16. Chapter Sixteen

Kairos

Chapter Sixteen

When she awoke on the morning of the 5th July, Miss Violet Clympton was staring at the wall for several moments before she caught herself. Her whole life, she had laughed at the notion of "having cold feet" on one's wedding day, but now that she was faced with the reality that her wedding day had arrived, she couldn't stop staring into space with what could only be described as a creeping sense of dread.

Thoroughly annoyed, she attempted to thrust the feeling aside with her usual calm but found it far harder to do than normal. Angrily, she made a mental list of all the things she knew to be undoubtable:

She was head over heels in love with her groom

Her groom adored her

His family loved her and were welcoming her with open arms

Her own family liked him

They had a wonderful future ahead as Lord and Lady Bridgerton

Good grief.

She paused.

Lady Bridgerton? She was going to be a lady before the day was ended!

They had an undeniable chemistry that her mother had assured her would mean that they would have an enjoyable wedding night

They were going to go to Italy for their wedding tour and it would be thoroughly romantic

Violet lay on her back and stared at the ceiling. This was a list of truths that any bride should be thrilled with when facing her wedding day! So why was it that she felt slightly sick?

Unable to help herself, she decided to begin this day as she had begun many others and after wrapping her dressing gown tightly about herself, escaped to the library where Nelly found her ten minutes later, already bearing a tray complete with full tea service and biscuits. Violet looked up and laughed.

"Am I that predictable, Nelly?"

The scullery maid grinned and bobbed a quick curtsey, "Cook wanted you to have a proper last early morning snack before you go off to become a member of the aristocracy, Miss."

Violet's smile softened and she nodded thankfully, "Please thank Cook for me and tell her …" she felt her throat catch for a moment, "Tell her that I will miss her kindness and yours of course."

The young girl's own smile faltered slightly, "It's my pleasure, Miss Violet, it always has been."

Unable to help herself, Violet offered the plate to Nelly, "Then I insist that you join me for this last morning."

Unsure, Nelly would probably has refused her had Violet not insisted, "Before you start on the fires, please."

So it was that when Lord Clympton entered ten minutes later, he found Nelly only just leaving and wiping crumbs from her mouth. He quirked an eye brow at his daughter who merely smiled and relaxed once more back into her book.

Their morning ritual was disturbed far earlier than normal that morning as the whirlwind otherwise known as her mother descended upon them twenty minutes later, already annoyed that she had sent Sarah to wake her mistress, only to find her absent from her bed.

"Of all the mornings to indulge her whims, Richard?" Lady Clympton exclaimed. Her husband merely smiled.

"Dearest, this is the last time I will ever enjoy this ritual with our daughter, I think you will indulge us just this once."

"But our daughter has to be perfect in three hours!"

Violet rose and gave her mother a gentle hug. "And I promise I shall be, Mama, but please allow a little more patience and understanding. This little taste of normalcy has done me the power of good and has substantially eased the dread that was festering in my heart an hour ago." She skipped towards the door, "Shall we begin? I believe a bath may already be steaming." Lady Clympton blinked at her daughter before shaking her head and following, only sparing a passing glare at her grinning husband.

As the next few hours passed, it did indeed seem that her usual morning tradition had managed to ease a lot of Violet's concerns as she was washed, dried, primped, preened, dressed and bedecked to her mother's satisfaction.

The only slight disaster was when one of her wedding slippers seemed to have disappeared. This then led to a hurried search of not only Violet's room, but her mother's dressing room and would have been the whole house had Frederick not heard a giggle and found Geoffrey hiding in the library with it hidden behind a curtain. Crisis was averted and the villain forcibly escorted to his own chambers where he was ceremoniously "dunked" in preparation for his sister's wedding.

In fact, everything seemed to be going so well that when Cordelia (the only bridesmaid) and Aunt Wethering entered two hours later, it was to find a very calm Violet sitting patiently whilst Sarah and Lady Clympton pondered three different versions of decoration for her hair. Whilst her mother joined in the discussion of "gem stone over silk flower", Cordelia chose to join her cousin.

"You are remarkably calm," she commented.

Violet smiled, "I was a mess this morning, but the normal ritual with Papa in the library has calmed me."

"You mean the early morning tea drinking?" She nodded. "Well I think you're crazy, I hate getting up before nine."

Violet laughed, "You and Mama both." She sighed, "I don't know, I've just always liked rising early and "making the most of the day", the Viscount's the same."

"Just as well," Cordelia said with a grin, "It would be strange if one of your loved sunrise and the other sunset."

"What's Lord Paisley's preference?"

"He is a preferer of sunsets, sensible man." Both cousins were still laughing when the jewels were decided upon.

"If you can't glitter on your wedding day then when can you?" Mrs Wethering declared with pride. Violet smiled and rose when her hair was declared "perfect". She observed it in the mirror and could not help remarking on how pretty the simple but elegant styling of braids, curls, jewels and pale gold ribbons suited her dark locks.

"It's lovely," she stated.

Lady Clympton kissed her cheek, "As are you, my love," she said gently. Her daughter raised an arm to hug her mother before she was helped to her feet and the wedding gown fitted over her numerous undergarments. Like her hair it was simple but elegant. A fitted gown of pale yellow silk with sheer golden organza overlay and delicate embroidery of silver and white thread with pearls over the bodice. After the veil was securely fitted along with the tiara – a graceful piece of woven gold, pearls and opals that had been her mother's in her girlhood, Violet finally started to feel like a bride.

It was only once she had been allowed to move before the full length mirror in all her bridal splendour that she saw her mother dabbing at her eyes and looked on her with concern.

"Mama, are you alright?"

Lady Clympton smiled tearily and raised a hand to her only daughter's cheek. "You look so beautiful, my darling," she murmured, "And to think I'm losing you at just nineteen!"

"There now, Penelope," Aunt Henrietta gently chided, "Violet's marrying a wonderful man and nineteen is an excellent age for marrying." She kissed her niece's cheek fondly, "You make a stunning bride, my dear."

"You really do, Violet," Cordelia agreed. Her cousin smiled at her, feeling her own eyes tearing up at the vision of herself in a veil and the realisation that this truly was to be her wedding day.

"Well, shall we?" she asked. After a round of eye-dabbing she managed to get all her female relations out of her room and found herself laughing at the absurdity of it! It was only once they had reached the main foyer of the house and she noticed her father also touching his eye that Violet shook her head.

"You too Papa?" she exclaimed, "I've just had two entire rounds of eye dabbing in my room!"

"Let me see you not crying when your own little girl gets married Violet!" Lord Clympton retorted, which made them all laugh. Geoffrey (looking painfully clean and trim) sidled up to ask,

"Did my wedding day prank cheer you up, Violet?"

She grinned at him before replying in a whisper, "Watching everyone from Crook to Mama searching for my missing shoe is a sight I won't soon forget!" This got an answering conspiratorial grin before Geoffrey was whisked away by Frederick and Violet found herself taking her father's arm.

"Ready Vi?" With a deep breath, she gathered her composure and replied with a smile that she was.

Ironically, St Andrews church was only a couple of streets away, but Lord Clympton would have insisted upon taking the carriage even if it had only been next door. It had been a particular request of Violet's that they were married by the Reverend Peters, the vicar who had both baptised and done her confirmation. As the carriage drew up it was to a couple of guests still running in, but Violet managed to descend as elegantly as she could and found herself gripping her father's hand slightly more tightly than was strictly necessary. Lord Clympton gave her hand a gentle squeeze as she felt Cordelia straightening her train.

In the end, the marriage ceremony was simple and heartfelt. Edmund's eyes had never looked a warmer blue as he watched her coming down the aisle. The organ player stumbled on a couple of notes during one of the hymns, which made her giggle. Reverend Peter's only referred to her antics as a little girl twice. The kiss went on slightly longer than some might have thought necessary, but the happy couple were utterly oblivious.

When they emerged into the glorious sunlight as man and wife, the whole thing seemed almost dreamlike to Violet, as they ducked the large handfuls of rice and fled, giggling to the carriage. It was only once they were safely ensconced in the privacy of the carriage and Edmund had spent five minutes plucking rice out of her bonnet and his hair that she stopped giggling and realised that they were actually alone.

With a flourish, Edmund flung the last few grains out of the window before turning towards her. "Well," he commented, "I thought that was relatively painless."

Violet laughed. "What a romantic description of our wedding, my lord!"

"Don't you dare, wife," he replied, shuffling closer. "You are now commanded by your husband to only call me Edmund today. I will respond to no other name."

"What about husband?" she replied impishly.

He considered, "Well, that I may allow." He grinned, "I am certainly enjoying being able to finally call you wife."

Violet felt herself blushing and would have ducked her head, but Edmund gently caught her chin and started undoing the ribbons of her bonnet.

"You must be careful!" she exclaimed, "My hair and the veil took a good hour!"

She felt him laugh against her neck, "Why do you think I ordered for your maid to be in the fast carriage? She and Priorly will arrive at Bencombe Hall before us so that she can fix any damage I do to your wedding perfection."

Violet felt her blush deepening and could not hide it as he gently removed her bonnet and cupped her red cheeks.

"One of my favourite pass times is playing with this marvellous blush," he murmured, stroking a cheek. "I've been seeing how many times I can make you blush in one evening, my record in four."

Violet couldn't help laughing and hit him lightly. His response was to capture her hand and bring it to his lips. He stared at the wedding ring on her finger, stroking it. Violet found her laughter calming and watched, transfixed as he gently slid both rings off her finger and took her glove off with a tug. With a soft touch, he slid both rings back on and kissed it tenderly. He then began a trail of kisses, starting at her wrist and continuing up the inside of her arm, all the way to her puffed sleeve. It appeared quite an innocuous place to kiss, and yet seemed the most intimate kiss of her life as he regarded her with eyes that were suddenly serious.

"My love, I believe that your rule in now rendered superfluous. May I request that you remove the one kiss and one embrace rule?" A little smile was playing around the corner of his mouth and she replied by doing something she had never had the bravery to do before, she initiated a kiss.

It was only a gentle touching of lips, but it felt incredibly bold. The Viscount returned it just as gently but would not allow her to pull away. He slid a hand around her waist and held her securely as he deepened the kiss. Feeling daring, Violet raised a hand to touch his hair and marvelled at its softness as she stoked a hand through the thick chestnut locks. This seemed to do something to Edmund as he drew her more firmly to him and rested a hand at the back of her neck. He then proceeded to kiss her very thoroughly for an indeterminate amount of time.

When they eventually drew away, Violet only knew that she felt somewhat dazed and the city streets were giving way to greener spaces. She did not have long to look out the window, however, before Edmund drew her back and kissed her again. This time he seemed determined to remove her gloves permanently and had managed to slide the right one off as well. His fingers tickled the inside of her arm when he did this and she pulled away with a giggle.

"I believe that counts as more than one kiss, my love," she commented playfully.

Edmund grinned and tucked at arm firmly around her, drawing her on to his lap. "Well one could argue that we don't know where one ended and the other began, so there's an argument on both sides."

Violet laughed and hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder. Edmund for his part seemed very happy with this arrangement and simply drew her closer, pressing his lips to her forehead. They sat in this manner for a while before she noticed that the country was changing.

"How long will it take us to reach Mr Briggs' house, Edmund?"

"About another hour and a half I should think, why my love?"

"I was wondering how long we had until I have to be presentable again."

She felt him laugh, "Don't worry, Sarah will see to any damage I have done."

The stopping half way between the church and Aubrey Hall had been their compromise with the Dowager, whose poor health had not enabled her to travel as far as London. So they had agreed to meet her half way to Aubrey Hall so that they could all travel down to Kent together. Mr Briggs had been kind enough to offer his home and it had provided a good excuse for refreshment half way through their journey.

In the end, the second half of the journey was spent in a very relaxed manner as she rested her head upon his shoulder and watched the countryside pass. She actually fell asleep because the next thing she knew, he was gently stroking her cheek and cottages were moving past the window.

"Vi darling, we've just passed the Three Crowns, Briggs told me that this pub is only a couple of miles from Bencome Hall." Violet covered a yawn with her hand as she glanced out the window. Edmund's chuckle was warm, "Did you not sleep well?"

"No, I did. But I awoke early again and I could not get back to sleep."

"I think that will be something we have in common."

Violet smiled happily at the prospect of early morning rides together, when they passed through some large gates. "Quick Edmund, help me with my bonnet." Between them, they managed to arrange her bonnet and his hat to some standard of order, though the Viscount's hair had been rather hopelessly disarranged by her eager fingers.

They descended from the carriage to be greeted by a beaming Mr Briggs. He had quite a crowd of Bridgertons behind him and Violet felt herself flushing again as they descended. Edmund saw her colour and squeezed her hand kindly before turning to their host.

"Briggs, we are so very grateful for you agreeing to host us on this special day."

The landowner smiled broadly, "It's my absolute pleasure Bridgerton, and may I be among the first to congratulate you both?"

Violet smiled, "Thank you very much, sir, we are both so indebted to you."

The young man laughed, "Not at all, Mama was delighted to be able to offer our hospitality." He then introduced his elderly and rather fragile looking mother who had sharp, intelligent dark eyes that left no doubt about the state of her mental faculties. After she had also welcomed them most kindly, the Dowager Lady Bridgerton stepped forward and Violet felt her own eyes growing moist at the look of deep joy that covered every feature of the old woman's face.

"My dear, dear boy," she stated, taking him in her arms, "I am so very happy for you both." The Viscount in turned seemed a little emotional as he kissed his mother affectionately on the cheek. She then turned to Violet and gave her a gentle, precious hug. "After sixty nine years of life, I finally have a daughter!" she stated quietly, kissing Violet's cheek. "I am thrilled to be alive to meet the next Viscountess Bridgerton, my dear."

Violet felt her blush returning as her new title struck her for the first time. She kissed Lady Bridgerton's cheek and smiled. "As I am thrilled that he had the good sense to ask, my lady."

The Dowager burst out laughing and patted her cheek fondly. "No, Violet my dear, it is Sophia from now on."

Violet nodded before she and Edmund greeted the majority of the Bridgerton clan, who had decided to join the Dowager in meeting them at Mr Briggs' home. It was only after she had been kissed by close to fifteen Bridgerton relatives that Edmund was able to whisk her away and hand her over to Sarah's careful hands. In the end, her maid stated that "the damage was not too bad," and apart from removing the bonnet, tidying her hair a little and readjusting the veil, she declared her mistress "perfect," after only fifteen minutes.

Whilst they had been gone, the rest of the London guests had been arriving in their droves and she happily took her new husband's arm to go out and greet them. The beautiful weather had meant that they were able to have the refreshments upon the front lawn and Mr Briggs had organised the construction of several beautiful tents and gazebos.

In the end, Violet greeted over a hundred faces, was congratulated by many people and felt her cheeks aching from all the smiling. But one thing that she never did was leave Edmund's side. Or rather, he seemed determined not to leave hers and kept her hand carefully within his own throughout their welcoming of all the guests.

The only moment when she had managed to escape from her groom's loving clutches was during a long pontification of Aunt Phyllis Bridgerton about the age of the building. Edmund had been deeply involved in a discussion of the buttresses and Violet had managed to catch Katherine Andrew's eye. After carefully separating her finger's from her husband's, she had quietly slipped away and managed to flee about thirty metres to clutch Katherine's hand and receive a very warm hug.

"I never thought I'd pry you from all those Bridgertons!" Katherine exclaimed with a smile.

Violet laughed, "Well I am one now. Which is a strange thought."

"Well you have had six whole weeks to prepare yourself for this inevitability," her friend replied with a twinkle.

"True, but I think it'll take me a while to grow used to it."

"How does it feel to be a Viscountess? Has your snobbishness doubled?"

Violet burst out laughing, "If it has I shall have to have many doses of sarcasm from you to counteract the affect!"

Miss Andrews laughed and gave her friend a hug, "All joking aside Vi, I could not be more thrilled for you and Edmund. It gives hope to us hopeless spinsters when we see such a clear love match."

"Katherine, you, like me, have waited to find true love and I so not doubt that you very soon will my friend."

"As do I," Cordelia added. "And when we are dull and married matrons, Violet and I will make it our mission to see you very happily and very comfortably married, Katherine."

Violet beamed, "Cordelia, that is a splendid idea!"

"Oh no you do not!" Katherine stated, putting on a mock glare, "I am not going to be matched with some "charming chap" by you two!"

Cordelia pulled a face, "And I have to walk down the aisle first!"

"As if anything could stop Lord Paisley from doing that!"

"What am I being stopped from doing?"

Lord Paisley came striding up, swiftly followed by Harold, Thomas Andrews and (Violet noted with a feeling of slight guilt) an annoyed looking Viscount.

"We were just saying that nothing would stop you from walking your lovely fiancé down the aisle, my lord," Katherine explained, "She and Lady Bridgerton" (this said with a pointed look at Violet), "Have been deciding that they intend to find me a husband when they are "dull and married matrons (their words not mine) next Season."

"I see," Edmund stated, having reached his wife and wrapped an arm firmly about her waist. "You believe that marriage will make you dull, do you my love?"

Violet gave him her most winning smile, "Only if you prove to be a very dull husband, my lord."

This made the whole group laugh and Cordelia found herself similarly chastised by her fiancé, although he was much gentler and only took her hand. Edmund seemed determined to almost attach his wife to his side, so securely was he holding her.

"You abandoned me, wife," he whispered as Katherine and Thomas Briggs continued to rib each other.

Violet raised a sardonic brow at him, "For ten whole minute! Oh you poor, poor man!" This made Edmund laugh so heartily that he decided to silence her with a kiss and gave her waist a subtle squeeze which made her jump as the conversation continued.

The sun shone down and overall they passed a very pleasant hour at Bencombe Hall.

However, Harold (who seemed to be the main driving force of the schedule) eventually came over and interrupted their conversation.

"Sorry chaps, but the bride and groom need to be moving on or we won't get to Aubrey before dark."

"Right as always Harry," Edmund stated with a smile and before Violet knew what was happening, he had once more handed her into the carriage and they were heading off on the final leg of the journey.

"I do hope that Katherine finds the right man soon," she observed as they drove through the gates, "She really is so terrific."

"It's true," Edmund agreed, "But then, one of the problems with young ladies like Katherine is that they are so friendly, they seem more like sisters after you become good friends."

"You and I had no issues passing that barrier."

"But Vi, my love, I could not take my eyes off you from the first moment I saw you."

Violet turned to him, "But why? I've been meaning to ask you about that for a while. What was it that made me stand out to you so much? Just another young miss in a hundred, with brown hair and hazel eyes."

Her husband pondered his words for a long moment before he answered, "The funny thing is, I didn't see any of the other hundred young misses, I only saw you."

"But why Edmund? I am so very ordinary."

Without knowing how she got there, she found herself in his lap, his arms tight about her and his lips kissing hers in a way that made thinking very hard. Eventually, he drew back and she decided that resting her head on his shoulder would be far more comfortable. He seemed very content with this idea and only boosted her more securely onto his lap, his fingers playing with hers.

"I shall start this by telling you why I could not look at you," Violet stated. "You see, I'd been through a Season already and returned this year with the determination to have fun but also not appear desperate. There is something about young ladies in their first Season that can put a person off."

Edmund laughed, "I know what you mean," he murmured, "Young ladies of sixteen or seventeen tend to have a tenacity that can be comparable to that of a hunter and their prey. I spent the better part of many dinners when I was at Cambridge avoiding such young ladies."

"Yes, I believe the Miss Temples are a perfect example of that!" His chest rumbled as he laughed, but he remained silent so she continued. "I had got into the habit of developing friendships such as that with Mr Briggs and Timothy Andrews. But when I saw you … I had never seen blue eyes so warm … Timothy was making you laugh about something and I just knew that I had to meet the man who could experience such joy and laugh so contagiously without care for what others thought." She paused and allowed her head to rest comfortably on his shoulder. He lowered his head and dropped a feather-light kiss upon her brow. She didn't know if everyone felt tingles on the skin that their lover's lips touched, but she kept finding herself overwhelmed by the feelings he ignited.

"I was admiring your figure before I even saw your face," he stated. "You were dancing with Briggs and I could not help but be struck by the elasticity of your steps, you're very light on your feet." He played with her fingers as he pondered, "Then I saw your face. You were speaking with Katherine and obviously deep in discussion. You did not stare about you at the young men, seeking a flirtatious look or invitation to dance, instead you focussed wholly upon your conversation. Then she made you laugh and you both had no idea of the affect of this upon the men around you, to see two young ladies merely enjoying each other's company was so refreshing and then your own eyes light up when you're amused. You such have beautiful eyes Violet."

Violet felt her blush rising again but merely smiled against his neck. "I love you," she whispered.

She felt his own smile in the muscles of his cheek, "And I love you."

0 0 0

The afternoon was starting to wain by the time they entered Aubrey Hall's grounds, but it felt strange to Violet as she looked at the beautiful mansion, this was her new home. Somehow, it felt incredibly right and her heart experienced a little thrill at the prospect. However, instead of driving to the entrance, the carriage stopped down the side of the building, next to the library.

"Edmund?" she queried as he helped her out with a mischievous grin.

"Yes, my love?" he asked innocently as he led her towards the library doors.

"Why are we going through the library?"

"So I can do this!" Before she could speak, Violet found herself swung up into his arms with a rather unladylike squeak.

"Edmund!" she exclaimed, "What are you doing?"

"Carrying my wife over the threshold of our home," he replied simply as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. He took several careful steps towards the library door before mounting the steps and turning sideways to fit through. It was only once she was safely deposited upon the floor that Violet realised Mrs Mays and a footman were observing. She was about to turn away and hide when she felt a strong arm snaking around her waist once more and her husband leading her towards the smiling housekeeper.

"Welcome to Aubrey Hall my lord and ladyship!" Mrs Mays stated, "And may I congratulate you both?"

"Thank you, Mrs Mays," Edmund replied roguishly, "And thank you for making the arrangements for us. I suppose Malmsbury is completing the preparations for the wedding breakfast?"

"Indeed, my lord, your rooms are ready and prepared for you."

"Yes, thank you, Mrs Mays. It's a pleasure to be here as Lady Bridgerton finally."

"And we are delighted to have you, Ma'am," the house keeper agreed with a smile. "Now if you will follow Charles up the back stairs, I believe that your guests have started to arrive. We're serving champagne in the hall and northern parlour until you are both ready."

With the ease of one who had served here since he was a child, Charles led them through a veritable labyrinth of rooms and corridors.

"Shall I ever find my way?" Violet observed as they moved down yet another corridor and up a flight of stairs.

"You will soon grow used to it, my love," Edmund assured her. "It's not hard when one knows the way."

Eventually they emerged on to a familiar landing and she was escorted directly into her chambers by her husband.

"I shall see you soon," he murmured, kissing her knuckles before disappearing.

After being slightly overwhelmed, it was a relief to Violet to see Sarah's smiling face and seat herself. It took her a moment to take them in as she stared at the beautifully painted apartments, freshly done in teal, pale blue and cream with furnishings to match. The rooms had been grand and elegant in a rather impersonal way before, now they were really starting to feel like hers.

"Beautiful," she murmured as she wandered to the chair that Sarah had ready for her.

"They've done a lovely job, haven't they, Ma'am?" Sarah observed as she carefully started to remove Violet's bonnet.

"Truly lovely," Violet agreed. "Does it feel strange to now be Miss Stewart, Sarah?"

Her maid smiled, "I'll get used to it, your ladyship. It has a nice ring to it."

Violet smiled at her maid, "It does doesn't it? Though I doubt you thought that you would one day serve a viscountess when you became my maid last Season."

The girl laughed, "I knew you'd marry for love, Ma'am. Us maids can always tell. You, Miss Wethering, Miss Andrews, we all knew that you wouldn't settle for anything but marriages of the deepest love."

"Oh yes, is there a maids' gossip chain then?"

Sarah laughed, "I'm surprised you even have to ask, Ma'am!"

Violet joined in, "Well you have better removed my veil and twine the diamonds Mama bought into my hair. She said that the diamonds were for the wedding breakfast."

Her maid nodded and started her work, but Violet could not forebear asking, "So what else does the maids' gossip chain tell?"

"Well, Miss Kendall will be losing her maid Annelise at the end of the Season. Lady Kendall has to pay such a high wage to keep a maid on for her daughter that Annelise has saved enough to open her own modiste's down south."

Violet smiled, "I would day that I'm surprised, but I doubt you'd believe me."

"The maids know everything, Ma'am."

After half an hour Violet's hair had been threaded with diamonds, her rouge had been freshened, her veil had been safely packed away and her scuffed slippers replaced with new ones for dancing. She was just adjusting her tiara in the full length mirror when a knock came upon her door.

"Come in," she called.

Lady Clympton entered with a smile, her own eyes widening in delight at the freshly painted chambers. "Are you refreshed, my dear? The Dowager sent me up to enquire whether you were ready to receive your guests."

"Excellent timing, Lady Clympton," Edmund stated as he came striding out of his own room. "Ready for the main event, my love?"

Violet smiled and nodded as she took his arm.

As they approached the head of the main staircase, Violet was reminded of that night when she had descended with her mother and the Dowager as a family. Now, she descended it on the arm of her husband and the significance struck her forcibly as they approached the head of the staircase.

From somewhere, she heard Malmsbury's voice booming out, "My lords, ladies and gentlemen, may I present the newly married Viscount and Viscountess Bridgerton."

Applause rumbled from below as Edmund took his time to lead his wife carefully down the stairs. Below them, over a hundred friends and family applauded and raised their glasses as they descended. Violet stepped carefully, wanting to appear elegant, refined and not fall on her face in her first public appearance as Viscountess Bridgerton. Once they had reached the bottom she smiled in relief and followed her husband as they greeted the rest of their guests.

After that, the day seemed made of endless moments to Violet. The warm congratulations she received from the entire Brigerton family (including his cousin Edith and her husband). The pleasure of finding a moment's privacy together as they enjoyed the wedding breakfast. The joy of enjoying their first dance as a married couple, (a waltz which included many subtle touches that weren't necessarily part of the original steps). Under Malmsbury and Mrs Mays' careful planning, the afternoon progressed seamlessly and before Violet knew it, dark had fallen and the cake was being passed around.

With an unexpected nervousness, she ordered the footmen to take the cake around several times and wasn't aware that she was "stress eating" until Cordelia sidled up to her and enquired whether that was her third or fourth piece of cake? Violet stopped the pudding fork half way to her mouth and looked down at the plate in concern.

"I'm not sure," she admitted.

Her cousin took her arm in a gentle, kindly way and removed the plate from her hand. "I am fairly certain that you don't want to feel bloated tonight," she said softly.

Violet agreed, though her nerves were returning to such a level that she found herself accepting a dance with Harold without realising what she did.

"So, may I now officially call you Violet?" he asked with a twinkle.

She found a smile, "I believe you took advantage of that before I could even give you permission," she stated with a grin.

Harold's own smile widened, "Then I shall take the liberty of calling you Vi."

"And shall we see you before you sail away to the continent?" she asked.

"I have plans to travel quite widely, so I believe that leaving next Spring would be more sensible," he replied, "I will finish my time at Cambridge next May, so I'll be looking to sail soon after that."

"Where do you think you will travel, Harold?"

"I think I fancy the Mediterranean islands – Majorca, Menorca, Sicily and then maybe travel to the Greek islands."

"I have heard there are a great many of those, I'd love to research them with you and discuss your route."

"Then I believe we have a project for the autumn," he replied with a smile.

"What project is that?" Edmund asked, approaching as their country dance finished.

"Helping Harold decide where his tour will take him," Violet replied enthusiastically, "We are to do a study of the Mediterranean islands."

"A good choice of route," the Viscount agreed. "I will be glad to help. But now, Violet dearest, I think it is time for us to retire."

"You are probably right," Violet agreed, though she felt her nerves returning.

Harold's smile was gentle as he kissed her hand, "See you in the morning, sister."

Violet swatted him playfully before allowing Edmund to lead her towards her family. That leave taking was a strange one. Her younger brother had long since gone to bed. But her father hugged her tightly and even Frederick gave her a warm squeeze which was unlike him. Her mother was last and folded her gently to her bosom, kissing her daughter softly upon the cheek.

"Remember, my love, you have married a good man and you love him, do not fear him tonight. Allow him to guide you."

With a nod, Violet ascended the staircase with Edmund, her heart beating far more strongly than it should have. In an almost dreamlike state she allowed Sarah to remove her wedding finery and felt herself slipping into her new nightgown, a rather scandalous creation of silk and softest lace.

She only managed to force herself from this mindset when Sarah started to braid her hair. She was about to stop her when she remembered the Viscount's words and decided to let her complete the task, if only to aggravate him and start one of their little arguments that always seemed to finish with laughter.

With a quick kiss on her cheek, Sarah bid her good night and she was left, sitting at her dressing table with her hands clasped. She didn't know how long she sat there, but she was roused by a soft knock at the adjoining door.

Without waiting for a reply, Edmund peeked through the doorway. It was a gesture so reminiscent of her brother's from that morning that Violet found herself giggling. The problem was though, once she started she seemed unable to stop. The laughter bubbled up and burst from her with such force that she was soon struggling for breath. Her laughter eventually subsided into the indignity of hiccups. This then caused Edmund to join in and before they knew it, they were both roaring with laughter.

It was only after he had retrieved a glass of water for his wife that the Viscount asked the cause of her amusement.

"The way you peeked around the door was very similar to how Geoffrey stole into my room this morning to proudly describe how he had stolen my slipper," she replied. "I couldn't help myself!"

Edmund smiled, "Well I did not expect similarities to be drawn between myself and your youngest brother on our wedding night, but at least it has got us laughing."

Violet looked down and became aware of his state of dress for the first time. He was simply dressed, in a pair of trousers and a loose white shirt. He seemed to have recently washed because his face was still damp in places and his hair was tousled. It made him look young and boyish. She then noticed her own attire and felt herself flushing.

Edmund saw this and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. "I want to get one thing clear before anything else happens, my love. You can do nothing wrong tonight."

Violet looked up in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"I know not what mothers tell young girls before their wedding night, but I am fairly certain that all maidens experience a certain level of fear. Am I right?" Her refusal to meet his eyes confirmed his belief. "Vi dearest, the last thing I want is for you to feel afraid. Please trust me to show you the physical side of love."

Confused, Violet found herself unable to meet his gaze. But Edmund would not have it. He gently raised her chin with insistent fingers and she was became lost in the warmth of those incredibly blue eyes.

"Violet, do you trust me?"

Now that she was looking, she found that she couldn't look away. "Edmund of course I trust you, but …"

"But what?"

"I do not want to appear … appear … too eager …" She hid her face in her hands. Tenderly, Edmund pried her fingers away and lifted her chin to kiss her. It was like their other kisses but also unlike them. There was gentleness but also no attempt was made to stop it. He kissed her long and lovingly, running his hands through her hair and holding her with a gentle surety.

When the kiss eventually ended, Violet could not remember what they had been talking of and she had somehow found her way back on to his lap. Edmund was stroking her hair again and distracting her in the most delightful manner.

"I know that society states that all young women should be chaste, but Vi darling, that's only until they are married. There is a reason that physical love is kept to the marriage bed." He drew her to him and her head found that same resting spot in his neck. "I will not deny that I have experienced physical love before. But it means the world to me that you have shared your first experiences it with me. What I am trying to say is that in our bed, you may be as wanton as you could wish. In fact, knowing that you are taking pleasure in our activities would mean the world to me."

Violet looked up at him in shock, "But I thought …"

He hushed her with a kiss which sufficiently scrambled her brains to render her once more speechless. "What you thought was that any experience of passion was immodest and made you a wanton. When the reality is that every husband wishes his wife to feel passion and enjoy the act of physical love."

Violet thought about this, "So, you want me to show my enjoyment?"

Edmund grinned, "Exactly."

Still confused, Violet nodded, "Very well." She rose and headed for his bed. "Mama has told me what to do."

This time it was Edmund's turn to look confused, "So where are you going?"

"To your bed to lie down and let you …" She didn't finish but her indication was clear.

She was surprised when her husband laughed. "So we 'do the deed' and then we're done?"

"Isn't that what you want?"

Edmund response was to laugh heartily, sweep his wife into his arms and carry her to the bed. "Certainly eventually, but I intend to take my time, wife."

And take his time he certainly did. With infinite care and tenderness, Edmund spent half the night showing his wife what it meant to physically love. In years to come, Violet would think back upon that night and the love with which her husband gave her the greatest pleasure of her life.

It was only once they were lying together in the early hours of the morning that Violet found a moment to marvel at what they had done, several times, over that past night. She was lying on her side, held protectively in Edmund's arms, marvelling at what had just transpired.

"No wonder it's not allowed until marriage," she muttered to herself.

"Hmm?" She heard in her ear as Edmund leant over to nuzzle her neck. "Still awake, love? Haven't I exhausted you?" The meaning of this made her blush and smile as he drew her closer.

"No, you most definitely have," she replied through a cut off yawn. "I was just thinking that I am not surprised that this act is reserved for the marriage bed."

She felt rather than saw his grin, "It's true," he agreed. "But I have to say, it's definitely worth the wait."

With a little giggle, Violet turned to kiss her husband. "It most definitely is."

THE END

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Author's note:

And we're done! I apologise to anyone who was hoping for a steamier wedding night, I know this is an expectation in Bridgerton books, but I simply don't feel very comfortable writing intimate scenes beyond kissing.

I hope you're enjoyed this little foray into Violet and Edmund's love story, I wanted to tell it and I've had a very fun time doing it!

Many thanks for every review and favourite. I'll probably be venturing into the world of LOTR for my next one and I'd love you to join me if you fancy a romp through the forests of Mirkwood.

Until next time, thanks again and please let me know what you think!

Breeze.