* * *
Sabrina clutched the delicate slipper as the tears ran down her face. She was practically sobbing and Marius prayed it was for a joyful reason, but had nothing to compare it to. He had never seen her cry before. Taking a deep breath, he approached her slowly and cautiously, retrieving the handkerchief from his own pocket because she seemed to be without one. Silently he held it out to her.
Sabrina slowly lifted her eyes to his. With a shaky smile, her eyes met his and her tears began to flow again. He was unsure of her reaction. Instead of accepting the handkerchief, she stood, holding the slipper and grabbed him to her with her other arm.
Relief swept through his body and he pulled her close, burying his face in her hair. She was still crying and laughing, and incoherent. Marius didn’t care. He was holding her and he knew her answer was yes.
As he tightened his embrace, lifting his head, wanting to kiss her, Sabrina pulled back. “Don’t.”
His heart practically stopped. Had he taken her reaction so completely wrong?
“Don’t crush the slipper.”
Chuckling with relief, Marius lifted it from her hands. “I can have another made.”
She shook her head vehemently. “No. I want this one. Always.”
He had prayed this proposal would work. “I am sure it won’t fit.”
“I don’t care. Nobody has given me anything so wonderful.”
“I recall a particular necklace.”
“It doesn’t even compare.”
Though she hadn’t actually said yes. It was there in her eyes and in her voice. Marius would deny himself no longer. Lowering his head, he brushed her lips lightly, lovingly.
Sabrina sighed against him, resting her head on his shoulder. Nothing else in the world could be this perfect.
Clearing his throat he had to ask. “Sabrina, I need to hear your answer. Will you marry me?”
Tilting her head back, she smiled brightly. “Oh yes.”
Laughing, he lowered his head and kissed her again, deeply this time, while he set the slipper on the table beside him, before pulling her tightly against him. He was still shocked at his own relief at her answer. He hadn’t even admitted to himself how unsure he had been until that moment.
Reluctantly, Marius pulled away from the kiss. There was still much to do today. In fact, it had only begun and very, very soon he would be able to make her his own. “Can I assume this is the reason you told me no the other times?”
“Yes.” she answered, resting her head against his chest. “I stayed at the academy for my uncle and Ramsey. I have only been free a short time and I didn’t want to sacrifice the rest of my life for the only safety or delicious kisses.”
“Delicious?” Marius asked intrigued.
“You already know that.” Sabrina argued back and playfully slapped his chest.
“I hope you don’t consider it a sacrifice to marry because I love you.” She hadn’t voiced her own opinions. Still, he couldn’t believe she would marry someone because they loved her without returning the feelings.
“It is the only reason to marry.” She hugged him tighter.
“Then I can assume you feel the same?” Marius asked quietly in her hair.
Sabrina paused for a moment, pulled back and looked up at him. “Of course I love you. I thought you already knew that.”
“How could I know that when you never said a word?”
“I was afraid it was all too obvious.” Sabrina grimaced. “I have been trying to hide it for quite a while now.”
Intrigued, Marius looked down at her. “Exactly how long have you been aware of these feelings involving me?”
“Since Christmas at least. I knew you didn’t feel the same way. In fact, I was convinced you only cared on some form of friendship level and were being kind to me.”
Marius threw back his head and laughed. “After the way I kissed you until the berries were gone, you still felt that way?”
Sabrina blushed. “I am not exactly experienced in these matters.”
“You may lack experience, and for that I am grateful. At least you had an idea of how you felt.”
“I know you didn’t love me then.”
“You are wrong. I am sure I did, now. I had decided I wanted to marry you before we came to London. I just didn’t realize what was driving me and used convenient excuses for a reason to marry you.”
Her eyes softened as she looked at him.
“Only when you kept telling me no and I became more determined to have you did I realize why.” He looked down into her eyes deeply. “Can you forgive me for the blindness?”
“It doesn’t matter when we knew. It only matters that we both know now.”
She was the most understanding woman he had ever met, not to mention desirable. That thought brought him back to the present and what the rest of the day held, and he slowly pulled away from her. “There are a few matters I have to see to.”
The smile fell from her face.
“I promised Juliet that I would send you to her as soon as I had my answer.”
“Juliet knew that you were going to do this?”
He shook his head. “She knew that I was going to ask you again today, one last time.”
“Last time,” she repeated quietly.
“If you didn’t want me, even after confessing how I felt, I knew I could never bring myself to ask you again,” he returned in seriousness.
“Then I am glad that I was wise enough to finally say yes.” She grinned back at him.
“Glad doesn’t begin to describe how I am feeling, Sabrina.” He wanted to pull her in his arms and kiss her until the world disappeared, but reminded himself he couldn’t.
“I swore to her I wouldn’t keep you and send you right up.”
Sabrina didn’t move, but stood there biting her lip, worry etched on her brow.
“I promise, I will see you shortly. There are only a few matters to attend to, which cannot be avoided, then we can discuss our future.”
“Very well. I well go see Juliet.”
Walking her to the door, he paused and turned towards her. Kissing her deeply once again. “I will see you very soon.” With that, he left the house.
* * *
Sabrina started to run up the stairs, only to stop and turn around to run back into the parlor to grab the slipper and the notes before flying back up the stairs to find Juliet.
Sabrina was brought up short upon entering Juliet’s sitting room. She had no idea Phoebe and Janine had arrived and were taking tea with her cousin-in-law. They watched her expectantly.
“Well?” Juliet finally asked.
Sabrina simply smiled, which was answer enough.
“Thank goodness.” Phoebe stated. “Taylor feared your answer would be no and we were dreading the next few years in Marius’s company.”
“Did everyone know he was going to ask me again, today?”
“We knew when, but not how. Of that he was very secretive,” Janine answered.
“The poor man was a bundle of nerves last night, though he tried to hide it.” Phoebe laughed.
“That is why you came to visit?” Sabrina prompted. Not that it was unusual, but she had her suspicions regarding this particular visit.
“Of course. We were dying to find out ourselves,” Janine answered.
“Exactly where have you been, Sabrina?” Juliet finally asked slowly.
“Oh, I was cleaning the attic. I must look a fright.”
“Or, Cinderella before she married her prince.” Phoebe chuckled.
Lifting the glass slipper for them to see, Sabrina laughed. “I suppose so.”
“Still, perhaps a bath is in order.” Juliet came to her feet.
“Most definitely. Marius said I would be seeing him again later so I best do something with myself.”
Sabrina glanced in the mirror when she entered her room. Goodness, she did look a fright. Thankfully Marius didn’t see her when he first asked today, with the note, or he may
have reneged. Her hair had fallen from the bun, cobwebs affixed themselves to her person, and there were smudges of dirt on her face and the back of her hands. Well, it wasn’t anything a long hot bath wouldn’t cure.
She took a step toward the bathing chamber and the first of the pains struck. She wanted to cry, no not today, on such a perfect day, but a woman couldn’t control these matters, and it explained why she was a bucket of tears today. She would ask her maid to get her some tea to sip while she soaked.
“Sabrina.” Phoebe’s voice came through the door and Sabrina wondered why she followed her in here. She had intended to soak in the hot tub for a bit. It helped relieve some of her discomfort. “There is something we think needs discussed. You just go about what you are doing and we will remain here.”
Startled, Sabrina sat up. We? “What would you like to discuss?”
There was silence for a few moments before Janine finally spoke. “It is about marital relations. More specifically, the marriage bed.”
Complete silence followed. Sabrina had even ceased moving in the water.
“You see, Sabrina,” Phoebe offered. “Your mother died when you were young and we were afraid you wouldn’t know what to, um, what is expected.”
“Mrs. Davies instructed us on what is involved, in more detail than I care to know.” Sabrina called out after a few moments. How could she have forgotten that Marius would want to do much more than kiss her? Oh dear, marriage wasn’t going to be completely wonderful.
“Good.” Janine sighed. “I really didn’t know how we were going to explain the mechanics of it all.”
The other two giggled.
Nobody said anything further and Sabrina lay in her bath thinking, afraid to ask. Finally she spoke up. “Is it as unpleasant and embarrassing as Lady Davies led us to believe?”
“Oh Lord, she sounds like my mother,” Juliet snorted.
“What did she tell you to expect, other than the mechanics that is?” Janine prompted.
“The first time is horribly painful but after about the tenth time your body should be used to the invasion and you should suffer only minor discomfort.”
“That woman is my mother,” Juliet exclaimed.
“Well at least Sabrina knows more than I did, though not completely accurate,” Janine stated.
Sabrina wanted to ask what was inaccurate but Phoebe prompted Janine to continue with her own story.
“As you know, I was in love with Martin and we had run off to Scotland. You see I had been completely sheltered. My mother had told me absolutely nothing.”
“What a shock you must have received.” Phoebe laughed.
“That isn’t half of it. When Martin proceeded to seduce me, wanting to touch me in places I believed were forbidden we had a horrible disagreement. I thought he must be perverted in some manner and wondered what type of man I had married. He tried explaining it to me, but I thought he was daft.”
“You have three sons so Martin had to have convinced you somehow.” Phoebe continued to laugh
“Oh, that poor man. He refused to return to England until the marriage was consummated. It took him four days and Scotch whiskey to convince me to trust him”
Sabrina was the only one not laughing. She still didn’t understand the mechanics completely and the entire union sounded odd. At least she had more information than Janine did on her wedding night.
“Well,” Juliet started. “My mother did explain everything to me, much to her disgust.”
Sabrina had to agree that it sounded as if Juliet’s mother and Lady Davies were of the same mind.
“She told me the same as Sabrina was told. I was so tense on my wedding night Ramsey fed me wine to get me to relax. After I explained what mother had told me, he told me to forget I ever had a talk with the woman. Unfortunately, I didn’t get over the fear that perhaps my mother was right until after the first time. Thankfully my husband is a patient man and proved how very wrong my mother was.”
By now Sabrina was listening intently and began to ask in what way her mother had been wrong, but Phoebe began her own tale.
“Luckily I was blessed with a mother who enjoyed her, um, marital duties.”
Sabrina sat up in the bath to listen more intently. Did she say her mother enjoyed the act?
“She explained the first couple of times may not be pleasant due to the newness of the situation. She also assured me that in a very short time I would welcome Taylor’s attention because he struck her as the type of man who would want to bring his wife pleasure.”
What kind of pleasure? Nobody had ever mentioned pleasure.
“Yes, you were very lucky. Not all brides have the luxury of being prepared as you were.” Juliet sighed.
“At least now Sabrina will be more knowledgeable than we were,” Janine finally stated.
It took Sabrina a moment to realize they were not going to add anything. Finally, blushing to her roots, she asked. “Exactly how does a woman find it pleasurable?”
Her hesitation had the women laughing. Finally Phoebe spoke. “Just let Marius touch and kiss you wherever he desires. He will help you discover it for yourself.”
That was no answer. “Do I need to do anything, for him, besides lie there?”
Again her question was met with giggles.
“Just let him take the lead. You’ll learn what he enjoys,” Janine finally answered.
“Trust him completely.” Juliet added.
Sabrina realized she was going to learn nothing else. Yes, she would trust Marius completely and let him do what he wished. She was just glad it didn’t sound as degrading as Lady Davies had led her to believe. Finding the act pleasurable had never entered her mind but she trusted her friends over her past employer.
A couple of maids entered a few minutes later as if they had been waiting for the delicate conversation to end. One carried tea in to Sabrina.
“Here you go Lady Sabrina. These should help your pains.”
“Thank you Molly, you are a dear.”
After draining the tea and allowing Molly to wash her hair, Sabrina finally emerged from her bath. After drying and slipping on some her chemise, shift and stockings she entered her room. The sight brought her up short. A gown she had never seen before lay on the bed and her friends were grinning. Phoebe stood.
“Before you do anything, Sabrina, you need to try this on.” Turning to the maid. “Molly, can you summon the seamstress?”
“Where did this come from?”
“You’re fairy godmother, or should I say godfather. In fact he has taken care of everything.” Phoebe answered, straightening the gown over Sabrina’s shift.
Turning Sabrina gazed into the mirror and gasped. “It is beautiful.”
“Your godfather was very specific in what Cinderella should wear.”
“Who wouldn’t feel like a princess in this gown?” Sabrina whispered, taking in the beauty of it from the scooped jeweled neckline and lavender satin bodice to the full, matching bellowing skirt. Her sleeves were capped and trimmed in small diamonds. On the bed lay cream gloves, slippers, and stockings. The beauty of this gift brought tears to her eyes. Nobody had to tell her who her fairy godfather was.
The seamstress checked the length and fit, proudly announcing that not one alteration would be needed and took her leave. Sabrina’s friends sighed with relief.
As soon as the dress was removed, Sabrina sank into a chair, wishing the tea would relieve some of her discomfort. “I am still not sure what the dress is for. I assume I will need to wear it soon, or even today, or he wouldn’t have it ready.”
“Sabrina,” Phoebe began hesitantly. “Marius didn’t tell you when you would be wed, did he?”
“No. I assume we will discuss that when he returns.”
Her friends shared uncomfortable looks before Juliet spoke. “You are getting married this afternoon.”
Chapter 21
Sabrina looked at them. Surely she misunderstood.
Phoebe hastened to expl
ain. “He has a special license.”
“He said he wasn’t going to chance you changing your mind and wanted to marry as quickly as possible after you said yes,” Janine concluded.
Sabrina sat stunned, absorbing their words. Slowly, a horrifying thought came to mind. “Oh, dear. He will want to do that, tonight.”
They all nodded their head in agreement, mischievous grins upon their faces.
Sabrina’s eyes grew wider and her stomach did a flip as panic set in. “We’ll tell him it is impossible. We have to wait a week. That is all.”
“We can’t. All the arrangements have been made.”
“It doesn’t sound like he was confident in my answer,” Sabrina grumbled.
Phoebe laughed. “Believe me, he wasn’t. He said if you rejected him this time he planned on getting drunk and staying that way.”
Sabrina said nothing further. How could she get out of her current predicament? She would simply have to tell him. Just the thought of doing so brought embarrassment and her face grew hot.
“Is anything amiss?” Juliet asked in a quiet tone, a worried frown on her lovely face.
Sabrina forced a bright smile. “Nothing.” If only it were that simple.
* * *
Marius paced nervously. He prayed he hadn’t acted hastily since all brides like to plan their own wedding. Theirs would take place this afternoon at his parent’s townhouse. Following a dinner with close friends and family with the night ending with a ball hosted by his parents. The announcement would be made at that time and Lord Chesterfield would learn it was too late to do anything to stop them.
Will she be angry with me? Have I been too presumptuous? Surely she will understand the need to protect her from Chesterfield now that she was old enough to take control. He walked to the sideboard and took a glass from the silver tray. What if she hated the dress? What if she hated the ceremony? What if she wanted a church?
Taylor took the glass from him, poured whiskey into it and pushed it back into Marius’ hands. “Drink and sit down before you drive us all to bedlam.”
His Contrary Bride (A Gentleman's Guide to One Upon a Time - Book 2) Page 18