Chapter 894: Are you Okay?
The return from the council meeting was quiet. Rafe didn’t say a word to Arabelle, and she kept her eyes on the scenery outside, unsure of what to say. Her thoughts felt heavy, and she didn’t know how to start a conversation.
She had misunderstood him earlier about how he’d said he was ashamed of her, and now that she realized it, she felt awful. She cast a glance at his reflection and sighed.
On top of that, she was grateful to him for standing by her side. He’d defended her in front of everyone and he’d defended her in front of the council of ministers. In fact, he’d even found a way to punish them, even though they’d only spoken the truth.
But guilt weighed her down. She felt bad for doubting him and now, due to all his support, even worse for hiding things from him. And then to add to her guilt, a part of her couldn’t help but wonder if he had stood by her only to protect his own reputation.
How could she doubt him when he had defended her so strongly? He hadn’t hesitated to support her, even when it might have been easier not to. Every word he had spoken, every action he had taken, had been for her. Yet here she was, letting doubts creep in. It felt safer to stay quiet than risk saying something wrong.
When they arrived at the mansion where she had stayed with Rafe the night before, her feelings became more tangled. Last noght had been their wedding night and yet, they had slept separately, though he’d warned her that he would not be sleeping separately from her, since they were married. But what about now? She had no idea.
She wondered if she should confess her feeling to him. About how she had fellen for him. But what if he disregarded them or saw them as a ploy?
She paused at the door, gripping her shawl tightly as they stepped inside, her feet rooted to the spot. She felt completely at a loss, unsure of what to do or say. Damn it! She’d never thought she could be so much of a coward when it came to expressing her feelings. The realization flustered her, but the words still refused to form.
While she stood there dithering, tangled up in her doubts, Rafe moved with purpose, showing none of her hesitation. Without a word, he turned back, grabbed her wrist, and tugged her along with him. He led her straight into his study and before she could ask him what he planned, he turned and shut the door. The moment the door shut behind them, he didn’t wait or ask for permission. Instead, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her like the world was ending.
Her eyes widened in shock as his lips claimed hers, stealing her breath and scattering her thoughts. Her first instinct was to freeze, but it lasted only a heartbeat. Her hands moved of their own accord, sliding up over his shoulders and clasping behind his neck, drawing him closer. It felt as though her entire body woke up under his touch, every sense ignited and alive. The doubts and guilt that had weighed her down melted away as she kissed him back with equal fervor.