Night after the wedding

I lay restlessly in a guest room. I still couldn't go back to my own, it was haunted by the ghost of the bandit. It was too hard for me, to go there and pack my things. Even if it was thoroughly cleaned and looked exactly as before the attack, I had to ask Mary, my maid, to do that.

And tomorrow, I'm going to my new home. Before we splitted, William told me, that it will take a day and a half to reach Summerton Mansion, his ancestral residence.

It's good, I guess. New place, that I can fill with new memories, hopefully the happy ones. I'm only sad that I'll leave my parents behind. We will surely visit each other sometimes, but it's not that simple when the journey from Redgate Hall to Summerton Mansion takes so long.

It is also a chance to make a new relationship, with my husband. Although it didn't started as I imagined it, I think he's a good man and I can really build a future with him. He's pleasant looking and gentle. Maybe he's a little weird, but I could end up a lot worse in my situation.

I was also glad, that after what happened, he decided that we should sleep separately tonight. We both weren't in the best moods to consummate our marriage. Truthfully, I am hugely frightened by this. I've never even kissed a man before, I don't know what to expect. My mother told me about the act, but it sounded strange to me. She said, that the first time probably won't be pleasant to me and I am scared of that.

I sigh and decide to go to the walk. After the burglary, my father tripled the security of the Redgate Hall. Although, they still don't know, how the thief had entered our mansion in the first place. There was no traces of breaking in. Now, there are guards in every possible entrance to the mansion. It makes me feel a little bit safer.

I quickly put on my bathrobe and go out of the room. Candles are now lighting a hall even at night, so the guards could see any intruders. I also don't have to take the lamp to navigate the darkness.

I decide to go to the kitchen for some hot milk. I hope, it'll make me sleepy and I could finally rest. I am almost at my destination, when someone walks from behind the corner and I crash into him.

A scream comes out of my throat. Then I realize, it's my husband.

"Oh my God, you scared me almost to death" I say still a little shaken. My heart beats so fast, as I would just run a marathon. I sigh relieved, that it's not some intruder.

'I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to, my lady,' he says with apologetic tone.

'It's okay, I'm fine no…' I couldn't end the sentence, because at this moment, the guard jumped at William and knocked him down on the floor.

'What are you doing?! It's my husband!" I scream at him, and only then he stops trying to overpower William.

'I'm sorry, I've heard scream and I assumed that you were attacked…' the guard says embarrassed, giving his hand to William, to help him stand up.

'I guess it's good that my wife is safe in here, I should thank you for your vigilance,' my husband says, with a light smile.

'It's nothing, it's my duty to protect everyone in this house. Especially after what has happened last…'

'Thank you for your service, I'm fine now, you can go back to your work.' I interrupt him.

'Yes, my lady,' he says, then leaves us alone.

'Are you okay?' I ask William, looking for the sign of any injury.

'I'm a little bit bruised but I'll be fine,' he says with a weak smile.

'Good.' I sigh relieved.

'What are you doing out of your room so late at night, my lady?' He asks, looking at me. Then I realize that I don't wear anything but my night gown and the bathrobe. I feel my cheeks getting red. I fold my arms on my chest, trying to cover myself.

'I couldn't sleep, so I came to get some hot milk,' I answer.

'I couldn't sleep too,' he says. I only then realize, that he's also clothed only in his pajamas. It makes me blush even more.

'W-would you like to go on the walk with me into the gardens?' I ask before I can think about this.

'Sure, I will gladly accompany you, my lady,' he says, clearly surprised by my proposition.

'Oh, and quit with the 'my lady' thing. I am your wife now, you can call me by my name,' I point out.

'If that's what you wish, Anastasia,' he says, and I shiver, hearing my name leaving his lips. I imagine how it would be, if those lips touched mine… I blush, trying to drive away those indecent thoughts.

I lead the way to the garden, so he couldn't see my face.

"I'm so sorry for what happened today at the reception, it was all my fault." I hear William.

"It's not your fault. Those people were terrible." I try to cheer him up.

William nods sadly. I see now how deeply he was hurt by what had happened. He'll be blaming himself, no matter what I say. I wish I could do something to make him feel better.

We walk slowly in silence, admiring the sight of flowers, at the light of the full moon. I feel weirdly safe, being around William. I thought that it wasn't possible, after what had happened.

'Your garden is very beautiful,' he says, breaking the silence.

'It's my mother's work. She's very good with the flowers and decorating,' I say proudly.

'She also seems to be a nice lady.' He looks at the flowers with distant expression. I wonder what he thinks about.

'Yes, she is. And she's the best mother I could ever dreamt of.' I compliment her even more.

It's not a lie, I love my parents deeply. They never pressured me into anything, unlike the parents of a lot other young ladies. It was not uncommon for young girls, to being forced to do something. Starting from choosing their hobbies for them and ending at forcing them into marriage for some political reasons. I was happy that my parents had let me to be myself and left the choosing of my own husband to me. Although what had happened, they still let me choose, and mother even said, that it's okay if I'll become a spinster. They are always on my side, and it makes me love them very much.

I suddenly trip on some protruding root. I'm starting to fall, but William catches me. His hands wrap around my body.

He

Touches

Me

The time stops flowing. The thin fabric of my night clothes is not enough of a barrier, I feel like I'm naked. The burning sensation is spreading from his fingers to every part of me. The air between us is filled with electricity. I'm surprised by my body's reaction to his touch. I've never felt like that before.

I instinctively wrap my arms around his neck. I see that he struggles. He breaths rapidly, his dark eyes are locked on mine. They're full of passion and desire, it makes me shiver with a pleasure. He slowly pulls me closer to him. But then I close my eyes for a second and in place of William's, I see the burglar's face.

I push William back, shocked. All that passion disappears in one second. I fall down on the ground, and crawl away from him. I see hurt in his eyes, and it makes me feel even worse.

I quickly rise from the grass and run as fast as I can to the mansion. Tears are starting to flow from my eyes, blurring my vision. But when I turn around, I can see him clearly.

He still stands there, with lowered head. He's hunched over, like some great weight is on his shoulders. He looks devastated and it breaks my heart.