“Eva, my sweet?”
Someone was calling her name, but she could not seem to wake. She was so comfortable and warm, her mind full of memories of her first night with her husband. She could still smell him on her hands, on her pillow… She reached for him. He was not there. Her eyes flew open.
“Mary?”
“Yes, my sweet. Would you like a bath?”
“Where is Eric, I mean, where is Mr. Butler?”
“He asked me to tell you he was called to Leeds on business. He will be back in a couple of days.”
“A couple of days?”
“It was unavoidable. She could see Mary was not being completely truthful.”
Did I do something wrong, she thought. She was sure he had been… pleased. Dear Lord, she had fallen in love with him last night, or maybe she already had, maybe from the first in her Uncle’s study, but she had realized it last night in his arms. She knew he had married her out of necessity, but he had felt something more last night, she could see it in his eyes and feel it in his touch.
“Eva? Are you well?”
“I am sorry Mary, I am well, and yes a bath sounds wonderful.”
The first day after she saw her family off she took her meals in her room. She was a bit afraid to face his Mother and sister alone after his warning. The second day, she rose early, and spent most of the morning outside exploring. Dinner time came and she could not hide forever. She dressed and joined her Mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Celeste gave her an encouraging smile.
“Where is my son?” Mrs. Butler questioned.
“He was called to Leeds on business.”
“I assume he had the decency to consummate the marriage before he left?’
Celeste gave her a sympathetic look.
What person in their right mind would ask such a question. Her apprehension was quickly replaced by anger.
“I asked you a question?” her Mother-in-Law prodded.
“Thoroughly.” was her response.
Celeste smiled beneath the cover of her napkin.
Nonplused “Good, I would not want their to be any confusion.”
The remainder of dinner was quiet. She returned to her room. Mary helped her get ready for bed and then sought her own. She lay there awhile staring at the door connecting their chambers. After spending just one night in his arms her bed seemed so cold without him in it. She rose and approached the door. She gave it a little push. It was not locked. She entered his room. It was as she had pictured it would be. A large bed in the center of the room, a few trunks at the perimeter. It was simple an understated, decorated with earthen colors. She climbed into his bed. The linens had been washed so it no longer smelt of him, but she felt closer to him there in his bed. She could almost imagine him lying next to her. She fell asleep.
Tags: Historical, Love, Marriage, Romance
