Page 78 of Wedded to the Scottish Duke

“You are too hard on yourself.” Violet sat on the edge of the bed as Celia climbed in and propped herself up against the pillows. “May I ask you something, though?”

“What?” Celia’s voice tightened a little.

“I noticed the night at the opera that you and the Duke of Hardbridge were missing at the same time. Is there any truth in Lady Alicia’s rumors? Or did she invent them all?”

“Trust me, Vi, you do not want to know what happened between the Duke and me, but let’s put it like this.” Celia sighed, sitting back. “No one saw what we did, so Lady Alicia did indeed invent her tales.”

Violet nodded.

To Celia’s relief, Violet didn’t reprimand her for her wild ways. She just smiled, rather sadly.

“In my experience, heat, passion, momentary excitement… given time, it can become something more.” She nodded with these words. “Maybe it will be the same for you and the Duke of Hardbridge?”

Celia blinked, thinking about this idea, and then she shook her head. “It’s not a fairytale ending for all couples. He has made it clear. He is marrying me because he has to. There’s nothing more to this.” She gestured to the door. “Do go home, Vi. Your family must miss you madly.”

“I will. Thank you.” Violet rose from the bed. “Oh, I nearly forgot. This arrived for you just now. I said I’d bring it up to you.” From her sleeve, she produced a sealed letter and handed it to Celia. “Good night.”

“Goodnight, Vi.”

Celia waited until her sister was gone before she turned her attention to the letter. It was rather difficult to see thehandwriting in this poor light, though as she turned it over, she recognized the seal emblazoned in the red wax at once.

The Duke of Hardbridge.

She abruptly clambered out of bed again and raced toward the lit candle, tearing open the letter to read it.

‘To Lady Celia,’

The opening formality made her grunt aloud in frustration.

‘All the arrangements have now been finalized. The ceremony will be a small affair with friends and family. On my side, I will only be bringing my mother and cousin. The vicar has agreed that it’s best we are married in your parish, so the ceremony will take place on Saturday.’

“Saturday? That’s two days away.” Her stomach knotted tight as she turned the letter over, hurrying to read his last words.

‘I know you think the worst of me, but trust me on one thing, sweetheart. I will be there, waiting for you at the altar.’

“Sweetheart,” she whispered, relishing the endearment, for it was such a contrast to the formal tone of the rest of the note. “In two days, I shall be married to the Duke of Hardbridge.”

Keith stood at the altar, staring at the empty spot beside him. He felt very alone standing there. It had been impossible to bring his brother from Scotland in time to stand with him, and with the ceremony running late, he was acutely aware of just how alone he stood at the altar.

He turned around, facing the pews. There was barely anyone here for the ceremony, just as he had wanted it to be. On his side were just his mother and his cousin. On the other side though, Celia had more guests.

As well as her mother and sister in the front row, there was Grace, Eleanor, and Diana, along with their husbands, Philip, Dorian, Aaron, and, of course, Xander. They were all muttering among themselves, repeatedly glancing at the church door and expecting it to open, though it remained firmly closed.

Keith reached for his pocket watch, taking it out of his waistcoat to check the time. She was now ten minutes late.

Maybe she has refused to come.

The thought that Celia, his Celia… the woman who had moaned beneath him in that dressing room, the woman who he had nearly made love to on that chair, would refuse to come was gutting.

I shouldn’t care. I do not care. If ye don’t come, then… that’s that.

He checked his pocket watch again, but only a minute had passed since he had last looked.

There was a sound beside him, and he looked around to hear shoes scuffing the stonework. Xander jumped into place beside him.

“What are ye doing?” Keith said in surprise.

“Violet tells me your brother should have stood here as your best man.” Xander smiled a little. “No man should stand alone at the altar.” He elbowed him good-naturedly. “So, I’ll stand in for him.”

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