Once Upon a Not at all Innocent Kiss: Charles' story (A Christmas Prequel) (The Whickertons in Love Book 9) by Bree Wolf

Author:Bree Wolf [Wolf, Bree]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: WOLF Publishing
Published: 2024-10-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

A TRUE SELF

Beatrice stirred in her sleep, feeling a slight swaying motion that seemed to come from deep within her. She remained still for a few seconds longer, her consciousness gradually shifting from the fog of sleep to the more tangible reality in which she found herself. A long moment passed as Beatrice struggled to form a coherent thought, her mind still foggy with sleep and confusion.

In that moment between sleeping and waking, Beatrice felt utterly disoriented, unable to account for the soft swaying motion that shook her gently. Distant sounds drifted into her mind, not helping to clear up the confusion but increasing it. She heard carriage wheels upon a dirt-packed road, the call of a bird as well as the howling of the wind.

Blinking her eyes open, Beatrice was blinded by light, its brightness like a painful stab. She groaned, her hands moving to shield her eyes, and in that moment, she finally realized that she was not in her bed at home.

On swift wings, the events of the previous day and night returned, and her eyes flew open once more. A moment later, Beatrice surged upward when she realized she had slept with her head in her betrothed’s lap. “Oh, dear. I’m so sorry. I—” Her breath came fast, and she tried very hard not to meet her betrothed’s eyes, her cheeks ablaze.

Charles, though, chuckled good-naturedly. “I am to be your husband,” he said lightly. “Is it not my responsibility to ensure that you sleep well?”

Lifting her gaze tentatively, Beatrice found Charles grinning at her. As sensitive and kind and earnest as he was sometimes, there still was a bit of a devilish streak in him.

Beatrice rather like that.

Still, the reminder of their impending nuptials brought something else to mind. After all, a wedding implied a wedding night, did it not? When she had been set to marry Mr. Carter, Beatrice had been uncertain if her father’s old friend would have insisted on consummating the union. Indeed, it had been a shuddering thought, and Beatrice was quite relieved to be rid of it. Yes, she did feel more at ease with Charles, but he was a stranger as well. They barely knew one another. Would he insist—?

“Would you tell me more of your sister?” Charles inquired as the carriage rumbled onward. “She sounds like quite the intriguing girl.” Another teasing grin touched his face.

“You first,” Beatrice insisted, welcoming this new lightness between them. “After all, I already spoke to you of Francine yesterday.”

“Very well,” Charles relented, tapping his chin with the forefinger of his right hand as he contemplated what to say. “I have a younger brother as well as younger sister. My brother, Henry, is three years younger than me and while I love him dearly, I rarely understand him.”

Beatrice laughed. “Why’s that?”

Charles shrugged. “Because… Because he never seems to stand still. Wherever he is, he’s quickly bored or eager for a new place to discover.” He scoffed good-naturedly. “Quite honestly, only looking at his life exhausts me.

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