Something Old, Rebecca Connolly [ebook reader for laptop TXT] 📗

If it was no longer exciting to have her husband kiss her in the manner he did, would it become a boring staple of their life instead?

“Secondly,” Julia went on, somehow appearing to know the sort of turmoil within Lily, as she winked a little, “there is a depth of emotion, yet unfamiliar to you, that will grow into something precious. Perhaps less demonstrative but no less moving. A connection to your husband that you never imagined possible, and one that you will wonder how you lived without.”

That sounded rather promising, and as she thought about it, looked back on the marriage she had already experienced, she could say that the seeds of such a connection, such depth of emotion, had been planted. She could anticipate her husband’s moods based on the line of his jaw alone, and they’d started to begin wordless conversations across rooms that she hoped would continue through time.

What more could they hope to discover about one another and their relationship if they let themselves continue to love each other?

“Thirdly,” Julia continued, heaving a sigh, “he will once again begin to irk you in one way or another dozen. Don’t be alarmed, it is a sign of comfort in your situation and will not end the marriage. Though I suppose it could, if everything he does irks you, and you constantly natter on about it without offering a single word of encouragement or praise. That is an alarming prospect. I had better check with John and be sure I haven’t grown too fussy with him.”

“Julia,” Emblyn broke in, no doubt catching sight of Lily’s aghast face. “Ee be making her more afeared.”

Julia shook herself and looked at Lily, forcing a quick, bright grin. “Not to worry, my dear, I am only speculating. I cannot see you as a nag of a woman nor your husband as particularly fussy about your commentary.”

Lily wasn’t certain that was at all comforting, but she appreciated the effort all the same.

“And finally,” Julia told her, turning a little serious, “it will still be a maddening amount of fun to flirt with your husband.”

Lily blinked once. “What?”

Julia nodded in encouragement, her eyes dancing. “More so, even, than in courtship, because there are no limits upon time or behavior. Let me assure you, Lily, that it is far more rewarding to flirt now than it ever was before.”

Emblyn coughed a laugh, sipping her tea deeply.

The embarrassed heat in Lily’s cheeks from before faded, and she searched Julia’s bright eyes, waiting for her friend to tell her she was teasing, that it was not truly so, and that there was something else she’d intended to say.

But Julia did not tell her that, and there was only truth in her eyes, even if it was an amused truth.

With a slight smile, Lily found herself laughing. “I thought you were going to tell me something terribly profound. Perhaps how I would begin to think more about my husband than I did about myself.”

Julia shrugged, laughing herself. “That might be so, but I’ve only been married three years, so I cannot say for certain. If you wish only for serious platitudes, you’d best go ask Mrs. Tremellion, who has been married for thirty-five years and had six children. I am still enjoying the newness of marriage three years in and flirting shamelessly with my husband across dining tables.”

“And flowers fade on flirts, Mrs. Roskelley,” Emblyn told her with a sniff of playful disapproval. “So ee’d best find other uses fer your clacker than fillin’ Lily’s ’ead with piffle.”

“I beg your pardon, Miss Moyle,” Julia retorted pointedly, giving Emblyn a dark look. “I have only ever flirted with my husband, unless you wish to consider the pitiful flirtations of a ten-year-old as true flirting, in which case, I also flirted with Gage Trembath.”

Emblyn released another snort of laughter, which Lily was learning was simply part of her unfettered laugh. It was delightful, and real, and infectious as well. A laugh like that would never suit high Society, but it perfectly suited Emblyn as she was. “Should Gage ever marry, ee mus’ explain tha’ to ’is wife.”

Julia rolled her eyes, sighing heavily. “Should he marry indeed. I don’t know what he intends with this ball on Friday. He has no one to play hostess and is shamelessly comfortable with that. Why host a ball when every matchmaking matron will be out for blood, I can’t possibly imagine.” She glanced at Emblyn curiously. “Will you come, Emblyn?”

“Oh, ’tis not a place for me,” she protested without a moment’s hesitation. “Were it only Gage and our friends, I would come, but with the local gentry and all high Society… It’s not fitty, I fear.”

“Please come,” Lily pleaded, turning to her. “Please.”

Emblyn shook her head. “I’ll not shame Gage by bringing gossip to Helwithin. I’ll have to imagine ee all prinked up for the night.”

“Then you must help me choose my gown,” Lily insisted firmly. “Both of you must. I want to look my very best and be a distraction to my husband by appearing so.”

Chapter Sixteen

Helwithin was a fine edifice, a noble structure that would neither intimidate nor underwhelm any guests arriving to her. A pristine and well-kept construction, neatly manicured, and surprisingly new in appearance for a family as established as the Trembaths were. The circle drive leading to the entrance of the house was lined with carriages, gentlemen and ladies emerging from them in finery that would not be out of place in London in the least.

Thomas managed to notice all that while also acknowledging that Helwithin, the estate, was nothing compared to the perfect hell roaring on within him.

Lily was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Captivating, brilliant, perfectly adorned, and full of a light he had never seen in her before. Her lustrous hair had never been so dark, so rich, so tempting while trussed and pinned, white pearls peeking through various curls while yellow ribbons and flowers