First and foremost, the deception that she and the Duke forced on the ton had been bought by all. As far as most were aware, they met at the Fairvale patronage, they hit it off instantly, and before the evening was through, the Duke proposed because both knew that it was fate and such things needed to be taken advantage of at once.
Next, it was two weeks of chaos. Two weeks of Lucy faking smiles, speaking wistfully of the man she was set to marry, and strengthening the lie because she knew that she must.
When the wedding day finally arrived, there was a small part of her that was relieved. In her mind, once the vows were done, itwould be over, and she could settle in for a marriage of…what did the Duke promise me? Freedom? A laughable concept and I am a fool if I believe a word of it.
The problem, as she saw it, was that she did not know the Duke at all. He told her one thing, but that did not mean he didn’t want another. And in the past two weeks, not once had she spoken to him. Not once!
Even today, the ceremony passed in a blur. The Duke could hardly bring himself to look her in the eyes. They spoke their vows in hushed whispers. And while Lucy was there in body, it was as if she watched on from afar, a dream that she could not wake from, her new reality that was inescapable.
Now that she was at the post-ceremony breakfast, the misery compiled as she sat herself down at the head table, alone, because the Duke avoided her as if she carried the plague. Whatever this marriage might be, it would not be happy, and it certainly would not be freeing. Of that, Lucy had no doubt.
“I will say one thing.” Helena sat herself up and then leaned forward, her eyes fixed across the room. “He is handsome.”
“Helena!” Anna gasped.
“What?” Helena shrugged. “He is. Oh, come now…” She looked plainly at her two friends, Lucy especially. “You cannot tell me that you have not thought it at least once.”
“It is not appropriate,” Anna said. “All things considered…”
“I know that,” Helena snapped. “Just as I know why this marriage is happening – I am aware that this is not a love match, is my point. Even still…” She flashed her eyes wickedly at Lucy and then found the Duke across the room once more. “He is rather divine. If you’re to be forced into a marriage you do not want, at least let it be with a man who looks like that.”
Lucy shrugged. “I suppose he is not so bad.”
“Not so bad!” Helena cried. This had a few heads turning, which forced her to drop her voice. “Look at him, Lucy. Look at him and tell me that he is ‘not so bad.’” She winked. “And a little better than that.”
Lucy looked flatly at her friend, wanting this topic done with. But her friend just grinned and flicked her head back toward where her husband stood. And then she pumped her eyebrows.
Sighing loudly and purposefully, Lucy decided to play along.
She sat herself up and looked across the room. There were a score or two of guests in attendance, most seated at various tables, many standing in small circles as they chatted among themselves.
Through the crowds, she eventually found her husband.
He stood on the other side of the room, further proof that he wanted little to do with Lucy. And while this annoyed her greatly, she continued to watch him… to study him… to look at him in ways she had not dared to do until now.
Obviously, he was handsome. Of that, there was little argument to be had. With his dark hair and darker eyes. With his sharp jawline and full lips. And then there was the way he held himself, brimming with power and confidence and raw masculinity. He stood with a group of men, and while they were all of similar proportions, they just lookedsmallby comparison.
“See,” Helena pressed. “Isn’t he lovely?”
“He is… fine,” Lucy said as her pulse began to quicken.
“Just fine?” It was clear from the way that Helena looked at Lucy that she did not believe her. Not one little bit.
Lucy could not explain what she felt at that moment? Was it curiosity? Even excitement? Absurd, as this marriage was not remotely romantic. It was a marriage of convenience, and she wanted as little to do with her husband as was possible. And yet…
I suppose he is handsome. And confident. And I do rather like the way he glowers… the furrow in his brow when he becomes annoyed. And those lips…
Suddenly, Marcus looked up. It was as if he felt her watching him, and his head whipped around and their eyes met. And then they held.
Lucy’s eyes widened, her heart leapt through her mouth, and she looked away, slinking down in her chair, her cheeks turned bright pink. And all the while, she was able to feel her husband watching her.
Anna and Helena stayed with Lucy a little while longer, not wanting to leave her alone while she was in such a despondent mood. Soon, however, other guests from the wedding started to approach the table so they could congratulate her, and that was Anna and Helena’s time to leave.
Her father was most proud, and he was not shy in telling her.
“I still cannot believe it.” His cheeks were flushed pink from having been drinking, and he beamed proudly as if this was the best day of his life. “My daughter, a duchess. If you had told me just one month ago…” He laughed and shook his head. “This is a good thing you’ve done, Lucy. Everyone says so. And I just know how happy you will be.”
Oh, how she wanted to tell her father the truth. Lucy felt tremendous guilt about it all, that she was effectively lying to him about how this marriage came to be. But would good would the truth do? It was too late for that.
