Page 19 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
“I will,” Edith promised.
“I say, that was a rather short ceremony for a duke,” Christian said, approaching Laurence.
“I found it need not be any longer, Duke,” Laurence replied coldly.
“Your Grace, I don’t suppose there is a reason for your… haste?” Luke asked, flanking him.
The two men smiled at Laurence, but the suspicion in their gaze was hard to miss.
“None that you need to worry about.”
“Indeed!” Lord Mallowby piped up, clapping Laurence on the shoulder. “Let the boy get a bit older before he needs to wonder why a man would rush a wedding, hmm?”
Edith’s eyes widened at his comment. Heat surged up her neck and cheeks, and she covered her face, utterly mortified.
Christian burst out laughing at the insinuation, while Luke looked on, confused. Laurence growled quietly at James and shoved him aside to address her.
“I am…” He paused. “I can only apologize for Lord Mallowby’s impertinence.”
“It is not your fault,” Edith stuttered.
“Why is it funny?” Tilly asked with wide, curious eyes.
Edith let out a choked breath and picked her up. “I think it’s time to go,” she said to Laurence.
“I couldn’t agree more,” he said, hurrying the three of them into the carriage.
Lord Mallowby was laughing with Christian. Ava shook her head and looked over at the carriage before waving and offering a sad smile. Edith waved back.
The carriage soon pulled away, taking the little family to their new life.
Edith sat quietly, watching the world slip past as she left behind the life and people she knew.
Only time would tell if she could once again adjust to life as a married woman.
CHAPTER 4
“How did you get your scars?” Tilly asked.
Edith sat up straight. She had lost herself looking out the window and hadn’t realized that Tilly would ask such a thing.
“Tilly, it’s impolite to ask a person such a question!”
“Why? Some of the older children back at the workhouse also had scars, and they did not mind speaking about where they came from,” Tilly replied, looking up at the two adults, who stiffened in their seats.
Edith glanced worriedly at Laurence’s hardened expression, who’d leaned forward in his seat to address Tilly. His blue eyes drifted up to Edith.
“You will both be safe from such scars,” he said gently.
Edith’s heart leaped faster than any horse, and she had to make a conscious effort to remember to breathe. She nodded slightly to indicate that she had heard him. Her throat was suddenly dry, and she was sure her cheeks were noticeably rosy.
“Are we going to live in a big house?” Tilly asked, breaking the moment and pulling Laurence’s attention back to her.
Laurence frowned slightly and remained silent, but that did little to deter her.
“Have you got horses? And a garden? What is the staff like?”
“Tilly,” Edith interjected, seeing Laurence’s scowl deepen with each question. “I think the Duke is tired after such a busy day. You’ll get to see everything soon enough.”
