Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews! Your involvement in the story is what encourages me to write on.
I never did specify the ages of Edward and Anthony, did I? When Bella got married, she was eighteen, Edward was twenty and Anthony twenty-three.
There is a difference of opinion regarding Bella's behaviour, but as far as James is concerned, the vote is unanimous—he is a piece of work!
LovePotionsBrewer is my amazing beta, polishing each chapter until it shines.
Pre-read by Beachlover6453. Thank you for another pair of eyes, sweetie. Sorry your computer played spoilsport last time!
Chapter-5
I had spent my first reception in a daze. This one, though not much of a reception, will remain etched in my memory forever.
We gather in the dining hall even though there are so few of us. I am sure it is James' idea. I know he had given Jenks and Mrs. Stanley detailed instructions in writing.
He is certainly lording over the proceedings. Is the haddock fresh, the bacon crisp, the bread toasted just right? The china seems clean enough, but the pattern is one he has seen many times before. Do we not have any new pieces? Edward, please direct your wife to buy new china. How can you think of entertaining with these old pieces?
He won't address me directly, I know that. Now that I have a husband once more, every comment and criticism will be directed at him. I am expected to listen and comply with every suggestion of his lordship. God forbid that I answer back or speak on my own behalf!
Anthony must have acted as a buffer between us even more than I thought. I am aware that James checked the estate accounts periodically, but there was hardly anything regarding the household affairs that was conveyed to me. It is impossible that my management had been perfect, so Anthony must have handled things very diplomatically.
I recall what he had said to me on the second day of our marriage, after all the guests had been sent off with thank you and we will see you again.
"My father thinks I am a good for nothing, spoilt young man who spent his time at college partying and chasing women. I want to show him that I can work as hard as the next man, Isabella. If I have to spend twelve hours every day dealing with this estate and the people who live on it, I will do it and ensure prosperity for everyone. Just because I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I will not waste my life in useless pursuits."
"My lord," I had replied, wondering if he had meant to call me Bella only in the privacy of my bedroom. "I am sure that your father will be proud of you one day. I will do my part by managing the household to the best of my capability."
"It might keep me away from you though. I know a newly married couple should spend much of their time together, but…Give me a year, Isabella and I will prove my worth, and then we can be together more."
And we had done it. Even though Anthony had grown more and more distant from me with every passing year, he had made the estate even more prosperous than before. Our tenants were happy, our fields full of crops, the livestock healthy and the paddocks green. We entertained guests on a regular basis, though not very frequently. Nobody could have found fault with our annual Christmas Ball or the pageant we put up on All Saints Day. James should have been proud of us.
Yet here he is, criticising our china and pretending Mrs. Stanley isn't competent enough to serve a good meal.
I may not like the woman much; she has never displayed much warmth towards me. But I will give her this much: she knows her job, and she knows how to handle the kitchen staff. I would not question her on that.
Is James trying to impress my parents? Doesn't he know they don't care for fine china or lavish meals? They just want to see me happy. The wealth of Masen family or the fact that they can trace back their aristocratic ancestors for five generations means very little to them.
Elizabeth is making polite small talk with my mother, but she seems distracted, almost lost in this huge place. She must be happy for Edward, of course, but if I had to make a guess I would say she would prefer to be back at her home.
Edward's hand is a warm presence on my back. His touch is light, yet I am conscious of it. It only disappears when he bends to kiss Lizzie on her cheek. It is time for her to go to her room. I wish she could stay more, but James has already cleared his throat twice, looking pointedly at Maggie.
For some reason, he has never taken to Lizzie as a grandfather. I understand that he was expecting a grandson, but how can he be so indifferent to her? She is such a winsome child. Both of my parents adore her and shower her with their love and gifts. Even Elizabeth, who has never met her before, seems enchanted with her innocent smiles and somewhat clumsy curtsies.
Finally it is over. My parents take their leave, my mother getting tearful again. She makes me promise that I will visit soon and bring Lizzie along with me.
Edward's mother seems almost relieved to go, though she does congratulate me once more. Edward hugs her warmly and assures her that he will be home frequently.
Jenks informs Edward that our tenants—how strange it sounds to include Edward instead of Anthony in that pronoun—wish to congratulate him, so he should take a round while there is daylight. James immediately declares that he would like to go as well. He also states that he is going to stay for a few days, "to make sure that Edward has everything under control".
I take my leave of them, but Edward catches my arm, stating that he wants to have a word with me before leaving.
"I will meet you outside in a few minutes," he informs the two men, and doesn't wait for their answer.
He practically marches me to my room, while I ask him what the urgency is. Once we are inside, he wastes no time in locking the door and attacking my lips with his.
Really, it feels like an assault. My back is against the door, my hands against his chest, trying to push him away. At least, I think I am trying to. I am not sure, with his body so close to mine and his lips nipping and licking mine, I am not sure of anything. When his tongue touches and strokes mine, I give up the pretence of resisting him.
For all its intensity, the actual kiss lasts only for a brief while. He steps back, his hands caressing my face lightly. The flames that had just begun licking my body recede slowly as my mind begins to function again.
"I have been wanting to do this for hours, Isabella," he murmurs, his hot breath washing over my face. "No, I have been waiting to kiss you for a month now. If James was not here, I would make my excuses to Jenks and take you to bed straight away."
The shock that must be visible on my face makes him laugh. It is a dark sound. He lets go of my jaw and shakes his head.
"Oh my dear wife, the things I want to do to you! You are too innocent to imagine even half of them. But right now I must go with James. I will see you at dinner then."
He takes me by my shoulders and moves me away from the door. A smart bow, and he is gone.
-ATW-
Dinner time comes too soon, and goes even sooner.
Mrs. Stanley paid me a visit while the gentlemen were out, to inform me what dishes were on the menu. I am sure I smiled and nodded, but I had no idea what she said. All I could hear in my head was Edward's voice.
…I would take you to bed…the things I want to do to you…
What did he mean? It wasn't as if I was a virgin! On the contrary, I had given birth. I knew how things worked between a man and a woman.
Was there more to know? A certain whispered conversation between two half-drunk ladies at the Christmas Ball two years ago resurfaced in my mind. Apparently one of them had taken a new lover, a young man of great sexual prowess. Her words had disturbed me, being too raunchy for my taste. Surely a lady of rank was not supposed to use that kind of language?
Was Edward going to speak like that? Was he going to act like her lover did?
Could he? Was it possible that he might have learnt some things while he was in France? Did he have a mistress there?
It was quite probable. I was aware that many married noblemen kept mistresses, so Edward having one made sense. A handsome young man like him could not possibly have lived alone all those years.
Of course I did not mention any of my thoughts when he returned. Not that there was much of an opportunity to do so. He came to my room so we could go to dinner together, but that was hardly the time to bring up the subject of his mistress.
James was a little less obnoxious at dinner. Perhaps he had too much wine during the day and was feeling its soporific effect? Or perhaps he was just tired. Whatever the reason, I was relieved that he did not speak much, focussing on his food instead.
Edward behaved like a perfect gentleman, making just sufficient small talk to not let the silence shift into awkwardness. He complimented Mrs. Stanley's efforts for the reception, and she smiled; she actually smiled! I could not recall the last time I had seen her smiling. Maybe she was fond of Edward since she had seen him grow up from a child to a man?
Mr. Stanley did not smile, but then butlers were not supposed to, were they? At least, I had never seen one doing that. Still, he looked pleased when Edward thanked him. I believe his stiff good night was a tad less unbending than usual.
And here I am in my room, changing into my nightgown while Edward does the same in his. Well, not into a gown, I hope. I tittered at the silly thought. My nerves were making their presence known.
Alice is collecting the clothes I have worn throughout the day; to be sorted into different piles depending upon their need to be aired, dusted or washed. She looks at me curiously.
"My lady, did you say something?"
"No, Alice," I say, shaking my head. "I just…uh, feel strange."
She is by my side immediately. "Are you feverish, my lady? Shall I get some chamomile tea for you?" Her tone shows her concern.
Alice has been with me for almost five years. When Mary became too frail of health and went to live with her daughter in another village, she recommended Alice as my personal maid.
Alice was fifteen then and had been working for a rich woman in her village, but she was not happy. Mary assured Mrs. Stanley and me that Alice was sincere and attentive to details, and a very sweet girl as well. I am glad to say that she has been proved right.
I can't explain to her what is bothering me though. How can she understand? I myself don't understand very well!
"Thank you, Alice, but I don't have a fever. I am just…" I look in the mirror. The simple flannel nightgown in pale pink is comfortable, but…is it suitable for the occasion?
"You look very pretty, my lady. I am sure his lordship will like your attire," she says softly, as if my doubts had reached her without any words being spoken.
As I said before, Alice is very intuitive.
A knock at the door prevents me from sharing any more with her. She nods, picks up the clothes she had discarded before and leaves as Edward enters the room.
A.N. Tarbecca has informed me that 'After The Wedding' has been voted as one of the top five Fic Dive of the Month for October, on A Different Forest. Wow, to be mentioned on the same page as 2Old4Fanfic, the author of 'Trichophilia'? I'm amazed!
Thank you to all those who voted for me there.
Potions asked me why their guests left before dinner. Well, the wedding took place at noon, as was the norm then. Then there was the wedding breakfast. When Bella had married first, it was a huge affair and the reception went on for hours. This time though there were so few guests that everything was over by teatime!