“My husband.”
“To the happy couple,” Elias said. “I offer my sincerest congratulations to the both of you.”
“Thank you,” Lewis said.
A sense of jubilation filled him. He had a duchess. She was reallyhis. Lewis’s awe of the young lady’s beauty was replacedwith the ardent desire to rip that white and silver gown from her body and behold her slender form in all its naked glory. He silently cursed the day, which would be filled with all manner of proper activities. It would be a long time yet before he could consummate the marriage.
“Shall we leave for the wedding breakfast?” Lady Bridget asked. “Your Grace?”
“Yes,” he said, offering his arm.
“We have prepared an exceptional one,” Elias added.
“Doubtlessly,” Lewis said.
Elias led the way out of the chapel, Morington walking alongside him. Lewis suspected that his friend had purposefully gone ahead in the hopes of affording him a little privacy with his new bride. Gerard and his duchess followed.
“So, we are man and wife,” Lewis said quietly. “And you did not even have the opportunity to meet my grandmother.”
Lady Bridget—no, she was the Duchess of Wheelton. Her Grace. Lewis grimaced and determined that she would beBridgetfrom that moment forward. He did not wish to speak to her as if she was a stranger, after all.
“I know that you tried to see her,” Lewis added.
“I was turned away at the door.”
“So you were.”
“But Iwillsolve that mystery,” Bridget said, her eyes bright with determination. “I hope you know that.”
“There is no mystery to solve,” he said. “But you will do what you wish, regardless of what counsel I might offer.”
She smirked at him, infuriating and lovely all at once. “So I shall. I hope you are quite ready to be married to me, husband mine. I wonder if you have, perhaps, not thought this through.”
He heard the challenge in her voice. “On the contrary, Bridget,” he said. “I think it isyouwho have not thought this through, but we are married now. We shall see how fast you learn.”
CHAPTER 18
“Icannot believe I missed the wedding!” Catherine exclaimed. “I would have liked to attend.”
“Well, you have made the wedding breakfast,” Bridget said, “so all is not lost.”
“You must persuade your husband to spend more time in London,” Dorothy teased. “It is unfair of him to keep you all to himself.”
“He will be forced to spend more time in London very soon,” Catherine said, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “His sisters will be of age soon, and they will need to attend all the Season’s events.”
Bridget felt a sharp pain in her chest. She was a married woman, and the Season would never be the same for her. No small part of her enjoyment of the Season had derived from its possibilities—that she might fall in love or catch the heart of some dashingman. Now, no suitor would desire her, and she could desire no one but her husband. She had the cold, sad sensation of having spent her youth too quickly.
“Ah! What a vision the three of you are,” Elias said, joining them. “My sweet sisters! Cat, how was the journey?”
“Long,” she said dryly. “William sends his regards. He wanted to come as well, but he had another commitment. The tenants have complained about a bridge which is in sore need of repairs, and my dear husband has taken it upon himself to rebuild the entire road.”
“Does your husband everstopworking?” Elias asked, shaking his head. “I cannot decide if I ought to admire the man or be concerned about his health.”
“He is in good health,” Catherine said. “Now, I am quite famished, so if we could move towards the breakfast table, I would be much appreciative.”
Elias grinned and led the way. They all settled around the table, His Grace’s staff moving quickly and efficiently.Herstaff. Bridget sat and fixed her gaze straight ahead, as the weight of what she had done really sank in. She was the mistress of this household, and this staff was as much hers as it was his.
She was the Duchess of Wheelton.Her Grace.
