Her gown was a very pale green, simply cut, made of silk overlaid with lace. It was a trifle showier than she would have preferred, but now that the dress was on, Madeline felt itdidsuit her. She smoothed the bodice with shaking hands.
It’s really happening,she thought faintly.I’m marrying the duke.
She hadn’treallybelieved that it would happen, even when he assured her that they were getting married, even when the notice appeared in theGazette, even when she was fitted for a wedding dress, even when the special license was given.
And now, today was the day.
“How are you feeling?” Dorothea murmured, breaking into Madeline’s thoughts. She came to stand behind her, twisting her hands nervously together as she always did. “You look beautiful, my dear, but I’m sure you know that already.”
“I feel strange,” Madeline confessed. “And nervous. Were you nervous on your wedding day?”
Dorothea sighed. “It was a different situation. My marriage was arranged by my parents. I did not object, of course. It wasn’t the done thing to object in those days. I simply didn’t think much about it. Isn’t that odd?”
“I suppose so.”
“Now, I shall leave you to finish getting ready, but I have a gift for you.” Dorothea took out a neat little velvet box, offering it with a smile.
Madeline accepted the box, smiling back. In the week she’d spent at the house, Dorothea had been exceptionally kind and friendly. She wasn’t at all like the overbearing, unpleasant mother-in-law that Madeline had expected. Stranger still,Tristanseemed to adore her. If Dorothea ventured a mild hope for something—fish for dinner, for example—Tristan would take care to ensure that she got what she wanted.
It was almost sweet.
She opened the box, revealing a beautiful pair of emerald earrings. Madeline gave a gasp of pleasure. “Oh, they’re lovely!”
“At first I thought they could be yoursomething borrowed,”Dorothea laughed, “but then I thought it would be best to simply give them to you as a present, from me to you. Do you like them?”
“I adore them. They’ll go perfectly with my gown, I…” Madeline paused, frowning. “They do look costly. Oh, Dorothea, these aren’t a present from your husband, are they? I couldn’t possibly take them from you in that case.”
Dorothea gave a wry chuckle. “Good lord, no. They were a gift from my mother, once upon a time. Not a wedding gift, and certainly not from the late duke, my husband. I should not let anything fromhimtaint your wedding.”
Her words suddenly grew harsh, making Madeline flinch. She glanced across the room to where Charlotte stood, looking equally baffled. The awkward moment lasted only a short while. Dorothea cleared her throat, smiling nervously.
“Forgive me. I’m so glad you want to wear them, though! Now, I shall leave you, girls, to it and check on Adam. He slept poorly last night, but don’t fret, I shan’t let him cry through your vows!”
Flashing a nervous smile around at them, Dorothea scuttled out of the room, leaving Charlotte and Madeline alone.
“Well,” Madeline said at last. “I think it’s fair to say that Dorothea didn’t care much for her husband.”
“Clearly not,” Charlotte muttered. “Oh, Madeline,pleasetell me you aren’t being forced into this. We can always find a way.”
Madeline glanced back at her reflection, chewing her lip. It could almost be a stranger shown there in the mirror.
“Do you really think we won’t suit?” she whispered.
Charlotte took a moment before she responded.
“I think that you two are very different,” she said at last.
“And perhaps that is why I can’t trust him with Betty’s baby,” Madeline remarked firmly. “I’m sure he has good intentions. Idon’t mean to accuse him of planning neglect, butIpromised Betty that I would raise her baby, and I won’t go back on my promise. I won’t.”
There was silence after that. Madeline felt a funny sort of ache, lodged right up under her ribs. She felt it whenever she thought of Betty.
Betty died young, but at least she managed to fit so much happiness into her life,Madeline thought, smiling grimly at her reflection.She loved Anthony. She loved Adam. She loved her life.
What will I love?
This was not a healthy way to think. She let out a ragged sigh and set about smoothing down her bodice again. The lace felt cool and soft under her fingers.
“I can see that you’ve made up your mind,” Charlotte said at last. She sounded somewhat resigned.
