Page 56 of To Ensnare a Duke

The woman gives me a shy smile and bows her head, looking every inch the demure, refined woman I long to be. Next to her, the duke wraps his hand around her shoulder and squeezes, as if shoring up his wife's defenses. Out of all the couples so far, they seem the most attuned to each other."

"Of course, you know the Duke of Redleigh. He is joined by his ward, Miss Alessandra Cappelli and her guardian, Miss Selina Andrews. This is Miss Augusta Hunt."

From around the room, they all murmur their greetings.

Cynthia pipes up from her side. "The triplets longed to come and see you again, but apparently they've been remiss in their studies."

"Quite so," Whiteport grinds out, glaring at the omega. "Seems as if they've found better company with you than with their books and instructors."

"Is that why you're here with us today, Miss Campbell?" I tease, warming up to the one friend I have in the room. "Because they would not get any work done otherwise?"

Her gaze flits over to Norhaven for a brief second before giving a dazzling smile. "Of course. I figure we can get into enough mischief of our own."

Next to her, Norhaven rubs the bridge of his nose, but wisely stays silent. Miss Campbell and I exchange a small smile and knowing glance before she goes back to buttering her bread.

"I thank you all for coming to my home. I fear my brother is still away. But it is nice to have his friends in his stead to make our wedding perfect."

From around the table, silverware plops against dishes as faces turn toward us in shock.

"Wedding?" Blackport cries, dropping his napkin to the table. "When were you going to tell us?"

Portswell slides his glance over to me and glares. "I was going to bring you all up to speed as we traversed Hyde Park, but it seems as if my intended has taken that from me."

Unease slides down my spine as I take in all the expressions. From those who already know, they lean back and smile with a smug, haughty attitude. The women study me, their expressions puzzled as they try to figure me out. The other Dukes, however, glance between the two of us with open hostility.

"F- forgive me. I- I thought you already knew. I thought that was why you were in attendance." I glance over at Portswell before continuing. They already know, so it can't hurt to reveal the rest. "It's tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?” they cry out loud in a single voice.

"And the reason for such a hasty union?" Foxford snarls, his glare leveled at Portswell.

"We're madly in love," he proclaims, wrapping his arm around my waist.

The others must know just how tightly he holds me and the way his fingers dig into my side. I do my best to smile and mimic his stance, hoping to be in accord with him.

"Yes," I mutter. "When he proposed, I couldn't help but say yes. It is a love match. Truly."

"I don't buy into this farce for one second," Foxford exclaims, tossing down his napkin and rising to his full height. "I know you, Portswell, some bright-faced girl is not who you'd drag down the aisle."

"Please love," his wife murmurs, throwing me a kind smile. "You are scaring the girl."

He looks over at me and his entire demeanor changes. "Forgive me, Miss Hunt. I sometimes forget how overbearing an Alpha can be." As he finishes his sentence, he glares again at Portswell.

"Please," I cry out. "Do not be cross with your friend. It is probably true what you say. I don't think he would have taken another look at me. But do believe that I cherish him with all my heart and go into this wedding happily."

The other Alphas look at him, their expressions unreadable.

"Please," he groans out, running his free hand down his face before shaking his head at me. "Don't help me."

CHAPTER 26

BENEDICT

It's right for my friends to be alarmed at the proclamation. In truth, it is why I was wishing to wait until we were all on a leisurely stroll before I confided in them. Out in public, they were less likely to make a scene.

Not that I blame Augusta. She truly didn't know, and I didn't think to tell her. Seems as if there are a lot of things I've never considered before that I will have to be aware of.

"How exciting," Madam Foxford cries, buttering her bread. "And when did this engagement take place? I dare say I regret not being in attendance."