"I did not think that you can walk in the sun," Claire said as they walked in the garden outside the Cloveshire Manor.
The marriage arrangement between the Duke and herself was made official after the embarrassing display by Lucia. The scene of shame was quite pleasing to her eyes. After seeing the situation, she understood the evil plot planned by those people.
Therefore, she was in a good mood.
"If I was younger or weaker, I might be burnt in a crisp." He laughed carelessly.
"How old are you?" She asked.
The Duke turned and held her by the waist. He pulled her chest against his, holding her prisoner. Then, he kissed her mouth, his tongue invading her moist mouth, plundering every corner. He was relentless as he kissed her breath away, not giving her a chance to retreat.
When he finally let go, her face was red, and she was breathless.
"You, you rogue! How can you do something like this in the light of day?" She pointed at him angrily.
"I thought that you were worried that I would not be able to satisfy you due to my advanced age. I could not allow your erroneous assumptions to continue. A man must maintain his dignity." He responded righteously.
Claire was exasperated, but she had nothing to say.
She took deep breaths and calmed down.
"What do you think about holding a simple wedding in a church?" She asked after a few moments.
Her eyes twinkled with evil. Even though she treated the Duke as a normal man after knowing him for a while, she did not forget that he was a vampire. The holy ground in a church had to scare him.
Haider laughed at the question because he could see through her petty thoughts. As expected of the wife he had chosen…
"I do know a lovely chapel right below the Stonehill Mansion. We can hold a small service there and run directly to the house to consummate our holy matrimony." He responded.
Claire felt defeated once again.
"What about garlic?" She asked with a pout.
"I do find the smell off-putting. But I can put aside my discomfort to kiss you, my dear Claire."
The two kept walking through the garden with the sun shining on them. The day felt peaceful and comfortable. No one would have guessed that the two people had not known each other for years.
"Can you turn me into a vampire?" She asked again.
"I intend to. But you have to grow up a little more." The Duke responded.
His eyes drifted to her chest meaningfully.
Was this the Duke that people claimed was a righteous knight for the Crown and free of mortal desires? He was clearly a rogue.
But again, he was not a mortal.
"I am quite well-grown, thank you very much." She huffed.
"I shall find out in a week on our wedding night, won't I?"
Claire could not resist calling him a rogue again.
However, her heart was bathed in sweet warmth.
She did not know what the future would for them. But for now, she was filled with happiness and hope.
Perhaps, her life as a wallflower was leading up to this moment.
And who knew the adventures that awaited them…
THE END.