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Julius sat in the church vestibule with Withington, waiting for the arrival of his bride and her family. His brother and sister-in-law had dragged themselves to London for the event. Though William had been pleasant, Katherine had been cold and aloof. The taint of his hasty marriage was not to be borne lightly, apparently.
She’d retaliated by announcing his brother’s impending fatherhood.
Despite her intent to dash his hopes of ever inheriting the title, however, the prospect of becoming an uncle had only filled Julius with joy. Please let it be a boy, he prayed. He’d be free of the dukedom forever if it was a boy. As he’d told Withy at the start of the Season, he had no ambitions to the title. Holker Hall was more than enough for him.
He thought about becoming a father himself, and his smile stretched in a wide grin.
“You look awfully pleased with yourself,” said Withington.
“I am,” he replied. “You know, I owe you a very large debt, Withy. If you ever need anything, you have but to ask.”
The other man turned to him with a faint smile. “I ask only that no one ever again require me to assist in a matchmaking scheme.”
Julius chuckled. “Well, you certainly won’t have to worry about me ever asking, that much is certain.” Then, in a more serious tone: “Why don’t you give her another chance?”
Withington sighed. “We’ve talked about this.”
“I know, but that was before she sent the letter.”
“Yes, she sent a letter,” snapped Withington. “And I sent it back. Unopened. And how do you know about it?”
“Victoria told me. She and Amelia have mended the rift between them. She said Amelia was heartbroken over the loss of your regard,” he added, hoping.
But Withington’s expression remained unchanged. “I have no desire to read a list of excuses. Now, let us say no more on the matter, lest I ruin your happy day.”
“But you’ve been miserable—”
“I really don’t wish to discuss it,” cut in Withington. “Now”—he nodded at the door, which had just begun to open—“I believe you have a wedding to attend.”
Having no choice, Julius held his tongue and rose to follow the clergyman that had come for them. A murmur rippled through the room as he went to stand at the front of the aisle. His sister-in-law smiled a nasty smile as he passed and placed a hand over her swelling belly.
He smiled back and winked at her, causing her brows to jump in surprise before colliding back together in a scowl of confusion. God, let it be a boy…
A hush suddenly fell.
Turning, he faced the rear of the church—and forgot everything but the sight of his bride as she began to make her way down the aisle.
Victoria’s stomach fluttered as the door opened, and she looked out on the crowd as it turned toward her in anticipation. Despite the scandalous circumstances surrounding her marriage, every seat was filled. There w
ere even people standing around the sides of the room.
Amelia was already at the front, waiting to attend her, eyes fixed upon her as she moved closer. Only the stiffness of her posture gave away the fact that she was upset. On the opposite side of the aisle stood Julius and Withington—who looked as though he would rather be anywhere but here.
A shadow of sadness fell on her heart. Though she was elated over her marriage to Julius, she could not help it. It wasn’t right that they should be so unhappy on such a joyful day. There had to be a way…
The moment passed as her father stepped forward and presented her to Julius.
Heart full, she spoke her vows before the assembly, and before she knew it, it was done. Julius bent and claimed her with a kiss, and she became Lady Cavendish.
Amid the festivities that followed, she found Withington standing to the side, his normally smiling mouth drawn into a bitter line as he stared at nothing.
Enough is enough. Going over to him, she drew him aside. “Dance with me,” she commanded loudly enough for those around to hear.
Forced to it, he grudgingly complied.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said, his expression wary as they joined the others.
“Good, because I don’t either,” she said lightly. “I don’t want to discuss how I’ve heard her crying every night since the incident occurred, or how sad she has been over the fact that you sent back her letter unread. I certainly don’t want to talk about how broken her heart is.”
