“That is rather quick,” Lord Stratford said, blinking.
“It will help quell all talk as quickly as possible,” Asher said. “Turn the tide, at least, of what is being talked about.”
“Would you like the banns to be read or for a special license?”
“A special license will cause this all to be conducted quickly,” the duke said.
“Very well,” Lord Stratford said, and Asher was surprised that he actually looked rather melancholy.
“Most men would be happy to have their daughter marry a duke.”
Lord Stratford gave a humorless laugh. “As long as the young man makes my daughter happy, that is what I care about,” he said. “This has all come about quite unconventionally, and rather quickly.”
Asher realized the issue then — Lady Evelyn was her father’s companion, his only family.
He was going to be alone.
“You are welcome to come visit whenever you wish,” Asher said.
“I will be just fine,” Lord Stratford blustered. “I have no wish to impose.”
“You are welcome at any time,” Asher repeated. “My mother and sister also currently live with me.”
“Ah, yes, the duchess,” Lord Stratford said, and Asher’s brows raised when he noted how the viscount seemed to perk up at mention of his mother. “We knew one another when we were younger,” he explained, and Asher could only nod.
“I suppose we should determine the marriage contract,” Asher said, and Lord Stratford nodded before the two of them sat at the desk and began to go through the wording Asher had already carefully drawn up. He had been generous to Lady Evelyn, unsure of her dowry and not particularly interested in it. He was wealthy enough as it was and had never relied on a prospective dowry. Lord Stratford seemed particularly relieved that Asher didn’t ask for much, and his eyes even teared slightly when Asher promised that Lady Evelyn would receive all that she brought into the marriage if something should happen to him.
His stomach was growling, and his back was aching by the time he stood, and when he shook Lord Stratford’s hand, he was surprised that he was not as apprehensive as he would have thought he’d be after such a conversation. Perhaps it was because he knew that Lady Evelyn herself hadn’t trapped him into this situation and that, perhaps, they could be companionable, if nothing else.
She was beautiful, but he hardly knew her beyond the fact that she had a mind that would intimidate most men.
But he was not most men and, in fact, appreciated her intellect — as long as it didn’t cause him any interference.
With that thought in mind, he left the house, looking out the window of his carriage to see a figure in the front window of Lord Stratford’s townhouse, watching him.
Lady Evelyn.
Whose life was now bound to him, not by affection, but by necessity.
Surely, his life wouldn’t change too much, though — would it?
7
Afew mornings later, Evelyn sat in front of her vanity, staring at herself in the mirror. Same dark hair. Same blue eyes. Same high cheekbones.
But there was a difference within her. A heaviness, as her jaw seemed tighter, her forehead furrowed.
The life she had previously known had been taken from her for no foreseeable reason, and now here she was, preparing to marry a man she barely knew.
He was handsome, at least, that much she could admit. It wouldn’t be a hardship to look upon him every day.
It was kind of sad, actually, that she was being forced to marry because of a ruination she hadn’t even had the opportunity to experience.
But she couldn’t allow herself to go too far down that road. The duke already half-suspected her of having something to do with arranging their marriage. She didn’t want to feed into that narrative, nor did she want to develop any feelings that were sure to go unreciprocated.
After a soft knock on the door, Evelyn’s maid entered and began helping her dress. Evelyn didn’t bother to go downstairs for breakfast — she didn’t think she could eat.
It wasn’t long before another knock sounded, and relief filled her when she found Verity at the entrance.
