Page 76 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
“Pay attention, Arabella,” she said sharply. “You will no doubt be shocked by what I must say, but itisimportant.”
“Yes, Mama,” said Ara, sitting up, trying not to smile.
“There are many duties as a wife,” continued her mother, reddening. “Most you will be aware of. Housekeeping, and the like.” She took a deep breath. “But there is also another duty, which you will have to perform…”
Ara stifled another giggle. She knew, now, where this was heading.
Her mother looked so uncomfortable that she was almost tempted to reach out a hand, to reassure her, and tell her that she didn’t have to speak. To tell her that she already knew about this duty that she had to perform, and that she really didn’t mind, at all. That she was eagerly anticipating it. That she had, in fact, already done it, and enjoyed it, quite immensely.
But she knew that her mother would be shocked beyond words if she said anything of the sort. Better to just let her speak. It would be over with, soon enough.
“A man has…needs,” said her mother slowly, squirming. “In the marital bed. It will no doubt shock you, what he will expect, when you lie with him. But you must submit, as a dutiful wife. If it goes well, it will be over with before you know it. And at the end, you may have a child as recompense for all the bother…”
Ara’s eyes widened. She just couldn’t resist playing the innocent maiden. “Whatkindof needs, Mama?”
Her mother squirmed again. “Male needs! He will place his…manhood, inside you…and you must lie back, and accept it. Think of something pleasant, to pass the time.” She paused. “The first time, it will hurt. You must expect that, my dear. But you will soon get used to it.”
Ara stifled another giggle. This was cruel. She wouldn’t force her mother to speak any longer. It was obviously excruciatingly painful for her.
She nodded solemnly. “Thank you for your warning, Mama. I do appreciate it.”
Her mother patted her arm. “Yes, well, it is a hard topic, but my duty is done now, daughter.” Her face suddenly broke out into a wide smile. “Now, the fun begins! A light breakfast before we will dress you for your big day…”
Ara smiled. Her mother was so excited, she could barely contain herself. She had been boasting about her daughter’s upcoming wedding to Lord Comerford, the younger brother of the Duke of Lancaster, to everyone in the district for months. She had painstakingly arranged the whole thing, down to the last flower, which would be delivered to St. Anne’s, the local church, where they would be married, at noon today.
There had been over a hundred invitations sent out. The small church was going to be packed. Miles was in residence at his Dorset house, five miles away. His brother, the Duke, had arrived there only yesterday with his entourage, in anticipation of the big event.
Ara felt a stab of excitement. Her eyes drifted over to the wedding dress, hanging from the corner closet.
It was beautiful. The most beautiful gown that she had ever beheld.
Her parents had spared no expense, sending for a London dressmaker, who had copied a design from a Parisian dressmaker. Made of pure gold silk, it was edged in Valenciennes lace, one of the most expensive there was. It seemed to shimmer in the sunlight that was streaming through the just opened curtains.
Ara exhaled slowly. She still couldn’t quite believe that within a few hours, she would be wearing it. She would be walking down the aisle of St. Anne’s, towards Miles, where she would take her formal vows to love and obey him forever.
The door opened. Ruth walked in, balancing a tray.
“I took it off Mary,” said her cousin, smiling widely. “I wanted to bring you your wedding breakfast myself, Ara…”
Ara felt tears prick behind her eyes. “Thank you, cousin,” she said, her throat thick with emotion.
Carefully, Ruth placed the tray on Ara’s lap. Ara gazed up at her gratefully. Ruth had been with her every step of the way with the wedding preparations. Her cousin’s joy in her upcoming nuptials almost surpassed her own, and her mother’s, if that was possible.
She picked up a piece of toast, nibbling it. She wasn’t hungry in the least, but she knew she must eat. She had a long day ahead of her, after all.
And at the end of it, she would be Lady Comerford. It barely seemed possible.
Her eyes widened, in wonder. Lady Comerford,she repeated to herself, over and over.
A different woman, entirely.
***
Ara gazed around, her stomach jumping with butterflies, as the open air carriage slowly drew to a halt, in front of the twelfth century church.
St. Anne’s was almost perfectly positioned in the middle between Rudwick House and Thorn House, the Duke of Lancaster’s Dorset home. Surrounded by green fields, it stood in the middle of a small hamlet, where farming communities had lived for generations. Grey stoned, it had a tall, thin spire, jutting towards the heavens.
“Are we late?” she gasped, staring at Ruth, who was sitting opposite her.
