“Do you believe so?” he inquired.
“Why, yes. I do. I noticed how no one made a bad remark about me at the church,” she observed. “Perhaps it is because I am the Duchess now, and people naturally treat me with more respect.”
He smiled at that, feeling happy for her accomplishment.
“I believe that plays a part, but it is also in how you carry yourself,” he said. “I could sense the confidence as you walked down the altar.”
“Could you?” She raised her eyebrow. “I was a mess of nerves inside. However, once again, I took your advice of not letting it show on the exterior.”
“Then you did a splendid job, Your Grace. You had me, and I am certain the rest of the lot, completely fooled.”
Sophia was surprised by his use of her title. It was the first time that he had done so, and it made the entire thing appear infinitely more… real to her.
“I suppose I should get some sort of award for my acting, then.”
“If one exists, then we should furnish it for you,” he replied. “After all, we have to convince the lot that we are happy in love together.”
Sophia met his gaze for the first time since they had sat down in the carriage, and her eyes widened.
“What do you mean?”
“What I mean to say is that perhaps it would be a good idea to put on a show so that the ton does not have anything negative to say. We must appear united so that no one has the opportunity to gossip once this occasion has passed.”
“I…” Sophia struggled with her words for a moment. “As you wish, Your Grace. I trust your opinion to be the right one.”
Duncan had not planned on making this suggestion. It had appeared naturally to him. In his mind, he rationalized it by telling himself that the show was for others, but a small part of him was suspicious that perhaps seeing her in a weddingdress had changed something in him, and he wanted to at least pretend to be in love, even if it was far from reality.
Just to see what it felt like.
It was truly incredible just how differently people were treating Sophia now that she was married to the Duke and had gotten the title of a duchess.
The change had been immediately noticeable to her. The same people that were so quick to bully here were now smiling in her direction. No one had even dared to bring up her scars which she was displaying confidently as she glided through the wedding breakfast venue with the Duke by her side.
However, her confidence was a front. It was a nice change to see people be nice to her, but on the inside, she was spiraling.
Do not let it show,she reminded herself. But even that had a limit.
When it was time for the dance, the Duke extended out his hand for her to take. She let her nerves get the best of her, and her hands were shaking.
“Nervous?” he remarked as he noticed her shaking hands.
She gave him a polite smile.
“I suppose you can say that,” she replied. He held her hand firmly and kept it from shaking. The gesture filled her up with a strange sense of warmth.
“What happened to your excellent acting skills, Your Grace? Just moments before you were boasting about them to me,” he teased playfully.
“Oh, well, what can I say? Even the best of actors have their moments when they cannot put up an act any longer,” she replied timidly.
He gave her a grin, and Sophia was struck by how handsome he looked when he smiled like that.
“It is far too early for that, for we still need to put on our best performance yet,” he said as he led her to the dance floor. “Let us pretend.”
“I am worried I will mess up by stepping on your foot again,” she admitted shyly. “We do not want a repeat of that.”
That elicited a small laugh out of the Duke.
“There is no need to be nervous, Madam. You are not alone. I am by your side,” he reassured her.
