Page 60 of Duke of Diamonds
Fiona fought her tears throughout. Not from joy. Not even from sorrow. But from the knowledge that this moment, more than any other, marked the point of no return.
She became a Duchess before a small group of witnesses and the roses her mother had insisted upon.
When it ended, her veil was lifted, her hand pressed into Isaac’s, her lips brushed with a kiss so brief and devoid of heat that it might as well have been a formality. And perhaps that was all it was.
As the guests filtered away from the parlor, Fiona found herself standing beside Isaac in the hall, their hands still loosely clasped.
“Well,” she said, glancing sideways at him, “that was... solemn.”
He gave the faintest lift of his brow. “You expected a circus?”
“No,” she said, lips curving slightly despite the heaviness in her chest. “Though a smile from the groom might have startled the roses into bloom.”
He looked at her then, properly, and she saw it—a flicker of something like amusement at the edge of his mouth.
“I shall attempt a grin at breakfast,” he said. “Though I make no promises.”
“A whole grin? How generous.”
They stood in a silence not entirely comfortable, yet not hostile either. She turned to him fully, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
“Did I do well?” she asked. “As far as brides go?”
“You did,” he said without hesitation. “You looked... perfect.”
The words, so simply stated, robbed her of breath for a beat.
She dipped her head. “Thank you.”
He shifted slightly, and for a moment, Fiona thought he might say more. But Prudence reappeared in a flurry of silk and satisfied sighs, ushering them both toward the waiting breakfast.
The wedding breakfast, by contrast, was far more extravagant. Prudence had outdone herself with crystal goblets, silver flatware, sugared cakes shaped like swans. Guests made polite conversation, toasted the new couple, speculated on the honeymoon.
Fiona smiled when she was expected to, nodded when required, and drank more champagne than was strictly advisable. She watched Isaac from across the room, ever composed as he spoke with Samuel and Elaine.
Elaine caught her eye and gave her a warm, reassuring look. Later, she drew Fiona aside.
“You were lovely,” she said, taking both her hands. “And brave.”
Fiona searched her sister-in-law’s eyes. “Do you think I have done the right thing?”
Elaine paused. Then, gently: “I think you did what you had to. And sometimes, that is the bravest thing a woman can do.”
The words did not soothe as much as they ought to have, but Fiona appreciated them all the same.
As guests began to depart, Fiona found her friends once more.
“I asked him if we could remain in London,” she said quietly.
Anna brightened. “And?”
“He agreed.”
Nancy clapped her hands together. “Oh, Fiona!”
“We shall see each other constantly,” Hester said. “Imagine the tea parties.”
Fiona smiled, truly smiled, for the first time that day.
