Ordained

Chapter One Hundred and Forty Six

Sneaking Cassius out of her room before he was seen that morning, had her laughing till her sides hurt. Cassius had moved silently with exaggerated movements designed to make her chuckle and her cheeks were still aching from smiling when she left her chambers fully dressed some time later.

It was peaceful in the gardens of the Elva estate. Far less grand and containing nowhere near the number of exotic species that Carmen had curated at Marcellus Manor. Yet, it was still calming for Emmeline to be sitting amongst the flowers in the early morning sun. Before her pairing she had never been one for early morning starts, preferring to stay in bed, but she had learnt to enjoy the quiet of a house not fully awake, it reminded her of the peace of Marcellus Manor.

Her teapot had been wrapped in a cloth embroidered with peaches, she admired the needlework as she finished her second cup of tea. Closing her eyes she lifted her face to the sun, enjoying its watery warmth. It would be hot today and she would ensure that Clementine changed her into something lighter for dinner later.

"Emmie." A gentle voice called. Glancing over she saw a heavily pregnant Arabella waddling down the path towards her. Jumping up at once she went to take her arm, offering her support just in case. Arabella was due anyway and had been rising even earlier than Emmeline due to what she called 'an excessive amount of dancing' from the baby. "He just won't sit still in there." She gasped a little breathless.

Unable to stop the chuckle that escaped her, Emmeline did her best to look sorry as Arabella waved a finger at her. "Just you wait. You'll know my suffering soon enough."

Emmeline blushed at the thought of carrying Cassius' child and Arabella jumped on the chance to tease her about it.

Guiding her into the chair opposite, Emmeline waved for Clementine who was distracted talking to one of the young gardeners. She hadn't asked but she thought Clementine was rather fond of the gardener with blonde hair and wide shoulders. Perhaps she would offer him a job in the Marcellus gardens. Clementine deserved some favours after all she had done.

While she had been content to sit on her own with only the sounds of the birds, it was nice to be with Arabella like this. "I will be so glad when this is over." She huffed, rubbing her extended belly ruefully.

"Not long now. Do you think it will be a boy or girl?" Emmeline asked. She had many nieces and nephews but that didn't diminish the excitement of a new family member.

Arabella sighed dramatically. "I hope for a boy, but this baby moves like Rosalie did so perhaps it will be a girl. I know Felix would prefer a boy."

Emmeline shook her head. "Felix will be delighted regardless." It wasn't a lie, her brother had been positively beaming since she had arrived and Madeline had told her that he had been like it for months. Her brother might be rather gruff, but he loved his wife and adored his daughter. This child would be loved just as much.

Her mind wandered to thoughts of Cassius. How would he react to her being pregnant, she worried. The Marcellus family traditionally only ever produced one heir, in stark contrast to her own extensive family. Perhaps they viewed pregnancy as a necessity rather than a joy? Worry began to darken her bright mood when she stopped herself. Yesterday had proven that if she had a concern, she should just voice it. Both she and Cassius had internalised their emotions rather than communicating and it had almost torn them apart.

No, she would ask him about it, just... not today.

"Emmeline." Like he had somehow heard her thinking about him, Cassius' voice carried over the quiet of the garden. Whipping her head up in surprise she saw her fiancé crossing the manicured lawns towards her and Arabella.

"Arabella." He smiled warmly, nodding respectfully towards her. She moved to get up and greet him, as was polite, but both Cassius and Emmeline stopped her immediately with a rush of words telling her it wasn't necessary.

Arabella chuckled, a hand across her belly. "You two are so alike." She chuckled, resettling into her chair.

"Your brother has asked to see us." Cassius explained, holding out a hand for Emmeline to take. She hesitated, searching his face for a clue as to whether or not she should be worried. All she saw across his handsome features, however, was easy contentment. There was no hint of irritation or concern as he smiled at her, and almost at once she felt her rising anxiety drop.

"Okay." She smiled, letting him help her from her chair.

Emmeline let Cassius drag her along for a few minutes before she realised that they were heading away from the house, not towards. "Cassius I-" But before she could say anything further, he had pulled her into his arms, kissing her indecently.

"Cassius." She gasped but any protests she might have had were quickly smothered and subsequently forgotten.

"I had to get away from the house. It's suffocating." He breathed heavily a while later, their foreheads pressed together. Her laughter carried across the half empty flower beds, the winter plants in the process of replacing the summer flowers.

"Let's just go home then." She beamed, running her fingernails down the side of his stubble. At her touch Cassius' eyes drifted closed. "Our home." He smiled, pressing his lips slowly to hers once, twice, three times. "Are you sure you want to leave so soon? We can spend time with your family." He offered, leaning slightly into her hand.

Emmeline let out a small laugh. "My family is best enjoyed in small doses. I would like to invite some of my siblings and their wives to visit us though." She thought of the visit from Madeline and Arabella earlier in the year fondly.

"I would enjoy Atticus and Justus coming. Maybe Maximillian would also join?" He considered, his eyes drifting away as he thought about it. Emmeline could just imagine the men riding through the countryside back home, Atticus especially would enjoy it. Perhaps a distraction after Olive's death would be welcome.

"Not Finneas though." She warned. Cassius just laughed, kissing her once again.

"Whatever you want, Duchess."

............

Author's Note:

It's so hard now that this story is almost at an end. Makes me both happy and sort of sad. 

Sophie x