Page 45 of Adoringly, Edward
“IS THIS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY?”
Edward held a wooden cane in his hands, staring down at the thing with a disgruntled frown.
Vivienne smoothed her hands over her fiancé’s chest to remove a couple wrinkles from his vest that had managed to sneak past her careful screening. She wanted the surprise to go perfectly. Mostly because she wanted to give Edward every happiness possible. But also because it was an important day.
“The Mother Goddess knows I can try to catch you if you fall, but I’m quite certain we’llbothend up sprawled on the floor.” She patted his hand resetting atop the cane and smiled. “Besides, your body is still healing.” Once again, she nodded her head toward the wooden wheelchair resting against the wall. “Of course, I’d prefer you in the chair—”
“I will not lower myself to wheeling about like a cripple. I can walk just fine.”
She tsked, shaking her head. “A bit testy today, aren’t we?”
“I’m nervous.”
“For what?” She laughed as they walked side by side out of the infirmary and into the quiet hallway, Cedric trailing several paces behind. “You don’t know what we’re doing yet.”
His frown remained as he hobbled at her side, clearly needing the cane more than he cared to admit. She wanted to kiss the frown away, as adorable as she found it. “I assume we’re on a jaunt tomeet with the parents. I’m still waiting for your father to impale me.”
“At this point, you are a beloved member of court,” she teased, gently elbowing him in the ribs. “He wouldn’t dare.”
He glanced at her, his gaze trailing over the beaded and embroidered scarf she wore.
“Is that the one?” he asked, his worries momentarily distracted by her clothing ensemble. “The scarf you said you never wore because you didn’t want to ruin it.”
She smiled as she lifted both ends of the beautiful item to admire the careful stitches and the skillful craftsmanship. “How can I say it’s well-loved if I hide it away? You inspired me, Edward. After seeing how much you loved your book…”
His mouth turned up at the corners as he trailed the scarf between his fingers. “I can see why you love it so much. It’s unique. Just like the woman who wears it.”
“Oh,” she gently swatted his arm, a bashful smile on her face, “you certainly know how to make a grown woman feel special.”
But then she stopped short in the hallway, her eyes flashing open with fear as she realized something she hadn’t considered before. “How will your heart react to a surprise?”
“I’ll be fine, Vivi.” This time, he turned his head and smiled. The sight of it weakened her knees and nearly madeherfeel like the one who might collapse. “I’m not quite as fragile as you are led to believe.”
“I love you,” she breathed. But then her hand flew to her heated cheek as his grin widened, and the smug look that simultaneously challenged her and brought out her playful side emerged.
“My, my, Vivienne Winfield. You sure do know how to make a grown man feel rather special.”
She chuckled nervously, the heat in her face refusing to abate. “This feels surreal. Everything about this is surreal. It’s almost like if I close my eyes, I’ll wake up and nothing will be the same.”
“I believe you are thinking of tomorrow.” He teasingly pinched her side. “When you will wake up, and it will be our wedding day.”
They stopped in front of a set of large double doors with a servant standing on each side. Although she was usually a confident person, she needed the reassurance of his contentedness with his lot, especially when she’d so forcefully shoved it onto his shoulders.
“Are you happy?” she whispered to prevent the servants from overhearing.
He reached out to her but seemed to think better of it when the movement caused him to wobble on his legs. In an equal whisper, he said, “Remember in my letter when I said these past few months have been the best of my life?” She nodded, and he continued. “I think the past few days, even being bedridden, has topped it all. I am very happy.”
A relieved breath escaped on her exhale. “I’m so glad.” And then she laughed, saying in a louder voice, “Now, I hope that doesn’t change in ten seconds from now.”
With a gesture of her hand, she motioned for the guards to open the doors leading into the smaller ballroom within the palace. And then a chorus of clapping and congratulationsslammed into them, effectively taking Edward off guard enough to stun him with silence.
When his feet froze to the floor, she slipped her arm into his and guided him into the room where nearly every member of court had shown up to congratulate them on their engagement, including the king and queen of Edilann.
A sea of colorful skirts surrounded them. Ladies with fans. Gentleman with cravats to match. And at the front of the ensemble stood her mother and father, each of them beaming with smiles to reflect her own.
“What is this?” Edward finally stammered beside her.
She squeezed his bicep. “It’s our engagement party.”
