Chapter 6
The dress was in good taste, as was the small bouquet of white flowers her sisters had picked for her in their gardens. Verity glimpsed her reflection as she entered the church house to confirm not a hair was out of place.
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’s endangering my family? Cassian cannot carry the burden of everything alone no matter what he thinks.
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.
Either way, it was too late.
While Octavia and Elowen had done remarkably well in laying out the drawing room and preparing a menu, people were all over the place. It only took Verity a few steps to start corralling people and leading conversations with everyone.
There were nearly twenty guests in attendance beyond those who had attended the wedding. It was a crowded and disorganized space for all.
“Isn’t this marvelous?” Octavia said with her cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk once Verity paused to catch her breath. “I told you I could do this.”
“I hope you are doing more to practice your hostess skills because I cannot always be here for you,” Verity pointed out. Then she poked her sister’s cheek, unable to help herself. “You did well for your first time, Octavia, thank you.”
Another smug smile. “You’re welcome! Oh. Lucien left. He didn’t say where, but said to offer you a final round of felicitations for your happy union.”
“He left?” Verity frowned. “I was hoping he might stay a little longer.”
“Afraid not. Took a few gentlemen with him.”
It was true. There was a quieter shift now to the dining room she’d brought everyone, leaving a corner empty.
Noting everyone, she saw that Cassian was returning like he had been away for a spell.
It was beginning to feel like he was avoiding any risks of real conversation with her these days.
Talking with him now would be much harder…
And Dominic, Verity realized, had disappeared.
“Pardon me,” she murmured to her sister before rounding the small tables set up for the food.
Glad she had set her bouquet somewhere, she considered the open hall and opened terrace doors for where Dominic might have gone. Hopefully he was returning in a moment. She didn’t think he would have left her here alone. Perhaps he was lost?
“And that’s when I told her I couldn’t possibly chaperone her niece any longer,” murmured the grandmother of Octavia’s friend, Anne. They were a full family of women as the men didn’t seem to survive long in the Qintby family. “I cannot have a kleptomaniac loose on London, can I?”
Verity slowed her steps as she felt around. She didn’t have her reticule today. But her dress had subtle pockets just enough to hide a small notebook and pencil.
Dominic should be all right on his own. I’ll find him when I’m done. He’s probably not even thinking of me.