Announcement

Announcement
Prompt: Honest
Word Count: 481
Pairing: Cedrick Fellows (Lord Wickson)/Lady Violet Bellmore

Cedrick stared at the full length mirror. He smoothed his short brown hair down for the third time. There was something bothering him and it wasn't the fit of his waistcoat and tails. He was about to do the craziest thing in the world.

In all honesty, Cedrick wasn't the one with the idea but it did solve his problems. The Idea was conceived by lady Violet Bellmore. He was starting to wonder if he could keep his end of the bargain.

An arranged marriage was in the works between the newly minted Lord Wickson and the lovely Lady Violet. Tonight they were going to announce the engagement at her grandmother's party.

There was a knock on the door. The butler opened it slowly and entered. “Lady Bellmore has arrived, my lord.”

Cedrick nodded and picked up his gloves. “I better not keep her waiting.”

“Very good, my lord.” The butler stood aside to let Cedrick pass. 

Cedrick headed for the foyer and froze on the stairs as he saw her standing there.

Lady Violet Bellmore had her long blonde hair up in an elaborate coiffure. Her dress was red with white lace and crystals sparkling in the low light from the chandelier. He had never seen a woman as beautiful as she was at that moment.

“There you are, Ced!” She smiled up at him. “Hurry along now. I have my driver waiting.”

“Yes! Right!” Cedrick came down to stand beside her. A footman handed him his top hat. “You are a vision.”

Violet blushed slightly. “You're not so bad yourself.  Quite dashing in that set of tails.”

“Shall we my darling.” Cedrick offered her an arm and they went out to the car together.

Lady Violet eyed him intently. “You look worried. Are you backing out of our arrangement?”

“No.” Cedrick shook his head. “But was starting to have second thoughts.“

“Are you having them now? Be honest!” Lady violet stopped him a few feet from the car.

“No.” Cedrick took her hands in his and kissed them. “I know that this will be the best thing for both of us. I can say with truth in my heart that i am committed to you, Violet.” Cedrick grinned. “Lady Wickson.”

“I’m not Lady Wickson, yet.” Violet gave him a long hard look. “If i didn’t know any better I would say you have fallen for me.”

Cedrick chuckled. “So what if i have. It will only make things go more smoothly.”

Lady Violet took his arm again.” I was hoping for a little bumpy here and there.”

Cedrick blinked in surprise then leaned to her ear to whisper in it. “You will get plenty of bumpy on our wedding night.”

Violet giggled. She turned and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. She fluttered her lashes at him. “Naughty man!”

Cedrick laughed as he opened the car door.

Chapel of Love

Chapel of Love
Prompt: Piney
Word Count: 477
Pairing: Cedric Fellows (Lord Wickson)/Lady Violet Bellmore

The chapel on the Wilding estate was in a state of disrepair from years of neglect. Cedrick wasn't going to tear it down but there was just no money to repair it in time for the wedding.

Cedrick sat in the first pew and looked up at the hole in the ceiling. He sighed and rubbed his chin. “This is not what I expected.”

“It's not as posh as Westminster Abbey but it has potential. What do you think, darling?” Violet ran her hand along the tarnished copper rail in front of the altar. She rubbed her hands together to knock the dust off her gloves.

“I think it’s about to fall on our heads.” Cedrick sighed. “We can’t get married here. Look at the state of this place! It’s a derilect.”

“I don’t know.” Lady Violet looked around again. “My grandmother thinks we should get married here and not London. She says it will show the village that there is hope for the future with new blood in the big house.”

“As much as I respect Lady Bellmore, i still think that’s rubbish.” Cedrick looked around. “The pews are rotting the ceiling is falling in and there's a tree growing in the corner there.” He pointed to a small scraggly pine tree growing in the corner by the door.

Lady Violet sat down next to him. “I think it gives the place a nice piney smell.” She kissed him on the cheek. “According to the vicar, this is still consecrated ground. We just need to clean it up a bit.”

“Set it on fire and start fresh, you mean.” Cedrick looked at his wife to be. “We don't have the money to do all the repairs it needs. We will just have to get married in the village church. I'm sorry Violet. I know you had your heart set on something a little more personal and intimate.”

Lady Violet pouted. “Fine! We marry in the gaudy village church but we still should still repair it. It’s a church. We will want it in shape to christen our children.”

“I'll look out what it will take to make it safe.” Cedrick relented. “The tree goes. That is a given.”

“It stays!” Violet kissed his cheek. “I like the piney smell. We can use it at the holidays.”

“Christmas trees are pagan.” Cedrick glared at the tree. “The vicar will object.”

“Let the old vicar object. He can take his complaint to me and I can advise him where he should shove them.” Lady Violet giggled.

Cedrick laughed. “I can only imagine where there that will be.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Violet, you will make him blush. You will be a handful after we are married.”

“I intend to be several handfuls.” Violet grinned and leaned against Cedrick’s shoulder. “You will love it. I promise.”   

Ideas

Ideas
Prompt: Fizz
Word Count: 485
Pairing: Cedric Fellows (Lord Wickson)/Lady Violet Bellmore

The cork popped on the champagne bottle and Lady Violet turned to look at Cedrick. Her questioning look made him grin.

“What are we celebrating?” Lady Violet took the glass of champagne that Cedrick brought to her. “We aren’t married yet?”

“It’s only a week away now.” Ced sat down next to her on the settee. “We have been going nonstop since we decided to go through with this.”

Lady Violet took a sip of the fizzy wine. “This isn’t bad? French?”

“Italian.” Cedrick raised his glass in a toast. “To the future and whatever it brings.”

Lady Violet clinked her glass to his. “I like you Ced. You are very entertaining. I need that in a husband.” She looked at him through her eyelashes.  “I will need more than just fizz to keep me happy you know. I’m going to need some sizzle too.”

“I think I can manage some sizzle.” Cedrick kissed her cheek. “You are kinda cute, you know.”

“Just kinda?” Lady Violet playfully slapped his arm. “You’re lucky to have me and you know it.”

Cedrick grinned. “I haven’t had you yet.” He took a sip of champagne and chuckled at her pink cheeks.

Lady Violet downed the glass and gave him a mischievous look. “Want to have me now?”

Cedrick choked on his champagne. He coughed then looked at Lady Violet with a raised eyebrow.

“I don’t think a week will matter at all and I’d like to find out what I’m in for.” Lady Violet smirked.

“You have got to be kidding?” Cedrick laughed. “I’ve been trying to have you since we announced our engagement.”

“I know.” Lady Violet laughed. “It’s been amusing. Pour me some more fizzy and we can negotiate terms for early access.”

Cedrick poured her another glass. “So you want to negotiate terms? I have some terms too, you know.”

“Really?!” Lady Violet giggled. “You do realize that I’m not a doxy from a London gutter. There are certain things a lady doesn’t do.”

“You may be a lady in title but you and I know that you’re not the typical woman. You go after what you want.” Cedrick studied her for a moment. “You wanted me and now you have me.”

“Like I said we haven’t had each other yet. You tease me and I tease you but I’m getting bored with the teasing.” Lady Violet raised her skirt above her ankle. “Shall I just pull up my skirts so we can get to it?”

Cedrick looked around. “Violet, not so loud. The staff will hear you.”

Violet laughed. She put down her glass and stood up. “Come with me. I have an idea.”

Cedrick put down his glass. He stood up and took her hand. “I like your ideas.” He leaned over and kissed her on the lips.

“You’ll really like this one.” Lady Violet pulled him by the hand out of room

The Tower of London

The Tower of London
Prompt: Photo (Snowy street with old cars victorian buildings)
Word Count: 554
Pairing: Cedric Fellows (Lord Wickson)/Lady Violet Bellmore

Cedrick helped Lady Violet out of the back of the car in front of her grandmother’s London townhouse.

Watch yourself darling the sidewalk is still a little slippery. Cedrick put his hand on her back to steady her.

Lady Violet looked down and carefully picked her way to the front door. She banged the door knocker and turned to Cedrick.

“I don’t understand why the walk hasn’t be cleared properly. Grandmother’s staff is usually more careful than that.” Lady Violet shook the snow off her skirts.

“I’m more concerned with why we were summoned.” Cedrick brushed the snow piling up on his coat. “This could have waited until the weather was better. Its dumping out here.”

The door opened and a stern faced butler appeared. He bowed slightly and let them in. Two footmen came to take their coats before they were ushered them into a sitting room.

The Dowager Lady Bellmore sat on a settee near the hearth with a small dog on the cushion next to her. The dog raised its head and growled when they walked in.

“Now Oswald. You know that’s our Violet and her husband Roderick. The dowager stroked the dogs head.

“Grandmother, his name is Cedrick. He’s Lord Wickson.” Lady Violet sat down in a chair opposite the older woman. “Why have you summoned us out into this horrible weather?”

“I wanted to know when the baby is coming.” Lady Bellmore waved to the butler. “Bring some tea.”

The butler nodded and disappeared to order the tea. 

“What baby?” Cedrick sat down on the foot stool beside the chair.

“You have been married three months. There should be a baby by now unless Roderick here can’t get the job done.” The older woman looked Cedrick up and done then rolled her eyes. “What do you see in him? I just don’t understand at all.”

“He entertains me.” Lady Violet winked at Cedrick. “Grandmother, I’m not pregnant yet.’

“Don’t be vulgar, child. Say you are not with child.” Lady Bellmore stroked the dog’s head. “You’re upsetting Oswald. You know how sensitive he is.”

Cedrick looked at the floor so Lady Bellmore didn’t see how hard he was trying to keep from laughing.

“Grandmother, these things take time. We are working on it. I promise.” Lady Violet reached over and pinched Cedrick on the arm. “Aren’t we Cedrick?”

Cedrick looked up and nodded. “Yes we are. We are working very diligently at producing an heir.”

“Good. You will stay here tonight. The weather is very bad. I expect you to work on that heir while you’re here. We will all retire early so that you have ample time to get the job done.”

The butler held the door as a footman brought in the tea service and sat it on the low table in front of the dowager.

“Thomas, see that the blue room is made up for Lord and Lady Wickson. They will be staying the night to work on their heir.”

“Grandmother!” Lady Violet shook her head.

“What? They will hear you.” The dowager looked Cedrick up and down again. “If he does his job correctly that is.”

Cedrick looked at Lady Violet and grinned at her pink cheeks. He turned to the dowager. “They shall hear us in the Tower of London. I promise you, my lady.”