Page 5 of Doubling Down on a Duke
Given it was more or less a direct order from the head PORF, there was no escaping without dishonoring her family, and Helen would never tarnish her family's good standing within the Network. Shoulders rolled forward slightly, she said, “Then I shall have to place my trust in your husband and hope he isn’t wrong.”
Resigned to the fact that by nightfall, she would be a married woman, Helen leaned her head back against the wooden slates, closed her eyes, and then repeatedly chanted withineverything will work outuntil finally sleep claimed her.
CHAPTER SIX
Surrounded by familiar faces, Bryce tugged at his shirt sleeve that peeked out from his coat. If Helen were present she would have seen his plea for assistance, but his betrothed was taking her sweet time to appear. The chapel was filled to the brim with members of the Network eagerly waiting to witness his nuptials. He glanced over to his left and in the front row there stood the head of the Protectors of the Royal Family, the Earl of Hadfield, and his wife, Lady Bronwyn. There was no escaping the wedding.
A collective gasp from the room had him turning to face the door. He blinked, blinded by the beauty adorned in a glorious ivory lace gown standing at the threshold. How had he not noticed her womanly figure or how her gorgeous locks had darkened over the years into a rich mahogany? Slowly Helen’s familiar features came into focus, but his gaze lowered to her hands where she transferred the bouquet of flowers from one hand to the next. He recalled how Helen would pass a discarded chess piece back and forth between her fingers when she believed he was in jeopardy of losing to her papa. Seeing Helen nervous, worried, and uncertain made his chest ache. Hehopped down from the raised platform and strode directly down the aisle to collect his bride.
“Lady Helen.” He leaned in close to add, “As long as we help one another, we shall always be victorious.” He offered her his hand and waited, his heart cinched tight.
The slight curl of Helen’s lips set his heart at ease. Their marriage may be the result of circumstances out of their control, but he hoped it could become a union that would bring the both of them happiness.
Helen placed her hand in his. “I won’t make promises I’ll not be able to keep.”
Her words stabbed him directly in the chest.
Ignoring the pain, Bryce replied,“Then shall I have a quick word with the reverend requesting we share our own vows?”
“Please do.” Helen picked up her skirts with her free hand and began to march forward.
He’d always appreciated the fact that she didn’t mince words, but today her direct speech sliced through his pride, leaving him feeling unworthy of her hand. With mere minutes to formulate vows that he could pledge with a clear conscience, Bryce traversed down the aisle, his mind awhirl.
Once they reached the dais, he assisted Helen up and they stepped forward to stand before the reverend together.
Bryce motioned for the reverend to lend him an ear and, as promised, made the unconventional request.
The old man leaned back to study his features for a moment, then switched his attention to Helen.
When the seasoned reverend returned his attention to Bryce, he shook his head but said, “As you wish, Your Grace.” Without further delay, the reverend who had married at least three quarters of the couples present cleared his throat and began the ceremony.
Oblivious to the words coming out of the old man’s mouth, Bryce focused on composing what he wanted to say. The seconds passed all too fast and before he had settled on his vows, Helen squeezed his hand to draw his attention.
He shifted to face her and she smiled up at him. In an unwavering voice she said, “Bryce Barrington, I vow to risk everything for you, to give over my life for you, and be the wife you need and deserve.”
Not in the least bit surprised that Helen had managed to string together the words he’d been desperately searching for, Bryce returned her smile and said, “Lady Helen Reynolds, I vow to honor and cherish you until my last breath.” His vows may not have been as long nor as eloquent as Helen’s but they were spoken with the purest of intentions.
“Lovely. Without further ado, I pronounce you husband and wife. Congratulations.” The reverend stepped forward and addressed the hushed crowd. “May I present to you all the Duke and Duchess of Whistlestop.”
The ruckusthat ensued after the reverend announced she was officially wed had Helen taking a step backward, but she found her back pressed firmly against Bryce’s chest.
Next to her ear, he said, “I’m afraid there is no escaping from me now.” He threaded his fingers with hers and they followed the reverend to a small desk where the wedding registry lay open.
Lord Hadfield and Lady Bronwyn joined them along with Mr. Cadby and his wife, no doubt to be witnesses to the signing and ensure everything was conducted with proper accord.
Helen glanced over her shoulder at the two women who stood proudly next to their husbands. Husbands who were both looking down at their wives with pure adoration. Guilt filled her heart as Bryce’s hands cupped about her shoulders and he slowly spun her around to face him. She raised her gaze to meet his. The faint lines at the corner of his eyes reminded her of days long ago when Bryce spoke of wanting to marry a woman who would make his heart soar and steal his breath away. Oh, how he had been an innocent idealistic boy. But the truth of the matter was, in her youth she had wanted desperately to be the one to make him feel all those things and more. Unbeknownst to Bryce, she had stolen the opportunity for him to find true happiness. If she hadn't been so bold as to believe she could become the woman of Bryce’s dreams, she would never have convinced her papa to sign the betrothal agreement. If only she’d bloomed into a beauty instead of a plain bluestocking. Anyone and everybody knew Bryce deserved a diamond of the first water on his arm. She wasn’t worthy of becoming the Duchess of Whistlestop. She closed her eyes and dropped her chin to her chest.
“Open your eyes.” Bryce’s command was accompanied with the firm but soft pressure of his finger under her chin.
She complied and was immediately taken aback by the glint of what she guessed was uninhibited desire in her husband’s gaze. Uncertain of how to respond, Helen remained frozen to the spot.
With a wink and a smile, Bryce said, “When we have completed our mission, I shall grant you whatever it is you wish.”
She blinked and nodded her head out of pure habit.
Here she was with her head filled with random thoughts, while Bryce was acting as the seasoned Network member that he was, focused on the sole reason why they had wed in the first place—to recoup the missing royal diamonds. But her stubbornbrain refused to let go of the idea that she should somehow make things right and make it possible for Bryce to lead the love-filled life he’d once described and dreamt about as a young man.
“You promise to grant me a wish of my choosing?”
