Page 41 of Married to a Frozen Duke
The ballroom had been set up with tables, flowers, and enough food for an army. Guests were already arriving, pretending nothing had happened while clearly eager to discuss it.
Alexander appeared at her elbow, now immaculate in fresh clothes. You'd never know what had happened an hour ago, except for the coldness in his eyes.
"Your Grace," he said formally.
"Your Grace," she replied.
"Can you manage this?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"No. But I thought I'd ask for form's sake."
They stood side by side greeting guests who all said the right things while thinking about the disaster they'd witnessed. Lady Jersey actually had the audacity to say, "Such an affecting ceremony! The bride was quite overcome with emotion!"
"Quite," Alexander said with desert-dry tone.
The breakfast was torture. Every clink of silverware reminded Ophelia of her still-uncertain stomach. The toasts were painful.
Frederick stood first, clearly already drunk: "To my cousin and his bride! May their marriage be... memorable!"
Henry followed: "To my sister, the bravest woman I know. And to her husband, who has proven today that he is capable of... endurance."
Finally, Alexander stood.
"My wife and I," he began, the words 'my wife' delivered with professional detachment, "thank you for witnessing our union. It has been... unprecedented."
Nervous laughter rippled through the room.
"Marriage requires adaptation, and we've certainly begun adapting early. Today, we've started something neither of us anticipated, but we've started it nonetheless."
He raised his glass. "To beginnings, however inauspicious."
It wasn't warm or romantic, but it was practical, which was all they could manage.
The rest of the breakfast blurred past. She picked at food, responded when spoken to, smiled when required. Alexander remained at her side, a solid if cold presence.
Finally, mercifully, it was time to leave.
"The carriage is ready, Your Grace," Sinclair announced.
Kent awaited them...two weeks alone in the country.
Her family gathered to say goodbye. Her mother kissed her cheek and whispered, "Be strong." Her father pressed her hand.The twins made inappropriate jests. Henry said something cutting about dukes.
Robert pulled her aside. "If he mistreats you..."
"He won't."
"How can you know?"
"Because he stood there," she said simply. "He was furious, I saw it, but he stood there and finished the ceremony. A cruel man would have humiliated me completely."
"Or he's just protecting his inheritance."
"Perhaps. But the result is the same."
She hugged him, this brother who'd barely noticed her for twenty-three years but was now concerned.
