Page 37 of Pawns of Fate
Duke Talbot offered the new couple a heartfelt smile and said, “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world!” He took Rose’s hand and kissed it in the traditional manner. “I’m honored to meet the newest lady of House Sharp.”
Several women, including her cousin Luanna, stared daggers at Rose. They were mentally begging her to invite them over to meet the duke. As lord of the entire Duchy of Kai, he was a most eligible bachelor, especially now that Nicholas was taken.
The band of musicians chose that moment to start a jaunty song, and Samson excused himself to continue enjoying the reception.
“Would you like to sit down? I feel like we’ve been greeting people for hours.” Nicholas gave Rose’s waist a small squeeze. “Or would you like to dance?”
Rose looked around at the wedding guests who had flocked to the Sharp’s banquet hall, which the servants had decorated meticulously. Massive white bouquets decorated every table, and the same small flowers from the temple path lined the stage where the musicians played. Remnants of the sumptuous feast lingered on the tables, even as she watched maidservants and cooks alike working to clear away the leftovers. It was more than she’d ever dreamed. It was also a little overwhelming.
But before Rose could tell Nicholas that she’d very much like to sit down for a few minutes, her Aunt Ghislaine and Uncle Hector interrupted.
“You couldn’t be bothered to send for your cousin while talking to Samson Talbot, I see,” her aunt said with more condescension than Rose remembered her usually having. Nicholas’s arm tightened around her waist.
Hector, in a rare show of social awareness and wisdom, stepped in quickly. “Lovely wedding! Lovely reception, too. I particularly enjoyed the bread rolls.” He patted his rounded stomach.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourselves, Auntie, Uncle,” Rose replied softly, deciding that it was better not to argue.
“Everything would have been perfect if you hadn’t lost control of your aura during the ceremony.” Ghislaine tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “I was so embarrassed for you,little Rose.”
“She’sLadyRose Sharp. You will refer to her as such.” Nicholas stepped in between Rose and her aunt. “And her aura is a gift, not something to be embarrassed about. What’sembarrassing is how you two prevented her from mastering it.” Nicholas huffed.
Ghislaine’s eyes widened with shock. Rose felt something, yet another hard-to-decipher emotion—perhaps vindication—flicker in her chest.
Marquess Sharp stepped in, cutting the moment short. “Hector, Ghislaine, are you enjoying the party?”
Hector stumbled over a few words but finally squeaked, “Yes.”
“Good, good! We’re so happy to have Rose as one of us, now.” Though his tone was polite, the implications of Matthew’s words were clear, and they made the flicker in Rose’s chest grow into a warm flame.
“Yes. Well, since we’ve given you Rose and fulfilled our end of the bargain, it is time for your part. When will your soldiers be joining my men in the swamps?” Hector asked.
“They leave the Ojoh border and march the day after tomorrow,” Matthew replied coolly. He waved Ghislaine and Hector away. “I need a moment with my son and daughter. Enjoy the rest of the reception.” Thankfully, Hector and Ghislaine retreated peacefully.
“Nicholas, the reception is starting to wind down. I have a few guests I’d like you to talk to.” Matthew turned to his newest daughter-in-law. “Rose, I think your maidservants need your attention.”
Betty and Lyla waved at her from the edges of the banquet hall. Rose reluctantly left her husband’s side and joined them.
“My lady! What a perfect wedding!”Betty’s boundless enthusiasm was one of Rose’s favorite things.
“Thank you,” Rose replied, wondering why the marquess had asked her to join her maids.
“We’re here to get you ready for the wedding night,” Lyla, as if reading her mind, flatly replied.
“Oh,” was all Rose managed to say before they spirited her away to Nicholas’s bed chambers.
Betty took down her hair while Lyla helped Rose out of her dress, which Rose realized might have been difficult for Nicholas as Lyla undid what felt like a thousand buttons and bows.
She tried not to focus on the fact that everyone in the castle knew what she and Nicholas were about to do. Rose didn’t consider herself prudish about sex, but she was… private.
Lyla held up a satin white corset and a small scrap of lace for her.
This wasn’t private at all.
“What’s that?” Rose asked them as she pointed to the lingerie that Lyla was holding up to her. “Surely you don’t mean for me to wear that.”
“It’s a maid’s duty to ensure the bride is ready for her husband,” Betty replied solemnly. “And white is traditional.”
“Odd tradition,” Rose said, trying to step away.
