Selina’s eyes shimmered as she stood behind her husband.
Dominic exhaled hard. “You really mean this?”
Austin looked at his oldest friend. “I do.”
Dominic studied him for a long moment, searching and weighing. Finally, he nodded in agreement.
“Then you have my blessing.” His voice cracked just slightly.
“What?” Deena gasped.
“How marvelous!” The dowager clapped her hands together.
“But…” Dominic jabbed a finger into Austin’s chest, “if you ever make her cry or hurt her, I will end you. Title or no title.”
Austin inclined his head. “I will protect her. You have my word.”
The dowager clapped her hands again, absolutely delighted with the news, unlike the rest of the room. “Well! That settles it. We’ll need a special license immediately. I’ll send for the archbishop’s secretary this afternoon.”
Deena stood suddenly on shaky legs, and Austin had to fight the urge to run to her side and help her. “But Grandmother—so soon?”
“Yes, dear.” The dowager sashayed towards her granddaughter and held her hands. “As we have all pointed out, we don’t have much time. We will have a quiet ceremony, of course. Family only. And we’ll announce it afterward, when the dust has settled.”
Deena looked between them all, eyes wide with panic or fear. Austin wasn’t sure. “Wait?—”
The dowager waved a hand to stop her. “No waiting. The sooner the better. Tongues will wag regardless; so, let them wag about a duke’s wedding instead of a scandal.”
Deena’s voice rose. “But I?—”
Austin stepped closer to her, and she stopped talking. “Dee, you don’t have to decide right this second. But the offer stands. Always.”
He searched her face, willing her to agree with his plan.
Tears welled in her eyes again. “I don’t know what to say or do.”
“You don’t have to say anything yet,” he murmured. “Just… think about it.”
“Do you have another plan?” Dominic asked her.
Austin held his breath as he waited for an answer, but Deena shook her head. “No…I don’t.”
The dowager tapped her cane. “Then I shall start the arrangements. No further arguments.”
Austin noticed how Deena fidgeted uncomfortably as everyone made her decisions for her.
Maybe it’s time she had her freedom.
“Deena.” She looked at him, and his breath hitched as he drank in the sight of her. Even after crying, she looked heavenly. Last night replayed in his mind, and he had to force himself to focuson the situation at hand. “I will not force you to marry me. This is your decision.”
Everyone froze and turned towards her; she took a second to compose herself. Her shoulders lifted and dropped with every deep breath she took until she finally spoke to them.
“You are all right. There is no other way. I—I will marry you, Austin.”
“Two more days,” the dowager announced as she entered the quiet drawing room.
Her joyful voice was a stark contrast to the eerie silence that enveloped Greystone’s manor. She could not leave the manor for safety reasons, and with all the guests gone and no distractions, Deena felt the walls close in on her as her wedding day drew nearer.
Wedding day.
