Marina’s family looked like a small crowd in comparison to his own. Her parents sat with Amelia and Bethany, along with two young girls who looked practically identical. He assumed they were the twins Lady Shirley had mentioned. They looked barely sixteen.
The twins did not seem to care about their surroundings or the events of the day, because they simply huddled together,whispering to each other with mischievous smiles. Bethany and Amelia stared straight ahead, looking a little wary but generally happy.
Lord and Lady Shirley were by far the most unsettling duo. Lord Shirley was staring off into space, looking completely indifferent to the thought of attending his daughter’s wedding. Meanwhile, Lady Shirley had an ambitious gleam in her eye as she looked around the chapel as if she herself owned it.
That woman does not care one whit for her own daughter. She is only happy that her daughter is to be a duchess.The thought left a bad taste in Evan’s mouth.
Before he could think more about it, the chapel doors opened, and Marina entered the room, dressed in a pale blue wedding dress and carrying a bouquet of pink flowers. Her eyes met his own, and he drank in the sight of her honey-colored hair and almond-shaped amber eyes.
She is beautiful.
There was no question about Marina’s beauty, but as she walked closer, he noticed something was wrong. She looked pale and a trifle thinner than the last time he saw her, even though it had been less than a week since her visit to Pemberton Manor. Perhaps her corset was too tight, and that accounted for the thinness. That did not seem like a better option.
Dark circles under her eyes marred the skin, giving her a sallow look. He glanced at Carlson, who was standing at attention at theback of the chapel. He seemed calm, and Evan knew the older man had not noticed Marina’s state either.
Was he the only one?
She joined him at the altar, not meeting his eyes, even as he stared intently at her. “Are you all right?” he asked quietly.
She glanced up at him before looking down. “I am fine. I would just like to get the ceremony over with, please.” Her voice sounded slightly strained, as if even speaking the words took a toll on her.
He nodded at the clergyman to start the ceremony, but he could not pay attention to the man’s words. Instead, he was looking at his bride, his concern for her growing.
What if she is unwell? Am I really introducing a new mother to Lilly only for her to lose her, too?
“Your Grace, do you take Miss Marina Hooper to be your lawfully wedded wife?” The clergyman asked.
It took him a moment to remember to answer. Marina looked at him with impatience, but all he could focus on was her shallow breathing. “I do,” he said.
“And do you, Miss Marina Hooper, take?—”
“I do,” she said quickly. Her cheeks reddened, and she looked at the audience. Her twin sisters snickered to each other, barely audible, and her mother looked murderous behind the fake smile pasted on her face. She looked at the clergyman. “Please, let’s finish quickly,” she whispered.
The man nodded, satisfied with her answer. “Then I announce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Evan leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers for the ceremonial kiss. It was brief, formal, and passionless, but it sent a thrill of … something … down his spine.How tedious. Why does the wedding ceremony include a kiss when it’s a marriage of convenience? It just leads to confusion.The worst thing he could do was indulge in emotions on his wedding day.
“You call that a kiss, Your Grace?” a young, female voice called out. Evan’s cheeks burned with embarrassment.
“Louiza!” hissed Lady Shirley. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace. The interruption willnothappen again.”
Evan looked out to see the twins giggling while all the other Shirleys looked mortified—although Bethany might be hiding a smile with the way her hand was covering her mouth.
“What?” said Louiza. “That was barely a kiss. It shouldn’t count.”
Marina seemed to agree. Her expression did not change throughout the kiss. Instead, she seemed to be staring off into space.
When the ceremony was over, it was time to sign the wedding registry, and then they would be officially married. The clergyman produced the book, and Evan signed first before passing the pen over to Marina. His elbow brushed against hers for a moment. A shiver ran through him from the contact, and he pulled away from her, startled.
First, he had that feeling from the kiss, and now this.What is wrong with me today? I certainly had no trouble controlling myself at my first wedding. I did not have these meddling feelings.
They were not necessarily negative feelings. But they were confusing. He did not like confusion in his life, so it was troublesome.
Marina barely glanced at him as she started to sign her name.
What was that about? Why would a simple, accidental touch affect me so much?
It must be discomfort. After all, he had always been uncomfortable within close proximity to other people.
