The Wedding Pact (Marriage by Fairytale Book 3) Read online

  Before she could ask him what he meant by that, he slipped his arm around her waist and let her lean on him so that she had an easier time walking to the door.

  “I’m looking forward to finding out how the book will turn out,” he said.

  “I am, too, but I’m almost sorry to have the story end. I’ve been enjoying it.”

  “I have some books at home, and Lewis said he’ll give us a few he doesn’t want to read. They were his father’s, and he and his father didn’t share the same taste. We’ll have plenty to read to keep us entertained.”

  They stepped into the hallway, and he paused.

  “Did you forget something?” she asked, glancing back into the bedchamber.

  “No. It just occurred to me that I could better help you if I picked you up.”

  Before she could protest, he slipped his arm under her legs and lifted her up into his arms. She didn’t know why, but the action made her giggle. She put her arms around his neck and tucked the cane between them.

  “I feel like a doll,” she said.

  “You’re far too pretty to be a doll.” He kissed her. “This reminds me of a tale I once heard about a knight who rescued a damsel from a fire-breathing dragon. He carried her out of the cave and to safety.”

  “We can pretend the bedchamber is a cave if you want,” she suggested in a playful mood.

  “Yes, perhaps we’ll do that.” He carried her to the stairs and then carefully proceeded down them. “I’ll see if I can find that story. It might in one of my old books.”

  When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Marcy asked, “Isn’t that sweet?” from the entryway where she and Lewis were getting ready to go out to the theatre for the night.

  Lewis shook his head. “Sweet? What if he dropped her? It wouldn’t be sweet then.”

  “But he didn’t. Ophelia is just fine,” Marcy replied.

  “He could have dropped her. That’s my point,” Lewis said. “It seems far too dangerous. All it takes is missing a step, and they both would have tumbled on down. People can break their necks by falling down the stairs.”

  “I never realized how logical you were,” Julian replied as he set Ophelia on her feet. “Between you and Stephen, you must be the sensible one.” Glancing at Ophelia, he added, “Stephen tends to be more…” He wasn’t sure what the right word was, and after a moment, he shrugged. “Suffice it to say that Lewis often sees what can go wrong while Stephen often sees what can go right.”

  Lewis rolled his eyes. “You haven’t heard Stephen when he discusses marriage.”

  “His marriage to Patricia is a good one,” Julian said.

  “Yes, but the one he had with Eloise wasn’t.” Lewis shot him a pointed look. “You didn’t know him then. You would have sworn nothing good ever happened to him if you’d been around for that.”

  “What does it matter?” Marcy asked Lewis. “He’s happy now, you and I are happy, and,” she gestured to Julian and Ophelia, “they’re happy.”

  “She’s right,” Julian said then smiled at Ophelia. “We’re all very happy. That makes us fortunate.”

  Marcy looked expectantly at Lewis, and he nodded. “We are fortunate. We have much to be thankful for.”

  “We’re glad you came by to visit us,” Marcy told Julian and Ophelia. “We’ll miss you when you return home tomorrow, but we know we’ll get to see you again.”

  “Shouldn’t we save this sentiment for tomorrow morning when they actually leave?” Lewis asked her.

  “You’re right. Have a good evening at your cousin’s dinner party,” Marcy said.

  Julian thanked Marcy for the well wishes and put his arm around Ophelia’s waist to help her out of the townhouse.

  Once they were in the carriage, Ophelia asked him, “Are you looking forward to this dinner party?” because it was just now occurring to her that he hadn’t expressed any excitement over seeing the cousin who used to be a good friend.

  Julian glanced out the window as the carriage moved forward. When he turned his gaze back to her, he seemed hesitant to answer, but he finally said, “I’m not sure what to expect tonight. I’m just glad you’ll be with me.” He leaned toward her and kissed her.

  She couldn’t blame him for feeling uncertain about the evening. He hadn’t seen Didimus for years. A lot had changed for him. A lot had probably changed for Didimus, too. There was no way to tell how things would be until they were at the dinner party. She offered Julian a reassuring smile and leaned into him as they continued on to his cousin’s townhouse.

  ***

  After dinner, Didimus started to lead Julian to the den, but Julian stopped him and gestured to their wives who were heading for the drawing room.

  “Let’s do something as a group,” Julian said. “We can play cards.”

  Didimus laughed as he prodded Julian toward the den. “You and I haven’t seen each other in years. We have a lot to talk about, and,” he added in a lower voice, “I’d rather do it without the ladies around.”

  Julian’s gaze went to Ophelia and Didimus’ wife, Serena. “We have nothing about the past to discuss,” he whispered to Didimus. “All of that is behind me, and I don’t want to revisit it.”

  “I’m not going to make you rehash the past,” Didimus replied. “I only want to find out everything that’s happening with you now. As far as I’m concerned, the past never happened.”

  Despite his cousin’s assurance, Julian didn’t feel at ease about it. He looked back down the hall. Ophelia and Serena were already out of sight.

  “Come,” Didimus urged. “A half hour. We won’t be away from them longer than that.”

  Julian sighed and headed for the den with his cousin. He supposed a half hour would pass quickly.

  Didimus waited until he and Julian were in the den and the door was shut before he winked at him. “I can’t blame you for wanting to be around your wife. She’s beautiful and sweet-tempered. If I were married to her, I might not let her out of my sight, either.” As Julian sat down, he went to the decanter and poured brandy into two glasses. “If only all gentlemen were as lucky as you. I’m sure you noticed Serena’s not much to look at. I only married her because her family had money.”

  “But you love her now, don’t you?” Julian asked.

  Didimus shrugged. “I love her connections to influential people. She’s as interesting to be around as she is attractive.” He took a sip of his brandy. “I seek love elsewhere.” He paused then added, “Whenever I can find it.” He held out the other glass of brandy to Julian.

  Julian shook his head. “I don’t drink alcohol anymore.”

  Didimus’ eyes grew wide. “You don’t?”

  “No.”

  “You’re taking the profession of being a vicar seriously.”

  “It’s not just a profession. It’s a way of life. I gave my life to the Lord.”

  Didimus stared at him for a moment and then chuckled. “You aren’t the person I remember.”

  “No, thankfully, I’m not.”

  “Well, I can appreciate that. You are a stronger man than I am. I couldn’t give up the pleasures life has to offer. Though,” he poured a glass of water and gave it to Julian, “you did reserve one pleasure. I’m sure Ophelia’s a very pleasant companion in bed. Judging by the way she looks at you, I can tell she responds to you with great passion. Perhaps when you have a marriage like that, you don’t need alcohol.” He sat in the chair across from Julian. “So, you’re telling me you gave up everything? Does that include gambling?”

  “Yes. I don’t throw elaborate dinner parties or spend excessively. My entire view of life is different.”

  Didimus took another sip of his brandy. “Good for you! It’s nice to see that one of us turned his life around for the better. I must say I envy you. I wish I had the strength to give up my vices.”

  “You could. You don’t need to keep on doing the things you used to. Everyone can get a second chance. It’s never too late.”

  Didimus’ nose s
crunched up in displeasure. “I don’t know. Living the life of a saint sounds awfully boring. You don’t drink. You don’t gamble. You’re a young vicar, so you probably live in a little parsonage. You also probably spend most of your time preparing sermons for Sundays. And on top of that, you don’t have any money. I heard your brother’s steward had to buy your wife a wardrobe because you couldn’t afford it.”

  Julian’s eyebrows furrowed. “How did you hear that?”

  “Rumors are floating around London about it. Everyone saw you with the steward going into the shops.” His eyebrows rose. “Are the rumors false?”

  Julian shifted uncomfortably in the chair. “No, they’re true. I’m just surprised people care enough to talk about it.”

  Didimus chuckled. “It’s London. Have you forgotten how much people love to talk?”

  Julian opted not to answer. Yes, he had forgotten how much people loved to talk. He’d spent the last couple of years sheltered from the harsher realities of life. He hadn’t realized how different things were outside of places like London and Paris.

  “Anyway,” his cousin continued, “I think I’ll keep my life just the way it is. Which reminds me! I saw the most splendid play last month. You do still like plays, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I still like them,” Julian replied, his voice soft as he contemplated just how different he and Didimus had become.

  “Excellent. Let me tell you about it.” Didimus settled back in his char and went into detail about the play.

  ***

  “I wouldn’t be seen in public unless I had something expensive on,” Serena told Ophelia before she sipped her tea. “You never know who you’ll meet while you’re out. In London, first impressions are everything.”

  Ophelia forced back a yawn and glanced at the teacup in her lap. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn’t help thinking about how bored she was. She didn’t understand it. She had no trouble focusing when Julian, Marcy, and Lewis were talking to her. So, why should she feel this way now?

  “This ring was a gift,” Serena continued. She lifted her hand and wiggled the finger with the large emerald on it. “It might not look like it, but it’s very expensive. There’s a diamond inside. The ring is a little hidden treasure chest.”

  Ophelia immediately thought of the story Julian had been reading to her. “Was that ring from a treasure chest?”

  Serena blinked in surprise. “Pardon?”

  “I’m in the middle of a book, and it’s about pirates who have a map. There’s no certainty as to whether they’ll actually find treasures like the ring on your finger, but the pirates are hoping that’s exactly what will be there.” She leaned forward to get a better look at the ring. “It’s possible there might be a lot of those rings in it. Was that ring a gift from a treasure chest?”

  Serena stared at her for a moment then let out an uneasy laugh. “No. This ring was a gift from my lover. He gave it to me two months ago.”

  Ophelia sighed in disappointment. “I was hoping it came from a treasure chest. I’m trying to get an idea of what treasures might be in it, and when you mentioned the words emerald and diamond, I thought that would be something the pirates might find.”

  “I’m talking to you about keeping up appearances in London, and you’re thinking of a silly book you’re reading?”

  Ophelia’s face flushed. She didn’t know what was worse: the fact that she’d unwittingly let Serena know she hadn’t been paying attention to most of what she’d been rambling on about or the fact that Serena thought the book Julian was reading to her was silly.

  “Has anyone taught you how to behave at a dinner party?” Serena asked.

  Ophelia’s eyes widened. “I’ve never been to a dinner party before.”

  “You haven’t?” She scanned her up and down. “You don’t look like you’re younger than sixteen.”

  “I’m not. I’m twenty-one.”

  “Who are your parents? Why haven’t they taken you to dinner parties? Why did they wait for your husband to do it?”

  Ophelia drew back in surprise. Why would Serena want to know all of this? What did it matter? Her face growing warmer, she said, “I’ve lived in the country. This is my first time in London.”

  “I suggest you find someone to instruct you on how to behave when you’re at a dinner party.” She glanced at Ophelia’s ankle. “It’s a good thing you can’t go to a ball. If you did, you’d embarrass yourself in front an entire room of people, and not everyone is as forgiving as I am.”

  Ophelia didn’t know what to say to that. She didn’t even know how she could adequately apologize to Serena so that the lady wouldn’t be upset with her.

  Thankfully, Julian and Didimus came into the room. Ophelia felt much better once Julian sat in the chair next to hers. At least Serena was no longer looking at her as if she disgusted her.

  “Shall we play a game?” Didimus asked as he poured tea into the cups. “Perhaps some cards?”

  “Cards would be amusing,” Serena replied.

  “Excellent. Cards it will be.” Didimus’ gaze went to Julian and Ophelia. “Are you in the mood for Commerce?”

  Julian turned to Ophelia. “What do you think?”

  Since Ophelia had learned how to play that with Lewis and Marcy, she nodded. “That would be fun.”

  If she had to take instructions from Serena, she didn’t think she’d be able to stand it. At this point, it was hard enough to stay in the same room with her.

  “I’ll have the butler bring the table and chairs,” Didimus said. “Then we’ll play.”

  Avoiding a look in Serena’s direction, Ophelia took a sip of her tea, wondering just how many games they would have to play before she and Julian could leave. While she had enjoyed her time with Lewis and Marcy, she was not enjoying her time here. But she had the comfort of knowing she and Julian would be returning to his parsonage tomorrow. That should mean she wouldn’t have to see Serena for a long time. God willing, it would be a very long time.

  The game of cards lasted for an hour, and Didimus talked so much that Ophelia didn’t have to worry about trying to contribute something to the conversation. He went on and on about all of the places he’d traveled to and all of the plays and symphonies he and Serena had been to. He had a way of talking about these things that made them interesting. Ophelia didn’t find herself getting bored with him like she had with Serena. But then, he wasn’t talking about himself. Ophelia noticed that when Serena would slip in something from time to time, every comment had to do with her.

  When Ophelia and Julian were in the carriage, she finally felt as if she could relax. She hadn’t realized just how tense she’d been until now.

  “Are you all right?” Julian asked.

  Not wishing to tell him how much she’d hated the evening, she said, “I’m fine. Just tired.”

  “Are you too tired to listen to more of the book Lewis gave us?”

  “No. I want to find out if the pirates find the treasure they’re hoping for.”

  “I am, too. It’s always a pleasure when you end up so immersed in a story that you feel as if you’re in it. When I’m reading, I can almost feel the bobbing of the ship beneath me and feel the heat from the burning sun on my face.” He smiled at her. “I’ve been looking forward to getting back to the book all evening.”

  “Me too.”

  He took her hand in his and squeezed it. “I’m also looking forward to being alone with you. You’re a very pleasant companion. I’m glad I married you.”

  If she had to go through another evening with Serena to hear his confession, she would happily do it. Growing up, she’d never had a friend. The servants who were around her had been kind, but there had always been a distance between them. They weren’t equal to her. Julian was her equal. She could be close to him in ways she never could with anyone else.

  She settled her head on his shoulder and snuggled up to him. “I like being with you. There’s no one else I’d rather be with.”

  “
That’s good because marriage is a lifetime commitment.”

  Suddenly, the evening didn’t seem like it’d been so difficult after all. She had Julian. Tomorrow, when he left London, she’d go with him. And they would get to spend the rest of their lives together. She closed her eyes and sighed in contentment.

  Chapter Twelve

  “I can’t believe the pirates didn’t find the treasure,” Ophelia said two weeks later as she and Julian ate porridge at the small table in the kitchen.

  Surprised Ophelia should bring up the book, he lifted his gaze from the bowl and saw that she looked as if her entire world had fallen around her. She had only eaten half of her porridge. Her elbow was propped up on the table, and her chin was resting in her hand. Her gaze was fixed on the window, and there was no denying how disappointed she was.

  “We finished that book thirteen days ago,” Julian replied. “In fact, we finished two other books since then, and those ended on a much happier note.”

  “Yes, but that book had a terrible ending. It depresses me to think about it.”

  “Then don’t think about it.”

  Her eyes widened. “That’s impossible. The more I try not to think about it, the more I do. Those pirates had such high hopes, and all of those hopes were dashed.”

  “Yes, but they did find another map and sailed off for another journey.”

  She grimaced. “That was a lousy ending. Why would I want to invest all of my time with them only to have the author end it with them going off to another adventure? Couldn’t the author have told me about the adventure where they found what they were looking for?”

  He shrugged. “Some authors like to end their books with the hope of things to come.”

  “It’s a lousy way to do things if you ask me. If an author can’t give a satisfactory ending to a book, then the author shouldn’t write the book in the first place.”