Page 12 of Married to the Cruel Duke

Duke Danton cut an imposing figure. He was tall, with broad shoulders, dark hair, and piercing blue eyes. Then, of course, there was the scar on his neck.

It was a jagged stark white streak curving along his neck and up across his jaw. It only seemed to accent the harsh set of his mouth and bring out the coldness in his eyes.

Those eyes that were locked right on her. She didn’t know what it meant, only that the sheer intensity of it knocked the air from her lungs.

“What are you doing?” her father hissed. “Get moving. You’re making a fool of this family just standing here.”

“I’m sorry father.”

“Don’t be sorry. Do what you are supposed to.”

She took a deep breath and started making her way towards her… her fiance. The man who would be her husband.

The closer she got, the more intense the Duke’s gaze became. Rebecca swallowed, clenching her hands to keep them from shaking.

They made it to the front of the church and her father stepped aside, leaving her to walk the last few steps on her own.

Finally, she was standing in front of the vicar and Duke Danton. There was a moment when the vicar started to speak. Rebecca locked her eyes on the ground and tried to focus on just breathing.

It seemed like a miracle that she made it through the ceremony at all. She found herself unable to focus on anything but the way his eyes almost seemed to burn into her. She hadn’t even spoken yet and she’d found a way to displease him. She looked away from his sharp eyes, fighting back tears.

But that just made her eyes linger on the scar peeking out from above his cravat. He’d made no effort to conceal it, and it was big enough that no one could avoid noticing it. It wrapped around his throat, an angry red line.

She tore her eyes away. What was she doing?

He was already disappointed in her and here she was staring at his scars like a mannerless child.

Rebecca looked back to his face and her heart clenched in fear.

The next thing she knew, the vicar was declaring them husband and wife. The parish clerk noted the completion of the ceremony and called Solomon and Dorothy over to stand witness. Onelook at Dorothy’s snide face told Rebecca exactly what her sister wanted to say.

“The pair of you look so perfect together. You deserve each other.”

She couldn’t help but wonder what William thought about her. Rebecca glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes. He was still standing there as though he hadn’t heard what the vicar said.

After a moment, he turned on his heels without saying a word. He walked from the altar without waiting to ensure she followed him. After all, why would he bother? What else was she going to do?

When she made it outside the church after him, he was already getting into his rather nice carriage. It was far larger and more ornate than her family’s. She gave herself a minute to take in the shining lacquered finish and gilded panels on the door. The very thought of sitting in the velvet interior made her want to wince.

It felt as thought her very presence let alone her touch would cheapen or possibly even ruin it.

I suppose that is what you have when you’re a duke,she thought to herself.

But did he really want her to ride with him?

The thought caused her to hesitate for a moment. It was possible he would have a second carriage take her home. He hadn’t said anything.

In fact, aside from giving his consent to the match in the ceremony, he hadn’t said a single word since she had met him.

He must be horribly disappointed with her. Rebecca chewed her lip. It wouldn’t be the first time she disappointed someone. Still, she’d hoped it would take longer than this.

Her spiral was suddenly cut off when William stuck his head out the carriage window and asked, “Are you coming?” in a rough, annoyed voice.

She jumped and winced. She had been too slow and disappointed him again. “Yes, of course!” Rebecca hurried to join him in the carriage.

In her race to comply, her foot slipped and she started to fall, letting out a small yelp.

But before she could hit the ground, a hand closed around her wrist.

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