Octavia followed close behind. “This is your last chance to make a run for it. Just in case you were thinking otherwise.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course I’m going through with this union. There was never a doubt in my mind.”
Her sister clearly didn’t believe her. “Never?”
Nudging them further inside, Lucien grumbled under his breath. “Why is it so cold today? I don’t like it. Where is Cassian?”
“He’s here already. We were late, remember?” Verity elbowed him and turned to their sisters. “Please sit down. Now.”
But Lucien lingered with her. “Are you certain you don’t wish for me to be the one to take you down the aisle?”
“Cassian is. See?” Verity saw her eldest brother leaving the front of the church to stalk down the aisle, sending them dark looks.
“Sometimes he reminds me of Father.”
Really, Lucien? The one person I didn’t wish to think about today?
Verity ensured her sisters took their seats before she turned to send Lucien a scolding glance. “That wasn’t very thoughtful of you.”
He offered a sheepish smile. “It just came out. Besides, wouldn’t you agree? Just look at him.”
“Look at you,” Verity said, touching his chest with her bouquet. A flower petal stuck to his waist coat when she pulled it away. “You’re the spitting image of Father. The height, the nose, even the dimpled chin. Cassian looks more like mother. But that doesn’t mean you are like him anymore than it means Cassian is like mother,” she added sternly.
“I only…”
Verity forced a smile. “I know.”
“I’m glad he’s not here,” Lucien said with an attempted smile. There was a familiar darkness and pain fracturing in his eyes as he gazed down at her. “I suppose that’s a blessing, isn’t it? Not having him here for any of this bother. Sometimes I wonder if he would have kept you girls all at home forever or if he would have sold you off to the highest bidder.”
I’ve had the same thoughts and fears. I am only glad he is gone.
“I know,” she whispered through a shaky sigh. “But those days are over. He isn’t here any longer. He cannot control us any longer.”
Lucien fumbled with his waist coat, probably looking for the flask she’d surreptitiously already removed during their bumpy ride in the carriage here. “It’s not like he ever noticed me.”
Before she could respond, their brother arrived. Cassian asked, “What is the hold up here?”
“We were debating where to sit.” Lucian stared at him.
Their brother rolled his eyes and offered his arm to Verity. “Are you ready?”
Her own gaze narrowed on her elder brother who looked annoyed. She had hoped today of all days he might be more emotional, to give something away of his secrets.
Tell me what you’re thinking, Cassian. Tell me what you know. What is so important that you are marrying me off to a practical stranger?
Verity was determined to find the answers one way or another. With help or without it. So she fixed her shoulders back and answered, “Yes.”
There were a few people seated in the front of the pews. She recognized most of them, nodding her greetings before Cassian led her to the front. After being welcomed by the vicar, she turned her attention to the duke.
How she hadn’t looked at him earlier, Verity didn’t know. But now she did. Her hand went out to him and she froze. How handsome he looked today dressed in his finest. Although she had seen him in his best suit previously, he’d trimmed his hair and simply looked fresh.
A dark curl fell over his brow when he took her hand to draw her closer. Verity inhaled deeply and turned as well.
“Welcome, friends and family, to the holy union…”
Whispers commenced through much of the ceremony, quiet for the most part but somewhat noticeable. Cassian’s friends spoke low to one another, nudging each other with their elbows.
No one knows why this match is taking place, least of all myself. But I will figure this out. I must. What if it’sendangering my family? Cassian cannot carry the burden of everything alone no matter what he thinks.
