"Do you like this chamber?" Edgar asked her dotingly. "We only have a few guest chambers and this, I think, is the nicest one. We rarely receive guests."
"It's really nice," Clara said. She was honest. The room was really spacious with a terrace opened to a garden in the middle of the castle. The bed looked huge with four sturdy posters and really beautiful drapes and linen.
The sofa they were sitting on was really comfortable and big. She thought it was still big enough if they both were to cuddle and enjoy a relaxing time together.
Clara liked that the Chaucers had quite nice taste. She could see herself spending a lot of her time in this castle. After she was satisfied observing the room, Clara turned to Edgar and asked curiously. "What about you? Where is your chamber? Is it far from here?"
"It's on the other end of the castle," Edgar explained. "I am sorry, it's a bit far."
"Oh..." Clara's face immediately looked worried again.
"What's wrong?" Edgar asked. "Do you not like it here?"
"N-no... I'm okay," Clara faked a smile. Her voice sounded disappointed when she replied. "I just thought we could stay close to each other.
Edgar cleared his throat and said, "Well... I can also move here and stay with you. I am used to sleeping anywhere during my missions. So, I don't have to sleep in my room now that I have you here with me."
"S-stay.. together... uhm, with me here?" Clara asked in a stammer. Her eyes batted adorably and her lashes fluttered. They made Edgar want to pinch her cheeks and kiss her. She added, "Are you sure?"
Edgar was happy with her reaction. Clara didn't flat-out reject his suggestion. Instead, she was asking if he was sure. That means, she didn't mind that Edgar thought about staying with her in the same room.
Besides, they were about to get married soon. Spring would come in three more months. They had to brave the cold winter before they could get married. Wouldn't it be nice if they could keep each other warm during the cold winter nights?
"Yes. What do you think?" Edgar asked back. "To be honest, this chamber is much bigger and nicer than my own. My chamber is a typical bachelor pad. It is not nice for a gentle and sweet woman like yourself."
"Ahahaha... you are too kind," Clara chuckled. She covered her mouth with her hand when she was laughing. She always looked very lady-like. Edgar wasn't sure if Clara would accept his suggestion since she was a prim and proper woman.
He immediately added, "I don't plan to do anything to you before we get married if you don't want it. I just want to be close to you and keep you warm. We are looking at three long months of coldness in winter."
Clara smiled sheepishly. "I know that."
"Ah, so, you agree with me moving in with you here? I will ask Albert to bring my clothes here."
Clara lowered her face and her cheeks now looked really red. Edgar wasn't sure if it was because of the wine, or if she was really embarrassed when she agreed to his proposal to stay in the same chamber.
Slowly, very subtly, Clara nodded her head. Her answer made Edgar feel so happy. He instantly put down his cup to the table beside the sofa and pulled Clara to his lap. He hugged her waist and kissed her fragrant hair.
"That's good," he said. "I will make sure you are comfortable in my home."
Clara giggled. She downed her wine and put down her cup, then turned to look at her fiance. Their faces were so close to each other and their noses almost touched. The wine had made her feel more relaxed. There were no more signs of nervousness.
"Thank you," she said softly. "I do feel comfortable. I came here, following you with a lot of worries in my heart. What if I don't like the place? What if the trip felt hard? What if you are not as nice as you were when we were still in Wintermere and around my family? So many what-ifs and curiousity-inducing possibilities..."
Edgar looked at Clara in awe. He had not heard this young woman talk this much before. She was smart but a bit reserved. That's why he liked her so much. She didn't give him a headache by talking too much like some women.
However, hearing she speak so many words in one go, he realized he liked this side of her too. She had this sweet voice that made her all the more alluring when she spoke.
"I am glad to hear that," Edgar said. "I love you, Clara. I just want you to be happy."
"And I love you," Clara replied. Her face flushed red. "I only came here because I love you. I was ready for the slightly unpleasant journey or an awkward stay at your home. But everything has been great. I am happy."
Edgar truly felt like he was the luckiest man in the world. He looked at the beautiful woman who had captured his heart with a sweet smile on his face. He cupped her face and slowly, very gently, he landed a kiss on her lips.
Clara closed her eyes and enjoyed the meeting of their lips. She was happy. This was not their first kiss. Edgar had kissed her when he proposed and she accepted him. However, the kiss they shared tonight felt so special.
Maybe it's because they were staying in his home, with her on his lap, sharing wine, while watching the beautiful sunset from the window? It was truly romantic.
"I love you," Edgar whispered huskily when he let go of Clara's lips for a moment before he kissed her again. This time, more passionately.
.
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From Missrealitybites:
Ahh... that was smooth, Lord Edgar.. Now, he would move in to be with Clara. Who knows what would happen when he did, right?