[1.5] The Duchess of Kent and Strathearn | B. Bridgerton

Chapter 2

Young And In Love

Carlton House, London

Hours later, the reception was close to coming to an end. It was all quite magical, to say the least. After their second dance, most members of the ton approached the newlyweds, and all the new Duke and Duchess heard from them were rehearsed comments about the ceremony, her gown, his attire, his new duty as a Duke, or how they looked very much in love. Some even mentioned how they looked like a Prince and Princess out of a fairy tale.

"Am I yet to tell you how beautiful you look this afternoon?" He asked.

"Oh, but you have," she chuckled with a small nod. "Perhaps a hundred times."

"Well..." He kissed the back of her hand. "You look so beautiful."

"A hundred and one," she giggled.

But despite everything, the wedding and the reception were more magical than Charlotte would have dreamed of. Most things were a bit rehearsed, but nonetheless, everyone was smiling, drinking, dancing, chatting, and very much happy.

The newlyweds cut their wedding cake at the same time. Once they were done, Charlotte licked the frosting off her fingers. She loved the flavor. And her husband loved watching her do it. To tease her, Benedict placed his finger on the cake, only to playfully spread it across his wife's cheek. She gasped in surprise, and her eyes grew wide.

"Benny!" She exclaimed as other guests laughed at their moment. "You– Did you just—"

"Look at that. You're too sweet," he teased her, and she chuckled.

Guests started again to be focused in their own conversations, while the couple stared at each other with playful smiles on their faces. Benedict let out a laugh at the sight of her stained face.

"Not funny," she muttered as she grabbed a napkin and wiped her cheek.

"You missed a spot," he took the napkin from her hands, and gently wiped the stain of cake that was left on her cheek.

While he cleaned her cheek, he studied once again not only the beauty of her eyes, but the beauty of her. As she did the same with him.

When he was done, he placed the napkin back on the table, and cupped her cheek in his hand large hand. She closed her eyes and sighed contently as she leaned her head over against his hand.

"There you go," he smirked and let go of her cheek. She opened her eyes and wanted to protest, she missed his touch, but she knew she couldn't, not with too many people around them. "Although, I must confess, if it weren't because there are so many people around us, I would have licked it off your face myself."

"Benny!" She whispered-yelled with wide eyes, shocked at his words, and nervous if the people around them heard him.

"Are you up to another dance, my love?" The Duke of Kent and Strathearn asked his wife, and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Improvised. Just like you like it."

"It would be my pleasure, love," she smiled widely and placed her hand over his, before the two walked to the dance floor.

Their third dance started, and finished. Then came another, and another, where they improvised their dancing. What amused them most, was that no one dared to be in the dance floor with them. The newlyweds exchanged smiles and giggles as they twirled around the dance floor, and as without a warning, Benedict smoothly lifted her in the air and spooned her around. Needless to say, everyone was impressed by how they improvised their dance flawlessly, with the rhythm of the music.