Page 56 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
She disengaged her arm from Andrew’s, and she pivoted to stand opposite Theo. The neckline of her dress cut low across her chest, drawing his eyes to the smooth porcelain skin it exposed. His mouth went dry, and he forced himself to lift his eyes to focus on her face.
He could have used her note—and the request contained within—as a way to escape this marriage, but he hadn’t had the heart to do so. It was too late now. Calling things off would be a mistake. What remained of her good name would be in tatters.
The clergyman began to talk. Theo listened but he felt detached from his body, as if he were looking down on himself from above. Despite being able to feel the cold draft that whistled through the church and the firmness of the ground beneath his feet, he was strangely disconnected.
When it was his turn to speak, he recited the words, his voice impossibly loud to his own ears, as if it was echoing around the vault of his skull.
This couldn’t be more different from his first wedding.
There were no mischievous smiles exchanged between the bride and groom, no ridiculously extravagant decor designed by his mother, and most of all, no love between him and Kate. The only thing the two events had in common was that they were legally binding… and that there was a glint of hope in his bride’s eyes.
He really wished he hadn’t noticed that. He had no desire to disappoint Kate, but he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would. He didn’t know how to be what she wanted.
He watched her lips move as she recited her vows, and then he slid his grandmother’s ring onto her finger. This was one ofthe concessions he’d made for his mother. She hadn’t allowed him to use his grandmother’s ring when he married Elizabeth, but it pleased her to know it would be on the finger of an earl’s sister. Someone who, according to her, was a worthy viscountess.
He noticed Kate studying the ring and he hoped she liked it. While he thought less of his mother for the games she played, he didn’t feel any bitterness or resentment toward Kate for being allowed to wear the family heirloom. In fact, it suited her. The emerald went well with her reddish hair.
The clergyman announced that it was time to kiss his wife, and Theo moved closer to Kate, noting the way her eyes widened as she looked up at him. He placed his hand on her hip and dipped his head, brushing his lips to hers. They were petal-soft and parted on a surprised exhalation. He was tempted to press closer and learn how she tasted but forced himself to release her and back away again.
She stared at him with dilated pupils, and her tongue darted out to touch her lips. A bolt of lust shot through him, and he tamped it down quickly. He couldn’t allow himself to feel such attraction to her.
When the ceremony ended, they accepted congratulations and solicitations from the guests. He made the briefest possible introduction to Nicholas, who had grown his facial hair and was dressed in a style that made him appear as different from Theo as possible, the better to avoid upsetting their motherandLady Katherine until after all was settled.
It was possible she’d learn the truth of who had actually been on the balcony with her at some point, but it would be better for everyone involved if that didn’t happen with an audience.
Once the stream of well-wishers had all left, Theo and Kate got into his carriage to follow those bound for the weddingbreakfast at Longley House. They were both quiet during the drive, perhaps overwhelmed by what they’d just done.
He paused before helping her out of the carriage. “You’ve outdone yourself with the wedding gown. It’s spectacular.”
A shy smile touched her lips. “Thank you, my lord.”
“We’re married now, so please call me Theodore when we’re in private.”
Her smile widened. “You may call me Katherine.”
He took her hand, enjoying the brush of her soft skin against his, and escorted her into the formal dining room, where everyone was seated around the table. There was a space left for him at the head of the table and one to his right for her.
He rested his hand on the small of her back as he guided her over. As the highest-ranking family member present, Longley was seated to his left with his wife on the other side of him. Lady Drake was beside Kate. She looked up and beamed at them both. The affectionate expression couldn’t be more different from the cool smugness of his own mother, who was seated to the left of Lady Drake.
Nicholas had excused himself from the breakfast citing a headache, eager to avoid giving Lady Blackwell any reason to harass them both about how terrible they were for her nerves.
At this point, Theo thought the situation had gone on for too long. They really ought to have started attending events together as young men and simply made their mother deal with the consequences of her lies.
Unfortunately, because they both cared for her, and their father was no longer around to make her see reason, they still participated in this ridiculous ritual of minimizing public appearances together so no one would guess they were actually twins and she wouldn’t be “ruined.”
Honestly, he very much doubted that she’d be ruined even if they went directly to the gossip rags and confessed everything,but there would be whispers and disapproval and if there was anything Lady Blackwell hated, it was being the subject of public censure. While the actual ramifications probably wouldn’t be severe, she’d be miserable, nonetheless.
The meal passed quickly. He struck up a conversation with Longley while keeping an eye on Kate to make sure she was having a pleasant time. After dessert, some of the men retreated to another room, but Theo stayed near her. He wasn’t sure if it was the ring on her finger or the way her smile hit him in the gut every time it crossed her face, but he didn’t feel able to leave her.
He made the mistake of stepping away to pour himself a drink and immediately regretted it when, upon returning, he found her deep in conversation with another gentleman. He was crossing to them before he even thought about it, possessive thoughts racing through his mind.
She was his wife, and this was their wedding day. He wouldn’t tolerate anyone flirting with his bride.
It was only as he reached her side that he recognized the gentleman in question as the Duke of Ashford and recalled that he was happily married. It bothered him how relieved he was. He shouldn’t be getting jealous over his wife. He should be keeping his distance and doing whatever it took to make her happy. Certainly not dragging her closer and burdening her with all of the complicated emotions she brought out in him.
The last part of the celebration was the cutting of the cake. Longley’s cook had created an impressive tiered cake that was frosted in pink and matched Kate’s dress so well that it couldn’t be accidental.
He and Kate stood behind the cake, and they both held onto the knife as they pushed it through the frosting and into the dense, fruit-laced center. He released the knife first, his fingers sliding alongside hers as he reclaimed his hand. She completed the cut and wiggled the piece of cake loose.
