Page 28 of The Duke's Forbidden Bride
Sister Martha’s eyes, once as hard as ice chips, turned greedy and bright. “O-Of course, Your Grace. The Lord will reward you for your generosity.”
The Duke’s mouth twitched as if he wanted to voice his opinion on her false, greedy blessing, but she ducked out of the room, herded away by Mr. Wilson.
“I am sure we can come to an understanding as well, Your Grace,” Lord Quinley spoke up, chuckling as if they were merely discussing a business deal rather than his daughter’s past.
I truly am just a problem to fix.
Eleanor bit her lip, suppressing her pain.
“Especially if you want us to cooperate.”
She watched the Duke sneer as he took out another bag of coins. She knew for certain that it was not necessary, but her father was simply too greedy. They had plenty of money to send her to the convent, after all.
“Two engagements and a stablehand,” Lady Quinley snarled at her. “I did not think I raised such an easy daughter.”
Eleanor’s heart stuttered, before hot rage bubbled up in her chest. She made to step forward, but the Duke beat her to it.
He pointed an accusatory finger at her mother, his voice low and biting. “Don’t you dare speak so freely to my wife,” he hissed. “If you wish to remain in your daughter’s life—if there is even a shred of care left in your cold hearts—then you will meet us at St. Joseph’s Church in two days. Lady Eleanor has consented to remain in this house for the sake of reconciliation, but she will be attended at all times by one of my footmen and the maid who has cared for her. If I hear so much as a whisper of harm—within these walls or beyond—there will be hell to pay, and not all the convents in Christendom will offer you salvation.”
He glared at them all, before giving Eleanor one last, long look. He nodded to her, and she nodded right back.
I am strong.I have survived worse.
Just as she’d taken a deep breath to steady herself, she felt his hand brushing hers as he walked past her, and a surge of warmth made her skin tingle.
Before she could glance at him one more time, he was already gone.
The Duke’s threat to her parents echoed in her mind for the next two days right up until she arrived at the church.
Her hands trembled, and her father, placated by money and the hope of winning the Duke’s favor, made to place his hand over her own. But she snatched her hand back and climbed out of the carriage.
She was not interested in forgiveness. Not when they had sent her off to that prison and not once asked about her well-being.
Eleanor kept her chin up as she entered the church.
“I ought to walk you down the aisle,”her father had said, and she had only agreed silently.
When he had asked why she would not speak to them, she had fixed them both with a glare that told them just how silence had been taught in St. Euphemia’s.
Perhaps one day she would tell them the truth and see if it destroyed them.
She held her tongue only because she feared her parents would side with the nuns.
Now, she was being led to her new life, her father walking her to the Duke as surely as he should have once walked her to Lord Belgrave.
Behind her, only a handful of guests watched them—her parents, Charlotte, and a tall, imperious woman with sharp cheekbones and striking honey-brown eyes—the same unmistakable Vanserton eyes the Duke possessed.
Her posture was regal, her gown finely tailored and dark, and her expression cool and assessing as she watched Eleanor with the scrutiny of a hawk. Given how closely Charlotte stood beside her, Eleanor assumed the woman to be their Aunt Katherine, perhaps. She looked to be in her mid-fifties and gave the distinct impression of someone not easily deceived.
The Duke turned to look at her, his gaze clinical as he inspected her for…
For what? Visible bruises? More hidden wounds of the mind? Heavy, tired eyes as if she had not slept?
Eleanor had remained silent and reclusive in the home she had dreamed of for three years, barely sleeping, but she nodded back to him now.
All is well.
The ceremony was swift, the vows difficult for Eleanor to listen to and recite. After they had declared their eternal loyalty to one another, they turned to their guests, their hands intertwined. Eleanor held on so tight, for she feared she would fly out of reality if she let go.
