“My lord,” was the Duke’s response. “I promise to take care of her. To protect her.”
Daphne saw how her brother’s jaw clenched. And with that one simple action, she understood the truth that Daniel had labored to conceal. He did not like this at all. He just knew this arrangement was preferable to one they would have reached with Briarwood. Daphne shot him a warm look, hoping to convey how much she appreciated his sentiments.
All will be well…
Daniel nodded curtly, averted his gaze from hers, then stepped aside to join his family in their pew.
If someone were to ask Daphne about the ceremony later, she would have said that it passed more like a dream. She uttered the responses without lingering on the words. Her hands trembled throughout. What was more potent was the feeling it left in her, of binding her fate with someone else.
It seemed so final, and yet, she wasn’t afraid. She could not be frightened by the man standing at her side, smiling serenely at her.
It was as she turned to the Duke and looked upon his handsome features that she realized what she had missed. They had arrived at the conclusion of the ceremony and this man, her husband, was now looking to seal their contract with a kiss.
The Duke leaned in toward her, enveloping her in his scent of rain and cedar. It didn’t fail to stir something in her. When his lips pressed down on hers, the contact made her shiver and left her feeling breathless.
The kiss had been a simple, chaste, and light peck.
And yet…
There was something there.
Perhaps, it was just nerves.
When they moved apart, their gazes met. There in his eyes, she thought she saw the same surprise she felt. But the look of astonishment did not last for long. Soon, he was again composed. He fixed a smile onto his face and Daphne automatically followed suit.
As a couple then, they turned to greet the congregation.
Polite clapping ensued. People moved toward them in a rustle of silk. Congratulations were uttered by each guest. Daphne barely registered the whole thing.
Soon, her sisters were upon her.
“Be happy, my darling. It is possible,” Marianne murmured, “especially with the freedom he promised you.”
“If he fails to be a good husband or person,” Elizabeth added, squeezing her hands, “you can send for us.”
“He will soon find out that the Brighton women have sharp teeth and claws,” Wilhelmina said, only partly in jest.
Victoria leaned closer to both Daphne and the Duke, and uttered a threat, “If you hurt her, Your Grace, I will make you regret the day you were born.”
The Duke smiled. At that moment, Daphne glimpsed the mischief she missed in him. Amusement sparkled in his eyes. “I appreciate that you are not afraid to be direct, Lady Victoria.”
Daphne’s twin blinked, not expecting the response at all. She stepped aside, leaving Daphne biting back a nervous laugh.
“You are now a duchess, Daphne,” her mother reminded her unnecessarily as she sashayed forward practically pushing the others aside so that she might speak her piece. “You must remember your upbringing.”
“I shall endeavor to remember all your teachings, Mama.” Daphne knew she ought to treat her mother with a bit of deference, but she could not keep a hint of sarcasm from inching into her tone.
The Duke uttered a laugh, which he tried to hide behind a cough, but no one, not Daphne or her mother, was fooled.
As her mother tipped her chin up haughtily and strode away from them, Daphne shared a brief smile with her new husband.
Before either of them could say anything the Nicholsons approached the newlywed couple with wide smiles, unaware of most of the drama that had happened barely behind the scenes.
“Your Grace,” Reverend Nicholson greeted, bowing. “We are deeply honored by such an invitation.”
“Indeed,” the Duke replied, bowing, as well. “It was nothing, Reverend. You and Mrs. Nicholson have my undying gratitude. You have treated Daphne well and had she not come to stay at your vicarage we never would have met.”
As if in response to that thank you, Mrs. Nicholson took Daphne’s hands in hers and kissed the young woman’s cheek. “You are such a dear girl. So lovely and kind. I wish you all the happiness in the world.”
