Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Abena?” she said to the youngest sister, opening her arms. Typically, Abena could not hold her tongue, yet today, she’d stood beside her father, her eyes red and a frown on her lips. “Will you not wish me well?”
The little girl looked down. “Bye.”
“That was wishing me off but not well. I demand a hug,” Aphrodite said. Still, Abena refused.
So, Hathor and Devana grabbed both of her arms and yanked her forward. All three sisters were now thrown against my wife. I stepped forward to catch her should she fall, as she nearly stumbled back at the force. She stood firm, and they all hugged tightly.
“You must write to us!” Hathor declared.
“Married women do not have much time to write, Hathor,” her mother called.
“I shall find the time,” Aphrodite said with a laugh.
“We can visit later?” Devana questioned.
“And married women do not have time to entertain their little sisters,” her mother added, shaking her head.
“I shall find the time,” Aphrodite replied.
When Hathor and Devana released her, there was only Abena still hugging tightly. Aphrodite bent down to pinch her cheeks.
They hugged her once more before her brother Hector stepped forward and embraced her.
“Father says the most important thing is to be happy,” he said, “so be happy.”
“I promise it.”
He glanced over to me, glaring, and I had to say, for a boy of such young age, he held a very mean gaze. “Make her happy.”
“It shall be my life’s work.” I watched her say goodbye to her mother and father. I had been so focused on little Abena that I had not noticed the other red face here—Lord Monthermer. He swallowed and nodded over and over to himself, widening his eyes and holding back his own tears before he hugged her. I did not know what he whispered into her ear, but I knew it made her smile. They both even shared a small laugh before she took a step back. I looked at my sister.
“You shall not weep and hug me?” I asked.
“Why? I shall see you in three weeks, a month at most,” she said with not a care.
“Do not cause them any trouble, Verity,” I warned, giving her a stern look. Truthfully, I was worried about her condition and others knowing, but she said she was taking the medicine prescribed to her by Dr. Cunningham.
“Thank you for keeping her,” I said to my godmother, who nodded, seemingly choking on her own emotion as well.
“You both should get on,” her father said.
“Right,” I replied, waiting for Aphrodite. When she returned to me, I helped her inside the carriage before going in myself.
From inside, she glanced once more at her family, waving to them as they waved back. It was only when they were too far to see her in the dark that her eyes also glazed over with tears. When one escaped, I reached over and wiped it away with my thumb. Startled by my touch, her eyes finally met mine.
“Forgive me, I am not sad…I am only…”
“Sad,” I answered when she did not seem to have the words.
“I am happy. It is just…both.”
“I understand,” I whispered. “When they return to Belclere Castle, we will invite them to visit, or we may go to them if you prefer.”
“Thank you.” She smiled.
How was it possible for one woman’s smile to take such command over all my thoughts, all my life?
“Are we going to Everely now?” she asked.
“We shall go. But not immediately to the estate. I hope to spend some time showing you a bit of the other towns along the way, as I know you enjoy your freedom.”
“That sounds lovely…and tonight?” She asked softly.
“Tonight, we will remain at my—our—home here,” I answered. I wondered once more what she had been told to expect of her wedding night.
The ride back to the house was silent, and the closer we came to reaching our destination, the more anxious I found myself becoming. It was as though the beast in me was at the table, pounding his fist, demanding to eat, and there before me was a lamb feast. I hungered for her, ached for her, and now that I had her, I feared that hunger was so severe I would forget myself and, most importantly, forget how delicate she was in this matter.
“Welcome home, Your Grace,” the footman said as he opened the carriage door. When I reached back for her, she stepped out, looking to the house as though she had never seen it before.
“Your Grace,” the footman said to her, and she stared at him for a moment longer before nodding.
“Come,” I whispered, leading her inside to where the maid was already waiting. “Your maid has gone ahead to Everely, so I arranged to have someone attend to you for the night here.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“This way, Your Grace,” the maid said, leading her to the stairs. When I did not follow her up, Aphrodite paused and glanced down at me.