Chapter Twenty-Four
Lady Lillian, Duchess of Alton
“We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony ...”
As he read our vows, I stared at Reverend Lowe, a dashing older gentleman with kind eyes. Lady Helen had insisted we hire a man of the cloth to perform the ceremony and not the local blacksmith. Since she’d conceded to my request to elope, I conceded to hers.
Gretna Green was everything I expected and more.
It was the first stop in Scotland. In my novel, Lord Golden wooed Lady X to the crossroads, where the blacksmith’s shop was located.
In my rewrite for Moran, the dark knight followed the couple.
He was no longer a villain, but he was delightfully wicked.
The shop was narrow and had a rugged smell.
Black soot marked the ceiling beams from the smithy.
The infamous anvil was rather unremarkable without its history, but I was still humbled while standing in front of it.
Couples like us had stood on this spot to exchange vows for over a hundred years. If these walls could talk ...
“The Lord has blessed us ...” The vicar recited the scripture Lady Helen had provided, much to Kendrick’s earlier chagrin. I would not let anything weigh my excitement down. Colt acted as his best man, and the two men standing at the anvil sent my heart racing.
“Lady Lillian,” Reverend Lowe said.
I snapped my head up from contemplating the old metal anvil with its flattened surface and rounded edges on a sturdy cast-iron base.
“Do you take Lord Kendrick Alistair Harold Alton, Duke of Alton—”
“—Yes,” I blurted out and clapped a hand over my mouth.
Lady Helen gasped. The vicar cocked a brow. Kendrick merely laughed.
“My answer is yes as well,” Kendrick said, his grin causing a catch in my chest. Colt coughed into his hand, amusement in his regard. Lady Helen rolled her eyes at our antics. My face heated, but nothing could dull my excitement.
Reverend Lowe started another prayer, and I lowered my gaze.
Kendrick had surprised me yet again with the impromptu wedding plans.
It wasn’t a true elopement since our parents were with us.
It was exciting, however. We had traveled to Scotland via a private steamship, and in a few short hours, we would be back in the stateroom.
Alone.
Kendrick and I would consummate our marriage. Heat rushed from my head to my feet, and I curled my toes into the soft kid slippers.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.” The vicar rocked back on his heels and beamed; his good humor contagious. “You may kiss the bride.”
“Oh dear,” my mother said as she dabbed a handkerchief to the corner of her eye. Father patted her arm, his stare suspiciously bright. To marry me—the hopeless daughter—to a duke no less greatly relieved him. I had Colt and Kendrick to thank for my fantasy wedding.
My husband bent his dark head and pressed a kiss to my lips before he righted his tall frame. I wanted to pull him back, but we were in company. He lifted my hand and placed it on his arm. I met Colt’s smile and offered him one of my own before Lady Helen clasped my hand.
“Lady Lillian, Duchess of Alton. My dearest daughter-in-law.” A single tear coursed down the lady’s cheek. The emotion created a liquid sheen to her eyes, adding to her ethereal beauty.
“You are crying.” The vicar clasped her elbow and pressed a handkerchief to her hand. His bold manner was met with a watery smile from Lady Helen.
“From happiness. Thank you, Reverend Lowe, for agreeing to perform the ceremony on such short notice. My son is rather impetuous. You understand how the young are.” She fluttered her lashes and wiped the tear away.
Kendrick’s arm tensed beneath mine, a tick in his jaw. His mother was very adept at trying to shame him. I would have to be careful not to fall into her trap.
“I believe others are waiting to wed,” Colt said, ever the efficient personal secretary.
Tonight, he would be my lover. Well, Kendrick’s lover.
I needed to capture my last scene for Moran.
The publisher had been thrilled with the first half and wished for the second half as quickly as possible.
I had rewritten the ending with my enthusiasm, but one chapter remained blank.
“Let us convene to the carriage and return to the ship.” Kendrick led me outside. The sun was out, and I squinted against the glare. An open carriage with garlands of flowers weaved around the seat stood on the green. Behind it were two others. As the bride and groom, we had our own conveyance.
“Dearest wife, allow me to assist you.” Kendrick clasped me around the waist and lifted me into the black equipage. The grey jacket he’d donned for the occasion strained at the shoulders.
The endearment shot into my chest and cast a warm glow throughout my body. I was now the Duchess of Alton. Me. The knowledge was exhilarating and frightening in the same instant. I was in love with my duke, and he’d given me a grand gift. I prayed I was worthy of it. “Thank you, Kendrick.”
He entered after me and settled into the seat, his large frame pressing against my side. It was a warm day, but I made no move to resettle myself. The coachman flicked the reins over the backs of the matching bay horses, and the carriage jostled before it picked up speed.
Wind blew at my face, the cool air welcome.
I never recalled being happier than I was at this moment.
My chest full of love for him; I looped my arm through his and rested my head on his shoulder.
The strings of my bonnet pinched the underside of my neck, and I pulled at the bow.
Since my mother had purchased my dress before the wedding, she’d insisted I wear the overly ruffled monstrosity.
The hat weighed me down, and I longed to remove it.
“Was it everything you wished for?” he asked, linking my fingers through his gloved ones.
I ached to touch him skin to skin. He’d refused to bed me until we were wed. We were now wed, and I was eager to experience more of his touch. “Thus far, yes. The day is far from over, however.”
“Correct. We still have dinner to attend. I’m thinking I shouldn’t have given in to my mother’s bullying on that score. I would simply instruct the driver to keep going until we reached Edinburgh.”
“I believe it is more than a few hours’ distance by carriage.” I angled my head and studied his strong profile. His hair under the beaver hat was combed back and curled around his collar. He’d refused to cut it, despite the duchess’s wishes. I was glad he hadn’t given in. “And we are missing Colt.”
Brow furrowing, he turned his gaze on me. He was unduly downcast during the two-day cruise with bouts of long silences, which was out of character for Kendrick.
“Is something amiss?” Maybe it was the pressure of the wedding or being away from his studio which dampened his mood. Artists were sensitive sorts.
“It is our wedding day. Let’s not dwell on that we can’t change.” He offered a forced smile. The convoluted statement alarmed me even more than his silence.
The carriage rocked back and forth on the rutted road. He flexed his legs, the material of his trousers pulling at his muscled thighs.
“Do not leave me in suspense. We’re married. You can confide in me.”
“Did my mother tell you that the Alton family crest has a lily on it?” He plucked one of the white lilies from the garland and presented it. “It is fitting the newest member of the family would have its namesake.”
“No, she never mentioned it.” I twirled it between my thumb and finger. He hadn’t given me flowers before, nor had I ever received any in the past other than from my brother or father. Another first for me because of Kendrick. “I’ll press it in my Bible to remember this day.”
Kendrick lifted my chin with one knuckle. Our eyes met, flecks of silver in his blue irises. He lowered his lashes, and they brushed against his cheek. I closed my eyes and savored the promise of his kiss.
Someone yelled from close by, and Kendrick halted before settling back into his seat. The withdrawal was frustrating. Of course, he couldn’t ravish me in public. It would displease his mother.
“What are you not telling me?” I asked, unwilling to allow his earlier evasion to take root.
He heaved a reluctant sigh and squeezed my fingers still intertwined with his. “You are nothing if not persistent.”
“I’m your friend. At least I hope you think of me as one.” My voice had faded at my admission. It was hard for me to admit to feelings in case they were spurned.
“We are friends, Lillian. It isn’t our association that has me saddened. Colt will leave my employ at the end of the week.” Lips pressed in a thin line, he rubbed at his forehead.
My mind screamed no while a knot formed in the pit of my stomach. “But why? He loves, um, he loves being your secretary.” I almost blurted out the truth; Colt loved Kendrick as much as I did. Disclosing that fact wasn’t my declaration to make. “Is it because of me?”
“No, he adores you. He inherited a shipping company and is a wealthy man. He has no need to work for me.” The words drained the happiness from his eyes.
I pressed a kiss to his cheek, my heart aching at the thought of Colt’s leaving. “He will still be your friend—our friend. Our very special friend,” I said, as much to convince myself as him.
“I’m glad I married you.” He exhaled and settled deeper into the seat. “You do your title proud.”
Today I had become the Duchess of Alton. Tonight, I would become his wife in every sense, and our life together would truly begin. As much as his words warmed me, his news dampened my mood, along with another truth. He didn’t love me.
He liked me, admired me, and desired me. But he wasn’t in love with me.