Her vow made her think of their conversation.I hope we both get something out of this arrangement.What did she want?
And then he was sliding the delicate gold band onto her finger. She was surprised by his gentleness, the way he held her hand in his, steady but loose enough that she could slip from his grasp. The ring fit her perfectly.
“With this ring, I thee wed, with my body, I thee worship.” As the Duke spoke, Lydia’s eyes could not help but travel across his muscled body.
She remembered the way he had steadied her, and even now, she could feel the intensity of his gaze upon her. As the ceremony drew to a close, he linked an arm through hers and guided her towards the carriage waiting that would take them to their estate and the small wedding dinner they had decided to have in lieu of a large celebration.
As soon as Lydia felt Archer’s arm slip from hers, she felt like she could breathe again. He sat across from her in the carriage, his gaze lingering on her.
The silence lay thick between them, and Lydia fidgeted. “I wanted to thank you for sorting out everything with the church.”
Archer made a dismissive motion. “It was no trouble.”
“It must have been some trouble. Not everyone can get a special license, and I have grown up with Father Peter—the man can be rather set in his ways.” Lydia canted her head towards Archer.
“It almost sounds like you doubted my abilities.” The corner of his mouth quirked upwards.
“It is hard not to when you are told something is impossible. I’m rather used to men promising things they cannot deliver.” Lydia shrugged, thinking of the promises her father and brother had both broken, even though they had tried not to.
“I am not that sort of man.” His amber eyes were full of mischief.
Lydia found herself smiling. “What kind of man are you?”
“What do you think?”
“Well, I know you can be charming when you choose to be. Clearly, you are powerful, and you know it, and you are not afraid to show it.” She gave him a meaningful look.
The Duke’s eyes sparkled. “Why bother hiding it?”
“But I sense there is more to you than I have seen.” Lydia searched his face, and to her surprise, she saw his lips quirk upwards.
“You sound like Juliet.” Archer leaned against the carriage wall, his face softening at the mention of his sister.
“Oh?”
“Yes—she has a tendency to see the best in people, even when they do not deserve it. She is open-hearted, sweet-natured, and determined to believe that everyone is like her. She loves books, especially ones with romance at the centre. I swear, she spends half her days pining for a man like Mr. Darcy.” He let out an amused snort.
“Better that than Mr. Wickham,” Lydia pointed out.
Archer stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I suppose that is true. Though I doubt any man like that would be able to get within ten feet of her.”
“Because you would stop them with a look?” she teased, the tension in her chest easing somewhat.
Archer nodded. “If I did not, Cora certainly would. She is fiercely protective, especially over people she loves. She is like a tiger caring for her cubs.”
What if she thinks her family needs protecting from me?She swallowed, and something of her thoughts clearly showed on her face because Archer added, “I would not worry too much, Cora’s bark is decidedly worse than her bite. And if you get her talking about art, she will love you forever.”
“I had not realised she painted.”
“Oh yes, she loves it. And sculpting too.”
“She sounds rather…” Lydia trailed off, not wanting to inadvertently cause offence.
Archer gave her a knowing smile. “Unusual? Eccentric? If she was a man, I suspect she would be in all kinds of trouble.”
“Younger siblings do have that tendency.” She could not help but smile back, surprised that there was no pain at the thought of her brother.
“Iris is forever trying to convince Cora to teach her, but seven really is too young to be around such sharp tools and heavy objects.” He shook his head.
