Page 54 of Her Wolf of a Duke

“Levi.”

“I shall call you that when I am your wife. Until then, you are a duke to me. The Duke of Lupton. If this is how you want our marriage to be, one of convenience, then so be it. I will gladly comply with that.”

“Emma, if I could have this be any other way, I would, but I cannot.”

“Then all is well. It is no trouble, I assure you. I have never been one to have many expectations, and so you must know that you will have great difficulty in disappointing me. I shall be a good wife, in that respect.”

They continued in silence, save for a few mumbled questions about the ceremony. Levi had it all in hand, and had given Emma limitless funds to do with as she pleased, meaning that at least her trip to the modiste with her friends would be enjoyable. They were to go the following day, and there was a long list of items that she wished to purchase. It would require a lot of work on the modiste’s part, but so long as she paid her well it would be possible.

When Levi left her, Emma at last thought about what he had told her. Their marriage would be loveless, but at least she would be afforded the security of a duchess. She would be taken care of, even if not loved. That was more than she could ask for, she reasoned, and therefore there was no need to feel hurt. Perhaps, if she was a better lady, one of higher standing or one that was more ladylike to begin with, she might have earned affection, but as it was she did not warrant it and she was perfectly happy with that.

Or, rather, she would be. One could not be too sad, she decided, while having every whim catered to.

“Oh, that is beautiful!” Sarah said softly when she saw the ring. “What a treasure! I have half a mind to whisk it off of your hand while you’re not looking. Not that I ever would, of course.”

“It is certainly lovely,” Emma nodded with a sigh. “Sarah, you will be happy with the Baron, won’t you?”

“I truly believe so. He told me on our walk yesterday that, no matter the scandal, he wants to be my husband. His familyagrees. They told him not to listen to any of it, and that if I am the lady he wants as a wife then he is to make good on his desires. I cannot believe how fortunate I am.”

“Good, that means this is not for nothing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing,” she smiled, though she had to admit even her smile was pained.

She had sacrificed years of her life for her sister, and so what difference would a few more make? She would be happy enough in her estate, living in a manor house with dozens of servants. Love, in her position, was frankly too much to ask for.

And so she would not ask for it at all.

CHAPTER 18

Being a duchess, even an unloved one, came with many good things.

For one, it meant that the modiste was more than happy to prioritize her wedding gown, as well as her five new nightdresses and other items for her trousseau. As she was without her mother, Sarah and her friends had been more than happy to accompany her into town. They did, however, seem faintly concerned for her.

“Are you quite certain that you are alright?” Cecilia asked. “This cannot be an easy position for you, given the circumstances.”

“No, it is not, but I am made of stronger stuff than whatever whispers say of me. Besides, I shall need a wedding gown with or without a modiste, and should I be forced to sew my own we shall only have even more gossip to avoid.”

She laughed, and her friends followed, but there was an undeniable awkwardness in the air. The five of them had plenty of space in the shop, and while Emma had her measurements taken her four companions selected fabric and discussed styles. Emma could hear them whispering to one another, and she wondered if they were aware that she could.

It appeared that they were not.

“Is she alright?” Dorothy whispered. “I hate to think that she is unhappy about all of this.”

“Of course she is unhappy,” Cecilia replied. “This is not what she wanted, even if it is evident that she likes His Grace. You can see it in her face that she doesn’t want any of this.”

“But that could change,” Beatrice tried. “I know of many couples that did not meet under the greatest circumstances, but they are now very much in love. Perhaps the same could happen for her?”

“She does like the Duke,” Sarah agreed. “He is fond of her, too. He would not have proposed if he did not.”

“Be that as it may,” Cecilia sighed, “if she wanted this, there would have been some happiness in her eyes, even with all of this scandal. We all know of the Duke’s reputation. It is a miracle that he did not leave her in ruin, but for now we cannot expect any more than that.”

Her fears confirmed, Emma stopped listening. She was not enough for the Duke to change his mind, only enough to do his duty. She had to accept that, and be quiet and polite while doing so. The modiste took her final measurements before going to retrieve the fabrics with a smile.

“I must confess that I cannot create too elaborate of a gown,” she explained, “but I will make something of quality.”

“That will be perfect, thank you. I do not have too many ideas, although my sister has had what feels like hundreds.”

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