Page 36 of The Captain of Betrayal
"I wonder will we be like that in thirty years?" Polly questioned, as the door closed behind the vicar. "Bickering and squabbling over forgetting to blow out a candle."
"Who knows?" James smiled, stepping forward to take her into his arms. "Though, I promise I will always make sure that all candles are extinguished before we retire to bed."
"Thank you," Polly replied simply, wondering if he could feel her heart hammering in her chest at the mere mention of the word "bed". Indeed, it seemed to have ignited something in James, for he seemed suddenly filled with urgency.
"Shall we?" James lifted an eyebrow in question, as he gestured to the front door.
"I can't think why not," Polly replied truthfully. No matter how much she tried, she could not think of any reason to delay the inevitable.
Their temporary home, until James found a property that was deemed suitable, was a fine, old cottage on the outskirts of St Jarvis. It was owned by the Duke of Everleigh, who had insisted that James lease it until he found a more permanent residence.
The butter-brick cottage was two stories, with a thatched roof and steep, arched gables. It was set back, away from the road, in a large garden, that even in the diminishing light, Polly could see was filled with flowers. It was like something from a story-book, though she could not fully appreciate its charms, due to the rising panic that she felt.
"What do you think?" James asked, as he lit a candle in the small entrance hall.
"I couldn't say," Polly gave a nervous laugh, "For I've only seen this room. Come, let's explore."
Despite the weary tiredness that filled her bones, Polly set forth to explore the cottage, feigning an interest in everything; from the cupboard under the staircase, to the low beams of the kitchen roof.
"I think they're oak," Polly called down to James, as she rapped against one of the beams with her knuckles.
"I think you've had too much champagne," James responded, his expression perplexed.
She was standing on one of the kitchen chairs, ostensibly so that she could better examine the beams, and she knew that she must look ridiculous. The hurt and confusion written across her new husband's face tore a little at her heart, and Polly gave a sigh.
There was no point in skirting around the problem at hand, she thought, she must face it head on. Gingerly she stepped down from the chair onto the flagstone floor and once she was on safe ground, she looked her husband in the eye.
"I suppose it's time we went to bed," she said, lifting her chin proudly. "I know what you're expecting James Black and I know you've every right to take it, but I expect that you'll show some restraint and not hurt me too much."
"I never knew you were such a romantic," James snorted, before chuckling deeply. His laughter died away as he realised that Polly was not joking and that her fears were genuine. "What's going on Poll? What has you in such a state?"
"Only the prospect of grievous bodily injury," Polly whispered mulishly, a little aggrieved that he was, presumably, so caught up with the thoughts of the pleasure he could expect that he could not see how frightened she was. His face was still wreathed in confusion, so with a sigh, Polly sat down at the kitchen table and explained to him that Mrs Tarpy had informed her of what to expect from the marriage bed.
"And then, she said that of all men, sailors are the worst," Polly finished, casting James an aggrieved look for having chosen a seafaring career. "So, I am to expect that you have needs far more disparate than the average husband."
"All I need is you."
Polly looked up from her hands, which she had tangled in her lap. As her eyes met James', she saw only love and kindness, and she wondered if perhaps Mrs Tarpy had been mistaken.
"You won't hurt me?" she whispered as a flush stained her cheeks. Even though she was frightened, his handsome, good looks still held the power to leave her feeling flustered.
"I won't," James said solemnly and to Polly, it was almost as magical as hearing him say "I do".
"I'm sorry for being so skittish," Polly said with a watery laugh. "It's just I know nothing of these things and you have so much more experience..."
"Actually," it was James' turn to blush, "I have never..."
Polly sat up straight in her chair, incredulous at this piece of information. Captain James Black, dashing war hero had never made love to a woman?
"You're teasing me," Polly said, though at the same time she wondered why he would tease her about such a thing.
"On my honour," James held a hand over his heart. "I have not. I have been waiting for you, Polly Black--I betrayed you once many years ago, but have been true to you ever since."
Of all the revelations of the day, this was the one that left Polly completely speechless. How had she ever doubted James, doubted that he loved her, or that he would be loyal? The man before her was her soul mate, her truest friend and, now, her husband.
"You didn't tell me," she whispered, unchecked tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks.
"Well, it's not a thing a man usually shares with people," James said bashfully, "Though I am glad that I have waited for you Poll. There were many times, over the years, that I had almost given up on finding you, but now that I have, I am so glad that I waited."
