Page 221 of Courting the Wrong Duke

William glanced toward it. “In considerably happier news, I believe I am expected at a wedding.”

She laughed softly. “I believe you are.”

“I should hate to keep the bride waiting. She is already inclined to find fault with my courtship.”

“I cannot imagine why.”

“We have written a manual to prevent further mistakes.”

“That is reassuring.”

“It is remarkably comprehensive.”

She slipped her arm through his, and together they started toward the house. “Then perhaps you should go and marry her.”

William smiled. “That is precisely what I intend to do.”

***

The remainder of the morning seemed determined to disappear without consulting him.

One moment William was leaving the garden with his mother, and the next he was being pulled into conversations, redirected by servants, and informed repeatedly that there were places he was permitted to stand and places he absolutely was not.

Edmund caught him before the ceremony.

Three weeks of rest had restored much of the Earl of Eastmere’s color, though he remained thinner than before his captivity. William suspected Lady Eastmere had made it her personal mission to remedy that.

“William.”

“My lord.”

Edmund caught his arm before he could pass. “I wanted a word.”

William regarded him warily. “If this is about Rosalind, I should warn you that I have already survived one interview regarding my intentions.”

“It is.”

“Excellent.”

Edmund smiled. “I merely wanted to tell you that I could not have chosen a better man for my daughter.”

William’s humor disappeared.

For once, he had no clever answer waiting. “Thank you.”

Edmund tightened his hand briefly around William’s arm. “Take care of one another.”

Not take care of her.

William noticed the distinction. “I intend to.”

Lady Eastmere found him shortly afterward and dabbed at her eyes before informing him that she had always known he and Rosalind would end up together.

William stared at her.

Lady Eastmere stared back.

Neither of them mentioned the fact that only weeks earlier Rosalind had convinced her mother that William had used a false courtship to gain access to their family.