Her head spun as she absorbed the magnitude of what they had done. She was his wife. He owned her now, and they would be forever bound. Someday, they would make little people that would share bits of them both. And through their children, they would be eternally bound. Small pieces of themselves would live on forever.
It was a profound thought, one that illustrated the seriousness of their vows. She angled her gaze toward Giles as she wondered if he took their union seriously, and if he had speculated as she did now.
The church bells rang out as he guided her through to the vestry, where they entered their marriage lines along with their witnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Thorne, and the vicar. To Juliet’s surprise, her hand did not shake as she signed her name.
“My darling,” Giles held out his hand, “are you ready to embark on the rest of our lives together?”
Juliet nodded and placed her hand in his.
A short while later, she stood next to her husband as they welcomed their guests for their wedding breakfast. She gave dutiful curtsies while he received each person with a bow. Her parents were the first to offer well wishes, after which they took their place to her left.
Olivia and Thorne followed, along with Louisa, Catherine, and Elizabeth. After exchanging pleasantries, they stood off to the side near Giles. It warmed Juliet’s soul to see her friends grant their support to her new husband, and not for the first time, she speculated that there was more to Giles than his terrible reputation.
Why else would Olivia’s family embrace him into their fold? Surely it was as they had said. Giles was a good man, despite his colored past.
Pray, let the roguish behavior be in his past.
She lifted the silent prayer as a line of Ladies in elegant gowns filed past on the arms of gentlemen garbed in top hats and dress coats. Each of them stopped to curtsy or bow, as they offered well wishes and congratulated her and Giles on their union.
Once the line of well-wishers and curious peers had ended, Giles led Juliet through the parlor to the table set up for the wedding breakfast. Olivia, Louisa, Catherine, and Elizabeth had helped Juliet decorated the room in much the same fashion as the church.
Sprays of red and white roses, evergreen and holly, were scattered about. Sashes of white organdy, lace, and flowers rested above the arched doorways, and fresh sprays of greenery bedecked with holly and roses had been draped over the mantles and table.
It would seem that Juliet and her duke had similar ideas. Either that or one of her friends had told him of her plans. She sought Olivia’s gaze and arched a suspicious brow.
“It is rather odd how well the church’s decor matched with my decorations here,” she said as she took her seat across from Olivia. “It is as if someone told Giles how he ought to decorate.” Juliet gave Olivia an accusatory stare.
Olivia shot back an impish smile, confirming Juliet’s suspicions. Rather than find it vexing, the knowledge that he had worked to match her theme brought her joy. She hoped he would always be so considerate.
Juliet turned her attention to Giles and offered a warm smile. “Thank you for taking such care with the arrangements for the church.”
“I will always endeavor to make you happy, darling. You have my word on that score.” He nodded toward the center of the table where silver platters laden with bread, hot rolls, ham, eggs, and a variety of fruits and jams had been set out. “Let us eat.”
She nodded as her stomach growled. She was rather famished and very much looking forward to breaking her fast. Her mouth salivated when she caught sight of the feast spread out before them, and she wasted little time in having her plate filled.
As she took her first bite, her Father lifted a glass of champagne. His gaze found hers as he said, “Now that everyone is here, let us toast the newlywed couple, my daughter and the Duke of Cleburne. Congratulations and well wishes for a bright future full of happiness.”
Their guests lifted their sparkling flutes into the air amidst a round of cheers, and Juliet’s heart filled with hope for the future. She glanced at their guests, then met her husband’s gaze. The joy and tenderness in his eyes nearly undid her.
One thing was evident—he cared for her. She could not say why, nor could she understand his motivation, but neither did she fret over it. Instead, she considered his feelings a blessing and hoped they would grow into something more profound.
Giles lifted his glass and nodded at Juliet, “And to my beautiful wife.”
Exclamations of “here, here,” filled the dining room as Giles winked suggestively at Juliet, then gave her one of his devilish smiles.
She could not help but think that before long, the two of them would be alone. A shiver of uncertainty, but also excitement, coursed through her. The prospect of their joining did not frighten her, but she feared her heart might be lost to him once they shared such intimacy.
Could one perish from a broken heart? She took a slow drink of her champagne as she pushed the thought away. She could not allow fear to rule her.
Juliet determined to stop fretting and give herself over to whatever the future had in store for her—come what may.
Chapter 9
Giles sat across from Juliet, staring out the carriage window as the conveyance jolted into motion. Their guests crowded the front of Thorne’s house, smiling and waving as he and Juliet departed. As far as weddings went, he believed the entire event to have been a success. He hoped Juliet agreed, for he had worked hard to give her a real society wedding despite their lack of time.
He shifted in his seat so that he could gain a better view of his new bride.
Perhaps he should say something, but what? Now that she was his wife, Giles had little idea what he should do with her—actually, he knew perfectly wellwhatto do with one’s wife, but what to discuss—that was an altogether different thing.
