Page 73 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

Aurelia stood in silence as the chaos swirled about her. Happy to let her sisters, mother, and best friend cluck and carry on with feigned happiness and joy for she did not want to risk saying anything that might ruin the mood. She had committed herself fully to this marriage by now, and to suggest anything else might ruin the day. Not the marriage, however, as she doubted that anything she did or said would change that outcome.

It was set to begin at any second. Now that her dress was fitted and her face was painted, all she needed to do was say that she was ready and the ceremony would begin.

The ladies had sequestered themselves to an antechamber at the back of the church for these final moments. Beyond the doorway and down the hall, Aurelia could hear the buzzing of the scores of guests who had come to witness her special day. Most were friends and family of Lord Mildenhall, but many were here for her also. And from the sounds of things, all agreed that it was a wedding to be remembered.And a marriage to be forgotten…

“Mother,” Violet began. “Go and tell them that we will be out shortly.”

Their mother nodded her agreement. But not before taking Aurelia by the hands and fixing her with a smile. “I am so proud of you dear, I hope you know that. So proud.”

“I know, mother,” Aurelia said, ignoring the stabbing pain in her chest.

“Mother!” Eveline appeared suddenly at the door. “I was looking for you.” The sight of her sister had the pain increasing, a reminder of why she was doing this. “Daniel wants to know how long.”

“Daniel…” Their mother rolled her eyes. “I am coming, Eveline. And tell you sister how stunning she looks.”

“She knows she does,” Eveline sighed, only to look upon Aurelia and beam. “You do though, Aurelia. Wow.”

“Thanks, Eveline,” Aurelia said with a soft smile.

Her sister was only eighteen and had her entire life ahead of her. A life that would now be her own, once this marriage was secured. Any doubts that Aurelia was having were dashed in that instant. It might not have made her feel better, but it made her more determined.

Eveline and her mother were quick to leave, which meant that Aurelia was out of time. They would spend the next few minutes quieting the crowd and ushering everyone to their seats, at which point she would be expected to appear at the end of the nave and begin her walk down the aisle.

“This is it…” Aurelia sighed.

“I best be going too,” Rosalind added. She smiled for Aurelia and took her hands also. “I will see you after.”

“I sure hope so.” She held onto Rosalind’s hands tightly, looking into her friend’s eyes, hoping to see an answer to the question she was too afraid to ask…

“Until then.” Rosalind gave her hands a squeeze and then vanished.

Rosalind had come alone today. Her brother, the duke, for reasons she had not explained, had decided not to attend. Worse than that, Rosalind had not even seemed to think it strange. She mentioned it as a passing comment, slightly annoyed because she had expected him here, but not considering there to be a reason beyond the fact that he didn’t enjoy social events.

When she heard this, Aurelia had needed to work as hard as she ever had not to break on the spot. It was stupid, she knew, but a part of her had wondered if the duke being here and seeing her might be the final push he needed to…No, do not go down that path again. He is not here because he does not care. He never did, and wishing differently isn’t going to change anything.

This wedding was happening, and Aurelia had resigned herself to it fully.

“I best tell them you are coming,” Caroline then said. She too took Aurelia’s hands and smiled. “I know this is scary, Aurelia. Believe me…” She chuckled. “Violet and I both know it more than most. But trust me, sometimes the most unlikely marriages turn into the stuff of dreams. And if you want it, it will happen. I promise.”

“Thank you,” Aurelia said with a smile that did not reach her eyes. “Lord Mildenhall is lovely, and I am sure that I will be happy with him.”

Caroline frowned at the response, likely taking note of Aurelia’s dejected tone. But she said nothing to it, probably because it was not that surprising. None of them were such fools to think this marriage to be a love match, most considering it a standard affair, in many ways better than how a lot of arranged marriages began.

Caroline left then, leaving Aurelia alone with her eldest sister, Violet.

It felt apt in many ways that she should be the last to see her off. Years ago, Violet had been faced with an even worse prospect than Aurelia’s own, her marriage doomed to be a most dreadful thing. And where it was by no means perfect, Violet had managed to come to terms with her married life, accepting it in ways that Aurelia hoped would one day inspire her. That was where it all began, this quest to pay their father’s debts, so that it was ending now with Violet here to lead her into the church was right and signaled to Aurelia how real all of this was.How unescapable too.

“Shall we go?” Aurelia asked her sister, not bothering with a smile now because it seemed a pointless thing.

Violet studied her for a moment, frowning as she looked Aurelia over, focusing on her sunken shoulders, her resigned expression, and the sadness in her eyes. “Aurelia… you do not need to keep on pretending. Not for my sake.”

“Pretending?” Aurelia acted confused. “What do you mean?”

Violet sighed and took her hand. “I am no fool, Aurelia. None of us are. We all know what this marriage is, and what it promises to become. There is no need for you to act differently as if hoping to fool yourself. That will solve nothing.”

“Oh…” Aurelia shrunk back. “I am… it is not that I am pretending, Violet. Truly, although Lord Mildenhall might not be a man whom I love and adore, he will not be an awful husband. And many have faced worst circumstances than I. Really, I should be grateful that –”

“He is not wicked and cruel?”

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