Page 10 of The Duke's Jilted Bride

A gentle knock at the door signaled it was time. Isabella’s husband, David, the Earl of Bingham, entered the small sitting room of Selina’s dower house. His kind face was solemn as he offered a bow.

“The carriage is waiting, ladies,” he said. “And I believe I have the honor of escorting you, Lady Galerton.”

“Thank you, David,” Selina told him, then turned and squeezed Isabella’s hands once more before releasing them. “Thank you for standing with me today.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” Isabella promised. “Now, let’s make you a duchess.”

The journey to St. George’s was brief and silent. Selina stared out the window at the London streets, remembering another wedding day nearly a year ago. She had been nervous then, too, but with a flutter of hope beneath the anxiety.

Today, there was only resignation.

The church appeared far too large for the tiny gathering that awaited inside. Only ten people occupied the vast space. On the right side of the aisle stood Isabella’s six-year-old son, James, beside his maid. On the left, a cluster of what appeared to be the Duke’s household staff huddled together, looking uncomfortable in their Sunday best.

And at the altar, there were two figures. The taller one turned as the church doors opened, his gray eyes finding hers immediately.

Rowan Blackmore, Duke of Aldermere. Her almost-husband, now to become her actual husband.

He wore a perfectly tailored black coat, his cravat arranged with precision. If not for the slight tan of his skin and the beard following the sharp contour of his jaw, he might have lookedexactly as she had imagined him a year ago—the faceless duke she was to marry.

Beside him stood a handsome man with a mischievous glint in his eye. He gave Selina an encouraging smile as David led her down the aisle.

Mercifully, the ceremony was brief. Selina spoke her responses clearly. Her voice betrayed none of her inner turmoil. When the Duke slid the ring onto her finger, a simple gold band rather than the elaborate family heirloom she had expected, his hands were warm and steady against her cold ones.

“I now pronounce you man and wife.”

The words fell into the hushed church with the weight of finality. The Duke bowed his head slightly to her, but did not kiss her as tradition allowed. Selina found herself pathetically grateful for this small mercy.

Outside the church, Isabella embraced her tightly.

“I must go into seclusion now until the birth,” she whispered. “But promise you’ll write to me often. Tell me everything.”

“I promise,” Selina replied, fighting back unexpected tears. “Give my love to dear James.”

Isabella stepped back, her gaze moving to the Duke, who stood a respectful distance away, conversing quietly with the man who’d stood close to him before the ceremony.

“Be kind to yourself, Selina,” she whispered. “And remember, even arranged marriages can grow into something good.”

Isabella gave Selina’s hand a last squeeze before leaving with her family.

Selina found herself alone with her new husband and a small group of nearby retainers.

“Duchess,” Rowan said, stepping toward her, “the carriage is ready for our journey to Aldermere.”

Selina nodded, the lump in her throat making it impossible to speak.

This was real. As the Duchess of Aldermere, she was legally and morally obligated to a man who was more threatening than reassuring.

The Duke offered his hand and helped her into the carriage, then took his place across from her. The door closed, and the wheels jolted into motion.

Behind them, the city faded, replaced by the expansive landscape of fields and hedgerows.

Inside the carriage, silence settled thickly between them. Selina kept her eyes on the passing countryside, though she was acutely aware of the Duke’s presence, filling the small space with a weight she could not ignore.

Finally, the Duke spoke, his deep voice cutting through the stillness. “We’ll stay at Aldermere for a month,” he said. “After that, we will return to my townhouse in the city.”

Selina turned her head just enough to glance at him and to give a slight nod before returning her gaze to the window.

The Duke said nothing else.

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