Page 25 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
Herwedding. The fact had still not sunk into her.
“It is rather strange I am on my way to marry a Duke, is it not?” she worried almost nervously. It seemed she had been witty with the Duke the night in the garden, challenging him as he did her, but now, only nerves fluttered within her.
What sort of life shall I be subjected to with such a cold-hearted man?
“It is very fortunate,” her mother corrected, smiling encouragingly. She reached out to take Veronica’s hand. “And you make a very beautiful bride, and you shall make an even more beautiful duchess.”
Duchess.
The title rang through her with a shiver.
“I am to be a duchess, yet I could not even help you,” Veronica whispered in a moment of vulnerability. But her mama clasped the side of her face, shaking her head gently.
“Do not think these things, my dear girl.” Silence settled between them, and her mother frowned, glancing down.
“What is it, Mama?”
“It is only that I worry. Although your marriage to the Duke of Westley is most fortunate and the perfect outcome, I cannot help wondering if he will make you happy.”
Veronica gave her mother a smile. “Mama, as long as you are safe and happy, then I shall be too. Do not worry about me.”
Her mother’s eyes shone with tears. “I am your mother. It is my duty to worry about you, and I have caused you enough worry, darling. It is time you let the roles reverse. I am ever so proud of you, Veronica. I shall be sure to let everybody know that my daughter is now a duchess.”
“Not just yet,” Veronica teased, enjoying the moment. “We still have some time before we arrive at the chapel, and I shall spend every second enjoying time with my mama.”
Judith squeezed Veronica’s hand. They both knew their impending parting was lurking ahead, but neither wanted to acknowledge it just yet.
“We have time,” Judith assured her softly. “Do not run off to Westley Manor just yet.”
Chapter Nine
The church was a grand thing, and yet, as Veronica entered it, she did not feel peaceful.
Her mother entered before her with a brief parting embrace and stood at the front of the pews, alone.
My brother and father should be here, Veronica thought, allowing herself a moment of grief before she composed herself and looked beyond her mama.
A man in a black suit, peering at her through small spectacles, stood to the right. The Duke’s solicitor, then.
And then there was the Duke himself.
He stood as intimidating as ever, his presence filling even the lofty church. His back was to her, but his shoulders were broad, and his dark hair had been brushed back, grazing his jacket collar. He wore a deep, luxurious navy jacket, and it was onlywhen he turned to finally face her that she saw the waistcoat beneath. It was beautiful but simple as her gown was.
Necessary, she thought again.This is all a simple act of necessity.
She walked down the aisle, and the Duke averted his gaze—likely to check she was indeed proceeding to do her agreed duty and not running away—and turned his back to her. Veronica tampered down her annoyance and joined him at the altar. A vicar stood before them both.
“We shall keep this brief,” the Duke instructed.
“I expected nothing else from you,” Veronica answered curtly.
“I do not care for weddings as I said,” he told her tightly.
They continued through the ceremony in silence until finally, they saidI doat the right moments.
The Duke kept his back straight and gazed ahead, not once looking at her. His chin was lifted, his hands at his sides. Every inch the man of honor and duty. When the time came for her ring to be slipped on, he was quick about it and pulled away from any contact, but just as he was about to truly part their touch, he hesitated.
Veronica’s eyes were fixed on his fingers still clasping the edge of her ring finger. Warmth shivered through her as she pulledaway. For the first time, his eyes met hers, and a deep flush seared her before he looked away.
