Page 44 of Romancing the Rifleman
It still hurt to think about it, even all these years later.It wasn’t just that Harrington didn’t know what to say to the duke’s callous request.He couldn’t seem to physically force any words past the lump that had formed in his throat.
Seeming to grasp what a vicious thing this was to ask, the duke softened his voice.“I know it is harsh.But this is the only way I can be satisfied that you will not fall into temptation.”
Harrington swallowed.He could do this.After all, nothing was really at risk.He had just sworn he wouldn’t sleep with Diana during the house party, which meant he wasn’t going to do it.His word was good.
Not that Trevissick seemed to appreciate this.
“I swear,” he said hoarsely, “upon the grave of my little brother, John...”He had to stop and clear his throat.“That when your sister returns from Carl Frederick’s house party, her maidenhead will be intact.”
Trevissick clasped him on the shoulder, and for the first time Harrington could recall, the duke was looking at him with something other than disdain.“Thank you.”
The duke left the room, and Harrington found himself alone, feeling strangely hollow, considering he was about to marry the girl of his dreams.
Chapter23
There was no conversation inside the carriage as it bounced toward Burkhill Manor, the country house the Duke of Värmland had rented to serve as his temporary home.Marcus had insisted on accompanying Diana and Harrington as far as he was permitted to go, so here he was, serving as third wheel to what should have been a happy pair of newlyweds.
Not that Diana felt much like a new bride.She and Harrington had been married by special license two days prior.The ceremony had taken place in the turquoise parlor of Latimer House.The bashful elation with which Harrington had spoken his vows, his eyes never wavering from hers as he pledged to love and honor her, was everything Diana could have hoped for.
But as Harrington leaned in to kiss his new bride, Marcus grabbed Diana by the arm and pulled her away, leaving him standing alone before the makeshift altar, pursing his lips awkwardly into the empty air.Harrington had borne this stoically, glancing down sheepishly as if he had been the one at fault for presuming he would be permitted to kiss his own bride.
There had been no wedding breakfast.Marcus had latched onto the ridiculous notion that she would want to have the marriage annulled after spending five days in Harrington’s company, and that this was nothing more than a temporary measure.After the wedding, the Astleys, including Harrington, had returned to Astley House, leaving Diana alone in a cold, empty chamber on her wedding night.
Diana was so furious with her brother that she had not spoken to him in three days.She could not wait for the carriage to arrive so she could finally have a moment alone with her husband.
At last, the red-brick façade of Burkhill Manor came into view.It was a medium-sized country house built in the Queen Anne style.It was rectangular in shape and adorned by flat pilasters and a white stone cornice ringing the house’s perimeter.A tiny fountain burbled inside the circular drive, creating a very charming prospect indeed.
Marcus began droning on about how they were not to be caught in any compromising situations that could prevent the marriage from being annulled.Diana ignored him.She had, after all, heard this particular lecture any number of times over the past three days.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Diana opened the door and climbed out, waiting for neither the footman nor Harrington to assist her.Harrington scrambled out behind her, and at last, they were rid of her brother.
She smiled up at Harrington, looping her arm through his.“Alone at last!And just in time—if I had to spend five more minutes in my brother’s company, I fear I would have committed a crime for which I would face, at a minimum, transportation.”
He chuckled, but said nothing, perhaps sensing that, while it was one thing for her to grouse about her brother, he would do better not to insult him.“Thank you for doing this.”
“It is my pleasure.”Or at least, it was about to be.Her wedding night.A thrill of anticipation shot down her spine.This was a part of her marriage that she was very much looking forward to.
They stepped inside the foyer just as a handsome young man came jogging down the stairs.He wore a dark blue officer’s coat with a gold collar and a blue sash.“Lieutenant Astley,” he said warmly, clasping Harrington’s hand before turning to Diana.“This must be your new bride.”
Diana dropped into a curtsey.Carl Frederick didn’t so much as blink at her missing hand.Not that this came as a surprise—although he was a royal duke, he was also a military man.Diana preferred the company of officers because, unlike most members of theton, they had seen something of the world and did not seem to regard her missing hand as noteworthy, much less scandalous.
As Harrington made introductions, Carl Frederick bent over Diana’s hand, properly stopping an inch shy of her glove.When the duke turned to Harrington, his eyes were bright.“I can see why you were so eager to wed that you could not wait for the banns to be called.”
Harrington rubbed the back of his head.“Oh, er…”
Carl Frederick laughed.“Come!You must be tired from your journey.I will show you the way.”He turned toward Diana as he led them up the stairs.“I received the letter from your brother about your need to have separate rooms.”
Diana attempted a breezy laugh, hoping she didn’t sound as annoyed as she felt.“My brother is as fussy as a mother hen.There is no need to go to any trouble on my behalf.I should like nothing better than to share with my new husband.”She cast a fond smile toward Harrington, but his eyes were fixed on the stairs.
“Oh, it is quite all right,” Carl Frederick said.“I have hit upon the perfect solution!This house has a master suite.”He opened a door and ushered them into a corner bedroom with a fine view of the grounds.The walls were adorned with a dignified dove-grey wallpaper decorated with white quatrefoils.The room was large enough to contain a canopied four-poster bed with dark blue hangings and a spacious seating area by the window.
“And look over here.”Carl Frederick opened a side door with a wink.It led to another bedroom, identical in layout to the room in which they stood, except the wallpaper was rose-pink instead of grey and the bed hangings were the color of claret.“It is ideal, is it not?”
Harrington frowned.“I appreciate this, Carl Frederick.I really do.But we couldn’t possibly turn you out of the master suite.”
“I insist,” Carl Frederick said.“I am already settled at the other end of the house, and my room has the most charming view.I would be loath to leave it.Besides, newlyweds should receive certain… considerations.”
Harrington opened his mouth, but Diana stepped in front of him.“And we appreciate that.So very much.My husband and I will be quite happy here.”
