Page 19 of Duke of Silver
Elizabeth offered a small smile at their exchange. Anna and Petunia were so alike in spirit, it was as if her cousin was a reflection of what her aunt might have been at that age. A thought that usually amused her, though today, it only added to the surreal feeling enveloping her.
“You do look beautiful, Lizzy,” Peggy said, her tone soft and sincere as she stepped closer.
Elizabeth turned her gaze to her reflection. She was dressed in the palest powder-blue satin dress, with delicate lace trimming the edges. The soft hue made her blue eyes appear even brighter, their depth intensified against the fairness of her skin. She looked almost ethereal, like some fragile creature from a dream. Yet despite the elegance of her appearance, she felt far from composed.
As she met her sister’s gaze, Elizabeth noticed the unshed tears shimmering in Peggy’s eyes.
“Oh, look who needs a handkerchief now,” Elizabeth teased gently, pulling her younger sister into an embrace. The act caused a lump to rise in her throat, emotion tightening within her chest as she held Peggy close.
“Oh no! Margaret Sutton, you are not going to make your sister cry and ruin her toilette under my watch!” Petunia exclaimed, feigning alarm at the sight of their embrace.
Elizabeth and Peggy broke into laughter, their shared emotions easing under the weight of Petunia’s playful scolding.
“That’s better,” Petunia chuckled approvingly, though there was a softness in her eyes.
Before Elizabeth could say more, there was a gentle knock, and Sebastian appeared at the door, his face kind but serious. “The vicar is here. We’re ready.”
Elizabeth’s stomach lurched at the words.It’s time.She swallowed hard, the weight of the moment pressing down on her.
“Oh God,” she whispered, barely audible, her pulse quickening. Anxiety coiled tighter, threatening to choke her composure.
Just then, Anna took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“It’s going to be alright,” Anna whispered as Aunt Petunia gently ushered them out of the room.
Elizabeth tried to take comfort in her cousin’s words, but her heart was a knot of nerves. The wedding had been a quiet, intimate affair, attended only by her family, the Duke’s solicitor, and his close friend, the Marquess of Broughton. It all passed in a blur—vows exchanged, rings slipped onto fingers, and now, she stood as the Duchess of Sterlin, barely able to comprehend it all.
It felt like a dream, one she had been thrust into without warning. But whether it was a dream or a nightmare, she could not yet tell. Time, she supposed, would be the only judge of that.
As the Duke and his party filed out of the room to grant her a moment with her family, Elizabeth stood there, her hands twisting the lace of her gloves. Just as the Marquess of Broughton was about to leave, however, the quiet was broken by the unmistakable sound of barking. Titan and Plato burst into the room, their paws skidding across the parquet floor as they bounded towards her, nearly knocking the Marquess to the side in their enthusiasm.
“That pug is so tiny, he looks like a thimble!” The Marquess chuckled, amused by the sight of Titan darting about the room with his usual energy.
“He’smydog, and he doesnotresemble a thimble, My Lord,” Anna retorted, scooping the pug into her arms with a protective glare.
“A thimble! Nowthatis too perfect!” Peggy laughed, her agreement evident as she clutched her side. Anna shot her a withering look.
Elizabeth glanced at her aunt and noticed the twitch of amusement on her lips as she tried to stifle a smile.
“When I brought you all to town for the Season, I never imagined I would be marrying off one of you girls this year,” Petunia said, her voice suddenly softer as she turned her attention to Elizabeth.
Her aunt’s words tugged at her heart, and Elizabeth’s throat tightened. She wasn’t sure how to respond, but her aunt continued before she could muster an answer.
“Never mind the circumstances. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am, Lizzy. And how very much I am going to miss you.”
“Auntie...” Elizabeth whispered, her voice breaking as emotion finally caught up to her.
“No tears now, remember?” Petunia said, giving her a mock scolding look. But then she softened, pulling Elizabeth into a warm embrace. “But it’s alright. You’re allowed your tears today, darling.”
As if those words unlocked the dam, Elizabeth felt the sting of unshed tears burning hotter behind her eyes. She struggled to hold them back, but they seemed to have a will of their own.
“Oh, my little girl,” Sebastian’s voice came gently as she pulled away from her aunt, only to find herself enveloped by her uncle’s strong arms.
“Not so little anymore,” Petunia chimed in with a soft chuckle, though her eyes glistened too.
“I wish your parents were here to see you today,” Sebastian said, his voice thick with sentiment as he took her hands in his. His warm, steady hands held hers with such tenderness that it nearly undid her completely.
Elizabeth’s heart twisted. How often had she wondered what her parents might say if they could see her now? Would they be proud? Would they understand the weight of this path she had taken?
