Page 2 of Her Runaway Duke
“To be a mother,” Siena said softly.
Eliza’s eyes bore into hers. “You do understand what you have to do to become a mother, do you not? Or should I remind you? For it is very important that you know before you marry Lord Mulberry.”
“Of course I know,” Siena said, hiding her eye roll. “You have shared with me all of your ‘knowledge’ before.”
“Just making sure,” Eliza said. “You make it sound as though I have experience when really it is all from studying?—”
She was interrupted by a knock at the door before Siena’s lady’s maid, Alice, opened it a crack.
“My lady, it is time for you to proceed to the church.”
“Thank you, Alice,” Siena said before dropping Eliza’s hands. “We should go. I do thank you, Eliza. You are like a sister to me. I know you are looking out for me in the way you feel is best.”
“Someone has to do it,” Eliza said grimly, “for you certainly do not look out for yourself.”
Eliza’s words stayed with Siena as they left the house on Grosvenor Square and entered the carriage, where her mother was already waiting, her face set in disapproval.
“I do hope that you shall be more attentive to your husband’s time,” she said with a sniff. Siena ignored her, used to her barbed remarks, although she could sense Eliza balking behind her.
“Where is Father?” Siena asked, dropping her lilac skirts around her as she and Eliza took a seat across from her mother. She hoped Eliza wouldn’t say anything to anger her mother. Eliza’s parents were of proper enough standing for the daughters to be friends, but Siena’s mother did not conceal her disapproval for the outspoken Eliza nor her lenient parents. Similarly, Eliza didn’t hide her disdain for Siena’s mother, who had always been the domineering sort.
While Siena wouldn’t have to obey her for much longer, she knew she was only trading one puppet master for another.
The closer they drew to the church, the faster her heart began to pound. While she hadn’t been particularly pleased about the marriage her father had arranged, she had tried to ignore it until now, knowing that there was nothing she could do to stop it so what was the point in worrying over it? She had tried in vain to appeal to her brother, but he was merely her father’s mimic and was happy to marry her off so that he would never have the risk of her being dependent upon him after their father passed.
This wedding was inevitable now, and the closer they drew to St. George’s, the more perspiration broke out on her brow at the reality that the next hour would change the rest of her life.
Her heart was beating so hard it was nearly pounding out of her chest, and her vision threatened to blacken completely. Her chest tightened so severely she wasn’t sure she would be able to take another breath.
For so long she had set this away from her mind, pretending that it wasn’t happening – but it was too late to pretend any longer.
This was real.
She was going to be married.
To Lord Mulberry.
As the panic set in, she looked to Eliza, and her friend, understanding her better than anyone, set her lips in a firm line before reaching out and squeezing Siena’s hand. She lifted a brow, asking Siena what she wanted to do.
Siena only paused for a moment before she nodded just once, clenching her jaw.
She had always done what she was told, had never taken a chance or done anything for herself. Everything she did was to make those around her happy.
But not today.
She would do it.
She would escape this wedding.
“Wouldyou like me to light the fire, Your Grace?”
“No.”
Levi sat in the worn navy damask chair in front of the empty hearth, staring into where flames should have been flickering, warming him and the room.
Which they would have were he a different man, one without his demons.
“It is rather cold?—”
