Page 29 of The Duke's Forbidden Bride
“The Duke and Duchess of Everdawn,” the vicar announced.
Eleanor could barely process her new title before she was led down the aisle by her?—
By herhusband.
Her husband, who was well within his rights to demand that she perform her wifely duties.
Eleanor hastily put that thought aside, thinking of waking up next to the Duke. How scandalous such a thing was, and nobody knew.
“Ohno, absolutely not,” a high-pitched voice came from behind them.
Startled, Eleanor tried to turn back, finding the woman with the Duke’s eyes.
“My dear nephew, you do not get to walk past your beloved Aunt Katherine without introducing me to your wife.”
At her side, the Duke plastered on a tight smile before turning to his aunt. “Aunt Katherine.”
“Darling nephew of mine,” she cooed, cupping his face for a brief moment before he jerked out of her hold. “And you…” Her eyes landed on Eleanor. “You are simply a vision. I have heard a great deal about you, although not from the person you would think.” Her eyes flicked to the Duke, full of reproach. “Your husband has not mentioned your name once. Lady Eleanor Barnes, is it not?”
“The Duchess of Everdawn,” the Duke corrected immediately. “Duchess, this is Katherine St. John, the Dowager Viscountess Montagu.”
Eleanor’s nerves jumped as the older woman turned to her, ready to be reprimanded. But those eyes… they were nothing like the cold, cunning stare of Sister Martha. No, those eyes were warm and compassionate.
“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Montagu.”
“The honor is all mine if you are the lady who has convinced my nephew to settle down. We have all been waiting for—oh, how long has it been?”
“Well, considering he is two-and-thirty,” Charlotte muttered from her aunt’s side, “It has been long enough.”
“As has this conversation.” The Duke’s brisk tone made Eleanor stiffen, wondering if she had done something wrong.
So her husband was nine years older than her.
Lady Montagu was undeterred. “You will both dine with me at my estate soon.”
“Indeed,” the Duke answered tersely. “Duchess, say your goodbyes to your parents. We will be leaving shortly. Charlotte, do not give Aunt Katherine any trouble.”
Eleanor pulled her friend close and hugged her tightly.
How terrible to get her back only to lose her again almost immediately.
But at least she knew her friend would be safe.
“I will write to you,” she told her. “I promise. Please take care—and remember, you are my dearest friend, no matter what.”
Charlotte promised the same before the two parted. Eleanor made her way further down the aisle toward the church doors, where her parents waited.
Her mother’s chin was lifted, her silence resolute. Her eyes were pools of disappointment that Eleanor would never hope to find warmth in. She was shut out.
Her father winced through a smile, aware that the Duke was standing at her side.
“Be obedient now, Eleanor,” her father told her. “I will not have His Grace writing to complain about your disobedience.”
Eleanor shot him a look full of disgust, for his parting words only echoed a sentiment from long ago.
“Do as the nuns say, Eleanor, and pray often. Your sins are heavy, as is your shame.”
Back then, Eleanor had kept begging for mercy.
