Chapter 12 #2
She was informed that there would be no wedding breakfast, though for a social butterfly such as herself that was almost criminal.
In this particular situation, she was relieved.
The last thing she wanted to do was to mingle among the few guests, trying to look at least not overwhelmed and keep up appearances after the emotional devastation she had gone through.
Even so, she saw some of her relatives ready to come close and her body tensed. The last thing she needed right now was fake concern, false wishes, and endless questions about her new situation. The Ton was still humming over everything concerning this marriage.
The Duke of Albury, the infamous Cruel Duke, was getting married, something that the whole Ton never believed they would see.
The fact that he was marrying a woman of much lower station than he was, with no funds or means and from a family that had no great influence, was the other surprise.
And then it was her in particular. In the eyes of the Ton, they could not be more different.
She was beloved and popular, and he was… well, himself.
She was bracing herself for a kind, quick dismissal of everyone approaching her, but she suddenly saw them distant and retreating as fast as they were advancing.
She was at first perplexed at their reaction when she felt the Duke behind her.
She looked up only to see him with that usual menacing face, preventing anyone from approaching them.
She was ready to say something to him, but he left to send off some of his acquaintances from Parliament, Lords of high station.
“Arabella,” Alexandra approached.
A sincere smile bloomed on her face. Alexandra was a genuinely nice person, and Arabella truly valued their friendship. It was a thorn at her side that she had to lie to her friend about this marriage. Looking up at her, smiling so brightly, was making her feel bad.
“Or should I say, Your Grace?” Alexandra smiled and curtsied.
“Please,” Arabella finally managed to smile, the true one. “Do not ever call me Your Grace. But look at that! You are the first person to do so.”
“Well, I knew from the moment we met, both of us debuting, that you were something else, Arabella.”
“Oh, so you knew that in the future you would be close friends with a Duchess, did you?”
“Well, I was not aiming this high,” Alexandra teased, “but I knew I wanted you around.”
Arabella opened her arms, and the two friends hugged. Finally, she felt some warmth in her body.
“Your Grace,” a voice interrupted them.
It was Gerald’s friend, Morgan.
“I am sorry to interrupt this cordial moment,” the Marquess said, looking at Alexandra. “I wanted to offer my congratulations.”
And condolences, Arabella thought. She was aware that Morgan knew of the arrangement she had with the Duke. And even if he did not, he seemed to know the Duke very well to realize what kind of life Arabella had signed herself up for.
“Thank you, my lord,” she said politely.
Morgan bowed and then inclined his head again to Alexandra.
Arabella glanced upon her friend only to see her look at the Marquess with interest. He was a handsome man, with that dirty blonde hair of his and hazel eyes.
Perhaps something good would come out of her wedding.
If she could not be happy, it did not mean that other people could not as well.
“May I introduce you, my lord, to my good friend?” Arabella said softly. “This is Miss Alexandra Leeston. And may I introduce the Marquess of Whitmore, Morgan Harding?”
“It is an absolute pleasure to meet you, Miss Alexandra,” Morgan said, boldly taking Alexandra‘s hand and kissing her gloved fingers.
Arabella watched the scene with glee as Alexandra’s cheeks blushed. Alexandra, who was always daring and outspoken, may have finally found her match.
“Your Grace.”
It took her a moment to realize that this was addressed to her.
And even then, it happened only because she recognized the voice calling her immediately.
Gerald. Calling her by her title, not her name.
She was no longer ‘Arabella’, or even ‘Miss Arabella’ to him.
Now she was ‘Her Grace’, equal to him in station and yet further away than ever.
“Your Grace. We need to sign the registry. Morgan,” he addressed his friend, “you need to come too as my witness.”
“Of course,” Morgan said.
He took one long look at Alexandra, bowed, and smiled.
“Miss Alexandra, may I be so bold as to ask if you are coming to the Statham ball? I will make sure to write my name in your dancing card.”
Alexandra was so stunned that she did not say anything, just bowed and nodded. Morgan smiled back and left for the vestry.
“Your Grace,” Gerald repeated. “You must come too.”
She nodded and followed him to sign the official document that made her a Duchess while signing off the rest of her life to uncertain happiness.
* * *
After they were done with the documents, they went outside.
The Albury estate was massive, with big gardens, a little lake at the edge of the estate, a well-preserved maze that was supposed to be a wonder of gardening, and a huge, elegant building that was the main residence.
As she was looking upon what was supposed to be now hers, she felt as if she did not belong.
“Arabella,” her father called.
She gathered as much of a smile as she could and approached her father, who was waiting for her under a big tree. Her sister was further away, looking at the exquisite roses of all colors and types that were growing in the rose garden.
“Father,” Arabella took the hand that her father offered.
“I cannot believe that my sweet little girl is married.”
Arabella wanted to scream that his sweet little girl could not believe she was married either, but there was no point in burdening her father. This was her problem, and she would be the one to solve it.
“I would like to have a talk with you, my dear girl,” her father said.
“Of course. What is it?”
“You are now a woman. A married woman,” her father said.
Arabella did not know why her father seemed so agitated in stating the obvious, but she decided to let him express himself before she judged.
“And as a married woman,” he continued, “you have some duties that… what I mean to say is that your husband may have certain expectations…”
Arabella’s eyes widened in shock. Her father was trying to explain to her marital duties, and the idea alone was equally hilarious and awkward, to say the least.
“You see, every husband and wife…”
Oh no. Arabella was not ready to have this talk with her father. Not now, not ever. And luckily for her, her father seemed equally reluctant to have it either. So, to spare them both the embarrassment, she cut him off.
“Father, do not worry. Perhaps it is better to discuss such a matter with Winnie. She has assured me that she is well informed on this and can enlighten me adequately.”
The sigh of relief that her father let out was audible. His body relaxed, and he patted her hands.
“Oh, my dear Arabella,” he said sorrowfully. “This is a discussion a bride has with her mother. I wish she were here to see you in this moment, to guide you and advise you. I tried my best all these years to…”
“You have done your best, father,” she reassured. “And that is more than anyone was expecting from you. Thank you.”
Her father was sincerely touched and hugged his daughter lightly. Arabella made her way to the rose garden. She found Bridget alone, caressing one of the white, delicate flowers.
“You know, Bridget,” she said, “you can visit me anytime you want. In fact, I hope you do.”
Her sister looked back, and for the first time, Arabella felt seen.
Bridget was there when the Duke first came, demanding that one of the Marriott sisters would become his bride.
She was there when she planned to push the Duke away with silly antics.
She was there when Arabella offered herself instead of Bridget.
She was the only one who did not look at her with fake happiness, nor did she wish her a happy life. Bridget knew what Arabella had sacrificed for their family. That was why, in her eyes, there was only gratitude.
“The garden looks lovely,” was all Bridget said.
“I am sure I will find more lovely locations in this estate,” Arabella responded, knowing well the double meaning of her sister’s words.
Hard as it might be, Arabella could find some happiness in her new situation. Though as she looked upon the Duke waiting for her to go inside the house, with his cold demeanor and icy look, she could not help but wonder how long her sunshine would last.