Loving the Enemy

Chapter 16

17 August 1815

Day before her wedding

At the end of the ball, as she lay in bed with the dawn just breaking and turning the sky a marvellous pink and orange, Wyndham's story played in her head endlessly.

Her heart still throbbed whenever she thought about the boy being rejected by the one he thought was supposed to love him the most.

It was by no fault of his that he couldn't love her. But he'd cared enough about her to reveal what most men would keep secret. And he'd shared the most painful part of himself with her.

And that would have to be enough for her for now. She would love him enough for the both of them.

She turned on her side, imagining him lying beside her right this moment. How she would gather him in her arms and hold him through his nightmares, both waking and sleeping.

*˜*˜*˜

"Adelaide." She turned to see her fiancé approach her from across the room. Despite the thoughts she had before she fell asleep, in the bright light of the day and seeing him in the flesh before her, she was unsure how she was going to love him.

Was she supposed to tell him she loved him?

Call him by his first name?

Hug him and kiss him?

That last thought prompted a blush which he noticed. "What's this red stain I spy on your cheeks and the tips of your ears?"

She shook her head. "What is it?"

He lifted their clasp hands to his lips and kissed the back of her fingers soundly. "Nothing. I just like saying your name."

His silly grin had her shaking her head despite the lurch in her heart. "I'm quite busy, if you must know, and cannot entertain all your whims and fancies." At his overly crestfallen face, she rolled her eyes though she smiled. "Oh, I think I hear Mama calling me. Hurry, you have a minute before she sends the cavalry."

He drew her into his arms and her head settled against his chest while he rested his chin on top of her head. "I will take the entire minute like this then." His deep breath in sounded like that of contentment and she relaxed against him, enjoying the warmth of being fully embraced by him. "This is nice. I never realised how well we fit together. Like two pieces of a puzzle."

Her hands moved up and down his back unconsciously. "It is nice. But are you sure you don't need something?"

"I suppose I want to thank you for your words last night. It...no one has ever apologised nor released me of blame. Not even my brother and sisters. While I know they don't blame me for their mother's unhappiness, for they have reassured me that they still care for me, but I suppose there was always that lingering doubt within me." He drew back and she saw the lightness inside him. "Thank you for accepting me as I am."

She reached up to cup his cheek. "I should say the same to you as well, for bolstering my confidence in my beliefs and values even when my own mother was against them."

He turned to press his lips to her palm. "Always. I will be your stalwart supporter. And when we are married, you can enforce whatever plans you have on Christopher's tenants. I will ensure he doesn't naysay you."

Her delight could not be more complete. She tiptoed to kiss him chastely although she wanted to do more. "Thank you!" And wiggled out of his arms. "Mama is calling. I have to go."

She was still grinning when she appeared in front of her mother. "You wanted me?"

"Adelaide," her mother gestured for her in the empty seat on the settee, "come. Sit."