“So soon?”
Sibyl panicked for a moment. She had wed before, but it had not been so rushed. For her first wedding, her mother had hosted a ball after the ceremony, but now it seemed her only post-wedding celebrations were a carriage ride back to Stonehelm.
The Duke nodded solemnly. “You wish to linger in London, Duchess?”
The title, so fresh and new, shot through Sibyl like a silver arrow.
She shook her head quickly, and the Duke jerked his head towards her approaching family.
“Then say your goodbyes,” he advised. “I will be?—”
Her family accosted him as well, stopping him from escaping down the aisle.
Sibyl found herself biting back a laugh at the tension on his face; he was clearly uncomfortable around so many people.
Hermia and Isabella started speaking at once, flanked by their husbands, who each fixed the Duke with a hard, warning look.
“Heavens,” Sibyl laughed. “You are all so overwhelming. I understand now why Hermia and Isabella clammed up after their weddings.”
“Well, we are a lot.” Hermia giggled, looping her arm through Charles’s only after embracing Sibyl tightly. “Do look after yourself, my dear Sibyl. Remember what I told you about what you deserve. And should you ever need any of us, we are here.”
“Thank you,” Sibyl whispered, before Isabella pulled her in for an embrace.
Her second eldest sister had been so affectionately cold for many years, barely hugging—or rather, barely letting herself admit that she liked hugs—but her husband had brought out a more vulnerable side of her. Sibyl adored to see it; she would miss her fiercely.
“Do take care of yourself,” Isabella whispered, squeezing her tightly. “Being a duchess is hard, but I know you will take to it quickly. You are pure, and you are kind, Sibyl. Do not ever forget that.” She paused to pull back, a smirk on her face. “And do use that occasionally sharp tongue of yours. Hermia and I have both discovered that dukes like a little arguing.”
Sibyl blushed furiously, resisting the urge to look back at her new husband. He was only saving her from scandal. He did not need to like her or her mannerisms, and she had no doubt that the moment they retreated to the country, they would lead separate lives within the estate.
They would be wed in the eyes of the ton, but living apart behind closed doors.
She was fine with that. Absolutely fine.
“Stonehelm,” Oscar spoke up, clapping the Duke on the shoulder with enough force to seem more threatening than friendly.
The Duke jolted, his lip curled as he regarded his peer. After Sibyl had watched him face lower-ranked men, this was quite a treat.
“Do take care of my sister-in-law, yes?”
“Of course I will,” the Duke bit out with enough venom to make a viper jealous.
“Excellent.” Oscar’s tone was clipped. “Otherwise, I will find a way to remind you why I earned a particular nickname among the ton.”
“I can assure you I do not need such threats, for my wife and her daughter will be taken care of. But do threaten me again, and you will see whatIam capable of.”
Sibyl’s mind was reeling from those two words.My wife.
“Look after Sibyl, and we will not need to play such vicious games.”
“As I said,” the Duke said, “I will.” His eyes flicked to Charles. “And I imagine you have some parting words of your own, Branmere.”
“Oh, I do.” Charles chuckled darkly, stepping closer to Hermia. “But I do not need to make threats like Rochdale.”
“I cannot have people thinking I’ve gone completely soft,” Oscar snorted. “Perhaps the three of us can meet for drinks soon. Branmere and I will check in on you, Stonehelm.”
“Heavens, we must leave before this turns more unpleasant,” Hermia said loudly, breaking the moment.
She smiled prettily, resting her hands against Charles’s chest to urge him back. Isabella was pulling her own husband further back.
