Page 41 of The Duke's Scottish Bride
Marion barely kept her composure as she turned her attention back to the stage.
Beside her, Anselm sat as though nothing at all had happened.
“I am relieved it is intermission,” Emmanuel said as they rose from their seats. His tone was light but it carried an undercurrent of impatience. “I need to stretch my legs. Will you all join me for a turn about the lobby?”
At first, Marion noticed how he nudged Anselm discreetly, and moved his eyebrows up conspiratorially.
Marion blushed again as her skin tingled at the memory of her husband’s touch.
Anselm only glared at the marquess, who took a step back as a show of playful defeat. Then, Marion caught the way his gaze lingered, just for a beat, on Verity.
Hm, she thought to herself.
They filed out of the box and descended to the grand foyer. The air was thick with perfume, candle smoke, and the hum of voices. Elegant couples strolled beneath glittering chandeliers and gathered near refreshment tables along the marble staircases.
Anselm did not utter a word to her. Nor did he spare her a glance. He acted as though nothing had happened.
Marion clenched her fists.
What an infuriating lump of granite, she thought to herself.
It wasn’t long before a cluster of young men took swift notice of Verity. They began circling, drawn by her beauty and status, leaving their intentions barely concealed.
Marion noticed Emmanuel stiffen slightly beside her. The movement was so slight that others wouldn’t have caught it, but she did. His easy demeanor remained in place, but his shoulders set just enough to betray that flicker of irritation. He watched the scene unfold with narrowed eyes, though he said nothing.
Anselm, standing nearby, observed the gathering suitors with his usual composed detachment. He didn’t look pleased, but there was a certain resignation about him, as though he’d accepted this as the inevitable cost of presenting his sister to society.
One particularly eager young lord stepped forward, practically falling over himself in haste.
“Lady Verity,” he gushed, eyes wide with admiration. “Your gown is… quite exquisite tonight. It perfectly matches the… the, ah… the sparkle in your enchanting eyes!”
Marion fought back a smile as she watched from just a step away while Verity’s expression remained poised and utterly unbothered.
Verity tilted her head slightly. “Thank you, Lord Millis. It is simply a violet dress. As for my eyes…” Her gaze flicked to the nearest candelabrum, then back to him with a faint, amused curve of her lips. “I assure you, it is only the candlelight playing tricks.”
Millis flushed but went on. “Ah, well, candlelight or no, you seem to outshine every other lady here tonight,” he blurted, trying to recover his footing.
Verity’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “How curious,” she murmured, her tone sweet but merciless, “that I’ve somehow never noticed your dazzling brilliance until tonight, Lord Millis. Perhaps the candlelight is playing tricks on us both.”
Millis opened and shut his mouth, utterly disarmed.
Before he could find words again, Verity dipped into a graceful curtsy. “If you would excuse me.”
She turned away and glided back toward Marion without so much as a backward glance, leaving Millis blinking in her wake.
Marion stifled a laugh, but her amusement faded when she noticed Emmanuel watching the scene, clearly pleased. He wore the faintest smile and a glimmer of admiration flickered in his eyes. The stiffness in his shoulders had eased, though he said nothing.
He caught Marion’s gaze then, and though he masked it quickly with his usual charm, the look he’d given Verity lingered in her mind.
Anselm, meanwhile, only gave a small shake of his head, clearly exasperated with his sister.
Then, through the throng of audience members, Marion watched Lord and Lady Harlowe approach her. She noted how their faces stretched into sickly-sweet smiles at the sight of her.
How had I nae noticed how fake they were before? And now that I am married to a duke, they care for me?
“My dearest niece!” Lady Harlowe trilled while extending a hand to Marion as if she had all the love in the world for her. “How absolutelydelightfulto see you! I was just saying to your uncle… well it is just wonderful how you have settled into London society. Your parents would be pleased. We always knew you had such…potential. Such grace, given your background.”
Lord Harlowe beamed as Anselm approached them.
