"Seeking the Niceties of Marriage", by Gratiana Lovelace, 2021 (Done)

Ch. 17 (PG-13): Newlyweds' Dilemma

"Seeking the Niceties of Marriage", 
Ch. 17 (PG-13): Newlyweds' Dilemma, by Gratiana Lovelace, 
August 15, 2021 (Post#1406) 

(An original Regency Romance story copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace, 2021;
All rights reserved);  [(1) story cover above far left]

[Illustrations: I cast my stories as I write them. So from time to time, I will illustrate my story with actors and such, including: Richard Armitage as Lord Edward Carlisle, Daniela Denby-Ashe as Lady Emily Creighton Carlisle, Blake Ritson as Lord Kittredge Wells, Polly Walker as Lady Patience Creighton the Countess of Stoke, Bill Nighy as Lord Nigel Creighton the Earl of Stoke, Christina Cole as Lady Cecily Englewood Wells, and others as noted.]

[Author's Note: This original Regency romance is a work of fiction, and as such, any character names, scenes or other descriptions were written at the creative discretion of this author. And this is a gentle and tender romance (G to PG-13), but with some frank discussions about love and marriage put to humorous effect. This is my disclaimer.]

Ch. 17 (PG-13):  Newlyweds' Dilemma

As their friends and family wave them off for their wedding trip, Lord Kittredge and Lady Cecily Wells—as the new Earl and Countess of Fielding--the newlyweds settle into their large sumptuously comfortable enclosed carriage with small talk.

However, Lord Kittredge is feeling a bit nervous as a new husband [(2)above middle left], and he is not well versed in making small talk with ladies as his blanching countenance attests. Whereas his Bride Lady Cecily initially looks interestedly outside the window. So silence ensues for a bit. They are a handsome couple, who with the rush to the altar had little time for true courtship—wherein a feeling of familiarity might have had a chance to flower

Eventually, Lady Cecily's curiosity comes to the forefront and she turns to her new husband, who cordially smiles at her but waits for her to speak. So her sensing her new husband's unease in just chatting, Lady Cecily asks a most pertinent question of him.

Lady Cecily: "Where are you taking me? Us?" The new Countess of Fielding forthrightly asks her new husband with her piercing gaze [(3) above middle right]. Lady Cecily rarely, if ever, dissembles. Rather, she poses the central issue in question. And the central issue in question currently is their wedding trip.

Lord Kittredge: Warming to the topic and to his wife, he cordially responds to her. "My Dear, we are going to my country estate at Wells Castle, to stay for the week. Emmy and Edward enjoyed their wedding trip there, so I thought that we might give it a go. It is a delightful area with lovely landscapes and outdoor activities, as well as small villages for local fare--and also a nearby large port city for wider interests in culture and art." He smiles warmly at her.

There will be no romance between them, so they will each or together need to find other activities to enjoy.

Lady Cecily: "Very well." She pouts. "It is just that traveling and new places can be vexing. One always feels out of place."

Lord Kittredge: "Ah, are you speaking of our trip now, or your family's residence on the continent many years ago?" He asks with trepidation.

Lady Cecily: "I suppose a bit of both. Mama Duchess and Papa Duke felt that our spending a year living in each of selected countries would expose me to various cultures—and royal houses in other countries for potential betrothals." She pouts.

Lord Kittredge: "Oh Dear." His eyes twinkle. "And to think that in your returning to London [eight] years ago--and befriending my Dear cousin Emmy again--would put you into the path of a mere English Earl."