Page 35 of Taken By the Beastly Duke

Looks like she was going to become the blushing bride after all.

As the ceremony began, the bishop droned on about marriage and importance of family, her mind travelled as she imagined what her life would look like after the ceremony. She would have to leave with the Duke and begin a new life far away from the family she had always known.

While a part of her was excited about having a home she could call hers, she also felt apprehensive especially when she remembered the argument that she had with him a week earlier and the possibility that he resented her for forcing him into a marriage he didn't want.

She might have saved her sister from him but had ended up trapping herself with him. To her mind it just might be the equivalent of locking herself in a lion's den and hoping fervently that she didn't get devoured.

"Miss," the bishop called, startling her out of her reverie.

She looked up to see Anthony and the elderly bishop peering at her with identical expressions of concern

Apparently it was time for her to repeat her vows but she had been to distracted to say them.

She apologized and repeated her vows, clearly and loudly and when Anthony recited his and slid the plain gold band on her finger, she could swear that she heard the sound of a door in her head clicking shut.

Anthony cradled her neck and caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers, his eyes glinting with a strange cocktail of emotions that she couldn't identify

The butterflies in her belly took flight and she trembled with barely leashed passion by the time he slanted his lips over hers, she was certain that she would have melted like butter if he had not placed an arm around her waist to anchor her to his hard body

By the time he released her, she felt dizzy with passion and a place low in her belly ached with longing.

The man that was now her husband had the audacity to flash her a smug smile, obviously satisfied with his ill-gotten ability to reduce her to a ball of longing that only required relief from him. It was shameful how he managed to reduce her to a puddle simply with a simple look.

When the ceremony ended, he tucked her arm in his and walked down the aisle, exchanging greetings with the guests that had grace their wedding.

They then headed to the hall for their wedding breakfast and while they wined and dined, she accepted congratulatory messages from all and sundry. All this could not bring calm to her sense instead her mind moved a mile per second as she anticipated what followed next.

Soon Anthony stood up and announced that he must now leave with his wife, so as to travel to his estate which was about a half day's journey from Mayfair.

Victoria heard herself trying to delay him by staring that she had not packed her belongings.

In answer, he assured her that her maid could bring her luggage when she joined them later.

After a tear filled goodbye with her family, Anthony helped her onto his carriage and they soon set off on the journey to the Devlin estate

For most part of the ride, he was quiet as he read the neatly pressed newspaper in his hands effectively ignoring her presence.

As she watched and admired his face in profile, she came to terms that she was now married to the Devil's Duke and she was now in fact a duchess.

* * *

When the carriage stopped as it came to a stop in a beautiful driveway, Victoria jolted out of her slumber, she had been reading "Pride and Prejudice" by A Lady, to pass the time in the uncomfortable silence of the carriage, she must have fallen asleep at some point.

She looked in Anthony's direction to see him giving her an amused smile.

She touched her face and saw she must have drooled while she was out in dreamland and she didn't want to contemplate the state of her hair.

She could feel the familiar burn of embarrassment and she scowled at him in disapproval.

Instead of being remorseful he burst out in to laughter causing her scowl to grow even deeper. She bent over to pick up her fallen book, making sure to flash him an annoyed glance when she straightened to her sitting position.

The look seemed to send him to another episode of uncontrollable mirth as he laughed until tears came out of his eyes.

" You should see your face, Duchess, you look absolutely ridiculous but in an adorable way."

" I hardly think that is a suitable compliment to give your wife".

" Well, I do not think I owe you any compliments," he said dismounting when the footman opened the door of the carriage. Standing on the ground, he stretched out his hand

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