Page 43 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
“She does seem a decent kind of girl,” Wembley said.
Vaughan gritted his teeth. He knew they were coming from a good place, but they needed to trust him to know what was best for his own peace of mind.
“I have no intention of seeing Lady Emma until the wedding, and then, once she’s with child, I’ll be perfectly happy to live separate lives.”
CHAPTER 11
Emma had expectedto be excited on the morning of her wedding, but instead she felt faintly nauseous. She hadn’t fully come to terms with the fact that she was about to marry the Duke of Ashford. She didn’t even know the man’s first name. Surely one ought to know the name of the person they were marrying.
She choked down a breakfast of dry toast and tea while listening to her mother exclaim over what a wonderful day it was going to be and then returned to her bedchamber to bathe.
Once she was clean and her hair was dry, she sat on the chair in front of the mirror in her bedchamber while Daisy fussed around her.
Emma’s unsettled stomach had been gurgling and rumbling, and she blushed harder each time, certain that Daisy must be able to hear. Thank God she said nothing.
Daisy arranged hairpins on the cabinet and measured out several lengths of the blue ribbon that Sophie had chosen for her. Emma watched her quick, neat movements.
Perhaps she wouldn’t be quite so nervous if she’d actually seen the duke sometime over the past month. She’d expectedthat they would meet, at least semiregularly, to discuss wedding details. If not for the fact that her father had assured her that the necessary papers had been arranged, she might worry she’d dreamed up the whole thing.
“Lady Sophie was right about this shade of blue,” Daisy said, holding a ribbon beside her face. “It’s a lovely match for your eyes.”
“Hers too.” At this minute, in another room, Sophie was getting her own hair done by Jane, who’d become her maid after Violet had left.
Emma studied their reflection as Daisy began brushing her hair and gathering it into sections. The room was too quiet. She wasn’t much of a talker, and maids weren’t expected to make conversation unless invited to. Emma had always imagined that she’d share her wedding day with Violet, and vice versa, but it was not to be.
“Do you think Violet had a nice wedding?” she asked Daisy.
Daisy started pinning her hair into place. “I certainly hope she did, since she caused so much distress in order to secure it.”
Yes, she had. Emma had been angry at her for that, but today, she couldn’t find it in her to be vexed. She was too numb. Even if Violet had had a simple ceremony with the bare minimum of witnesses and no fancy gown, surely it would be worth it to marry a man she was willing to risk everything for.
Emma would never know.
“I’ve never gone for so long without her,” Emma said.
Being twins, they tended to do everything together. They’d been schooled together, learned to dance together, and emerged into society together. She’d always been a little frustrated by that since Violet always shone brighter than she did, but being apart from her for such an important milestone set Emma on edge.
“You’re going to be fine,” Daisy said. “And after, I’ll be able to tell my family I work for a duchess.”
As part of the arrangements, they’d agreed that Daisy would come with Emma to her new home. Daisy had no particular attachment to Carlisle House, and she was loyal to Emma.
“Thank you for coming with me,” Emma said. It would be nice to have a familiar face.
“It will be my honor, my lady.” She giggled. “Soon I will be calling you ‘Your Grace.’”
They sat in silence while Daisy finished Emma’s hair. When it was done, Emma stared at herself in the mirror. Her long blond hair was secured in a simple knot on the back of her head with loose curls in the front.
“Are you ready to dress?” Daisy asked.
“Yes.” Emma stood, but at that moment, Lady Carlisle entered the bedchamber.
“Daisy, can you give Emma and me a few minutes alone?” Lady Carlisle asked.
Daisy dipped into a curtsey and left.
Lady Carlisle sat on the cream chaise and patted the spot beside her. Emma joined her, her stomach clenching with nerves.
“Emma, before you wed, there is something we must discuss.” Lady Carlisle looked uncomfortable but soldiered on. “It’s about the wedding night.”
