Page 21 of Her Honorable Viscount (Noble Pursuits #3)

CHAPTER 21

T he next two weeks flew by faster than Dot could ever have imagined. It seemed like she blinked, and suddenly, she was standing in the back of St. George’s, a veil over her face and a small posy of flowers in her hands. Sarah told her that the myrtle represented love, the rosemary symbolized remembrance, and the lavender signified devotion. She hoped all of it would be present in her marriage.

She was about to become Lady Mandrake. Edward’s wife.

She was both excited and terrified.

Excited for what would exist between the two of them.

Terrified of what it would mean for the rest of her life.

But, she had decided that her work was worth giving up for Edward, so here she was, ready to say yes to the life that awaited her.

The rumors that Lady Carroway had begun had, as Dot had imagined, quickly died out when Edward had brushed them off with a laugh and no one gave them any reason to be suggested as truth. Dot felt that the deciding factor for most of the ton was the idea that Lord Mandrake would never marry such a woman.

Which, she realized, was part truth, as she would no longer be that woman.

Not really.

And blessedly, Lady Carroway hadn’t said anything further about the initial rumor.

“Are we doing this?”

She turned to offer Fitz a smile as he stood by her side, ready to walk her down the aisle.

“We are.”

He was shaking his head as they took their first steps.

“I still cannot believe you are marrying Mandrake.”

“Fitz!”

“I know he’s a good man and all that, but by God?—”

“Fitz, we are in a church,” she hissed. “And besides, you are not marrying him.”

“Thank Go—goodness for that.”

“You told me this was my choice.”

“Perhaps that was a mistake.”

Dot would have rolled her eyes at her brother if everyone wasn’t watching them.

“I appreciate you allowing me to make my own decision, Fitz. Edward is a good man, even if his opinion differs from yours.”

“I trust your judgment, Dot,” he said softly as they neared the front. He shook Edward’s hand.

Dot stepped up, standing across from the rest of her life.

She knew she had made the right decision as she looked into Edward’s eyes, so strong, steady, and gray.

He would always be her rock. He would never falter. He appreciated her for who she was and the opinions she held.

She was falling in love with him.

Which meant she could never say no to him now.

Edward walked through his wedding day in a daze.

Sometimes, he had to pinch himself, to look around to determine if this was reality or if he was dreaming.

For the woman he had wanted for so long, who he had told himself he would have to live without, was now his wife.

Could it truly be possible?

Whenever he questioned it, he would look across the room to wherever she was, with whoever she was talking to at this wedding breakfast, meet her eyes, match her smile, and be reminded that she was his now – for the rest of their lives.

He would prove himself worthy and do all he could to remind her that she had made the right decision.

He had tried to live in the moment throughout the day, but he was too focused on the future – the immediate future.

When they left her brother’s house, where the wedding breakfast had been held, they shared the carriage home with Michael and Adelaide. His brother had partaken in more than his fair share of punch, causing Adelaide to eye him with apparent disdain.

“Well now,” Michael said, stretching his arms across the top of the squab behind Adelaide, “It’s finally time, is it, Edward?”

Edward eyed him, hoping he would read his expression correctly.

He was to be disappointed.

“We do not have to speak about this, Michael.”

“Of course, we do not have to, but would it not be fun to do so? How long have you been waiting for this, Edward? Thirty years?”

“What is he talking about, Edward?” Dot asked, looking at him, and he slowly exhaled as he tried to hold onto patience.

“Nothing,” he said. “Is that not right, Michael?”

“I think she deserves to know,” Michael said, leaning across Adelaide, who made a face and pushed him away. “She should have known earlier that she was getting a man who might not provide her with the full experience if you know what I mean.”

“I can assure you, Michael, that my experience will be just fine,” Dot said, leaning forward, fire in her eyes, apparently having deduced to what Michael was referring. “Sometimes, too much experience comes with its own hazards, and other times, even those with experience clearly have not learned what they should have.”

Her gaze flicked from Michael to Adelaide and back again.

Edward couldn’t help it.

He should have been embarrassed, angry, or annoyed with his brother for not doing as he had asked.

But at this moment, Michael didn’t matter. All that mattered was Dot.

Who was magnificent.

He started to laugh while Michael and Adelaide stared at him in shock. The corners of Dot’s lips turned up, and soon enough, she was laughing along with him, gripping his arm as the two of them bent over. Even Adelaide joined in with a smile, although that could have been her pleasure at Michael’s annoyance.

They were still chuckling when the carriage stopped, and the doors opened in front of Edward’s – and now Dot’s – London home.

Suddenly, he stopped laughing as he realized what time it was.

Time for his wedding night.

He stepped out of the carriage, holding his arm out and helping Dot down, allowing Michael to look after Adelaide. He would have suggested to his brother that he look out for Adelaide’s needs and read her cues if he wanted to have any chance of keeping her and their child together as a family.

But that would have to wait for tomorrow.

Tonight, he would concentrate on his own marriage.

He couldn’t even remember saying goodnight to his brother and to Adelaide, although later, Dot told him that he had been his usual, cordial self when he had wished them good evening, instructed the butler and housekeeper to close up the house for the night, and then led her upstairs.

He stopped in front of the first door in the corridor.

“This will be your bedroom,” he said. “Mine is at the end of the hall, and doors and a dressing room connect the two. Your lady’s maid has been here all day since she left you before the wedding, preparing your room with help from my staff. Our staff.”

“That is lovely. Thank you, Edward,” she said.

He hated this awkwardness between them. For once, he wished he was a bit more like Michael, who easily charmed women inside and outside the bedroom.

But Edward had never been like that. He had always thought such an act was sacred for man and wife, and he had decided to treat it as such until his marriage.

Which had finally arrived.

“Why do I not prepare for bed and then… come visit you?” Dot said, looking up at him with hesitant yet hopeful eyes, and his heart squeezed.

“I would like that.”

“Good.”

With a tentative smile, she disappeared into the bedroom, leaving Edward standing in the corridor, alone but for the weight of anticipation that hung in the air, mingled with the scent of fresh flowers that sat in a vase on a table before him.

Edward took a deep breath to steady himself before proceeding to his own bedroom at the end of the hall.

He looked around his room, trying to picture it through Dot’s eyes. The grand four-poster bed was draped in dark green rich damask, while a mahogany wardrobe, a writing desk, and a plush armchair in front of the ornate fireplace finished the room’s furniture. He kept a collection of books on a bedside table, but otherwise, the room lacked personality. He should change that.

He lit a few candles, casting a warm glow across the space. A knock sounded on the door that opened to the corridor, and he hurried toward it, but it was only his valet.

“Congratulations, my lord,” Rogers said. “I trust the wedding was as expected?”

“It was, Rogers,” he said thoughtfully. “As expected and more.”

He tried to provide Rogers with his attention and answer the man’s questions, but his mind was racing with thoughts of Dot — her laughter, gentle touch, and unwavering kindness.

And how he was supposed to greet her now.

What if she didn’t come?

What if she wasn’t interested?

What if?—

A soft knock sounded on the connecting door, and Rogers failed to hide his growing smile.

“Goodnight, my lord,” he said before quickly backing out of the room, leaving Edward alone until he realized that standing there waiting would accomplish nothing, and he rushed to open the door.

There Dot was, standing in a soft, pale blue wrapper, her hair dancing around her shoulders in waves. He longed to reach out and touch it, to see if the silky strands were as soft as they looked.

And then he realized that nothing was stopping him from doing so.

“Come in,” he said, opening the door wider, and she took slow, careful steps into the room, her gaze wandering around the furnishings. She stopped before the window, her body bathed in moonlight, and her beauty struck him anew.

“I-ah, trust everything was satisfactory?” he finally managed, breaking the silence.

“Yes, Edward,” she said with a small smile. “Everything has been satisfactory. Your townhouse is lovely, and I appreciate all you have done to make me feel welcome and at home.”

He took a small step toward her. “It is your home now, too, and I want you to do all you can to make it feel that way.”

“Edward?”

“Yes?”

“Why is this so uncomfortable?”

He straightened. He hadn’t been expecting such a direct question.

“I suppose because we know what is expected of us, but we are not entirely sure of how to get there.”

She took a step closer to him, the fire crackling behind her. “We have been close to one another before.”

“We have.”

“I think…” She paused and closed the gap so that there was only a foot of space separating them now. “I think we should forget what is expected of us and do what feels right.”

“I think that is a very good idea.”

“I have many of them.”

“So I have realized.” He paused, trying to find the words. “Michael wasn’t wrong when he said that you merited someone with more experience, who could guide you and provide you with all that you deserve.”

Her snort was so unladylike that he started.

“Edward, I do not care what experience you have. I rather like the idea that you have never been with another woman.”

“You do?”

“Of course I do. That means that I will be your first – and your only. For it tells me that you hold marriage in the highest regard, and I will have no fears about you ever seeking out another.”

“Dot,” he said, huskiness in his voice, “I would never take another woman but you. You must know that. You are it for me.”

As they spoke, they moved closer together as though drawn to one another by an invisible force until they were but a breath away from one another. Edward needed only to lower his head to find what he so desperately wanted.

“Perhaps we do away with expectations,” he said.

“And do what feels right?” she finished.

“Exactly.”

He closed the last few inches between them, his lips meeting hers, fusing together, the kiss overflowing with promise and anticipation.

He was filled with relief at the rightness of their bodies coming together, the awkwardness sliding away, passion filling it instead.

He reached down and slowly wrapped his hands around her hips, lifting her and placing her on the bed so that they were closer in height.

He deepened the kiss, savoring her soft lips and the taste of chocolate dessert on her tongue. Dot’s hands found their way to his chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as she pulled him closer, a silent plea for more. Edward’s heart raced, feeling her warmth against him, the desire between them growing with each passing moment, replacing any hesitation that had gathered.

Breaking the kiss, he whispered against her lips, "Are you sure about this, Dot? You must be comfortable. Nothing has to happen tonight. Not if you are not ready."

Her eyes, filled with determination and longing, met his. "I’ve never been surer of anything in my life," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

With a tender smile, Edward began to undress her slowly, removing her wrapper and then her elegant nightgown, taking in every inch of her exquisite form exposed to him for the first time.

Dot shivered under his gaze, a blush blooming on her cheeks as he traced a line down her spine with feather-light touches.

She was delicate yet strong, every inch of her fascinating him and crying out to be touched.

Edward’s hands trembled slightly as he caressed her soft skin, marveling at how she responded to his touch. Dot closed her eyes and let out a small sigh, leaning into his hand as if seeking more of his gentle exploration.

He lifted her and laid her reverently down on the bed before leaning in to press a trail of kisses along her jawline, down her neck, feeling the rapid beat of her pulse beneath his lips. Dot’s fingers found their way into his hair, threading through the dark strands as she arched her neck, offering herself to him.

Their breaths mingled in the quiet room, the only sound the flickering of the fire and the soft rustle of fabric as Edward shed his own shirt and jackets, baring the top half of himself to her completely. He hovered over her, their eyes locked in a silent conversation filled with unspoken promises and shared emotions.

As he lowered himself to kiss her once more, Edward whispered against her lips, "I want this to be perfect for you, Dot. Tell me what you need. What you want.”

She looped a hand around the back of his neck, her eyes heady with desire, her lids half closed.

“I want you, Edward. Only you.”

They were the exact words he wanted to hear, ones that told him everything he needed to know.

There was no holding back now.