Page 10 of The Unseen Hour (The Unseen Hour Duology #1)
W hen I entered and saw Mother standing in the great hall with Bellamy, I froze.
I told myself the shot of anxiety that went through me was merely instinctual.
I’d done so much snooping and sneaking lately that I was bound to feel on edge even when walking through a doorway in broad daylight, wearing a pink dress of which my mother could do nothing but approve.
Bellamy probably had business with my brothers and was stopping in to be polite, nothing more.
Telling myself that did little to stop the steady increase of my heartbeat.
Bellamy shot me a victorious smile that made me want to turn around and bolt to the stables, his perfectly white teeth managing to look predatory instead of handsome.
I wanted to sprint for Pellix’s stall, then ride all the way to the capital so I could disappear.
There was no way my mother could know about my plans, but I clutched the books closer.
Mother had a strained smile plastered on her face, and it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
I’d seen her wear the same expression at society functions a number of times. It always meant she wasn't pleased with the situation but was determined to endure it, because that’s what decorum called for at the time.
“Bellamy has made a formal request for your hand in marriage. Isn’t that … interesting, Celia?”
Bellamy swept into a bow at his waist.
“My lady. I do hope you will forgive me the unusual timing, but as I’m sure you know, engagements do occasionally take place outside the season.
One of the queen’s children had just such an engagement a few winters ago.
While I would never dream of attempting to outshine Her Majesty, I thought perhaps a Wintertide wedding would be perfection.
I would have expressed my interest in your hand sooner, but I was under the mistaken impression that it had already been spoken for.
Thankfully, that misunderstanding has been cleared up, and I am here to rectify my error before the opportunity eludes me.
As it stands, I look forward to a winter celebration of our nuptials. ”
My mother made some inane comment about the beauty of the ground covered in snow during that time of year, and how lovely it would be to have the ceremony on a holiday. Bellamy reciprocated, and I had to remind myself to breathe. I could hear the blood rushing behind my eardrums.
Bellamy didn’t even wait for an answer; he just continued prattling on with Mother about his idea of all the arrangements and the timeline.
I’d been wrong. Thomas’s delay tactics had failed, and any hope that my mother would have shut Bellamy down flat were clearly not going to happen. My dress felt too tight; my heart pounded against my chest like Pellix’s hooves across the frozen ground.
I cast my gaze around for my brothers. As if summoned by my thoughts, I saw Ambrose tucked back into a corner, looking grim. He made his way over to me, standing so he momentarily blocked me from Bellamy’s view as I unleashed my rage on him.
“How could Mother agree to this? She knows that I do not?—”
“She didn’t agree. I am the head of the household, and I agreed on her behalf. Really, Celia, you had to know you could not continue on riding around in stolen breeches forever. I proposed to Penny, and it’s time for you to find a suitable match as well.”
I clenched my fists, scrunching my eyes to try to hold back tears. My face felt hot.
“Is that what this is about? You have a new bride, and it’s time to clear your sister out and make room? Too crowded here now, is it?”
It wasn’t a fair accusation, and I knew it, but to believe this of Ambrose was the last thing I wanted. My eldest brother was dropping lower in my esteem by the moment.
“I won’t marry him. I will not, and you can’t force me,” I spit out.
Ambrose’s frown deepened so much that his forehead creased with the worry lines of a much older man.
“Do not do this here, Celia. You cannot make a scene. We will discuss this later, and you can scold and shout at me then, if you must. But know this: the wedding will go forward. Mother expressed a concern for your safety, and I must say I agree. I am starting a family of my own with Penny. I will always support you, but I cannot have my eyes on you at all times. I kept your secret last year when you showed up just before the Unseen Hour, but I cannot follow you around like a child who continues to throw herself into danger. This way, you’ll have a husband of your own to make sure you stay safe. I am doing this for you.”
“Do you think me nothing more than the cattle in the fields, or numbers in this estate’s ledger, that you can so easily sell me off?”
Ambrose’s cheeks reddened.
“I would never send you to a dishonorable man. Bellamy is a gentleman. There are no complaints with how he runs his house, no unseemly chatter from his staff, and no rumors circulating anywhere that he is anything but an honorable man. You will wed him. And do not look at me like that. You’re staring as if I’ve just disowned you and thrown you into the streets.
You can bring a maid with you; I know you’ve always been close to Tilly, and she’s agreed to go.
And of course you’ll have all your things. ”
“And Pellix?”
I grappled for any ounce of control I could get.
Ambrose sighed, running a hand over his face.
“If the horse is that important to you, I’m sure it could be arranged.
The gods know none of us can ride him. Bellamy’s estate has a large stable area, but you must know you won’t be able to continue riding as you do now.
He’s already assured me that he has a room with a piano, so you’ll be able to keep up with your music. ”
Small recompense. My future stretched out before me in my mind. Pellix stuck in a stable and without my companionship. I’d be trapped decorating Bellamy’s estate, standing on his arm at formal functions, and, horror of horrors, sleeping in his bed and …
It did not bear thinking about.
There was only one way out of this, and I’d been working toward it all year. Now the stakes were even higher. I just had to delay a little longer.
I strode past Ambrose and over to my mother and Bellamy.
“Not Wintertide,” I interrupted. Bellamy frowned, and my mother for once did not point out my rudeness. “I mean to say, I’ve always thought a spring wedding would be perfection. The flowers just in bloom and all those beautiful colors serving as a backdrop. An ethereal outdoor ceremony.”
As I spoke, I realized that it did sound beautiful. But I was just stalling.
Bellamy ran a hand over his chin, scowling as he appraised me.
Swallowing down my hesitation, I reached out and placed a hand on his arm, an acceptable gesture for two newly engaged individuals.
“Having the pink flowers we keep around the estate incorporated into the ceremony would be a touching tribute to my father, and a wonderful gift from my new husband. A fitting backdrop for the joining of two noble houses.”
Bellamy smirked, and I tensed, forcing myself to keep my hand on his arm.
“It would eliminate any potential issues caused by an unexpected snow,” he mused. “And some people are wary of traveling at Wintertide, so close to the Unseen Hour. All right, if that is what my bride desires, so it shall be. Springtime.”
“Shall we discuss the details over tea?” Mother offered. Ambrose and Bellamy readily agreed.
My mother rushed off to speak to the staff about preparing tea, and my brother moved across the hall as Penny entered.
Bellamy leaned down, and his hands squeezed my own. They were sticky with sweat.
“I’m thrilled you’ve accepted my proposal, Celia .
” The way his voice lingered on the syllables in my name made my skin crawl.
“I’m sure you’ll be very happy with me. And I am sure you’ll please me as well.
” His eyes dipped downward, and I felt a sudden desire to tug the neckline of my dress higher.
My mother announced the tea was nearly ready and beckoned us all to the sitting room. I tried to yank my hands away from Bellamy, but he held on for a few more seconds before letting go.
He followed me through the halls, and Mother didn’t meet my eyes when we swept past.
The rest of the details for the wedding were hashed out by Ambrose and Bellamy, along with Mother’s occasional input. I hardly said another word.
Instead, I sipped my tea, taking another drink any time I felt tears threatening to form.
I’d done the only thing I could—bought myself time.
There was one solution to all my problems, and a fool like Bellamy was not going to stand in the way of my happiness.
After the Unseen Hour, I’d be gone and Bellamy Bonds could find a new bride.