Page 68 of A Virgin for the Duke of Depravity
Theresa helped her pull the fabric around her hips, over her bosom, and onto her shoulders.
“Breathe out,” she said, pulling the fabric tight along her back so that she could tighten the laces.
Margaret held her breath to make it easier. She tried not to move a muscle, afraid that it would be impossible for her to get into the one gown she owned.
Finally, the tugging stopped, and Theresa leaned over Margaret’s shoulder to press a kiss to her cheek.
“Thank the Lord I had this prepared for your last day here,” she said.
Margaret turned to look in the mirror and was surprised to see the woman staring back at her. She looked poised and serene, nothing like the storm that raged in her mind.
“You look beautiful,” Theresa murmured.
Margaret had never been one to give in to vanity. It was not one of the many things that the nuns had punished her for. Today,though, was a very different day. She would be the center of attention at the very small, intimate ceremony.
The only people who would attend their wedding were the girls, Theresa, and Aaron. There was no one else in the ton who would have been interested in their union. Although he was the King of Olympus, Leo did not have many friends.
“Thank you, Theresa,” Margaret said. “For… everything.”
For the dress. For your companionship and loyalty over the years.
A knock on the door startled both women.
“Your Grace, it is time for the ceremony,” a feminine voice said.
Margaret thought the maid was talking to Theresa, only to remember that she would become a duchess herself.
“Are you ready?” Theresa asked.
Margaret took a deep breath, as deep as she could within the confines of her gown. She looked once more in the mirror and then nodded.
“As much as I will ever be, I suppose,” she said with a small smile. When Theresa said nothing, she added, “Who is prepared for marriage?”
They left the room and stepped into the hall behind the maid. Immediately, they were met with the giggles of the girls, who were being chased down the stairs by Joan.
“You girls need to behave like ladies today,” Joan chided, a few steps behind them on the way to the gardens. “If I have to carry you to the wedding, I will do it!”
“Margaret!” Annie cried when she heard Margaret’s laugh.
Kitty turned around and came back up the stairs to take her hand, already calmer than she was when Joan was chasing after her.
The old governess heaved a sigh in Margaret’s direction. “Will you two finally listen to someone in this house?” she asked.
She leaned against the banister to catch her breath, one hand on her sore back. She smiled at Margaret, saving a stern look for Annie and Kitty.
“You don’t want to miss the wedding, do you?”
“We’ll be good! We will not miss it,” Annie said, joining Kitty beside Margaret.
Theresa, Margaret, and the girls followed Joan down the stairs. The girls led them through the halls and to the door leading out to the gardens.
“You two will sit in the lawn chairs like ladies,” Joan said to them, gesturing to the handful of chairs that were set up in front of the oak tree.
Each girl gave Margaret a hug before hurrying down the path to the chairs. Margaret hovered just out of sight, knowing that she would have to face Leo in just a few moments.
“We must not keep them waiting,” Theresa urged gently.
She put a hand between Margaret’s shoulders, rubbing a small circle. It was the same thing she used to do when they snuck into each other’s rooms at St. Agatha’s.
