“Ahh, and here come my new in-laws!” the duke announced as if to brush over any awkwardness. Emmaline was most relieved to glance around and find her father, stepmother, Jane and her two eldest brothers entering the foyer behind her.
“Go, my love, see your family are well,” the duke said, gesturing her forward and Emmaline's heart raced. Whether it was for the eyes of all those around her or he truly felt some wave of affection for her, she did not know. Either way, she was glad to be released by him, even for a moment. His ambivalence was almost as infuriating as the gossiping members of the ton.
Why did he have to announce their marriage quite so publicly?
At least he didn't call a toast and announce it to the entire ballroom,Emmaline thought. That might have been entirely mortifying.
Even as she hurried away to greet her family, she heard Lord Trenton ask the duke, “So, Your Grace, you must tell me. How did your wondrous marriage come about?”
Wondrous indeed,Emmaline scoffed. She wasn't about to stick around for the falsities about to leave her new husband's mouth and so she made a beeline for her family.
“Oh, Emmaline!”
Before she could greet any of them, she was pulled into Jane's warm, sisterly embrace. “I have been so worried about you. Are you well? Is he treating you fair? How have you been?”
“Breathe, Jane, anyone would think your stays are too tight,” her mother warned over her shoulder as she prepared to be greeted once the duke had finished with the viscount. She adjusted the buttons on her silken gloves and laid her hand on her husband's arm. Emmaline was relieved to see some color had returned to her father's cheeks.
She wished he had stayed home to rest but knowing her father as she did, she made no attempt to broach the subject, greeting them all before she answered Jane's rambling questions. “I am well, and the duke is treating me exceptionally well.”
“I might say so too, dear sister,” Sebastian, her eldest brother said, glancing up and down.
“Indeed, it appears you have landed on your feet, little sister,” Victor added, raising his hand as if he were about to ruffle her hair like he would once have done when they were younger. He just seemed to stop himself before messing up the elegant updo Mrs. Farthing had taken considerable time on that afternoon.
Emmaline blinked, remembering how she had appeared in the mirror before leaving. With her hair piled high atop her head, one long flowing strand of curls hanging over one shoulder, decorated with diamond tiara, there could be no mistaking that she was the wife of a duke now.
The diamond teardrop earrings and matching necklace that Mrs. Farthing had also brought her only helped matters, along with the glorious emerald-green gown she wore that she only now realized matched her husband’s waistcoat and cravat.
He had planned out their entrance into society as man and wife right down to their appearance. And though she knew it was mainly for his own gain and for that of her family's reputation, a part of her couldn't help but feel affection toward him for it. It appeared he had thought of everything, and a thoughtful man might perhaps even be a romantic one.
“Emmaline, are you sure you are well?” Jane asked and it was only when her hand landed on her forearm that Emmaline realized she had been openly staring, admiring her new husband with a look of adoration.
Several others in the room were staring at her but the duke himself appeared oblivious.
Dipping her head, cheeks hot, Emmaline nodded. She cleared her throat and said, “I should return to the duke. He shall want to escort me into the ballroom, and you have yet to be greeted by our hosts.”
“You will find me again later?” Jane said, gripping Emmaline's hand in a way that said she would not let go until she had gotten an agreeable answer.
“If I am able,” Emmaline promised, squeezing her sister's fingers before she reluctantly returned to the duke's side.
“Shall we dearest?” he asked, offering her his elbow the moment she returned to him. The smile on his face made her heart flutter. Was this all merely show or was there something more behind his smile? Emmaline couldn't be sure. She decided it best to play along until she was certain.
“We shall, my love,” she responded. The words were thick in her throat and yet, her stomach fluttered at saying them. It wasn't an entirely unpleasant sensation as one might expect.
“Please, do enjoy yourselves,” Lord Trenton insisted.
“Yes, our home is open to you both,” Lady Trenton added, “And congratulations again.”
With that the viscount and his wife turned to greet Emmaline's family and she heard them receiving congratulations also as the duke guided her into the ballroom.
It appeared that those within had already begun to hear the news for the second they entered, all eyes turned on them. Though there was already music playing, the dancing had yet to begin and there were far too many faces staring back at her, idly standing at the edge of the dancefloor with glasses in hand.
“Pay them no mind,” the duke whispered in her ear, placing his free hand on top of hers on his arm. “They are little to you now. You are a duchess. Be mighty by my side.”
His words of encouragement were more than she could have hoped for, yet she thought them easy for him to say. He was a well-respected, if much feared duke, and he was held above scrutiny by mere title alone. She, on the other hand, was to be judged whether or not she was a duchess now. Her breeding, her actions, her mere appearance would all be judged now. She would be the talk of London before the night was out.
And she suspected she knew why. The duke wished their news to travel quickly, reaching into the far corners of the country in order to secure his title firmly. Yet, she couldn't help but wish he had given her a little more time to grow used to the fact first.
Approached and congratulated by many, Emmaline had hoped that would be the end of it. But when Lord Trenton called for silence in order to begin the ball properly, it appeared she was wrong to hope.
