Page 19 of Papa's Rules
Chapter Seven
It had been a day of greetings and good-byes for Cammie. First thing in the morning she had said good-bye to Hyacinth, Daisy, Rosie and the other girls at Talcott House, even bossy Garland, with a lump in her throat, excited about meeting her papa, but also anxious over leaving the place that had been her home and safe haven for six years. Her life before Talcott House had been filled with hunger and fear. What she could never get over was the freezing cold of winter. Even now, the slightest blast of winter cold filled her with fear and anxiety, a physical reminder of the hardships she had endured. Hardships which Miss Wickersham and now Lord Cavendish had assured her were a thing long in the past. Still, those were memories she might never banish from her thinking.
The sadness of her departure was overshadowed by the thrill of meeting Lord Cavendish, the man who would be her husband and very special papa who would care for her and love her. A thrill of excitement fluttered through her stomach just thinking about it. And then she had said good-bye to Miss Wickersham. Hardly a tear filled departure, as Miss Wickersham kept a tight rein on her own emotions, but Cammie felt certain she had heard a small catch in her teacher’s voice as she said good-bye and wished Cammie happiness in her future. Miss Wickersham might have even wiped away a tear or two during the wedding ceremony which had been conducted in the drawing room with the vicar officiating and Lord Cavendish’s manservant and Miss Wickersham as witnesses.
Now, it was afternoon and Cammie’s busy day still had much activity left to it. She was officially Lady Cavendish. She stood next to her husband and hugged herself around the middle hardly able to believe the turn her life had taken. She shuddered to think what might have happened to her without the benevolent intervention of Miss Wickersham.
Papa and Cammie were eating their evening meal in his large master bedroom upon a small table that had been set up near the window so they could see the sun lowering in the evening sky as they dined.
Cammie tried to eat her food like a good girl but her attention kept being drawn to the large bed which occupied the majority of the room. Papa’s room. The room where he had said they would sleep together and share a bed. Cammie still was not entirely certain what happened between married people in the bed, despite Nurse Lister’s explanation, but the jittery feeling in her stomach made it hard for her to eat her dinner.
“Camellia,” Papa said, pausing until she met his gaze before he continued, “is there a problem with the food? If so, I will speak to cook about it immediately.”
“Oh no, Papa,” Cammie replied. She hated the idea of the cook getting a scolding simply because she was too nervous to eat. “The food is delicious.”
“If it is so delicious, as you say, Camellia, then why does so much remain upon your plate?” Papa’s voice was stern but there was a twinkle in his eye that made Cammie feel not quite so nervous about his question.
“I,” she started to answer but her eyes kept wandering to the bed with its heap of pillows and large soft looking quilt. It was so high up from the floor, she wondered if she would even be able to get in and out of it without assistance. Her toes curled in her shoes as she thought about Papa lifting her into the bed.
“I see that you seem preoccupied by the bed, is that true, Cammie?”
If she answered truthfully, would he think she was too forward? However, she dared not lie, not to her papa, not on their wedding day. When she did not answer quickly enough, Papa tapped his finger on the linen covered table. “I am awaiting your reply, Camellia.”
“I-I am nervous about...about...” Her eyes darted to the bed again and then back down at the plate of food getting cold on the table before her. “Papa, I do not know what...what I mean to say is...what if you...what if I...”
Papa chuckled and taking her hand in his, gently pulled her from her seat and set her upon his lap. It seemed to be a favorite way for him to hold and talk to her and Cammie had no complaints for she liked it very much too. “It will be for me to teach you the things that married people do together, Cammie. That is my honor and duty as your husband.”
Yes, Papa,” she replied and snuggled against his strong torso. When she finally relaxed against him, a large yawn pushed its way from her lips. She hurriedly covered it with both her hands and hoped that Papa did not notice, but it seemed her papa saw and heard everything she did and sometimes even what she thought.
“I believe,” Papa said, placing a sweet kiss upon her forehead, “that perhaps I need to put my little girl to bed for a nap before we commence our wedding night activities.”
Cammie sat up straight. “No, Papa, please. I do not want to wait.”
Papa’s dark gaze stilled any further protests but also heated up the swirl of desire forming in her nether region. “There will be no contradicting me, Cammie. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Papa. I am sorry.” She buried her face in his woolen jacket and wrapped her arms around his waist. “If you believe I need to take a nap, then that is what I shall do.”
“That’s my good girl,” Papa said, setting her on her feet in front of him before he stood and took her hand. Leading her back to the dressing room, he lifted her to stand atop the dressing stool. His eyes raked over her body and then he gazed into her eyes and told her how beautiful she was and how proud he was to have her as his wife. Cammie blushed and thanked him. Gently, he touched her shoulder to indicate his wish for her to turn around so he could open the fastenings on the beautiful white lace dress he had selected for her. Cammie stifled another yawn. Much as she did wish for some sleep, she loathed the idea of shedding the exquisite gown which made her feel like royalty.
Papa pushed the gown down her body and ordered her to step out of the garment. He made quick work of removing her chemise next, but allowed her to keep her drawers on, for which she was grateful. Though she felt comfortable around her papa, being completely unclothed before him still made her flush from head to toe. He turned her around to face him, and she couldn’t help but notice the heat in his dark gaze. Her heart fluttered and she beamed with a slight amount of pride, happy that he seemed to like the look of her body. She wasn’t as tall or curvy as most women, for which she had sometimes felt self-consciousness. She stole another glance into her caring papa’s handsome eyes, yet again thankful for the match Miss Wickersham had made for her.
He held up the prettiest nightdress she’d ever seen, the long sleeves and the bottom of the skirt embroidered with tiny elegant flowers. The soft cotton garment fit her perfectly, and she impulsively did a little spin for Papa once he finished putting it on her, giggling as the skirt flared out in a billowing wave.
Papa chuckled and stepped back, his eyes roving over her body. “I’m pleased you like it, Cammie.”
She stifled another yawn. “Thank you, Papa. I love it. It’s beautiful, and I feel like a princess right now.”
He grasped her hand and led her back into her bedroom. “I hope you feel like a sleepy princess.”
“I will try my hardest to sleep for a while, Papa. I promise.” Another yawn. Perhaps the excitement of the last few days was finally catching up with her. As he guided her toward the bed, the heaviness of fatigue swept over her. Well, maybe she would fall asleep more easily than she’d originally thought.
And once she woke up…
Her heart raced. Papa would take her into his bedroom. Despite her nervousness and uncertainty about what exactly would happen in Papa’s bedroom, she found herself looking forward to this evening more and more.
Papa pulled back the covers and moved the decorative pillows to a nearby chair. Then he picked her up as if she weighed nothing and laid her on the bed. She sighed with pleasure at the feel of the soft sheets and fluffy pillow. While she’d had her own warm bed to sleep in at Talcott House, it was nothing compared to the luxuriousness of this bed. She felt positively spoiled as she ran her fingers over the sheets. She hadn’t known it was possible to find linens so soft. Papa had truly spared no expense in furnishing her bedroom. She stretched out as he pulled the thick covers atop her, enjoying the weight of the blankets.
“Thank you, Papa. This is the most comfortable bed ever.”
