Beatrice could not work out the intent behind the words, but she trod carefully so as not to say the wrong thing, especially on her wedding day and particularly when meeting her in-laws for the first time. She did not want to dwell on the events that had led to her marriage.

“His Grace is a good man, and I am happy to be married to him,” Beatrice stated.

“I will debut this year,” Elizabeth said. “You must help me prepare.”

Beatrice found the change of topic unusual and too abrupt, but she was glad for it.

“I shall be happy to,” she replied. “My youngest sister will also debut this year.”

Elizabeth looked satisfied by her response.

Beatrice took a deep breath. It was hard enough to navigate the intricacies of her new marriage, but it was harder still to meet these new people with whom she would forge relationships.

She looked toward her father, and he did not look happy. He did not look sad or angry either. For the first time in months, he looked relieved. That was the moment that almost broke her. She felt the tears well up in her eyes, happy that she had finally made amends. It might still take time, but it was done, and her father would not have to carry around the constant pain and stress.

Beatrice might have broken down in tears if her heart had not skipped a beat upon seeing the man walking toward them through the small wedding chapel. Robert Hawkins, the Earl of Pemberton, was heading straight to her, and she had nowhere to hide.

But he eventually went straight to the Duke and shook his hand. Beatrice heaved a sigh of relief. Her heart beat a little faster when the Duke brought Robert over.

“My congratulations, Your Grace,” Robert said. “I still cannot believe my good friend is married, and I hope you will knock some sense into him.”

“Good friend?” Beatrice murmured.

Edwin smiled. “Robert and I have known each other since Eton. He is my closest friend.”

“We met because we both fought over the same woman for a while,” Robert said, chuckling. “I’m glad that does not happen anymore. I would not like to go up against His Grace.”

The way Robert looked at Beatrice told her that he knew everything, and her face flushed. With the recent nuptials, no one would think anything of it, but Beatrice, Robert, and Edwin knew the truth, and Beatrice did not know whether to laugh or cry. She had gone to Lord Pemberton’s room that night to seduce him, and he obviously found the entire thing humorous.

But then her surprise turned into guilt, a feeling she had become used to. She knew the Duke did not care for her, and no matter what he said, he had been forced into the marriage to save face. He was in the same situation as her, but for reasons she did not understand. Her father demanded that she marry anyone to restore the family’s reputation, and the Duke demanded that she marry him.

Perhaps she did understand a little. He was a duke, and dukes were expected to have families. He was a man, and men liked to have children to continue their lines. Edwin might have decided to marry her quickly, but he did not do it for love. He obviously did not like her. She had seen the look in his eyes when he thought about claiming her body, but there was nothing more behind it.

Looking at Lord Pemberton, Beatrice saw a flash of happiness—a flash of what could have been. On one side was Lord Mutton, and on the other was the Duke—both were extremes of unhappiness. In the middle was Lord Pemberton. If her plan had worked, she could have had a happy life with a good man who had shown he cared when he did not have to.

Instead, she was bound to the Duke of Walford, a man she had heard many stories about over the years. She had seen some of his temper and the way he made decisions, and she understood the stories to be true.

Beatrice watched her husband as he talked with Lord Pemberton, and only one thing kept her going. It was her wedding day, and soon it would be her wedding night. She was nervous about it but knew it would distract her from everything else. She had been waiting almost a month for the Duke to pleasure her and explore her body, and it was coming soon. After that, she would deal with what came next.

“We should leave,” Edwin said. “We have other things to do.”

“Of course.” Beatrice agreed.

She went to her parents and sisters to say goodbye, and Edwin did the same with the other guests. Phineas made sure to go and shake Edwin’s hand before everyone departed.

To Phineas, Edwin was the man who had saved everyone’s blushes, and he would be eternally grateful for him.

The married couple boarded the coach and headed for the Duke’s estate. There was no wedding breakfast planned. The marriage had been arranged quickly, and the Duke saw no need to plan a great celebration when it was not needed.

Beatrice had been a little disappointed, but after what she had done, she had little say in how events should proceed. The coach rumbled from the small chapel, and it was somewhat of an anticlimax after everything that had happened.

One thought came to Beatrice’s mind. She might have heard stories and gossip about the Duke, but when she thought about it, she barely knew him. This was their third meeting. She needed to speak to him but did not know what to say.

Edwin was silent during the journey. But the silence became unbearable to Beatrice. They did not know each other and shared no connection, and the gap between them was widening.

She glanced at him, sitting opposite her. He looked out the window, which gave her a chance to take him in. With there being no wedding breakfast or celebration, would they go straight to their bedchamber, or would she have to wait until later?

The Duke had seen her in only her undergarments, and it had almost been the opposite for her. She had only seen him in his formalwear, which left much to the imagination. If his body were like his character, it would be tough and powerful. Beatrice could only focus on that to get her through the silent coach ride.