. Your talent is extraordinary, and I would never expect you to give anything up. Especially your music. I know how much it means to you.”
“Thank you.”
He would move mountains for her, and he’d never had those feelings about anyone. They seemed to be able to talk to each other about anything. Not even the fears he harbored since childhood phased her. She was quite remarkable.
“What would you think about living in London?” Charles asked.
“All the time?”
“Not in summer. Everyone escapes to the country during the summer. I was thinking of purchasing a house there. One of our own where we wouldn’t have to live with family members.”
“London does make sense. Isn’t your publisher there?”
“Yes. I thought living there would help tremendously. I would be close by for meetings and the like.”
“I think that’s a splendid idea,” she replied.
“I’ve been thinking about it for some time. I need to invest some of the money I’ve earned through my books.”
She said nothing. It was as though she was deep in thought. Finally, she took his hand. “We could leave here and go directly to London. Once we’ve finished conducting business, we could go to Kent. I don’t think anyone would mind since we’ve just married.”
“You’re right.”
She leaned against him, placing her head on his shoulder.
He held her like that until she fell asleep.
She soothed him. Just to hear her speak made his body lose some of its tensions.
Though they were still technically strangers, he felt more at ease with her close by.
They were slowly getting used to each other, what they liked and disliked.
His eyes heavy, he gave in and fell asleep next to his bride.
*
Loud, demanding knocking on the door the following morning startled both Charles and Cathryn. Walking over to the door, he asked who was on the other side. He heard the familiar voice of his valet, Frazier, and immediately let him in.
“Frazier, why are you here? Is everything okay?” Charles asked.
“Are you ready to leave?”
“What are you about, man?”
Frazier went and gathered the luggage. “I’ve rented a carriage. I’ll tell you all about it once we’re on our way, but we must go now.”
The pair followed his valet down the stairs to the carriages outside. He walked to one and as they neared, a young man opened the door. Cathryn stepped in while Charles followed. For a rental carriage, it was quite nice. The curtains were drawn, making it dark inside.
Frazier popped in and closed the door. He tapped on the roof and the carriage jerked forward. “I’m sorry to be so mysterious, but your brother sent me.”
“Why would His Grace do so?” Cathryn asked. She was sitting next to Charles and their eyes met for a second as they waited for his valet to tell them more.
“Your parents are on their way to Gretna Green. They have the notion they can stop your wedding from happening.”
“They’re a little late for that,” Cathryn replied, shaking her head.
“They want the marriage annulled in spite of His Grace telling them it wasn’t going to be possible.”
“Where are we going?” Charles asked.
“To York, but not to the main house. His Grace sent word to prepare the dowager summer house. It’s not near the house and can’t be seen unless you’re looking for it.”
“Do you really think they’ll go to York?” Cathryn asked.
“Yes. It is my feeling they’ll spend the night in Gretna Green or somewhere on the road.”
“Did my brother send correspondence with you?”
Frazier nodded, pulling a hamper from underneath his seat. He opened the lid and took an envelope sealed with the duke’s insignia and passed it to Charles.
He read the letter, which was short, and passed it to Cathryn who read it with great care. Shaking her head, she read through it a second time before setting it on the seat beside her.
In the meantime, the valet had the hamper closer to them before he tapped the top of the carriage to have the coach stop.
“I’m going to ride up top and get some fresh air.
Keep the curtains closed until we’re farther down the road.
” Frazier was out of the carriage quickly and they began their journey to York again.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.” She glanced into the hamper and pulled out a loaf of bread. “There’s this and butter and some marmalade. Also a couple of scones and cheese. What would you like?”
“Some of each,” he replied.
She nodded and went about taking a plate and filling it with his choices and handing it to him. “There’s also a bottle of wine, if you’d like some.”
“I guess we’ll have to make do.” He leaned forward, opened the bottle of wine, and poured them each a glass.
While Charles was doing that, his bride made her own plate with the food provided. Even though it wasn’t typical breakfast, her husband’s valet had thought of them. They both sat there in a comfortable silence and enjoyed their food.
Once everything was put away, Charles beckoned Cathryn to sit closer to him. After she settled in, he took her hand and kissed the back. “I bet you didn’t realize how exciting life would be when we married.”
She giggled, which made him feel better. He’d been worried she might regret marrying him.
“I must admit it has been far more appealing than going through what my mother would have had me endure. My decisions have been mine and mine alone. Not her nagging and convincing me on how and what should be done.”
“Good, that’s what I want to hear.”
The next thing he knew, she was kissing him on the cheek. “I’ll never regret marrying you, Charles. You’re an amazing and caring man. Remember that.”
He didn’t want to burst her happiness, but he hoped she’d feel the same after seeing him in one of his outbursts.
Rain began to hit the roof of the carriage. The curtains had remained closed, but Charles leaned over and opened one covering the door next to him. The sky was a dark gray, and the rain was coming down at a steady pace. Then the carriage came to a halt and Frazier joined them.
“I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t bring rain gear. Coachie is well prepared.”
“Of course, you can join us. I would hate for you to become ill because we didn’t,” Cathryn said.
“That’s very kind, milady.”
Charles, who had been peering out the window at the weather, turned toward them. “Is this weather going to hinder our travel?”
“We should be fine as long as the roads don’t become untravelable.”
The three continued to look out the windows at the rain pelting the carriage.
After not too long, Frazier and Cathryn were fast asleep.
Charles, on the other hand, still stayed wide awake.
He could not remember when he had slept soundly in the middle of a storm.
Having a tree come down on the roof of his cottage during a storm while on Wight had been the start of his habit.
He’d been lucky. Lightning had split a tree near the cottage and sent it falling onto the roof.
After that he never slept during a storm. Not intentionally.
He needed to get them settled as soon as possible.
Spending time in York was still a good option, but with her parents looking for them, he wasn’t sure what to anticipate.
He would talk with his valet about it all as soon as they had a chance.
His bride would like to have a place to call home.
Once they settled for a while, he would make inquiries into properties for sale in London.
The storm pressed on but the closer they got to York, the lighter the rain. Eventually, the rain stopped, and the sun began peeking its way through the clouds. They needed to stop and change out teams. The four pulling now were exhausted, no doubt.
While the team was being changed at a coaching inn, everyone went in and had a hot meal.
Stew with crusty bread and cheese seemed to do the trick.
Finally, they were on the road again, heading to York.
Charles knew they wouldn’t make it today.
They could either keep going or when they arrived at the next coaching inn to change out the team, they could spend the night and get an early start the next morning. He was anxious to make it to York.