Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
“Why so glum, Celestine?” Celestine’s mother asked as she stepped into the bedroom. “You look as if you are getting ready for a funeral.”
Celestine was standing in front of the mirror as she checked her outfit for the day. Soon, Edward would be arriving to collect her for a promenade they planned on taking, and where once she might have loathed the idea of spending the entire day with him, she found that was no longer the case.
In fact, the reason for her sorrowful demeanor was the exact opposite of what it should have been.
Millicent had officially debuted last week, which meant that soon her and Edward’s false engagement would be coming to an end.
Edward had promised that he would make it so that the ton blamed him for its ending, freeing her of any wrongdoing or unwanted attention. Not that she cared about such things.
The truth of the matter was that Celestine did not look nearly as forward to the ending of their engagement as she wanted to. Once it ended, things for her would return to the way they had been, and in time it would be like this last month never happened at all.
Isn’t that a good thing? Isn’t that what I wanted?
“Oh, I am just tired,” she lied to her mother as she turned from the mirror. “I did not sleep well last night.”
“Well, try not to show it, dear,” her mother said. “His Grace will be here shortly, and you do not want him to think that he is the cause. That will not do.”
Celestine winced at the accuracy of her mother’s words.
Why did she feel this way? Why did she care about Edward at all? She wanted to feel nothing for the man, just as she wanted to look forward to having to never see him again. And yet, the more she considered what would come when this was all over, the worse her sadness and sorrow became.
“I will be fine, Mother,” she said. “In fact, I think a nice walk is exactly what I need.”
“I could not agree more.” Her mother took her hand. “Now, let us wait downstairs, yes? He ought to be here at any moment.”
It was as they arrived at the top of the staircase leading into the foyer that a footman burst into the foyer. His gaze swept the scene and landed on Celestine’s mother.
“My lady!” he cried as he rushed ahead. “News has just come from Her Grace. Your daughter, my lady!”
“Ariadne?” Her mother let go of Celestine’s hand and hurried toward the footman. “Well, what did she say? Speak!”
“She has gone into labor, my lady,” the footman said. “An hour ago. The child is expected to arrive today.”
Celestine gasped when she heard the news. Her older sister, Ariadne, already had an eight-year-old daughter, so this was not her first child, and thus not nearly as grand an announcement as it might have been. But that did not stop the news from sending the manor into chaos.
Celestine stood in the foyer as her mother rushed through the manor, calling on Isolde and Marigold as if the world was about to end. She hustled them to their rooms to change and then commanded them to meet in the foyer because they needed to be with their sister.
“What of Celestine?” Marigold asked. “Is she coming?”
“She has plans with His Grace,” her mother said. “She will have to meet with us later.”
“No!” Celestine cried. “I am coming.”
“You are not,” her mother said. “His Grace expects you to spend today with him and you will not break your plans.”
Celestine felt trapped as her thoughts swirled and her worlds collided. On the one hand, she wanted so desperately to be with her family, as they needed her. She was, at heart, the one who kept this family together, and she could not imagine missing the birth of her niece or nephew.
On the other hand, this would be one of the last days she might spend with Edward. Could she really cancel her plans, knowing that soon she would never see him again?
Maybe it is a good thing if I do…
Her feelings for Edward were as confused as they were wrong.
Whatever she might have felt for him, Celestine reasoned that it did not matter.
Their engagement was false, it would end shortly, so perhaps it was best to distance herself now, rather than later?
Even if such thoughts hurt more than she liked to admit.
“What is this?” Edward’s voice cut through Celestine’s thoughts.
She turned to find him standing in the doorway; it was left open so the light from outside shone across his shoulders. When she saw him, her heart leapt through her throat, and while she tried to hide her smile, she did not do very well at it.
It was so strange to her that once she had thought so little of Edward. She had seen him as little more than a rake and a scoundrel, the type who was handsome but knew it, just as he knew how to use it. And that wasn’t to mention the other foul things people said about him.
Now, she saw him in ways she could not have believed were possible, just as she could not deny them. How tall and striking he was. How indomitable and powerful. His sharp features, his blue eyes that were kinder than they ought to have been, and those lips…
Her stomach stirred as she remembered how those lips had tasted and what they had done to her. And the more she tried to forget it, the more she could not stop thinking about it.
“Your Grace!” her mother swept towards him. “We are so sorry you had to see us like this.”
“Is something the matter?” He found Celestine staring at him, and worry took his face.
“It is my daughter, Your Grace, she is in labor. We are just now readying to go and see her.”
“In labor…” Edward’s brow creased with consideration. “Of course, you ought to be with her. All of you.” Those last words were for Celestine, and she winced just a little because she had wondered if he would demand that they spend the day together.
“You and Celestine need not worry,” her mother said. “You ought to enjoy the day.”
“Do not be silly,” he said. “In fact…” He bit into his lip and nodded once. “My timing could not be more serendipitous. My carriage sits outside, ready and waiting. I will take you there myself.”
“Oh, there is no need for that.”
“I insist.”
Celestine’s heart skipped a beat. Again, she was reminded of who Edward truly was. This engagement was fake. Their feelings for one another, just as much. But that mattered not, and despite their lies, it seemed as if he truly cared.
“Truly, Your Grace, there is no –”
“Do not argue with him, Mother,” Celestine spoke up as she crossed the room. “If His Grace wishes to escort us, we should not deny his offer.” She made sure to look right at him. “It is most kind.”
Edward’s smile was as generous as it was real. He looked right at Celestine, no words needed because his thoughts were as clear as day. He wanted to help, just as he wanted her to know that he meant it.
“Can we hurry up?” Marigold demanded. “Why are we just standing here?”
Celestine might have liked a moment alone with Edward, if for no other reason than to thank him personally, while doing the obvious thing and telling him he need not worry.
Despite her feelings, Celestine still insisted on denying them, just as she felt that she had to make it known to Edward that he need not play his role so perfectly.
Alas, there was no time for such things.
Celestine’s mother rushed across the foyer and hurried her daughters outside. Edward strode ahead and readied the carriage, instructing the driver on where they were to take them. And then, all five of them climbed into the carriage together, a most uncomfortable setting indeed.
Edward sat on the other side to Celestine, and down from her so they could not talk quietly together. And Celestine’s mother rambled and spoke worriedly about her daughter the entire ride, leaving little room for a private moment.
Nonetheless, more than once, Celestine found Edward’s gaze. She held it. She let him see just how much this meant to her. And as she was starting to know Edward so well by now, she knew without having to ask that he did this not because he thought he should, but because he wanted to.
“Where is my daughter?” Celestine’s mother cried out as soon as the carriage arrived at Holloway Estate, the very second her feet his dirt. “Where is she?”
There was a footman waiting for them and he led them inside. But he did not lead them to Ariadne, as they expected, but to the morning room.
“What? What is this?” Celestine’ mother demanded.
“Her Grace is in labor, my lady,” the footman said nervously. “And His Grace has requested that she not be disturbed until –”
“Do I look as if I care?”
“Mother…” Celestine took her hand and directed a smile at the footman. “Thank you. Please, let me sister know we are here, and if she needs anything…”
“It will be done.” The footman bowed and left the room.
Once again, Celestine wanted a moment alone with Edward. She did not know what she might say. She did not even know if he wanted to be alone with her. But all week, she had been thinking about him, unsure of her feelings, needing answers to questions she was too afraid to ask.
It is likely in my own head. Is that not the point? To make others believe this engagement is real?
Once they were in the room, it was realized that they were not alone. Ariadne’s eight-year-old daughter, Emily, was there already, and she rushed to Celestine and hugged her around the waist.
“Mummy was screaming,” she said with worry. “Is she hurt? They won’t let me see her.”
“Oh, she will be fine.”
“She better be!” Celestine’s mother cried out as she started to pace. “Honestly, never in my life…”
“Mother,” Isolde snapped. “Will you calm down?”
“You are making things worse,” Marigold agreed.
“Worse?” Emily looked fearfully at Celestine. “Will it be worse? Will mummy be…”
“She will be fine.” Celestine pulled Emily to a chair and sat her on her lap as she stroked her back. “Do not let grandma frighten you.”
Celestine scowled at her mother, but it did no good. Her mother paced the room, muttered under her breath, and made it so the tension in the room was heavy and awkward.