“I think you may be right. Come, let us walk. Their stares will desist in time. This is just the beginning.” He whispered the latter sentence in Lady Julia’s ear, noting the way she seemed to tremble on his arm as he did so.
Is she cold?
“Your Grace! Lady Julia, we did not expect to see the two of you here today.” A familiar voice called to them.
“Oh, good Lord, it’s her,” Lady Julia muttered, so quietly that only Edward could hear her. “The lady who caws as loudly as any crow.”
Edward had to clear his throat to hide the fact he was laughing just as Lady Beatrice approached the two of them and stopped, halting their path. The large lady lifted her parasol high, despite the lack of warmth there was in the day. It was evident she was trying to be at the height of fashion, for she kept gesturing with the parasol, drawing attention to it.
“Lady Beatrice.” Edward nodded his head to her in greeting. “I am surprised you did not expect to see us here, have you not heard our news?” At his words, Lady Julia subtly elbowed him in the rib, not liking the way he said it.
“I saw your news with my own eyes, Your Grace,” Lady Beatrice giggled and looked to the maid at her side, including her in the jest.
“You have not.” Edward smiled. “What you saw the other day was the result of affection and celebration after Lady Julia agreed to marry me.”
“My goodness!” Lady Beatrice dropped her parasol, leaving the poor maid to hurry after it in the wind. “You are to be wed?”
“We are.” Edward put upon a great smile, trying to mimic the actions of happy betrothed gentlemen he had seen so many times. “You must forgive us our excitement the other day.” He winked, as if including her in a great secret. “For whom could not be carried away with excitement at such news?” He glanced at Lady Julia, wanting her to agree, only to find her glaring at him.
You’ll have to do a better job than this, Lady Julia.
“My congratulations, how exciting this is.” Lady Beatrice was still gushing when her maid returned her parasol to her. “Lady Julia, to be a duchess, how thrilling. You will surely be the envy of every young lady in thetonnow.”
“I would hope to be the envy of them for the man I am to marry, not because of his position.” Lady Julia’s words prompted Edward to look at her with raised eyebrows.
She was defending him. He hadn’t asked for it, yet he welcomed it, nonetheless.
“If you would excuse us, Lady Beatrice,” Edward said, bowing to her again as Lady Julia curtsied. “We are out to enjoy our walk together.” He whisked Lady Julia way before Lady Beatrice could attempt to stop them.
They went a few strides in perfect silence, bustled by the wind and occasionally pushing away fallen leaves that caught on their clothes, when Edward felt he could not stay silent anymore.
“You defended me,” he whispered to her, glancing to the side, aware that her maid was hurrying on behind them.
“She spoke of you as if you were some prize to be won. Does that not upset you?” Lady Julia asked, looking up at him with a frown.
“Indeed, it does. It always has; it is merely that I did not expect you to defend me, My Lady.”
“As you said, Your Grace. We have to look like a devoted couple. Were my heart truly devoted to yours, I would have uttered the same words in your defense.” She lifted her chin and stared forward, offering the occasional nod and smile in greeting at those they passed. Edward found it a little difficult to look away from her, wondering what it could be like to have Lady Julia always fighting at his side against the angst of theton.
“Speaking of appearing like a devoted couple…” He paused and slid their arms together, brushing her hand with his. She jolted at his touch.
“What are you doing?”
“We must look completely comfortable with one another. Each time I touch you, you appear as if I have burnt you with a candle,” he pointed out, watching as she tutted at him and looked away. “I merely say this to ensure our ruse is safe. After all, I know the art of seduction better than you, Lady Julia. Believe me, had I seduced you into marriage with the promise of what would come on the wedding night, I’d hope occasional touches between us in the interim would be welcome, not fearful.”
“What do you mean, on the wedding night?” Lady Julia’s words brought him to a sudden stop. His eyes widened as he turned on her, seeing a rather innocent look upon her face.
Good Lord… does she not know what happens?
“Lady Julia,” he whispered to her. “Do you mean to tell me that you do not know what happens between a husband and a wife on their wedding night?” She appeared to gulp and looked away, continuing their walk. He hurried after her. “You do not, do you?”