Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
The day of the wedding arrived, and it could not have been more different to those first few days after the announcement of the engagement.
There was still chaos. There was still disbelief.
There was still a sense that this was not real, or if it was, that something was sure to go wrong, pulling Celestine back into reality with a harsh reminder that when things felt too good to be true, that they were.
However, what had changed, and what Celestine hung onto, was the excitement that was felt for this day, and those that would follow.
I am doing this, and nothing will change that. So, best to commit and hope for the best, to will it into reality…
Her conversation with Edward that day in the garden had completely shifted her perception of him, as well as her perception of herself.
They were both new to this, both learning as they went, but if they remained honest with one another and truly committed themselves, then why should such a day as this one not be celebrated?
And why should she not look forward to married life?
She had, after all, wanted it for herself for as long as she could remember.
And then there was that kiss…
It was two weeks ago now, but that kiss was still felt on Celestine’s lips. Edward’s taste. His heavy breathing. The soft moans that escaped his lips as he devoured her. And that wasn’t to mention how her body had reacted.
Their marriage was not a love match. Perhaps it never would be. But if that kiss was any indication, there was plenty to look forward to in from their marriage. And a little more than that…
So, Celestine pushed down her doubt. She ignored the voice of warning in the recesses of her mind. She refused to look back, focusing on what was to come, while accepting that it was not such a bad thing to feel excitement on the day of one’s wedding. In fact, it was encouraged.
“You’re not ready yet?” Celestine’s mother cried out as she swept into Celestine’s room. She was a whirlwind of destruction, as she had been all week. “The carriage is here, Celestine! We need to leave!”
“Mother, will you calm down,” Marigold sighed. She stood just behind Celestine as she finished adjusting her hair.
“It is not as if they will start without her,” Isolde added. She stood on the other side of Celestine, and her attention was on the gown, ensuring that it sat perfectly.
“It is a bad omen to be late,” their mother insisted. “Chances cannot be taken.”
“It is fine, Mother.” Celestine stood before the mirror but she turned back and smiled warmly at her. “Edward will not care about such things.”
“He might!”
“No,” Celestine said without pause. “He will not.”
It was funny to think that Celestine had once claimed that she knew so little of her soon-to-be husband. That she had used that as an excuse to align her fears and encourage her worry. It was funny because, as she had since come to understand, she knew him better than anyone.
I think I have always known him, even from that first promenade all those weeks ago. It just took me a while to realize.
She had thought then that he was being false, a character he played to trick the ton into believing their lies. What she had since come to realize was that Edward was more like that version of himself than even he had known at the time. It was who he wanted to be but was afraid to admit to.
Like Celestine, he had been playing a role for so long that he’d forgotten who he truly was. But their most recent conversation, the confessions he had made, revealed that truth, and now she felt as if she knew him intimately.
She could trust him… rather, she wanted to trust him. And that was what mattered.
“There…” Isolde stood back and gushed. “Ready.”
“Me too.” Marigold joined Isolde behind Celestine, both gaping and gawking at their older sister. Their eyes watered, their smiles shone, and Celestine knew that today meant almost as much to them as it did to her.
“How do I look?” she asked shyly as she studied her reflection.
Marigold snorted. “Do you need to ask?”
As a girl, Celestine had often pictured the gown she would wear on her wedding day.
Indeed, she had imagined most aspects of the day in question, likening it to the day when her life was finally ready to begin in earnest. For a time there, she had forgotten those dreams, stuffed them away so that she could pretend they had not been real.
That was no longer the case.
Her gown was sunbeam yellow, the type that challenged the sun so that most might mistake her for that which brought a day as lovely as this one.
It flowed around her legs, billowing out as she swayed her hips.
It cinched her waist, lessening her curves but not hiding them entirely.
And where it was also tight around her bosom, its neckline scooped low, revealing perhaps a tad too much skin…
but I know that is how Edward will like it.
Indeed, her chest flushed to picture the look on his face when she walked into the church. And then it flushed further when she imagined later in the evening… their wedding night.
It had not been spoken about, but it was without a doubt that which occupied her thoughts the most. And while she was nervous, in order to fight those nerves, all Celestine had to do was remember their kiss, Edward’s fingers, and that feeling which only he seemed capable of coaxing from her.
I wonder if he is as excited as I am? Probably… I hope.
“I’m ready.” Celestine turned to face her mother.
“Thank God,” her mother exhaled. “Come…” She held her hand out. “Let us hurry.”
Celestine was about to take her hand, but she paused as a final thought came to her.
“Mother, there is something that I…” She clicked her tongue and looked at her two sisters as well.
“These past few years, I know I have not been so easy to deal with. And the rumors I have purposefully encouraged.” She shook her head.
“You have all been far too patient with me.”
“I rather liked it,” Isolde said.
Marigold snorted. “Only because it took the attention away from you.”
“The point is,” Celestine spoke over them, making sure to look gratefully at her mother. “I did not make it easy and I am sorry.”
“Oh, Celestine.” Her mother sniffed. “There is no need –”
“There is.” She took her mother’s hand. “And for that reason, I need to thank you now before it is too late. You always did what you believed was right by me, and I am so grateful that you never lost hope.”
Her mother’s chin wobbled and she pulled Celestine into a hug. “You are my daughter, Celestine. At times, I might have wished to kill you with my own two hands…” They both laughed. “But I always knew you would find your way.”
“Does this mean you’re not longer the Mad Hargrave Sister?” Isolde asked with humor.
Marigold laughed. “So, there’s an opening?”
They laughed together. Isolde and Marigold joined Celestine and their mother in the hug. And for a few moments, they remained that way, and Celestine knew that she had never been so happy as she was just then.
Yes, she had been difficult to deal with ever since Lord Edmonton. She had not made things easy for her mother, or even her sisters. And more often than not, she had given up the notion that she might one day find happiness.
But that was of the past, and as mentioned, Celestine was determined to look forward. She wanted this marriage, she wanted Edward, and she wanted to commit fully because if there was even the slightest chance that this would all work out for the best, then she would be a fool not to take it.
“Shall we go?” Celestine asked once the hug ended. “My groom awaits.”
Edward’s mouth fell open the moment he lay eyes on Celestine.
He was standing at the altar, his nerves steadily rising by the second.
Beside him stood Percival, who took obvious pleasure in seeing his friend so undone.
As was to be expected, Percival was nowhere near as encouraging about this wedding as he could have been, and while he wasn’t against it, he did seem to think that it would likely turn out for the worse.
The church itself was decorated with an air toward romance, but without being too ostentatious or over the top.
The theme was Spring, and the flowers that hung from the walls and were placed across the seats were chosen for their color scheme and their scent.
An orchestra had been set up in the corner, the tune they played soft and melodic.
And the crowds were mostly friends of Lady Fairbrook, as Edward was not exactly popular.
It was a quaint ceremony, a decision that Edward made and Celestine agreed with. While they both wanted this marriage, they both knew too that it was not typical and to celebrate as such might give the wrong impression.
As Edward stood at the altar, the nerves mounted. While he had come to accept that he wanted the marriage, there was still a sense of reservation that he could not fully shake.
Was it really just jealousy that had driven him? Was he ready for such a huge commitment? And was he the type of man who Celestine saw, rather than that which he had spent so long trying to be? Was this a huge mistake…
Too late now, I suppose. Whatever comes, I am in this…
That was when Celestine appeared in the doorway, and that was when all of Edward’s reservations vanished as if they had never been.
“Careful now,” Percival said when he saw the look on Edward’s face. “Save it for tonight, Edward.”
Edward ignored him, refusing to look away from his bride for even a second.
She seemed to glow as she started down the aisle.
While the sun shone through the doorway behind her, it was as if she was the source.
That gown… how it hugged her body… how her hips swayed as she walked…
how it seemed purposefully designed to do things to Edward that were not appropriate to even consider in a church.
As she walked, she caught him staring, and this only seemed to encourage her.