As much as William hated weddings he could hardly wait until his own. When his sister, Angela, eventually married, he spent the entire day sulking and wishing for the nuptial to be over. But now he could hardly wait until he himself stood at the altar waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle towards him. Their first ban had been read, though they could hardly wait until the other two were. As soon as Effie announced their engagement she busied herself with numerous plans. Even when he tried helping, he was quickly ushered away by either Effie or her ladies maid.
But then again, he had promised her that this wedding would be entirely her own design. If she wished to have him dress in a pure white coat, stockings, shoes and breeches, he'd do so just to make her happy.
And their wedding night. A part of him could hardly wait until they spent their first night as a wedded couple. However, in all seriousness, he was nervous. More so because he knew that Effie was a virgin. He didn't want to hurt her as he had already hurt her just by ending their courtship all of those years ago.
On June 29th, the day had been cut short by rather chaotic rainfall. William silently prayed that there would be no thunder, that he wouldn't need to suffer the torturous events of the war all over again. He spent most of his day in the office-like room reading a book by Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet of all things. But, much to his dismay, thunder could be heard in the distance. William let out a sigh and flicked onto the next page. Another crack of thunder. Was he ever to get a break. He rested the book on the table in front of him, moving his hand to his abdomen and closing his eyes. It was like he was there at Yorktown all over again.
Just as he was about to go in search of Effie, the office door creaked open and his Euphemia walked in "William? Where- oh, here you are" Effie beamed as she walked over towards him with a plate of biscuits. She sat down and placed the dish on the table "I heard the rain so I had the cook prepare some biscuits, I thought that we could spend a little bit of time together"
"It's been a while, almost a week, we have barely kissed in that time" William heard another rumble of thunder and cleared his throat "I'm glad that you're here however"
"I remember a certain Colonel telling me that he hated thunder. That was the first time I ever held his hand" Her lip turned up into a soft smile as she took his hand into hers "It has been some years but I remember that day as if it was yesterday" William lightly squeezed her hand, smiling slightly when she wriggled a little closer to him. He brushed his thumb over her knuckles "Do you care for a biscuit?" She asked before leaning forwards and moving the plate to her lap "They have raspberry jam sandwiched between them"
"R-Raspberry?" He stuttered, coughing softly as he found his words again "I apologise, as a boy the cook used to make biscuits topped with raspberry jam"
"You must try one then" Effie picked up a biscuit from the plate and brought it up to his mouth, her cheeks flushing when he took a reasonable bite out of it. He let out a soft moan in response to the taste "I take it that it's nice, hmm?"
Before he could respond, a crash of thunder made him flinch. He closed his eyes, relieving hell once again. He could smell the gunpowder and acrid smoke filling his senses.
Effie noticed the change in his features and put the plate back on the table "It's alright…" She uttered "I-It will be over soon" He hadn't reacted like this the last time she saw him witness thunder. In an attempt to calm him, she took back his hand and brought it up to her lips, softly kissing his knuckles "Shh, see, it's almost done"
"I should not fear such a silly thing" William mumbled before looking into her eyes. She just reached up and cupped his cheek, feeling him shudder when a rumble could be heard in the distance "don't focus on that, focus on the present, here and now. You're not a soldier now…"
"the damage can't be undone…" He had tears in his eyes, thinking that maybe she'd leave him "I'm haunted Effie…"
"And you are to be my husband, no matter what" She leaned forward and pecked his forehead "I love you William…"
As the rain continued to punish the windows and ceiling, Effie comforted William in the best way possible. As a child she used to be calmed by her father brushing through her hair and braiding it. So she did the same for William, braiding his hair before unwinding it and retying it again. When the storm had eventually passed, William had ended up falling asleep on her lap, resting his head on her thigh as he continued to brush through his hair.
When she thought about it, this was the first time that she had seen him sleeping. He looked so peaceful. His skin is smooth and healthy except for one or two worry lines on his forehead. Even his once neatly tied back hair was now tousled and spread out across her lap, not that she minded of course. William was very handsome in her opinion, even in his sleep.
Lord. In two weeks this man was to be her husband. She softly giggled and continued to stroke through his hair. The concept that she was finally going to be married was still rather unreal to her. The church was booked for the 14th July at 10am. Two weeks a day from this one.
"N-No…" Effie heard William mutter, before gently brushing his cheek with the backs of her fingers "S-She won't…know"
"Shh, go back to sleep Will" She smiled. That was also the first time that she had called him a different name other than 'colonel' or 'William'. But what did he mean by 'she won't know'? Had he been unfaithful in England? Or worse, a mistress? She cleared her throat, she was overreacting, probably the prenuptial jitters.
Tavington nuzzled into her thigh as his eyes cracked open. He soon came around, cleared his throat and sat up straight "I-I apologise, it was improper for me to do that-"
"It's alright"
William glanced towards the window, noting that it was still raining "Has the thunder passed…"
"Around fifteen minutes ago" Effie smiled before looking over at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. She felt the settee shift and looked to the side "What are you doing?"
William shot her a small smile and leaned against the arm of the settee. He rested the pillow on his lap and looked over towards her "I'm returning the favour, here" he patted on the pillow.
"I'm not tired"
"I know, now, your betrothed wishes to hold you" He took her hand and gently pulled her closer. She eventually complied and rested her head on his lap "You see, we haven't been swallowed up by the earth just yet"
Effie stared up at him, a smile pulling at her lips "I still find it unfathomable how you managed to find me, you must be a sorcerer or a wizard"
"I think that I got lucky" William brushed a few strands of hair from her face before resting his hand on her belly. She moved her hand above his and squeezed it "A funny story actually. I was sitting at a bar drowning away my sorrow when the bartender asked what I was sulking. He told me where you lived and that you had kept your promise of waiting for me by denying all other men"
"A promise is a promise" She stared up into his icy blue eyes "The wait was worthwhile. Oh, I cannot wait until the day we marry, the 14th cannot come soon enough"
"Hmm, likewise"
Later that same day, the pair eventually emerged from the office and returned to their separate rooms as they washed up for dinner. Effie quietly paced around her room, confused about what William had uttered earlier in his slumber. 'She won't know'. No matter what she did to convince herself that his words were mere mindless mumbles, she thought it was something more. She walked over towards her bed and perched herself on the edge of it. It was probably nothing, most likely just her paranoia.
Another factor that played greatly on her nerves was the fact that William had been away for six years. She had remained true to her promise, not remotely liking any man but him or accepting any courting gifts. But had he? Had William sought out the comfort of another woman? Effie knew that men had such needs and that most men took mistresses after marriage. But would William? Surely he wouldn't break her heart in such a way.
And her wedding night! She was excited for her wedding day but not her wedding night. According to her mother, Effie wouldn't enjoy it. Apparently, according to her mother, she described the man's thing as a 'red hot poker'. But why did she feel so bothered around him? Especially between her-
"Dear?" Wait, William was in her room? She quickly looked up at him. Thankfully he was standing at the door "I have been knocking on your door for five minutes, I was afraid that you were ignoring me" He jested.
With a soft clear of her throat, she spoke "N-No just thinking" She stood up and made her way to him, standing on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. He smiled slightly and gently brushed some hair from her face "About you actually"
"Oh?" William wrapped his arms around her waist, softly pecking her forehead "Will you tell me? Perhaps I can help you in some way"
Effie shook her head "It's just a few nerves"
"About our wedding?" He asked "I assure you that it isn't a prison sentence"
"More so our wedding night" Effie mumbled "Mamma described it as a red hot poker-"
"A poker?"
"And that he inserts it for a minute or two to reproduce children"
"I insert my poker into you? Lord they need to educate women" William shook his head before clearing his throat "No, no, it's not a red hot poker. And I don't insert myself and stay still for minutes" His cheeks flushed red for a moment "I assure your mother was entirely wrong"
"Well it must have been embarrassing for her to explain" Effie tried to defend her mother, realising that it was probably pointless. "I don't know what happens between a man and a wife, Charlotte refused to tell me. All I know is that men have certain needs"
"Most men do" William tilted her chin skyward and pecked her lips. He softly brushed his fingers across her cheek "I, however, have other ways of satisfying my urges. Being in the military you get used to the touch of your own than that of a women's"
"Own touch? What does that mean?"
"On our wedding night, I will show you"
"So you stayed faithful to your promise?"
"Yes I did"
Effie nodded "I'm sorry-"
"Don't be" William's lip turned up into a small grin "I love you, Effie, I always will"
"How did I manage to find a man so caring, hmm?" She asked to which he shrugged, biting back a chuckle "What now?"
"Technically speaking if Willow hadn't spooked we wouldn't have met. Thank the snake, yes?" He asked.
"Yes, thank the snake" Effie stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
When the couple eventually turned up for their dinner, they both sat on opposite ends of the table. While Effie put a few slices of beef and a few baked potatoes on her plate, she was speaking of their wedding day while he just stared at her. That woman was to be his wife. His to protect and love to the ends of time. for a moment, his mind went to the possibilities for the future. He imagined children running around the dining area during the day and then tucking them in at night. In a few years they might have an entire brood to take care of.
The six long years he had spent trying to find her may have been difficult. But now it was all worth it, to see her smile once again, to feel the touch of her lips against his and to feel the warmth of her embrace again.
The only thing that lingered in his mind was his ailment. He had to keep it a secret. People would call him mad for saying such 'nonsense'. Effie would do the exact same whether she loved him or not, he couldn't risk it. No matter how much he loved her.