Her grandma leaned toward her then. “Has no one brought you champagne yet, my darling? That seems criminal.”
Harriet turned, eyes softening. “I’ve had plenty, Grandmother.”
“Mm,” said Agnes, unconvinced. She patted Harriet’s arm, then nodded toward the head of the table. “Ralph’s about to say something, I believe. Do pretend to listen this time.”
Harriet smiled coyly, then flicked her gaze to her brother. He had risen, glass in hand, and was giving the room a look thatcould only be described as dutifully appraising. A hush settled like a collective breath drawn in.
“My sister,” Ralph began, “has a habit of deciding things without warning.”
Soft laughter rippled around the table.
“She decided to chase pigs through a paddock at the age of six. Decided to read Pamela aloud to our great-aunt at nine. Decided, at twelve, that if she couldn’t be a countess or a chemist, she’d rather die.” He paused, face wry. “Today, she decided to become a duchess. I suspect this one might last longer.”
There was laughter again, genuine this time.
Harriet raised her brows at Jeremy, who was seated beside her in the seat of honour. His expression was unreadable except for the twitch at one corner of his mouth.
Ralph went on, his tone growing more serious. “I won’t pretend I was… immediately enthusiastic when she made her choice. But I could never deny her happiness.” His gaze shifted briefly to Jeremy, then back to Harriet. “And she seems happier than she ever was with me alone.”
Harriet felt something small and unspoken twist inside her.
“She has chosen a man who sees her clearly,” he continued. “And that’s all I ever wanted for her.”
He lifted his glass. “To the Duchess of Penhaligon.”
A soft chorus echoed him. “The Duchess.”
Harriet felt her throat tighten. It wasn’t the title—not truly. It was the feeling of being seen, just as Ralph said. Of being known and still wanted. Of looking to her side and finding Jeremy already watching her. Always watching her.
Neither had spoken a word to the other since the ceremony.
He had, however, leaned close enough to refill her teacup and brush her sleeve with his knuckles. He had passed the butter with a murmured, “Your Grace,” pitched just low enough that it could not be ignored. And just now—without looking at her—he had slid something across the table beneath his palm and left it there, folded once.
Harriet let her fingers drift sideways until they found the edge.
The napkin was linen, pressed and still faintly warm from his touch. She opened it a little.
East Wing. Now.
That was all.
She folded the napkin again with a small smile, slower than necessary, and set it down beside her plate. Her hand went to the back of her neck, fingertips smoothing the edge of a curl there. “I think I need a moment,” she said lightly, to no one in particular. “This corset was designed by a villain.”
Jeremy stood immediately. He reached for his coat in one smooth movement. “I shall escort you, dear.”
There was a pause at the table—nothing more than a slight lull in the rhythm of forks and conversation—but Jane’s eyes flicked up from her plate. The smallest smile tugged at her mouth before she returned to her conversation with an expression of deep innocence. Ralph didn’t even glance up, deep in debate with the vicar about hunting law.
Perfect.
The pair left through the tall French doors that opened into the corridor, sunlight brushing their shoulders as they passed the threshold. Once out of sight, Harriet let out a breath.
She had spent the last three weeks waiting. Smiling through fittings, rehearsals, meetings with florists and clergymen and stationers, a hundred tiny decisions that all seemed absurd next to the only one that had ever mattered. She’d taken walks with her grandmother and hosted teas and pretended, convincingly, that her skin wasn’t vibrating with anticipation every time Jeremy so much as entered the room.
After his declaration of love for her, everything had changed. She had retreated to becoming a nervous schoolgirl caught in a fancy.
She had kissed him twice since the proposal. Never long enough.
He reached for her now.
