Page 74 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

“That he accepts what this marriage is,” she corrected. “He will cover our family’s debts, and I will provide him an heir.” She shrugged and then sighed. “Is that not the entire point of most marriages in the first place?”

“For many, yes,” Violet agreed. “But you are not many. Until last month, I never thought I would see you wed. Even mother knew as much, figuring it was better to let you do as you please than risk forcing you on someone you did not want.” She laughed. “I would not envy the man who found himself in that position.”

“Things change.”

“But you have not,” Violet continued softly, her expression one of sadness and pity. “I know why you are doing this. And I cannot tell you how proud I am of you – we all are. But Aurelia…” Violet’s eyes searched her. “If you are having second thoughts, believe me when I tell you, ignoring them will not change anything. Best to have them now and act as you feel is right. Who cares what the consequences –”

“I care,” Aurelia cut her off. “That is the entire point, Violet. And why you even…” She felt herself growing angry now.Why is she telling me this? What good does she think it will do!“Why do you care, Violet? It is not as if you have ever cared for my wellbeing before.”

Violet leaned back at that, her face aghast. “I hope you know that is not true.”

“I know what our relationship is,” Aurelia said. “You and Daniel were always close. And Caroline was old enough and proper enough that you found common ground with her. But do not pretend that you and I ever had that sort of relationship. Which is perfectly fine,” she made sure to add. “I do not begrudge you. I just do not understand why you are choosing this moment to sow doubts into my head.”

Violet was still holding her by the hand. Still studying her with a sadness that made her want to burst into tears. “You are right,” she admitted. “You and I…” She shook her head. “But you are still my sister, and despite what you may think, I know you better than you would be willing to admit.”

“I doubt it.”

“Is that what you think?” Violet cocked an eyebrow at her. “So, this sudden zeal and determination to be married has nothing to do with another?” Aurelia’s face dropped, unable to hide her surprise. “Another who you would rather be walking down the aisle to greet, but for some reason have resigned yourself to not take that chance?” Her eyebrow rose knowingly. “I might be wrong, but somehow I doubt it.”

“How… how did you…”

“It is His Grace, isn’t it?” Violet said gently, taking Aurelia’s other hand. “I am not as blind as some, and I saw the way you to looked at each other at my drum. And then there was His Grace’s dinner party…” She shook her head but smiled. “Did you think that the two of you could disappear as you had and go completely unnoticed.”

Aurelia’s face paled. “That was… we were not… nothing –”

“I do not care what happened,” Violet said. “All I care for is you. And if you do feel this way for him, why on earth are you so set on going through with this marriage? Marriage is for life, Aurelia. Believe me, I know it better than most.”

Aurelia’s chin began to quiver. She felt her eyes well with tears. Desperate not to break down and start to cry, she snatched her hands away and turned her back on Violet. “I told you why. There is no other way.”

“You do not need to do this.” Violet put her hands on Aurelia’s shoulder and stepped into her. “Not for us. Daniel will find another way to pay the debts his owes.”

“Eveline –”

“Not her,” Violet said. “There are other means to make money. If you do not wish to do this, if there is even a chance at something better…” She sniffed also, her arms now wrapping around Aurelia. “You owe it to yourself, Aurelia. Do not live as I do. Do not live wondering what might have been if only you had taken a chance. If there is even the smallest possibility of something else… take it. Even if it all comes crashing down, at least you will have tried.”

She just doesn’t understand. Her heart is in the right place, and I love her for that. But this isn’t me denying myself a chance at happiness. This is me knowing happiness is not mine to take.

“The duke does not care for me,” Aurelia said, sniffing back the tears and steadying herself. “That is why I am… this is not me being scared, Violet. It is just the way it is. I went to him. I told him how I felt. He rejected me” She nodded and unpeeled herself from her sister, turning to face her. “It really is that simple.”

“Aurelia…”

“Do not feel sorry for me,” Aurelia said with a warm smile. “I will not have it. Not on my wedding day. Lord Mildenhall might not be the one I love, but he is not as bad as he might be. I am glad to be doing this.” She looked right at her sister. “And most importantly, I want to.”A lie, but one that I need to believe.

Violet nodded her understanding, taking Aurelia’s hands again and squeezing them. “So long as you do.”

“Now, come…” She forced her smile to grow, through with feeling sorry for herself. “They are waiting and if I make them wait any longer, I dare say that Lord Mildenhall might be the one who double guesses if this is what he wants.”

Violet laughed at that but kept hold of Aurelia’s hands as she led her from the antechamber and into the body of the church.

It was brimming with a sense of anticipation when she arrived. Scores of guests already seated, the chatter they had been engaged in silencing the second she was noticed. Heads turned to look at her. Eyes began to brim with tears. Smiles all, for this was a happy occasion and needed to be treated as such. The church was decorated brightly, colorfully, like Spring blooming after a most terrible winter. Indeed, Lord Mildenhall had spared no expense, for this was a marriage he not only wanted but needed.

And there he stood at the end of the aisle. When he saw Aurelia appear he smiled rightly and nodded once, pleased it seemed to see her. There was no love in his eyes. No adoration of her beauty. Merely an acceptance that things were going ahead as planned.

In a last showing of hope, Aurelia scanned the crowds, wondering if she might see the duke among the face…of course he is not here. Why would he be?

Violet took her seat and Daniel came to her. She made sure to beam and his smile was soft yet unsure. As Violet had said, there was no fooling them, and where Daniel knew why she was doing this and accepted it as the right move, even he could not pretend at being overjoyed for her.

“Are you ready?” he asked as he linked his arm through her own.

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