Page 61 of A Lady's Beastly Duke
She knew, as he did, that there was no reason, anymore, for them not to be together. She took a step forward and he stepped towards her.
“This is all lies, is it not?” Lord Graystone demanded of the viscount.
Lord Ridley was rooted to the spot. He had gone pale.
“Is this man’s testimony untrue? Or did you lie?” Lord Graystone challenged.
Lord Ridley said nothing.
Sidney looked away. The vicar stepped forward, ready to intervene, and an older gentleman, the father of Lady Camilla, came and joined them, putting a hand on the earl’s shoulder as if to caution him against violence.
What happened to Lord Ridley was not his business. There was only one thing in the room that was his business, and that was the reason he was there. He turned to Lady Anastasia.
“My lady,” he said, addressing her. A huge smile spread across his face. He could not hide it. He bowed low. “May I escort you to a chair?”
Lady Anastasia grinned. “Please do, Your Grace. Please do.”
Sidney smiled and held out his hand. She took it and he led her to a chair. It was only when she was sitting that he really took in how strange it was to see her in a gown and veil. She looked so beautiful that he withdrew his hand from her arm shyly. She lifted her hand, hesitantly folding the veil back from her own face.
“Anastasia! Anny!” A gentle voice rang out and Sidney looked over to see a young lady of perhaps sixteen, hurrying from the chairs across the room towards them. She was wearing a pink-and-white gown, and she wrapped her arms around LadyAnastasia and gave her a crushing hug. “Anny! You’re free. Isn’t it wonderful?”
Sidney beamed at the young lady, who must have been Anastasia’s little sister. He was sure he had seen her somewhere before. She smiled back.
“Is this him? Anastasia?” she demanded of her sister.
Lady Anastasia grinned. “Yes, Lily. This is him.”
“Oh! How wonderful!” Lady Lily beamed first at Lady Anastasia, and then at him. “I’m Anastasia’s sister. My name is Lily,” she added, her hazel eyes sparkling warmly.
Sidney grinned. “Honoured to meet you, my lady. I am Sidney Markham, Duke of Willowick.”
Lady Lily looked at him and then at Lady Anastasia.
“He has green eyes. I like him.”
Sidney felt his heart soar. He had not expected such an overwhelmingly pleasant assessment from Lady Anastasia’s little sister. His scars horrified most people, and a young lady not yet out in society would almost certainly be even more terrified than others.
“He is a wonderful man.” Lady Anastasia’s voice was low and resonant, and Sidney’s heart almost stopped as she gazed into his eyes. He could see such tenderness there that his heart stopped for a moment. He took a deep breath.
“And you are a wonderful woman,” he said softly.
She blushed. Her pale, petal-soft skin flushed a pretty bright pink that moved from her chin to the roots of her hair. He grinned, delightedly.
“How lovely!” Lady Lily exclaimed.
Sidney smiled.
He looked up to see two people hurrying across to them. One was Lady Graystone, Lady Anastasia’s mother. He could see the resemblance to Lady Anastasia at once, and to Lady Lily too. The other was Lord Graystone. The vicar followed, frowning worriedly.
“Get out,” Lord Graystone began.
“Hubert...it is not his fault. He was doing us a favour,” Lady Graystone was murmuring. Her husband shot her a look.
“This man was serving a higher purpose,” the vicar began. Lord Graystone spun around as though he was going to hit him. Lady Graystone stood next to the vicar.
Sidney shot him a grateful look.
“I don’t have to put up with him in my home,” the earl shouted. “He is trespassing. He can get out of my house if all he can do is defy me and my plans.”
