“Thank you for everything,” Daphne replied, feeling like something was stuck in her throat.
Then, there was the Duke’s friend, Lord Amberwell. Daphne had to admit that she was curious about him. He bounded toward them with easy familiarity. He clapped Wolfcrest on the shoulder. Daphne thought he did so extra hard.
“Well, then, who would have thought? You’ve finally done it, and it looks like marriage suits you.”
“I suppose, but it remains to be seen,” the Duke replied coolly.
Amberwell didn’t seem to take offense, chuckling a little. “Well, let us see if the bride does not flee before night falls. She is young. I hope you have enough strength and endurance to chase after her, Wolfcrest.” She blushed at his words, not quite knowing all that they could mean, but detecting a double meaning in them just the same. Then, he openly admired Daphne. “Looking at your bride, I can hardly blame you for settling down.”
Wolfcrest growled at Amberwell.
“I came in peace, my friend. I am merely jesting. You should be laughing, this being the happiest day of your life.”
“You can take your jest elsewhere,” the Duke warned. Daphne was surprised by how quickly the Duke had rounded on his friend.
He had been a portrait of jocularity a moment ago while conversing with the Nicholsons, yet now, when he interacted with a man who was presumably his friend, he showed signs of agitation.
Amberwell was unfazed by the shift in the Duke’s mood and continued smiling. He did, however, excuse himself. After giving Daphne a polite bow, Lord Amberwell retreated to the cluster of guests.
When the final blessings were uttered, the guests drifted toward the exit.
There, Daphne saw a bit of the winter sky.
She didn’t know that she would feel so much on her wedding day, like wonder in seeing pale blue becoming silver. Her body felt light and heavy at the same time, as if it knew that she was transitioning from one life to another just like the sky.
She certainly hoped, though, that it wouldn’t be from one gloom to the next.
“Shall we?” her new husband asked, offering his arm.
She didn’t hesitate much. It seemed natural to place her gloved hand upon his sleeve. His arm was firm beneath the layers of cloth; the strength felt like something she could rely on. The Duke, her husband, was someone who could provide what she needed even through the chilly air outside.
The moments after their wedding were full of sounds. Overlapping conversations were held between farewell calls and lists of instructions. Victoria rushed to Daphne’s side and hugged her tightly one more time.
The embrace felt so final that Daphne’s heart ached.
“Please visit, Daphne. I didn’t imagine we’d be parted so soon. I’ll miss you,” Victoria asked.
There was no anger in her voice, though, just sorrow. Daphne herself had somehow assumed that they wouldn’t be separated just yet, and Victoria especially had no desire to get married.
“I’ll miss you too,” Daphne promised, her voice betraying her weakness. “And I’ll visit as soon as I’m able.”
Victoria nodded, tears forming in her eyes.
“I shall hold you to that promise.”
“Come,” the Duke said softly as he smiled indulgently at the twins. “Our carriage awaits.”
It took all Daphne’s strength to pull herself away from her sister, but she rested her hand on the Duke’s arm once more, felt the strength there, and nodded in agreement.
It was time to leave.
Chapter Six
All that could be heard inside the carriage was the rhythmic clatter of the wheels.
What had she done?
Daphne wondered if she had made a terrible mistake and if each turn of the wheel brought her closer to a life she would hate.
