Page 40 of The Duke and the Runaway Bride

“Such kind words,” Beatrice drawled.

“Please, mingle with our guests,” Robert suggested. “Have some food and drinks and make merry. I have more people to greet.”

Edwin nodded to his friend, then he and Beatrice went to explore the grand gardens of Pemberton Estate.

Once his friend had gone to greet some of the other guests, Edwin leaned in close to Beatrice so his breath tickled her ear. “We have just arrived, but all eyes will be on us even if it is not obvious. They will see me whispering to you and think I am whispering sweet nothings. So, be sure to smile as I speak.”

Beatrice could only think about his lips. His warm breath was intoxicating, and she would get to feel his lips on her body in a few hours. Her lips curled into a smile.

“You should take my arm as we walk to get refreshments,” Edwin continued. “We’ll have to take the stairs to get to the lawn, and you can take my hand as we go up. That should be a good enough start to show people we are a couple.”

“As you wish,” Beatrice said.

She did not think she would have trouble convincing people they were a couple. She could only think about that night—her attraction to the Duke must be obvious to everyone. They might not have a loving relationship, but they did have something.

Beatrice took his arm, and they walked through the gardens. She had thought about what they had. It was undeniable that they had chemistry—it had not only been she who had been unable to stop her thoughts from wandering to more carnal pleasures when in his company, but the Duke too.

It was a huge mercy under the circumstances. Beatrice had been forced to wed against her will, but she had not imagined she would be paired with someone she was so attracted to or someone so attracted to her.

She shifted and took Edwin’s hand as they walked up the four stone steps, even though she did not need any help ascending the stairs. They passed one of the servers, and Edwin took a glass of champagne for each of them.

“Beatrice!”

Beatrice spun around to see Hannah skipping toward her. She felt her heart lift even higher than it already was at seeing her sister. And not only her sister, but her parents too—they approached behind Hannah.

Hannah reached Beatrice and wrapped her arms around her. “Oh, it feels like you have been gone for such a long time, and I have missed you terribly. You are going to help me with my debut, aren’t you?”

“Of course,” Beatrice said, melting into her younger sister’s embrace. “We are attending more events, so I will get to see you more, and now that all of the fuss has died down, we would love to have you visit.”

Beatrice pulled back and looked sheepishly at Edwin. They have not discussed anything more than attending events together to quash any rumors.

He looked back at her and gave a slight nod—the go-ahead to plan a visit to their home. It was a small concession, but it felt like a big one under the circumstances. They had spoken about living separate lives.

Phineas and Letitia arrived, and the Duke greeted them all before he excused himself.

“I am glad to see your family here, but I will leave you in their capable hands now. I have people I must talk to while we are here. Will you be fine for a while?” he asked.

Beatrice smiled. “I will. It will be nice to catch up.”

Edwin said goodbye to her family and left to talk about business with some of the lords there. Phineas watched him leave, and Beatrice caught the look in his eyes. She wasn’t sure if he was wary of the Duke or disappointed at not being the one to talk business with him.

“How are you doing, Beatrice?” Phineas asked.

Her father had started talking to her again once she was promised to the Duke, but his tone had lost its previous sharpness, and it brightened her day more.

“I am doing well, Father,” she replied.

She looked at him, hoping for more—a comment about how happy he was for her or a question about when she’d have children.

He didn’t ask any questions or smile, but he didn’t frown either.

“Oh, should I address you differently now?” Hannah asked. “I called you by your name in public, but must I address you as Your Grace and curtsey.”

Beatrice giggled. “Oh, please don’t,” she begged. “I suppose it would be proper in public, but I don’t want that. You can call me by my name any time you like.”

“I shall try my best to act as I should before my debut,” Hannah promised, as if she had been waiting to say that in front of their parents.

“I know you will,” Beatrice said. “I will help you prepare for your debut, but I will not have a lot of work to do. Mother has prepared you well, and I am sure you will have the best debut of the three of us.”

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