by Sue London
And little did Teddy know, but there were members of his family who would be quite disturbed that he wore something so out of fashion. Fortunately, that wouldn't include his uncle, who sometimes wore coats a good decade out of fashion if they were a day. His father might consider it a personal embarrassment, but that was fine with Arthur. He'd spent far too much of his life driven to avoid being an embarrassment to his family, to please his mother because she doted on him. It had never occurred to him to ask what he wanted, what he desired. He had, quite honestly, been walking directly into the trap of selecting a wife based on what his family would approve. If he hadn't been held back by his stubborn desire to stay in Aylsham, if Miss Haste hadn't so clearly rejected him, and Teddy put herself in his path, what would have come of him? He would have gone from one life of quiet desperation to another.
Yes, this path he was on promised myriad challenges and dangers, he foresaw frustrations and worries, but it felt good. He would have his freedom and he would have Teddy. He needed nothing else in his life. His stomach took that moment to growl. Well, perhaps he needed a meat pie and some tea.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Teddy wondered if anyone would notice if she fled out the side door and ran away. Brides were, generally, a center point of a wedding, but perhaps luck would be with her and she could run far, far, far away. It wasn't that she wanted to run away from Artie, but there were so many people here. She didn't know which would be worse. All the people she knew who would be watching her as she undoubtedly did something terrible and awkward and gauche? Or all the people she didn't know? She wanted to run in frantic circles, but her fear had her rooted to the spot. She hated everything, everyone. She didn't want to be here and she didn't even want to marry Artie anymore, she just wanted to melt into the floor, evaporate like water after a storm.
"Teddy?"
Lauren Haste's voice. What was Lauren doing here?
"Artie asked me to check on you, he said you might be nervous."
Teddy wanted to speak, to make noises with her mouth, but she simply couldn't. Her mother came in.
"Are you ready, Teddy? I'm supposed to be seated now. Father will come and lead you down the aisle."
She still couldn't make noises. Should she nod or shake her head? She wasn't ready, she wasn't ready at all, but no one would understand that.
"I'll make sure she's ready, Miss Minett," Lauren promised. Her mother left again. "Your bouquet is lovely."
That Teddy could nod about. She'd made a bouquet from some of her favorite flowers that Artie had carved for her. Not every bride could so precisely choose the colors of her bouquet as Teddy had done, painting each flower herself.
Lauren laid her hands over Teddy's, where they clutched the bouquet tightly. "You're very lucky. I wish that I'd seen before what a very good man your fiancé is."
Teddy blinked. She knew that Lauren was trying to be a friend and reassure her of her good fortune in husbands. But Teddy also heard the very clear threat that underlay Lauren's words. If Teddy were to bolt now, Lauren would be more than happy to offer Artie all the financial security he had ever wanted. That stiffened her spine like nothing else could.
"Thank you, Lauren. I am very lucky."
Lauren gave her a sly smile that made Teddy wonder if it had been her intention all along. Then Teddy's father was there and music was playing and she was walking down the aisle, and please God all she wanted was to not trip in front of everyone. Didn't prayers count for more when you made them in church? She certainly hoped so because otherwise she was going to trip over her own feet and never live down the story of it all of her live-long days.
***
Artie could see how pale Teddy was as soon as she started up the aisle. She was beautiful in her yellow and blue, holding a bouquet of their flowers. But as she drew closer he could see how her hand trembled, how her eyes looked haunted. He smiled at her, trying to lend her his strength. She finally looked him in the eye and smiled back, a tremulous and weak smile, but a smile nonetheless. Once her hand was on his arm, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. Knowing her as he did, he didn't try words of support or love, although she might appreciate them. He knew only one thing would distract her from her fretting.
"I've arranged a long carriage ride after the wedding."
Straightening again he saw her mind sort through the implications of his statement, and knew when she remembered the promise he'd made about what they would do the next time they were alone in a carriage. For a moment he was concerned that she would change from fearful bride to telling the vicar to get on with it. Somehow she managed to hold her tongue and suffer through the ceremony.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
When she collapsed against Arthur's chest in the carriage Teddy thought that she would very much enjoy being married. There seemed to be an almost endless variety of ways to make love. Riding him while their carriage bounced through early spring ruts was a very satisfying one. He stroked a hand over her back.
"Did you enjoy that?"
She sat up to kiss him again. "You know I did. Did you?"
He reached under her skirts to squeeze her bottom with his large hands. "If we didn't have a wedding breakfast to get to I would insist we do it again."
Feeling his hands on her so intimately fanned the flames of her desire again. "What wedding breakfast?"
Laughing, he pulled her hard against him. "His Grace is to toast us. I doubt we want to miss it."
"If you insist." She sighed as though forlorn.
"One toast, and then the rest of our lives to make love whenever, wherever we want. I think you can suffer through."
"Very well." She purposely sighed again just to annoy him.
"Minx," he accused.
"Tease," she countered.
He kissed her quite thoroughly. "My sweet little nymph."
***
Artie didn't think that Teddy had said one word yet at the breakfast. They had been toasted numerous times, and she would smile, raise her glass, and drink. But her eyes were wide and lips sealed. He knew that people made her nervous, but apparently hadn't ever realized how nervous. It wasn't something he had ever suffered from. Certainly there were times when he expected censure, or worried about how he would be seen, but it didn't make him react like it did Teddy. She seemed, well, petrified would be a good word.
Now wasn't a good time to think on it because His Grace had finally risen to speak. Artie squeezed Teddy's hand in the hopes it comforted her.
"Fellow attendees," the duke began, "it is my great pleasure to have come here and seen my beloved nephew wed this lovely bride. When my sister wrote to me that her youngest son was marrying, I wondered where all the years had gone. How could Arthur already be old enough to wed? But I see him here with his beloved and think to myself that he has grown into a fine man, the very picture of his grandfather, God rest His Grace's soul. What should I give such a fine man on his wedding day? A man so reminiscent of my own father? My sister already raised the stakes by giving him property." The crowd murmured appreciatively when the duke paused. "So I thought to myself, certainly I have some property somewhere that I can impart? Dukes always do, you know."
Artie felt his heart seize and skip off in an irregular beat. What was His Grace on about? The duke patted at his pockets as though some miscellaneous property might be hidden there, earning a laugh from the crowd. He pulled out a rolled piece of paper with a flourish.
"Ah! There it is." His Grace unrolled the paper and cleared his throat. Everyone in the audience leaned toward the duke, hanging on his next words. Artie realized that he had started squeezing Teddy's hand in earnest, less for her benefit and more because he didn't understand what was happening. "Oh yes," His Grace said, as though amused. "Belridge Hall."
Artie thought he might very well pass out and slide under the table. Belridge Hall wasn't some run down drafty house in the corner of nowhere, which was the best he could possibly expect anyone to give him. It was an estate with well o
ver a thousand acres in land, only a few hours ride from Aylsham proper. It made no sense whatsoever for the duke to give it to him. Until he saw that the very next thing His Grace did was turn his smile to Norbert Graham. A smile that had turned to a vicious smirk.
If Artie was to be a pawn between His Grace and his father, that was perfectly fine. Because now he could give Teddy the dressing room he'd dreamt of giving her, and when the crops and rents came in he could take her to London and spoil her with the latest fashions.
Then she squeezed his hand and he heard her soft voice beside him. "But what about our shop?"
"Let's thank him first, shall we? And then we can work it all out later. You're a big fan of working it all out later, remember?"
Artie stood with his glass aloft to loudly and profusely thank his uncle for his largess.
Chapter Thirty
Teddy thought she might be a bit drunk. Or perhaps a bit much drunk. There had been a lot of toasts. And a lot of presents. And the duke seemed to have given them an estate outside of town, but that didn't make any sense so she remained skeptical. Besides which, she really, really loved their shop. Arthur had already put so much work into it, and their bed was there. Their bed. The one they'd made love on that first time, when it had undoubtedly been frigid but they'd been so hot for one another they hadn't noticed. And she was going to sell her flowers there and Arthur was going to carve and she would paint and they would eat at the tea house every day.
Yes, she was a bit drunk.
But for all the dreams she'd had about the shop, she'd also had doubts. Pellinore couldn't live there. They wouldn't have a kitchen. It never was overly warm. If they had an estate, and she really didn't believe that was possible, but for the sake of argument say they did, did that mean they would have servants? She'd never been to Belridge, but had certainly heard of it. It had gardens. The sort of fancy gardens that people talked about and wanted to visit. It was ridiculous to think that she would be married to a man who had fancy gardens. The only garden she was ever going to have was the one Artie carved for her, that she painted. She was a frog and he was a moon and how did she think she was ever going to marry him? But she already had, and now most of the guests had left and Artie was laughing with one of his middle brothers, the one named Richard, and she rather desperately wanted to lay down and sleep because wine made her sleepy anyway, and she was fairly sure they didn't own an estate, but after a nap it would all be a good deal clearer.
"Teddy."
Artie was talking to her. Had she dozed off at the table? She'd really had too much wine, of that she was sure.
"Are you ready to go?"
She nodded, which made her head slosh, but not too terribly much, which was good because she had a feeling too much sloshing would be bad.
"Do you need me to carry you?"
That would be divine, wouldn't it? She was tiny in comparison to her husband. Perhaps he could carry her around everywhere. Perhaps he could carry her around in his pocket. She started giggling. Although she hadn't answered him yet he scooped her up. Content in his arms, she ran her fingers through his hair. She loved touching him. He probably wouldn't appreciate being pet like a cat, but that's what she was inclined to do. She was even happier petting him than Pellinore. She sighed. She missed Pellinore already. How many nights would they spend at the flat before she could see Pelly again? Or would they be at the flat? Were they to move to Belridge? That still seemed impossible. Once she had some of her mind back she would ask Artie about it. She snuggled into his shoulder and sighed one last time before falling asleep.
***
Artie wasn't sure if it was the wine, the exhaustion of the day, or just her nature, but one thing was sure. His wife could sleep like the dead. He'd carried her into the carriage, out of the carriage, up the stairs to their flat, laid her on the bed, undressed her, and still she flopped around like a creature freshly killed. It was oddly adorable. He turned his head to the side. Yes, she was also drooling.
It was still the afternoon, but he tucked her under the covers, stoked the fires one last time, and joined her in the bed. Today had been a momentous day, even more so than he'd ever imagined. Tomorrow he was to meet with the duke's man of business who had been brought up from London specially to execute the deed. It was far beyond anything he had ever imagined.
Teddy sighed and shifted in her sleep, so he pulled her closer to him. Her warm, soft curves were divine. Even if he were to only have this one moment of utter perfection, it would be enough. His wife by his side, the promise of a new life starting tomorrow. He'd try not to put too much stock in what might be, and just enjoy this moment for what it was. Perfect.
Chapter Thirty-One
Teddy had a headache. And someone's hand on her hip. Her eyes popped open and she rolled over. Artie. Her handsome, wonderful husband. They had never woken up together before. Her head still ached, but the thrill of this new experience buoyed her. She ran a hand over his chest, enjoying the feel of his rough hair. He grunted and put his arm over her waist. She kissed him. He responded slowly.
"Sleep," he complained.
Her husband was not, it would seem, in favor of mornings.
"How am I to sleep when I'm so excited?" she asked.
He pulled her close and trapped her against his chest, kissing the top of her head. "Sleep," he said again.
She was fairly sure he had not yet opened his eyes. She wriggled against him.
"Teddy," he said in a warning tone.
"Arthur," she responded just as darkly.
He finally opened his eyes and looked down at her. "Theodora," he taunted.
"Rude," she answered.
This time he initiated the kiss, teasing her with his tongue. It was just getting interesting with open mouthed kisses and his large hands in all the right places when he suddenly sat up. "What time is it?" He snatched his pocket watch off the table and tilted it to read in the pale morning light. "I should get dressed."
"What?"
"I've an estate to accept. I shouldn't be late." He flipped back the covers and stood up.
She sat up on her knees on the bed, unashamed of her nudity. "Arthur Francis Walter Vivian Graham, if you do not get back in this bed right now I promise you will regret it."
He smiled at her. "You were paying attention yesterday."
"I've known your name for a lot longer than that."
His eyes darkened at her admission and he set the watch aside. They passed their time quite pleasantly until the sun fully rose.
The light of day, however, meant that they must start out on their new lives together. The ducal carriage was sent to take them to Belridge. Artie held Teddy's hand, which was the only thing keeping her from floating away, she thought. The carriage was sinfully appointed. Velvet seats and oil lamps and varnished wood the color of chestnuts. Had Artie grown up with such luxuries being commonplace? The Grahams residence was quite nice, but this carriage? Sweet heavens, it was outrageous.
Then they rattled over a bridge and trotted up a curving drive, and if this was Beldridge Hall she needed to run away now as fast as her feet could carry her. It was impossibly large.
"How many bedrooms does it have," she asked quietly, in awe of the sheer size of the place.
Artie also peered out the window at the estate. "I imagine it's the sort of place where you're never quite sure."
"We're to live here?"
"Well, we will own it. I suppose we could live anywhere we like."
***
His wife was clearly intimidated, and in all honesty so was Artie himself. The duke's servants escorted them in the front door where a Mr. Norris, the duke's man of business met them. They repaired to a study where Mr. Norris proceeded to go over the documents for the estate. It had been in the duke's possession for five years, the original family that owned it having died out some eight years hence. There weren't many who had the funds to take advantage of the 'bargain' of such a large estate going on the market for less than it might
be worth, but Artie's uncle was one such man. He'd purchased it and had it managed for these past five years without being sure quite what he would do with it. Now it was to pass on to Arthur Graham, with all the attendant duties and privileges. All of which Mr. Norris explained in excruciating detail. He asked more than once if Artie had a man of business of his own, and continued to recommend that he acquire one at his earliest convenience.
Yesterday, Artie had less than twenty pounds to his name. Today, a duke's retainer was asking him why he didn't have employees. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing uncontrollably.
They heard the front door open again, and voices in the large front hall. Mr. Norris led their party to investigate.
"Maman," he said, both pleased and exasperated to see her. Lady Graham had also brought his sister Eleanor, and he kissed both on the cheek. Both ladies greeted Teddy cordially, but their attention was clearly on the house.
"Isn't it lovely," his mother enthused. "I'm so glad that I wrote to Walter and told him of this place all those years ago."
Artie watched them circling around the front hall, chatting and looking at the house, and realized that this was what his future held. He had the newest, and best, stage for family dramas. The siblings that had ignored him his whole life would suddenly want to visit. His father would undoubtedly be writ large simply in his absence. Chuck would be unbearably jealous. Based on how she inspected every newel post, he suspected his mother might move in. Although, as he'd told Teddy, there were a great many bedrooms. It might not be all that noticeable.
