The Twins secret

CH6-An agreement

The grunts and panting sounds became louder before the praying began.

“Oh God, Oh God, Oh God I’m going tooooo” was heard moments before a strangled cry.

Lily just stood there, her back to the couple, her face tilted heavenward staring at the almost full moon, ignoring their cries as she pondered what she had done in this life or the last to cause her such entanglements. Why could her life not be simple and clean cut. All she wanted was a loving family, a career and adventure, was that too much to ask?

Sighing softly, it must be she thought. Any further thoughts were interrupted by shout of surprise

“LILY!?”

Glancing over her shoulder to ascertain if it was safe to turn around, she saw Edward with his back turned obviously struggling with his britches while the young male waiter just stood there trembling.

When had she started thinking of him as Edward, she wondered to herself as she turned around to face them.

 “Yes Edward?” she asked proud of herself for managing to sound calm. Truth be told she was calm, this, whatever THIS was, seemed almost normal and not worth expending more energy over compared to the events of earlier, she just could not muster the emotions for outrage or even true shock. She was drained.

“It’s not what it looks like, let me explain” Edward pleaded, his amber eyes flicking around wildly in agitation as he wracked his brain for a believable lie.

‘Do I actually care that he is sharing pleasures of the flesh with a man?’ Lily asked herself. Deciding the answer was no, she really did not care, she plastered a small serene smile on her lips and made her way over, seating herself on the recently vacated stone bench.

Waiting patiently for whatever lie Edward could come up with, her eyes tracking both men. The waiter was quite handsome she supposed, no wonder he caught Edward's eye. Tall, broad of shoulder and trim of waist with wavy chestnut hair and plump red lips any woman would envy.

Minutes ticked by without a word, Edward's agitation visibly growing as he continued to draw a blank. The Waiter, whose name Lily did not know fluctuated being staying and going. A step towards Edward, reaching for him presumably for support followed by darting glances at Lily and the exit before stepping back looking like he was on the verge of bolting like a terrified rabbit. Again, and again in the lapsing minutes he repeated this action.

Lily moved her gaze from Edward to this unknown man “what is you name sir?” He hesitated to answer, unsure of the repercussions. Was this lady only after his name so she could report him and have him arrested on the charge of attempted buggery.

When it looked like the waiter would not answer she asked Edward instead. “Edward? What is your lovers name?” He just gaped at her mouth hung open. How is she so calm he wondered?

“Errrr……”

The waiter stepped forward and bowed shakily “Milady my name Jacob. Jacob Smith”

“Well Jacob could you please give my fiancée and I some privacy, he will be along shortly I am sure”

 She had always been an emotional woman, passionate and headstrong, easy to laugh and even easier to cry. That was how she was raised after all. Women were for childbearing and running a house. To get what they wanted they had to use underhanded tactics and emotional manipulation. The men had to be oblivious, believing it was their idea in the first place as a woman’s thoughts on anything of significants was never given much weight. This detached feeling was wholly new to her. This calm made her feel stronger and surer of herself.  That she could move past the situation calmly without a sea of tears, that she had no reason to play the damsel in distress like she had done for so many years. Always playing weak and mild mannered. Yes, it got her what she wanted, men hated seeing a woman in tears and would usually give her whatever she wanted if it would stop their flow. But she wanted to stand on a level playing field, she wanted to make a deal, discuss and ultimately get what she wanted without falling back on those traits she saw others use.

Edwards nodded at Jacob when he looked for a sign from him.

“Lily” Edward started after Jacob had disappeared down a pathway

“No Edward, there is no need to explain, let me speak” Having no idea where she was going with this, she plundered ahead blindly making it up as she went along

“You do not have to play false with me Edward, I am fully aware of what I witnessed” At this point Edward attempted to interrupt, being silenced by a gesture and glance.

“You have nothing to worry about from me Edward. This marriage was one of my father’s making and I had only hoped that I could find a camaraderie with my future husband, never did I expect love and romance.  If you would be amenable to it, I think we can come to an arrangement that we would both find acceptable”

Edward couldn’t believe his ears, of course it depended on the deal but most anything was acceptable when hanging was the other option.

“What kind of deal would that be Miss Monroe”

“Call me Lily Edward, at this point I believe we are familiar enough with each other to allow first names. And it would not hurt either of our situations if the gossips wish to spread rumour about that level of familiarity. Should anyone else have witnessed yours and your lover’s actions tonight or on previous occasions, I would think that rumour about us having relations might combat any issues that might arise”

Edward was flabbergasted. Holding his breath, he began to look forward to hearing this deal she was about to suggest. It might solve many of his problems. Since Mr. Monroe had approached him about marrying his eldest, Edward had been stressed about how to keep his secret. How to have a woman living with him whom expected a husband to want certain things that he very much had no interest in. How often he would have to fake an interest to calm any suspicions she may voice to others.

“ If you are amenable I would think that the wedding should go ahead as scheduled. On my part I will keep your confidence in all things. You may retain your lover, even find a place for him in our home. A secretary or butler, something that will not draw suspicion if he is seen coming and going at odd hours. I will retain all household duties expected of me as your wife except those of the bedroom, I will host galas and balls, look after the daily running of the estate etcetera”

Pausing to gauge Edwards reaction so far, giving him an opening to jump in with the torrent of questions he had.

“Why would you agree to do all that for me? What is in it for you? “

“You have been nothing but a gentleman to me Edward, you’re a good man from everything I know, I don’t see any reason to allow you to hang over something as innocent as who you love. If I walked in on you murdering someone I would have screamed for the guards and been the first to testify against you.

I never wanted to just marry for the sake of marrying, Edward; I was waiting for love. Not just an acceptable match, but that heart stopping romance that would be worth waiting for. The kind they make plays about and I see blooming between our stable hand and the cook’s daughter.

So as for what I get out of this. I want full freedom to do as I please. No, I want more than simple freedom I want your full support. I want you to publicly support my education and any career path I choose. I would agree to stay married for a minimum of five years and if I should find love, I would hope you would be as understanding about any extra marital relations just as I have been with you.  After the Five years, if I want a divorce, I expect you to happily pay the cost and sign the papers. Do we have an agreement?”

Edward could not believe how lucky he was. Of all the people that could have discovered his rendezvous it was Lily, his fiancée who could easily have ruined him but all she wanted was this. He would have done all these things anyway, just because she was his wife, and love her or not he would have wanted her to be as happy as she could be.

Bowing with a flourish he extended his hand to her “Of course milady, we have an agreement. Shall we return to the party and make merry in celebration of our upcoming nuptials?” He gave her his best impish grin as she placed her hand is his.

Giving an indulgent smile and a small chuckle she allowed him to help her to her feet.  “I think we shall”