Page 69 of Plucked By the Orc

She had added the ‘most’ without telling him, and he arched an eyebrow while a smile played on his lips. And then he glanced at his mother. He, too, had plans to enhance the traditional Orcan ceremony.

“In our world, we honor new brides by bestowing on them the name of a flower,” Duncan said, holding Iris’s gaze. “This pays tribute to their beauty. Since you have already been so blessed, I can only conclude, with the power of my mind and my heart, that you and I were fated to be together.”

He moved down to her and clinched her in a kiss that held nothing back. The small group they had gathered to witness their vows to one another broke out in applause.

At the reception later, Iris chatted with Duncan’s mother for a spell before heading over to Lottie. She wanted to ask her how she was getting on at the shop and maybe see if she had any questions about pronouncing those bleeding “h’s.”

Along the way, she passed Albion. He had brought his friend, Lady Diana Stewart, to the ceremony. Considering how Duncan had been firm on limiting the number of guests, Iris had been dying to know the nature of their relationship. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn.

Both of them faced the sideboard laden with slices of gingerbread cake, the savory rice pies that were popular at weddings in the Hidden Realm, and other refreshments. So their backs were to her. Once she was within hearing distance, she found their conversation far too intriguing to interrupt.

“Best to wait to share our surprise,” Lady Diana murmured. “This day is for Duncan and Iris. We should not create a spectacle.”

“Yes, but how could they be anything but happy for us, my dear,” Albion said. “I shall introduce you by your human name. But then I wish to call you by the name we agreed on before signing the papers. Daisy.”

Daisy. A flower. They had married in secret. Iris felt her heart leap. She’d caught on to how Albion regarded the lady when he thought she wasn’t looking. Iris was about to say it was perfectly all right and congratulate them. But then Lady Diana whispered something that stopped Iris in her tracks.

“You know our pairing is just an arrangement,” she said firmly, though without malice. “Something we have agreed on for our mutual convenience. I don’t think it fair to encourage your family to congratulate us over a ruse.”

“As you wish,” Albion told her, sweeping into a lavish bow and kissing her dainty hand. "Daisy."

Iris re-arranged her features, pretending she hadn’t heard what had passed between Lady Diana and her brother-in-law. As Albion withdrew, she approached her.

“It is so kind of you. To come,” Iris said. “I hope we shall see more of you, my lady.”

“My lady?” She gave a warm laugh. Then, she dipped her head, caught Iris’s eyes, and smiled shyly. “You outrank me, your grace.”

Your grace! Iris didn’t know if she would ever get accustomed to that. She was the Duchess of Barrington, but still Iris Gabbert. Which suited both her and Duncan well enough, thank you.

“Albie is a dear fellow,” Iris told her. “And I already think well of anyone he considers a friend.”

And perhaps more than friends, Iris thought, but didn’t relay.

Lady Diana looked down at the floor. “He is a right fine gentleman,” she said, with a slight stiffness in her voice. “However, I wish he would take life more seriously.”

At that moment, Iris caught Albion staring at Diana Stewart. And there was no mistaking the sincerity of his gaze. He adored this woman.

But, per Albion’s nature, his solemnity was short-lived, and he returned to his customary frivolity, teasing his mother about a bracelet she’d worn with so many Orcan sapphires affixed to it that he claimed it rivaled the sun.

He didn’t fool Iris, though. Something special was happening between Lady Diana and Albion. She looked forward to witnessing it over the next few months while she remained safe and happy in Duncan’s arms.

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