Page 26 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
“We are done,” he said, nodding once. “Let us depart.”
He turned to his solicitor, nodding his thanks.
“I must say goodbye to my mama,” Veronica pleaded. “I cannot leave her without a farewell!”
“I do not have time to waste?—”
“Once I am in Westley Manor, I am to follow your orders, am I not? I would ask for a few moments to bid my mama goodbye.” Her voice was a hiss, but she softened, not wanting to stoke his well-known ire.
“Very well,” he told her, stepping aside. He checked that infernal pocket watch and snapped it closed. “You have five minutes.”
All I would need is five minutes alone with him to speak my mind, she thought angrily but hurried over to her mama.
“Mama,” she said, tears stinging her eyes as her mother grasped her hands in hers.
“My darling,” Judith said softly, her eyes glimmering with her own unshed tears. “Do not cry. You are the woman of your new household now. You will make the world’s finest duchess.”
Her mama nodded, her mouth tight with emotion. “Oh—do come here! Give your mama another hug.”
And Veronica fell into her mother’s arms for a moment, allowing herself a few tears. She did not care about being a fine duchess. She cared about her mother’s safety. She cared about her vulnerability without Veronica being there to look out for her.
The Duke has promised financial assistance, she reminded herself.She will be safe. Lord Barwicke will cause no more trouble.
Judith pulled back, cupping her face. Her head tilted, as if she could not help looking one last time at her daughter. Veronica could not help leaning in for another embrace.
“I love you, Mama.”
“I love you, my dear girl.”
A throat cleared behind them. Veronica pulled away to see the Duke hovering. Everything was concise with him, timed to the exact second. The care from the garden had dissipated.
Why did you not include this when you came to my home?he had asked.
He truly does not care, or he would not continue to rush me.
“We must leave,” he said. Veronica was hurt but pulled away, nodding. Judith pressed a kiss to her forehead, nodding as if to say it was okay to depart.
Together, the Duke and Veronica walked out of the church.
I am wed, she thought.I am wed to the Duke of Westley.
The Duke’s personal carriage awaited them, a black, glossy exterior, and a dark interior with curtains pulled over the windows. He climbed in first before Veronica followed suit. Her mama stood at the church, waving tearfully, even as the carriage pulled away.
Veronica held back her tears as her mother got smaller and smaller.
They began their journey towards Westley Manor, and Veronica did not know what sort of life awaited her.
“You did not have to rush me out of the church,” Veronica could not help but snap as soon as her mama was out of sight.
The Duke paid her no mind, and if she did not notice the tick in his cheek of annoyance at being challenged or spoken to, she would have thought him not listening at all.
“You were taking too long with your mother,” he answered her, not bothering to look at her when he spoke.
It made Veronica’s teeth clack together in irritation that she fought to hold back. But she wondered why she bothered to confine herself to being dutifully obedient.
“I am your wife now,” she told him. “I shall start speaking up for myself. That includes protesting the fact that I had a right for a proper goodbye with my own mama.”
“As you please, Duchess Veronica.”
