Page 3 of An Accidental Bride for the Duke
“Anywhere but here,” her mother said. She too looked furious because despite everything, Iris knew that her mother loved her more than the world and would do anything to protect her. “Hurry, now.”
Iris allowed herself to be dragged away. As she was, she spared a final glance for the end of the aisle. Her brother now looked enraged but that was nothing compared to the look that Lord Robert's older brother wore. It sent a shudder through Iris’ spine and for a moment she almost felt bad for her betrothed, as he would surely find himself on the other end of that man’s fury soon enough.
But that pity lasted less than a moment. Let him feel it, for it was the least that he deserved. This moment right here had effectively ended Iris’ life and try as she might she could not fathom how she might come back from it.
There would be no coming back from this.My life is over… as is my chance at ever getting my own happily ever after.
“How did this happen!” Iris’ mother cried with delirium. “How could it be allowed to— what is Lord Robert thinking!”
“I cannot say, Mother.” Daniel was pacing the room, hands behind his back, brows set, and eyes narrowed as he worked to control his temper. “His Grace is looking into it now.”
Iris’ mother scoffed. “No good calling the milk sour after it has been served. He assured us that his brother was willing.”
“He did.”
“And he promised us that this wedding would go ahead without cause for concern.”
“I know it, Mother.”
“Then how did this –”
“I am not sure!” Daniel spun on their mother, letting his temper finally get the best of him. His face was red, his breathing was up, and he looked as if he might explode. “But I intend to find out, which I will do. Now, please, Mother, I ask that you keep a level head. For Iris’ sake, if nothing else.”
The three of them had adjourned to a small room located behind the church as they waited for answers. Iris, happy to go unnoticed as her mother and brother unraveled, stood in the back corner of the church, her head still spinning from all that had happened.
Now that she had come to reckon with the situation, despite how she’d been feeling earlier, she could not help but feel slightly relieved. Oh sure, the repercussions of this slight would have its consequences and as was typical she would likely receive most of the blame. But at least she wouldn’t have to marry Lord Robert. Surely, that was something to celebrate?
Unfortunately, the likelihood of me marrying anyone else is just as slim. Who would want to now? I have done nothing wrong, but my reputation is so stained that I doubt there is a lord in the country who would dare to so much as look at me for fear of how it might be perceived.
It was a tragic circumstance. And in time, Iris would surely come to regret it. But for now, with nothing else to do, she chose to focus on the positive. She had always been optimistic like that.
“We should leave,” Iris’ mother said. “Quickly, before anything else should happen.”
“We can’t, Mother. His Grace asked that we wait here.”
She scoffed. “And I should care what His Grace says. As far as I am concerned, he is as much to blame as his brother.”
“Mother…” Daniel grimaced.
“What!” her mother cried. “Am I wrong? And was he here right now, I would gladly tell His Grace the same!”
“Tell me what, exactly,” a deep voice spoke suddenly from the doorway.
Iris’ mother gasped and her eyes widened as her mouth dropped open.
Daniel grimaced again, taking a step back as if the pure presence of the man who had entered the small room was so powerful that it demanded space.
And as for Iris? She could not help but stare, her breath leaving her, her pulse quickening, a sense of foreboding creeping up inside of her because the duke was, in her opinion, a rather intimidating creature to behold.
He was tall and broad of shoulder. He was thick in the body, but muscular and strapping. And where he was not typically handsome…there is something about him that undoubtedly is. His features were large, even oversized. A heavy brow, a large jaw, a crooked nose, full lips and big eyes that were green but so dark they were almost black. His hair was black too, thick and curled, messy for one of his status; he had the appearance of a man who was unkept and wild in both posture and temperament.
He walked into the small room, heavy steps, and the world seemed to shrink around him as the shadows which were beaten back by the sun grew heavy as if he was their cause. He cast his dark gaze over the three of them, it brought with it a commanding silence, a demand to listen and obey because above all else it was power that rippled off him in waves.
“Y—Your Grace,” Daniel stammered as he came into himself. “We did not see you there.”
“Your Grace!” Iris’ mother hurried to him. “I did not mean—I am simply a little distraught, is all. I meant no disrespect.”
The duke’s heavy brow furrowed as he looked the three of them over, letting the silence build in a way that had Iris’ skin breaking out in goosebumps.
