Page 20 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

“Tickled pink,” Eveline agreed.

This time, Aurelia was the one who looked at her in warning.

The four of them sat around the table, at which point a member of staff poured them each a cup of tea. There was a tray of sweet meats on the table to nibble upon as they drank, but as soon as Aurelia eyed them – she did love sweet meats so very much – she caught her mother glaring at her not to dare.

As noted yesterday, Lord Littlefield was not an unattractive man. Despite his short stature and balding head, he was physically fit and powerful of frame, had a strong chin and intelligent eyes, and even a kind smile. There was nothing objectionably wrong with the man, and Aurelia did her best to focus on that.And not compare him to the duke.

“I will cut straight to the point,” Lord Littlefield began once they were seated and comfortable. “For that is how I am. No sense dancing about the subject when it is there to be tackled.” He took a sip of his tea and smacked his lips. “Your mother tells me that you wish to marry – and quickly. Within the month, as she told it.”

“Oh...” Aurelia blinked in surprise, not expecting this level of forthrightness. To her right, she saw her mother nodding along, to her left she saw Eveline pulling faces. “Yes, I...” She swallowed nervously. “That is what I hoped – but I do not wish to rush you,” she then added, although she could not say why she did.

“And I do not consider myself rushed,” he said. “The truth is, I have been searching for a bride for some time now, a fickle business at the best of times, and to be perfectly honest, nothing but a headache.”

“I could not agree more,” Aurelia’s mother stepped in, while flashing Aurelia with another look of warning to not say the same thing. “Try having five daughters and then speak to me about headaches!”

“I cannot imagine,” Lord Littlefield laughed.

“You want a headache, trying staring at the dress,” Eveline muttered, pretending to block her eyes.

“Eveline!”

“I am only joking, mother,” Eveline said with a feigned smile and a battering of her eyelashes at Lord Littlefield. “The truth is, I think my sister looks lovely.”

“Ah... yes,” Lord Littlefield said, unsure how to react.

“Within the month sounds perfect,” Aurelia’s mother interjected, laughing awkwardly to try and dispel the tension created by Eveline. “That is not to say we are desperate – certainly not.” More awkward laughter. “Just that we have decided recently it is time Aurelia wed, and as they say, no time like the present.”

“Perfectly put,” Lord Littlefield agreed.

“Aurelia...” Her mother cleared her throat at Aurelia. “Tell him about yourself.” Her smile grew. “Go on then, dear.”

All eyes turned on Aurelia.Tell him about myself? I wouldn’t know where to begin! And that, I am realizing, is because I don’t know the man. Not even a little bit.

The idea of a quick marriage should have appealed to Aurelia. It was exactly what she needed, and Lord Littlefield’s eagerness was a boon any way that she looked at it. Regardless, there was something not quite right about this situation. His desperateness. The suddenness of it all. Not only was it surprising, having caught Aurelia utterly unprepared, but it felt... off.

Was she just having cold feet? After all, what did Aurelia care about how much she knew her husband when she wasn’t marrying for reasons beyond his fat purse. Or was there another reason, one which had only began to surface within the last few days...

“I am pleased to hear that you are so eager, Lord Littlefield,” Aurelia said, not at all sure what she should say. “As to telling me more about myself, I cannot help but feel that there will be plenty of time for that.”

“This is true,” he chuckled.

“And I promise I do not usually dress so garishly,” she then joked, which had her mother gasping.

“I quite like the dress.”

“You are a terrible liar,” she said without thinking, which had him frowning, which had Aurelia grimacing. “Unless you are not lying. In which case... thank you?”

“Perhaps a potato sack would have been a better option,” Eveline muttered.

“Shall we talk details!” their mother interjected, saving Aurelia from having to say anything else. “Dates? Expectations? Dowries....” She raised both eyebrows at Lord Littlefield.

“Oh, yes, I suppose we can do. I did make a point of speaking straight to the subject, didn’t I.” A nervous laugh, one which again had Aurelia’s suspicions growing.

Nonetheless, the next thirty minutes or so were spent speaking of the upcoming marriage. Both parties agreed that a few days would be needed before anything was finalized and put in writing, but as far as things looked, Aurelia and Lord Littlefield would soon be man and wife.

Aurelia said little during this conversation, choosing silence – rare for her – as she tried to come to terms with how she was feeling. Relieved, she told herself. Grateful. It was done, she had no regrets, and her sister Eveline could now be free to choose a man who suited her. She had a chance at happiness. And that wasn’t to mention Daniel, who might finally calm down now that the stress of debt was removed from his shoulders.

Yes, this is undoubtedly good. And I am happy. Or I think I am. I know I should feel that. I want to! And yet...

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