Page 56 of A Virgin for the Duke of Scars
“I do not need your help.”
She slid her foot into the stirrup and hoisted herself over the back of the steed in one fluid motion, just as graceful as she was when Aaron had found her practicing her curtsies in front of the mirror.
He slowly clapped his hands, so as not to spook the horse, and then climbed atop his stallion.
They were off to their first party as a married couple, and their mode of transportation was sure to set tongues waggling. What kind of husband would allow his wife the freedom to ride? He hoped Theresa was prepared for the backlash that came with being married to a beast.
The garden party was far more magnificent than Theresa thought it would be. Juliette and the Dowager Duchess had told her that the garden parties of thetonwere elaborate affairs, that she would need to learn much before she was ready to navigate them.
This vastly exceeded her expectations.
The lawn was far nicer than any she had seen so far, with the exception of the lawns at Blackwell Manor. She took in the fresh blooms that surrounded them, enjoying their fragrance. It was almost enough to make her overlook theton’sjudgment of her entrance.
While she had enjoyed the freedom of riding to the party, she now understood what Aaron meant when he said that all eyes would be on her. From the moment they cantered into the stables, all eyes had been on them.
“Your husband has always preferred riding on horseback,” the Duke of Hiverville said upon seeing them. “Though Iamsurprised to see that he sent Juliette and his grandmother in the carriage and let you ride alongside him.”
“Like my husband, I vastly prefer riding on horseback,” she revealed with a smile. “Perhaps we are well-suited for one another, after all.”
Hiverville gave her a charming smile and then turned to Aaron, launching into a conversation about the Duke of Devishire and his search for a suitable bride.
“Perhaps you know a thing or two about suitable matches,” he smiled.
Theresa tuned out their repartee so that she could observe her surroundings.
She saw now why Aaron insisted that they go to the dressmaker’s. The dresses the ladies were wearing here were more flattering than the gowns she had dreamed about in the convent. And all of them fit better than the ones that had been made for her before her arrival.
It was clear these women took the latest fashions seriously—and she would have to learn to do the same.
“You will have to excuse us, Morgan,” Aaron said, just as Theresa tuned back into their conversation. “I fear my wife must make the acquaintance of some of our friends.”
“Be fearful, indeed, Duchess.” Hiverville nodded. “There are wolves on the prowl at this garden party, though they are draped in finery.”
“I will take heed, though I doubt I have much to fear from the aristocracy,” Theresa said with what she hoped was a confident smile.
If she could handle her husband and his friend, surely she could handle herself at a party.
Aaron led her through the crowd until they were standing beside Juliette and the Dowager Duchess, who had arrived ahead ofthem. As they wound their way through, he stopped her several times and introduced his friends.
Juliette reached for her as Aaron turned to speak with another of his friends. She linked their arms, as if she could sense Theresa’s unease at being adrift in a crowd full of strangers.
“You did not prepare me for how extraordinary this party would be,” Theresa whispered to her.
Juliette threw her head back and laughed. “This is not the most lavish party you will attend as the Duke’s wife. Consider this a precursor to the rest of the Season.”
“If this is but a taste of what thetonhas to offer, I am not sure I can handle the rest.”
“You will adjust to the extravagance,” Juliette assured her. “This is your life now, as different as it may have been from your upbringing.”
“This is where you have always belonged,” Aaron chimed in.
He had finished his conversation with his friend and was once more attentive to Theresa. It was as if he could sense that she was overwhelmed by the party, so early after their arrival.
“I will do my best not to embarrass any of you,” she promised.
“I could not care less what the people here think of me, you, or even Juliette. As much as that pains Grandmama, high society has never been particularly important to me.” Aaron cast a glance at his grandmother, who was busy speaking with Lady Sophia, yet still kept an eye on Theresa.
“I should not want to disappoint her. Not after all the effort she has put into teaching me decorum,” Theresa said, following his gaze.
