The headboard contrasted with everything else in the room, wrapped in cream-colored linen; it had an imposing presence. Its color matched the footboard. Pillows were stacked against the headboard, creating a cascade of fluffy squares that looked soft enough to jump into. The comforter was from the same linen material in a charcoal gray with a white quilt folded around the bottom. It was the bed you could spend days in and never want to leave. The idea of sleeping in there was exciting, but remembering who it belonged to, and my heart started pounding, I shied away from it quickly.
"Find everything, okay?"
Alex’s deep voice came from right behind me, making me jump.
"You scared me," I said, covering my racing heart with my hand as I spun around to face him. "I thought you had work to do."
“I finished. Besides, Asta would be suspicious if I kept myself tucked away all day with you here. Newlyweds don’t do that.”
He crept closer step by step as he spoke.
“She can’t see or hear us in here,” I reminded him, putting a hand on his chest to stop him from coming any closer.
He chuckled as he peeled my hand off and brought it to his lips.
"You never know," he murmured against my already too-hot skin. "She sent me here to tell you that dinner is ready."
Dinner was turning into an uncomfortable affair. Asta had used her day to plan a list of questions neither Alex nor I could answer. She wanted to know about having a formal wedding and our plans for a honeymoon or if we wanted kids. It was exhausting trying to answer. Luckily, Alex had managed to steer the conversation to his grandfather's snuff boxes, filling me in on the entire situation.
"What do you mean you can't find them?" I asked, not understanding the twist his story had taken.
"I mean, after I found the letters, I went to the glass case where they have always been kept, and two pieces are missing. I've looked everywhere."
“As have I,” Asta called from the kitchen.
"I can help you look for them," I offered. "Let's dig into the history of the missing pieces to see if your grandfather documented moving or selling them."
“What about your work at the farm?”
“Well, seeing how someone hired a few extra workers and is covering all the needed repairs, I can spare some time here, helping out my husband.”
Alex reached across the table and covered my hand with his.
"Thank you, babe. I would appreciate your help."
His casual use of those terms of endearment still caught me off guard, but I did my best to hide my reaction.
“Why don’t you two make yourselves comfortable in the library while I finish here? I’ll bring coffee and dessert in a few minutes.”
Alex sent me one of those devastating smiles before he said, “after you, sweetheart.”
Chapter seventeen
Alexander
“Iwanttochangeout of my suit. I will be back in just a minute. Make yourself at home,” I told Agotia, opening the door to my grandfather’s library and gesturing for her to go inside.
Dashing to my - our - room, I tugged the tie free and slipped out of my jacket. I decided to buy it earlier today while Agotia was changing her dress. I didn't want to be underdressed at my wedding, but now, the suit felt out of place.
Dinner had left me feeling on edge. Asta had hounded us with questions that neither of us could answer; I didn't know what to do now about the fake marriage. I planned on keeping the ruse until I could get a DNA test back on the baby, at the very least. And I wanted to wait long enough to ensure Agotia’s farm was a thriving business again. But after that, I had no clue. And I was curious to know how long those things would take.
We certainly did not discuss having children or taking a honeymoon, although now it was clear that we should plan to discuss those topics and have better answers for when I take her to New York to meet my family.
All the day's events rushed through me as I changed into my favorite pair of gray sweats and slipped on a white tee shirt. Usually, I would not dress so casually in front of another person, but Agotia wasn't just another person anymore. She was my wife. Wow, it would be nice to get used to saying- my wife.
I padded barefoot back down the hall to the library, oddly comfortable with my state of undress. I wanted to tell Agotia she could slip into her pajamas too, but all logical thought flew out of my mind as I saw the top of her head peeking out from behind my grandfather’s desk. I looked around the room, finding cabinets opened and drawers half closed.
“What are you doing? Already invading my privacy?”
