“I didn’t realize that the new protocol demanded that you enter the powder room with me,” she teased.
Gerald tightened his grip on her waist as the image of her pinned against the wall of the small powder room came to him, but then he came to his senses.
“The plan is to endure the day and allow no scenes,” he reminded her. “We exist quietly, and we exit just as quietly.”
“Yes, General,” she mocked.
“I would appreciate more focus and less teasing, Your Grace,” he warned her, but there was no bite in his remark.
“Oh, but I trust you have enough focus for the both of us, so maybe my job is to bring the teasing, Your Grace.”
Gerald looked down at her with admiration. She knew that she had been a target of an almost shameless act, and yet she faced danger with a smile on her face. He swore internally to protect that smile with all that he had.
The garden of the house was adorned splendidly, and the few guests were already mingling around. When they entered, everyone looked at them. Last time at the engagement, they didn’t offer as much amusement as anyone else would expect.
Gerald decided to get things over with and led Arabella to where his family was greeting their guests.
“Your Graces,” Unity was the first to greet them. “We are very honored to have you.”
Arabella very strategically decided to address Cecilia.
“I wish you a happy marriage and healthy babies,” she said with her most dazzling smile.
It must have pained Cecilia to curtsy a little before Arabella graciously accepted the wishes.
“I wish you a bright future,” Gerald said coldly.
After all of the guests had arrived, they were led to the dining hall. The wedding had taken place later in the morning, so this celebration was more like a lunch, which irritated Gerald immensely. The lunch meant sitting positions and several dishes being brought out. It would have been more convenient if it were an actual breakfast.
His irritation became even deeper when he saw the seating arrangements. As a member of the immediate family, and ofcourse the benefactor of Cecilia’s dowry, Gerald was placed at the head of the table. Arabella’s seat was among distant cousins, isolated. At that spot, she could easily be watched and judged. The plan was already set in motion.
He was ready to make a scene when he glanced at Arabella, and she smiled a reassuring smile. He had promised to trust her and not make decisions for her, so he took his place and endured.
The first course came out, and the cold dishes were served. Gerald barely had anything to eat, just glancing at Arabella’s side. She had already started making small talk with the ladies around her. Seeing her again from a distance, he could see her charismatic nature.
“Your Grace,” Cecilia addressed Arabella directly.
Gerald felt his whole body tighten, as if he was getting ready to be attacked, which was not far from reality. With one simple phrase, Cecilia had commenced the hostilities.
“Now that we are both married women, I would love to spend time getting to know you better,” Cecilia continued with such a fake smile. “Of course, that would have to wait until after my honeymoon.”
Gerald frowned at her remark, but he didn’t have to wait long to see what the target was.
“You see, Lord Fitzpatrick had arranged for us to go on a honeymoon trip,” Cecilia said with a saccharine tone. “I believe that you haven’t had a honeymoon, have you, Your Grace?”
“No, we haven’t had the honeymoon traveling.”
“Well, you must excuse my brother,” Cecilia smiled. “He rarely puts effort into things that he doesn’t have an interest in.”
The whole table went cold. The implication was simple: a fast wedding with a lower-class lady was simply a marriage of convenience. She was not the real Duchess and had no real power in the estate.
“On the contrary,” Arabella said very calmly, “I find the Duke quite invested in many endeavors.”
See what was so daringly charming that the people around here smiled, looking at them both.
“As for traveling,” Arabella said, “I have barely explored the grounds of our estate. For now, I have no use for other traveling.”
Gerald sipped on his wine to hide his satisfying smirk. Cecilia thought that she had to deal with a simple, quiet lady who would cower under any attack; she made the wrong bet. Arabella was a skilled socialite.
