TAMING THE BRIDE

Chapter 8

The Boccoros quickly departed for the comfort of their estate. In the carriage back home, Gwendolyn remained quieter than ever, almost disturbingly so.

“Still worried about young master Salustti?” teased Ethan. Gwendolyn narrowed her eyes angrily.

“Ethan, perhaps you will share the same disposition when you are in love.” Kendra finished singing.

“Grandma!” Gwendolyn exclaimed as her cheeks turned red with embarrassment. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Nothing much.” The old woman shrugged, looking out the small window of the carriage.

“Well, at least you'll accept the marriage without complaining now,” Ethan muttered.

“What makes you think I love him? I barely know him! And I only feel guilty for having caused him trouble!”

“And who said anything about love, my dear?” rebutted her grandmother, ignoring a somewhat surprised Gwendolyn.

“Do you believe in that kind of fantasy?” Ethan mocked even more.

Gwendolyn was quite distressed by their statement. Yes, she believed in it and longed for a love like the romance books she devoured in her moments of boredom. However, she chose to ignore them, knowing that even more irony and derision would come out of it. Also, she felt a slight headache again. She thought of Noah and how his embrace was tight and made her body warm. She couldn't believe these thoughts, but she was losing herself in indulgence. She would need to return to her reason if she wanted to get control of her life back, which, of course, would not be easy or even possible.

An emptiness filled the space in Noah's soul as he watched the Boccoro carriage disappear from sight. He wanted Gwendolyn to stay forever in his arms. And he was determined to visit her estate someday. Maybe if he was sicker, she would adopt a more docile and submissive approach. He laughed at the thought. Imagining her face and the touch of her flesh made his hips harden, his manhood longing, yearning for her. But Noah would need to be under house arrest due to doctor's orders. And if he tried to escape, he knew his grandfather would have a fit.

Once home, Gwendolyn did her best to return to her routine. She practiced the piano, and read her books, but nothing could distract her from her cravings. She could no longer keep the boredom from setting in. And yet, she was surprised by the small changes that began to happen. The servants delivered fresh flowers to her, each day of a different kind, and each with a note from Noah. He was courting her without restraint. Sometimes the words he chose made her cheeks burn furiously, but soon a simple smile was born on her small lips.

Fortunately, Marie decided to visit her for tea. She would be here to entertain her while she waited for new appointments with Noah. And amazingly enough, Gwendolyn was somewhat looking forward to them.

“The gossip is that you are practically engaged to Lord Salustti.” Marie gently sipped at her cup of tea.

“We are not.” Corrected Gwendolyn, nibbling on a chocolate and strawberry muffin as she watched Marie's eyes dart away. She did that when she was thinking, an unconscious habit.

“Lord Hornald… Will, I mean. He was having an attack. You should have seen him!” Marie said with a laugh.

“An attack? In my name? How surprising!”

“He intended to marry you after all, but now his prospects of a beautiful bride like a doll are over. I hear he intends to pursue a blonde, Anne, or something. God bless her soul!”

“I couldn't be more grateful for removing such a nagging thorn from my side. But there is still the possibility that Goustav is interested.”

“Abbey? Do you think his mother will allow herself to be humiliated?”

“Why would she be humiliated?”

“Oh, Gwen!” She exclaimed, a little disappointed because of her friend's naivety. “Who wouldn't choose that Greek god as a husband? Not only handsome, beautiful, and RICH? A marquis!” She laughed out loud.

Marie felt Gwendolyn blush lightly and wondered what had happened between them in their brief moment together at the picnic.

“Forget Abbey. The gossipers talk that Madame Goustav was trying to use you to be well-liked in high society, after all, she is just a viscountess.”

“I don't believe it!” Gwendolyn looked genuinely shocked.

“I don't doubt it. That woman is detestable. Even the ladies don't like her. You don't know how she treats her servants.” Marie was indignant. “She's also bad-mouthing others behind their backs.” She paused. “Ah, we're doing the same thing.” And ended with a loud laugh.

A few minutes passed in silence. Gwendolyn felt relieved to be rid of two nuisances. But, she still didn't want to put her pride aside about Noah. She didn't know him well enough to trust him blindly. She needed to know him, and she really wanted to know him more deeply. This feeling colored her face a shade of red.

“You're thinking indecent things, aren't you?” Marie teased.

“No!” she blushed even more. “Why don't we talk about your marriage?”

“There's nothing to say. It will be a simple ceremony, just for close friends. There's nothing interesting about it, but… did he finally win you?”

“What are you saying?!” Gwendolyn's ears turned as red as a tomato. Marie smiled confidingly.

“My dear friend… we're lost!” She laughed awkwardly. “Well, you may not be completely wrong in not falling for this man's embrace temptation right away. I believe it is best to inform you about the man's reputation.”

Gwendolyn's ears perked up.

“Reputation?”

“Well, rumor has it that the man is quite well known for being indecent. Not a complete libertine, but he has tendencies. No offense to your brother, but Noah's quite similar to him.”

Gwendolyn's throat constricted.

“Are you sure?”

“Partially. But I don't think gossip comes out of nowhere. There must be some kind of validity to it.”

Noticing the unhappiness on her friend's face, she added:

“Honestly, I'm sorry to have to tell you about this, but I wasn't sure if you knew.”

“I didn't,” Gwendolyn confessed and forced a smile at her friend. “I'm glad you told me.”

Marie sighed as she shook her head. The rest of the conversation ended up being about how Miss Lampurt almost 'literally' lost her head over the hands of the so cold and expressionless Duke Evron. Marie never liked the Duke, he was only a watchdog for the crown prince. Who, by the way, nobody knows where he is. The Royal Capital is going crazy.

Gwendolyn never paid much attention to this kind of gossip, and that's why the tea party ended so quickly.

Gwendolyn couldn't get her thoughts into shape as Marie's warning kept repeating itself in her head. She didn't quite understand why she felt so bothered, after all, he was like every man she had ever met. Why did she think Noah would be any different? What did she really expect? And she wanted to know the truth, but how would she do that? Was it really important? Did she have the right? She wasn't sure. It wasn't until another invitation to a dance arrived at her doorstep. This time, the girl was willing to attend. She knew Noah would be there, and also other eligible women. If what Marie said was true, she would catch him in the act. But what would she do after that? Would she reject his advances that she was considering accepting? Would she be bothered again by Will or Abbey? Would she use this to get her brother to stop insisting that she get married? Of all these options, the one she clung to the most was that this rumor was completely wrong.

Prom night had a different feel to it. Unlike other occasions when Gwendolyn liked to use all the time in the world to get ready, that night she was fast. She had dressed much more discreetly than usual because she had one intention, which was to blend in with the crowd while observing Noah. Which would be somewhat difficult because of her bright red locks that always stood out in the crowd.

“At least you should have tried to look like you made an effort,” Ethan commented as he looked her up and down.

“What does it matter?” Gwendolyn grumbled.

“You are right, after all, you are practically engaged. No other man needs to see you looking like a peacock.” He laughed.

“You're such an i***t!”

“You too, sister.”

“Shut up, both of you!” Kendra shouted as her two grandchildren calmed down with the fear of her cane.

As Ethan mingled with the young ladies, Gwendolyn hid in one of the corners of the hall. She watched the sea of faces moving as the music played. She noticed a familiar face urging a girl to dance, but she could only turn up her nose and walk away. To her horror, she noticed Will walking towards her, but in his arms was another woman, so she breathed a sigh of relief. He wouldn't try to flirt with her again, not when there was a lady present.

“Ah, I didn't think I was meeting you, Miss Roz.” He said, almost dismissively.

“I'm surprised you were able to identify me right in this corner. Were you looking for something here?” Gwendolyn said dryly with a fake smile.

“This is a great loss, Gwendolyn. I believed we could make an excellent marriage, but I see you prefer someone much more…” he paused irritably, “primitive in his ways.”

“I don't believe I have given you enough intimacy to put good manners aside, Lord Hornald.” She corrected him strictly. It was visible the irritation of the man who shook the hand of the woman at his side. “And I see you are duly accompanied.” She smiled mockingly.

“Rude as always, isn't it?” The woman replied with a pretentious smile on her lips.

“Really, it seems that decorum and good manners are no longer taught. An unannounced person, speaking arrogantly to someone of higher status. Tsc. Tsc. Tsc. And they say I'm the rude one!” Gwendolyn was beginning to boil up inside from the distraction of the two goofs in front of her.

“Miss Roz! Don't you think you're being a little too much?”

“Oh, for God's sake!”

“Honey, let's not waste our time with indelicate people!”

The woman in Will's arms, frowning, pulled him into the middle of the room. Gwendolyn couldn't feel more grateful for that.