Page 19 of Duke of Emeralds
After another brief sermon, the vicar pronounced, “I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together…” His voice rang like a bell through her consciousness. She was the Duchess of Lushton now and no longer simply Lady Hester Jensen the wallflower.
She stole another glance at her now husband and found him staring ahead. Cold as stone. How could he look like this when a war of nerves raged within her? It was utterly unfair.
The vicar led them to sign the register, and as Thomas straightened after appending his signature, his sharp eyes settled on her. There was no emotion to be seen in their depths, but he held out his hand. When Hester took it, a current ran through her.
Outside, the cheers of thetonfelt like a physical force. “One would think they’d never seen a wedding,” Hester breathed as Thomas handed her into the carriage.
His response was curt. “We’re this season’s spectacle.”
At the breakfast in Leonard’s townhouse, the scrutiny continued. Guests regarded them as though they were jewels atan auction. Nancy and Anna came up to her, their eyes bright with triumph. “Who’d have imagined our Hester taming that Scottish bear!” Nancy whispered behind her fan.
Anna elbowed her sharply. “Hush! But truly, dear,” she added, clasping Hester’s hands, “you look magnificent.”
Their congratulations were cut short when Lady Montague materialized, her feathered headdress trembling with ill-concealed curiosity. “Your Grace,” she cooed, addressing Thomas while her eyes dissected Hester’s dress. “How delightfully… efficient your nuptials were. One marvels at modern marriages—so practical.”
Thomas’s knuckles whitened on his champagne flute. “We find practicality underrated, My Lady.”
Near the terrace doors, Leonard watched them, his smile not reaching his eyes. When Hester approached, he drew her aside. “Is all well? You look rather pale.”
She forced a smile and glanced back at Thomas, who stood with a group of men, still seeming detached. “It is, Brother. We shall be leaving soon, and I should like to see Mama.”
Leonard nodded, his eyes soft with understanding. He excused them from the gathering and led her up to their mother’s chambers, his hand gentle on her arm.
But Patience was sound and peacefully asleep, her chest rising and falling gently with each breath. Hester felt a lump form in her throat, and she blinked back the tears that pricked at her eyes. She leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her mother’s forehead.
“I love you, Mama,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “And I’ll write to you often, I promise.”
She straightened, her fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from her mother’s face. She took a deep breath, her shoulders squaring as she turned to leave the room. She wished she had found her awake for a proper goodbye at least, but she couldn’t dwell on that now. She had a new life to begin, a new role to fulfill, and she would do so with pride and determination, with the love and support of her family and friends behind her.
Leonard walked her back to the carriage, his hand gentle on her arm. “I’ll write to you,” he said, his eyes soft with emotion.
Hester nodded, her fingers tightening around his arm. “I’ll look forward to it, Brother,” she replied, her voice steady despite the lump in her throat.
The atmosphere in the carriage was quiet, and Hester leaned back against the squabs, her eyes focused on the passing scenery.
“We will be going through Surrey and Hampshire,” Thomas finally spoke. “So, we’ll break our journey in two and spend the night at Hampshire.”
Hester nodded as knots formed in her stomach at the thought of spending the night with him, of being alone with him in a way she had never been alone with a gentleman before.
They arrived at the inn as the sun began to set, the golden light casting long shadows across the courtyard. The innkeeper, a portly man with a kind face, greeted them with a warm smile.
“We got word of your arrival and readied your lodgings, Your Grace,” he said, bowing deeply.
Hester’s shoulders relaxed at that. She was exhausted, and she desired nothing more than a warm meal and a soft bed. She followed Thomas up the stairs, her hand resting lightly on the banister as she took in the worn but clean surroundings.
They were led to a single room which adjoined a small but decent living area where their meal awaited them. The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air, and Hester’s stomach rumbled in response.
Thomas gestured for her to enter the inner chambers first, and she did so, her eyes taking in the simple but comfortable furnishings. A single bed dominated the room, its curtains drawn back to reveal crisp white linens and a thick coverlet. A small fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the space.
“Is it to your liking?” Thomas asked, his eyes searching her face.
Hester turned to face him, her brow lifting slightly. “Would you change it for me if I said no?” she asked, her lips curling into a small smile.
Thomas chuckled, the sound rich and warm. “Just say the words, Hester,” he replied.
And she had a feeling that he could turn the entire place upside down just to get what she wanted.
“It is well,” she dismissed instead. “So long as you sleep in the sitting area.”
