“Oh, Evelyn,” Verity said, looking at her with such understanding that Evelyn nearly dissolved into tears.
“Apparently, there was one puzzle I couldn’t solve,” Evelyn said when she pulled back to look her friend in the eye. “How to extricate myself from this situation.”
“There are worse men to tie yourself to,” Verity said, tilting her head to look Evelyn’s simple gown up and down. Evelyn didn’t have anything more bridal, but her choice of a light-blue dress emphasized the rushed, uncelebrated nature of the wedding. “You will certainly be the envy of every young lady of theton.”
“I’d rather be ignored by them all,” Evelyn said wryly.
“I can understand that,” Verity agreed. She far preferred to walk in the shadows than to be noticed by anyone, especially those within their own circles.
“Are you curious?”
“About what?”
“About him?” Verity perched on the edge of Evelyn’s bed as the maid began to pin Evelyn’s hair into its usual style. Verity selected a few formal hairpieces from Evelyn’s top drawer and placed them on the vanity, and the maid nodded in understanding as she tucked them in here and there between Evelyn’s dark strands.
“I think I know enough. He became the duke a couple of years ago after the deaths of his father and his brother, which, I can imagine, was a significant change. I also know he does not want to marry. What else is important?”
Verity looked at her in shock. “Evelyn. If there is anyone I know who loves to solve puzzles, it is you, and the duke is most certainly a puzzle. Do you not wonder about his life before inheriting the dukedom? About how that shaped him? You do know he used to be a rake of the highest order, running around with Lord Julian, having his fun, when they were both second sons. That must have been quite a shock for someone to have everything change so suddenly. Since he became duke, I’ve barely heard a whisper of him causing any sort of scandal – until now.”
“I can imagine,” Evelyn agreed slowly. Verity wasn’t wrong. Evelyn hadn’t allowed herself to consider all of the complexities of the man she was marrying.
Her chest tightened.
Verity was right. She knew nothing.
She tried to take deep breaths, but it was no use. Her chest was tightening, and when she met Verity’s eyes in the mirror, her friend seemed to understand as she rushed over.
“Evelyn. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause you any concern. I only wondered if you were curious, but all will be fine. He’s a good man. He’s Lady Thalia’s brother!”
Evelyn nodded slowly. “I know. I just… I am still mourning the life I thought I would lead. I do not suppose a duchess can solve puzzles at the British Institution every morning.”
Verity raised a brow.
“Do you know, Evelyn, I think a duchess can do whatever she wants to do.”
That perked up Evelyn slightly. “We shall see, Verity,” she said, turning to look at herself in the mirror one last time, to say goodbye to her previous self. “We shall see.”
It tookAsher three tries to knot his cravat properly.
“Your grace, are you certain I cannot?—”
“I can do this, Roberts,” Asher said, waving his valet away.
“Of course,” Roberts said with a slight nod. “Are you quite well?”
“I am,” Asher answered brusquely, hoping Rogers would realize without his own interjection that he had no wish to be so questioned.
He wondered if he should bring anything for his bride. Flowers, or a token, perhaps?
He considered it for but a moment before deciding it would only complicate things. She would likely bring her own flowers, and he didn’t want to offer anything lest she get the wrong idea — that this marriage would be more personal than he had planned.
Secretly, he had always hoped to find a love match. Someday, when he was ready.
But that time had never come, and he had allowed himself to become trapped before the day arrived. A slight sense of guilt crept through him that he had basically forced Lady Evelyn into this once he had seen no way out, but it was not as though he had done this purposefully. He would ensure that all was in order, that she would feel as comfortable as she possibly could once she moved into Ravenscar House, today, after the wedding. His mother was not exactly pleased at the abrupt change in direction. It seemed she had always imagined that he would follow her plan, even though he had never given her any assurance.
And Thalia would be here. His sister could be a companion for his wife.
His wife.
