Chapter 744: XXVII. Vows to the Future-1

Tiny Town was as they had left it many months ago, Alice commented as they drove around the town to find her a dress. "But not us," Harold said, taking her hand in his. "We are different now." Alice narrowed her eyes at him. "You are being too sentimental, Harry. Of course, we are the same people. The only difference now is that you are less... unwise, should I say?" Harold dramatically sighed. "When will you be able to let me forget that I had been stupid?" "Until I prove to you that I can bear you five children." "Five? Will that not be too much for you?" "There are people who bore more than eight, Harry, ten even." Harold cleared his throat, shifting in his seat uncomfortably. "All I am saying, darling, is that we do not have to completely satisfy my father. One or two will be enough for the old man." Alice sighed as she looked out the window. "I am talking more about my satisfaction." "You want a lot?" "Yes, of course. My life has been quite lonely being an only child. Can you not say the same?" "Well, of course, but—I do not know if we are up to the challenge." Alice blinked as she realized what he meant. "Oh." "Oh what?" "You might be correct. We do not know how to deal with children." "I only had but a few friends and I did not have to take care of them," said Harold. "The closest to taking care of a child for me was when I assisted in the delivery of a foal." Harold gave her an incredulous look. "You will not raise our children like horses." "I did not say I will. Although a whip might come in handy if they prove to be difficult." "No one will be hurting anyone." Harold sighed. "We can always hire a nanny." "Nannies," corrected Alice. "We will need more for the children." Harold grimaced. "Why don't we talk about the first child first, darling? We can always add more nannies if need be." "Why don't we talk about getting shackled first? Then we can talk about nannies." Harold nodded. "Yes, yes, of course. How is my face?" he asked. "Still very much swollen," Alice replied, looking staring at it. "But I will still marry it." Harold chuckled and planted a loud kiss on her mouth. "You never said you love me, but now I believe you do." "Silly, I do not have to say it." "But you have to." "Do you need it?" He blinked, astounded by her innocent question. "I might." She looked him in the eye for a few seconds without a word. "Are you assessing whether you love me or not?" "Well, I do love you. I am simply assessing how much." His eyes widened in disbelief but then he saw the small twitch of her lips. "You are jesting." Alice smiled at him. "Of course." She leaned toward him and gave his lips a light kiss. "And I do love you, silly." Harold leaned back against his seat with a satisfied smile. "But then, of course, I do not have any other experience to reference this sort of love so I cannot truly say for certain if I have correctly evaluated my emotions." "Alice...," he said with warning and she chuckled. ***** They, of course, were in need of a witness. Martin and Theobald were already waiting for them outside the small chapel, one of the many that lined the Lovers Lane, as it was commonly called, but for a few who came by force, it was referred to as the Death Row. "It is a shame that you were not able to run away from him, my lady," Theobald greeted Alice with a wicked smile and a bow. "And oh, he even bought you a beautiful dress. No wonder you were not able to escape. You look beautiful." "Good day to you, my lord, thank you for the compliments," Alice said, looking at the man's face with curiosity. "Your face is not as swollen as theirs," she said, motioning her heat at Martin whose left eye was still very blue. "I managed quite better than them," Theobald smugly replied. "Come on," Harold snapped at his friends, grabbing Alice's hand and striding into the chapel. "Is a beast at your wake? What seems to be the rush?" Martin asked, feigning innocence, followed by a snicker. "Were they in Wickhurst when you left?" asked Harold without looking over his shoulder. "No," Martin replied. "They never went to Wickhurst, Harry," Theobald said. Harold skidded to a stop. So did Alice. They both turned to face their friends. "Lady Edwina is on her way to Tiny Town straight from Willowfair with my mother," Martin stated. "You bloody bastard!" Harold roared at Martin. Alice whirled around to face the altar, just in time to see the vicar positioning himself in the middle. "We need to get married the fastest you can do it!" she ordered the vicar, grabbing Harold's hand and dragging him down the aisle. "B-but we have a ceremony to follow. You need to walk down—" "We are both walking toward you," Alice stonily replied. "Now, Harry, the rings?" Harold felt for the rings in his breast pockets. "We ought not to have gone by Devonshire," Alice whispered beside him.