THE DISAGREEABLE DUCHESS

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"You may kiss the bride." Said the preacher.

Colin lifted Olivia's veil over her head, unveiling her beautiful face. She looked at him with mixed expressions written all over her, but it mostly says 'I'm sorry, I don't want to kiss you'. But with their family watching them closely, they had no choice but to do it despite the mutual feeling of guilt of lying to them.

With Colin leaning over, Olivia didn't know what to expect, so she held her breath and closed her eyes instead.

And before she knew it, Colin gave her a quick peck on the lips, then it was finished. Everyone started clapping, which surprised her a bit. When she opened her eyes, she took sight of everyone up in their sits. Magnolia and Cecilia were both tearing up and drying their eyes with their carried handkerchieves.

Colin wrapped his arm around Olivia's tiny waist. He noticed that she was wearing a corset which emphasized her figure more. He appreciated the tiny gesture though, he's never seen Olivia wear one of those shackling contraptions, and a lot of times, women would complain about how they could not breathe properly in it. But then again, that's the way the women of their society lived.

After the small talk outside the chapel, they all headed to their house where there'll be a small celebration for the wonderful occassion. Olivia prepared most of the food herself, with a bit of help from Magnolia and Cecilia earlier that day.

Though it was a time for laughing, enjoying and celebrating, David was the exclusion of the joy that lingered around the house. He sat and ate quietly, trying to avoid attention, but he was watching his daughter carefully.

The carriage that had broken down a couple of miles back arrived before night fall. The two footmen and coach driver were fed with an enormous serving of delicious food in gratitude of their hardwork.

A few more hours later, everyone decided to call it a night. They were all exhausted with everything that happened and they were all eager to wrap themselves in their blanket and bury their faces in their pillow.

All in all, there were seven bedrooms in the house, all of which were small and cozy. And tonight, instead of occupying all seven rooms, the newlywed couple will be sharing one room with one bed.

"Colin, are you asleep?" Asked Olivia, who was feeling a bit odd having to share her small, tight bed with her husband.

Even though the bed was small, they managed to still fit a barrier in between them. While Olivia was comfortably lying on her back, Colin was hanging for dear life on the brims of the bed. "No, I'm not." He replied.

"Are you comfortable in that position?"

Colin sighed and said. "I'm honestly not, Olivia." Then he grabbed the pillow barrier, tossed it on the floor and laid back gently, wrapping his arms Olivia, who seemed shock of his quick move. "Do not fret, I'm not going to devour you while your sleeping."

She didn't say another word after that, she just closed her eyes and waited to fall asleep.

Early the next morning, Olivia found herself comfortable in an unfamiliar hold. Colin's hard chest was pillowing her head and she could sense his warmth. Suddenly, she realizes that her arms were wrapped around his body as well.

Olivia gasped.

She looked at the sleeping face above her, trying to pry herself away from him, but it seemed that Colin was a heavy sleeper with an even tighter grasp around her waist. He wouldn't let go and as soon she realized that it was a hopeless battle and surrendered to him.

She was awake in his arms, motionless, observing his sleeping face. He was calm, far from the tensed expression whenever they're together. She smiled, thinking of how lucky a woman is she to have a man as handsome and as gentlemanly as Colin in her bed beneath a blanket.

She fell back into slumber not long afterwards. Waiting for him to wake up was like waiting for forever. She knew that he constantly wores himself out and had no time for rest nor sleep, so she let him be. And besides, she actually quite enjoyed this.

Two hours later, Colin stirred and opened his eyes to an unfamiliar setting with a woman holding him tight. Then he suddenly remembers, right, the wedding. Olivia's eyes were still closed, but his right arm was wrapped beneath her waist, though he wasn't quite sure how it got there.

He tried to carefully pull his arm beneath her, but he was surprised and pulled it harshly away when she suddenly said. "Good morning."

"You... You're awake." He muttered.

"I was, for the last two hours or so." She replied.

"You could've left the bed, you didn't have to wait for me, Olivia."

"I would, but I couldn't." She admitted.

"Why?" He asked.

"Your arms... It wouldn't let me go despite all my struggling." Then she comments. "You are one heavy sleeper, do you know that?"

"So I've heard." He replied. "You could've waken me up."

"You looked peaceful, I didn't want to bother you." Then, Olivia finally stood up and said. "I'm going to use the bathroom first."

"Alright."

After they finished bathing separately, the newlywed couple came down the stairs and headed for breakfast together. When they entered the dining room, Magnolia was already preparing them breakfast.

"Good morning, Grandma." Greeted Olivia.

"Good morning, Mrs Wilkins." Followed by Colin.

"Good morning to you two." Said Magnolia. "Sit down, breakfast's almost finished."

A few more minutes and breakfast was served. Everyone came down as well and were all sitted on the table.

David looked a bit disturbed, like he wanted to say something. So he held his breath and said. "I've arranged for the carriage to send you to one of my properties not far from here, it's secluded and you'll be able to spend some time peacefully there, with just the two of you."

Colin and Olivia looked at each other with confusion, trying to figure out if they should go or not.

"Think of it as my wedding present for you both."

"That would be wonderful!" Exclaimed Magnolia, clasping her hands.

The two looked defeated with both David and Magnolia, so the two of them smiled while Colin said. "We'd love that."

And before they knew it, they were on their way to one of David's properties for a honeymoon. The coachman wouldn't even tell them where they were headed. All they knew, is that they'll be alone for two weeks together.

It took them half a day's ride before they arrived in a small cottage where they were dropped off with their luggage. There was a small village not far from the house, though it would take them at least twenty minutes to get there. Colin offered to take all their trunks inside, letting Olivia explore the small cottage.

It was a one-story cottage, complete with a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom and a bedroom. It wasn't as big as David's other properties, but it was just as beautiful with it's simplicity.

When they entered the cottage, all of the furniture was covered with white blankets and dusts. It showed that no one's ever been there for a very long time. "Colin?" Called Olivia who was closely viewing the house.

Colin entered the house with the last of their trunks. "Yes?"

"There's only one bedroom." She said.

"What?" He asked.

"There's only one bedroom." She repeated herself.

Colin suddenly stopped talking to think of a solution. "We can share it." He suggested.

"It's alright for me if I use the sofa though..." She butted.

"Olivia, no, I'm sorry, but we have to share the bed. I can't sleep in any other places other than that. I'm sorry."

"Why?" She asked.

"My body aches in the morning if I don't and I become immobile."

"Alright."