* * *
It was the day of the Duke and Aunt Theodora's wedding, and Louise was giddy with excitement as she dressed up. She was almost as excited as she was for her own wedding.
The wedding, however, was not the only reason she was ecstatic as she and Callum would depart for their honeymoon immediately after the wedding. After all, the wedding was the reason they were still in London.
She checked her reflection in the mirror and smiled at what she saw. After this, she headed to Callum's study where he was getting some work done before he left for his honeymoon.
He looked up when she entered the study and his eyes roamed over her body.
"Why, don't you look just fabulous," he said.
Louise twirled to give him a better view of herself and the dress.
"Thank you," she replied, blushing.
"In fact, come over here," he said, pushing the big book in front of him away.
"Don't you have some more work to do?" Louise asked.
"Not when you look so beautiful," he replied, patting his lap.
Louise went over and sat on his lap. Callum placed her arms around his neck and kissed her on the left side of her cleavage.
Louise shivered and giggled.
"Oh, do not start what you cannot finish else, we might end up missing the wedding," Louise said.
"I do not mind at all," he replied, kissing her on the right side.
Louise laughed this time.
Knock! Knock!!
They sprang apart and Louise took her seat on one of the chairs opposite Callum's. It was then that the butler entered to announce the arrival of a guest.
"Ha, that must be Agnes," Callum said, "tell her to come in."
"Agnes?" Louise asked.
It was at that moment that the door opened and Agnes, who Louise had seen at the wedding breakfast, entered. She looked even worse than she had looked the last time Louise saw her and from the dark circles around her eyes, she could not help but pity her.
"My Lord, My Lady," she greeted.
"Please, have a seat," Callum told her.
"I assume that you already know my wife," Callum said.
"I... I do," Agnes replied, not meeting Louise's eyes.
"I invited you here today to offer you a stipend of five pounds every month. That should help you raise your child decently when you finally put him to bed," Callum said.
Agnes looked shocked.
"You...you are offering me money?" She asked.
Callum nodded. "I will be sending the money to you every month through my accountant."
"I don't...know what to say. Thank you," she said as tears streamed down her face.
