“Christopher,” she repeated, the words feeling strange on her tongue but also much more intimate. “You are coming into this marriage due to your own decision? I would not want you to?—”
“Frances,” he cut her off with a smile, “there is no force in the world that can make me do something that I do not wish to do. You have nothing to worry about—I will do everything within my power to ensure you have a good life with me.”
Her heart swelled at his words, even though his smile was a veneer.
“I will take your word for it.”
CHAPTER7
When the Duke of Huntington finally took his leave, Ramsbury Manor was left buzzing with the excitement of William and Albina.
Even Zeus, the family dog, was wagging his tail and running around in excitement, sensing the electric energy in the air.
“Frances, my dear, this is marvelous news!” Albina exclaimed, clasping her hands together as she beamed at her daughter. “God has answered my prayers, finally.”
“The Duke is a fine man, and this union will bring great joy and stability to both our families. I couldn’t have hoped for a better match,” William added.
Frances blushed. She could not remember the last time her parents had given her this much positive attention.
“And the wedding is so soon,” Albina said. “Oh, we need to prepare for so much.”
“It needn’t be a grand affair,” Frances cut in. “I think the both of us want something simple—a ceremony at the church, and that is all.”
Albina shook her head. “Both my daughters have wanted a small ceremony. When will it be my turn to throw a lavish party?”
Frances smiled. “I am afraid that you are likely to have to wait for Harriet to get married to fulfill that ambition.”
“With you also marrying a duke, it should not take much longer for her either.” Albina nodded, pleased.
Just then, the door swung open. Harriet, who had been away in town this entire time, stared at her family in confusion.
“Have I missed something?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, just some small developments…” Frances blushed, looking away.
She was getting married in a week. Her life was about to change forever.
* * *
The week passed by in what seemed like seconds, and the wedding day had finally arrived.
Harriet and Esther surrounded Frances as her lady’s maid added the final touches to her hair.
“You’re quite the sneaky little minx, are you not?” Harriet teased. “All this time you were being courted by a duke, and no one was the wiser.”
Frances blushed. “It happened quite suddenly. I would not say that I was being courted.”
Esther shot her sister a knowing smile, as if she were privy to something that she should not be. “Don’t tease her, Harriet. She must be nervous enough already about her big day.”
“Oh, you must be doubly pleased that she has joined your ranks and married a duke.” Harriet snorted. “I suppose the pressure is on me now—to find one as well.”
Esther chuckled, and Frances stole one last look at herself in the mirror. The moment was so close now that her stomach was doing somersaults.
“As far as choices for a husband go, I believe Frances made the right one. I can vouch for Christopher and his character. It’s double the happiness for me, to see such a dear friend marrying my sister.” Esther beamed.
A knock on the door caught their attention. It was William.
“My dear, it is about time we move to the chapel for the ceremony,” he announced.
