She was so lost in her thoughts that Verity startled when Dominic spoke up. His hand brushed hers for a moment as though to steady her while he spoke his vows.
“Well done,” the vicar said with a beaming smile. “I have the heavenly delight of pronouncing you man and wife. Your Grace, you may now kiss your bride.”
Verity wavered. She had forgotten about that.
As he was already turning to face her, Verity hastened to do the same. Their hands brushed. Her breath caught and she swallowed hard as she gazed up at him, waiting.
Dominic’s eyes studied hers with a gentleness she didn’t recognize. He lifted a hand and she braced herself. It was a long time coming until she felt his fingertip brushing against her cheek.
He leaned forward, hovering. Only then did Verity realize she could smell him. Citrus. She almost smiled as he paused, hesitating or delaying. It took her a moment to realize what he was doing––
The duke was giving her a choice.
Praying her nerves wouldn’t get the best of her, she decided to be bold. She would allow the kiss. Verity closed the distance. A formal but gentle brush of lips against lips.
He was warmer than she expected, his touch sending a tingle through her face and down her spine. Warmth spready through Verity. Never before had she been so aware of another human. Especially a man.
“May I now introduce the newly wed Duke and Duchess of Wycliffe!”
The vicar’s loud announcement made them both jerk, turning away. Sharing hesitant smiles, the two of them turned to everyone in the church who stood and cheered for them.
“How wonderful! You did it!” Octavia clapped while nudging her siblings to do the same. “How glad we are. You’re a duchess!”
There were a few polite faces on the duke’s side of the church, who nodded and congratulated them. Before they took their leave, however, Octavia was announcing a wedding feast.
A wedding feast Verity had not prepared. She apologetically left her husband’s side to go to her sister, hissing, “We cannot host so suddenly.”
The smug smile of Octavia beamed now. “You can’t, but I can. We’re both ladies of a household, you see. I’ve got it all arranged. You don’t want to disappoint everyone, do you?”
Sighing, Verity turned to Dominic who had followed her. “It appears we have a luncheon to attend.”
“Very well. Shall we take my carriage?”
Verity helped usher everyone neatly from the church and directed everyone to the carriages. She had thought to go with her family before realizing she had best join the duke. Her new husband.
Newly alone with him, Verity eventually asked, “Wycliffe?”
Immediately he turned to meet her gaze. “Dominic, if you please. We are wed, so you may call me what you like.”
“Wycliffe is a fine title. What is your full name?”
“Dominic John Hale Mercer.”
“Ah.” She blushed. “They did say that today, didn’t they?”
He nodded. “Less than an hour ago. But it’s not a particularly remarkable name, so it is no matter. Was there something you wished of me?”
“Hm?”
“You said my name,” he reminded her.
Verity didn’t know what was wrong with her. She forced a smile, realizing it was very silly to test him for any reason. The best way to understand someone was to listen. People always gave themselves away eventually.
“Right, yes. I merely wanted to make certain I wasn’t disturbing any of your plans today with this sudden feast. If I had known what my sisters were up to, I would have surely directed them elsewhere.”
He lifted his hands slightly before dropping them. “They care about you and wished to celebrate the wedding. I do not fault them for that.”
“Thank you,” she murmured. It was only as they pulled into her street that she realized he hadn’t told her if this was disturbing any plans.
