Page 6 of The Duchess' Ultimatum
“See,” Evelina said gently, hand still placed against Penelope’s chest; her breathing was ragged, her body shaking from panic. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“Easy for you to say,” Penelope snapped. “You are not about to marry a complete stranger!”
The three women looked between one another, concern etched across their faces. They were here for support, and they were giving as much of it as they could. But even with their optimism combined they could not deny the truth of the matter.
I am set to marry a stranger. A man with a horrid reputation. Worse, a man so desperate to marry because nobody else will have him that he had no choice but to settle on me.
It was less than five minutes until Penelope was set to walk the aisle and give her life away to the His Grace Dorian Campbell the Duke of Blackfort and, as she had predicted, it was going about as well as could have been hoped.
That was to say, not well at all.
It had all happened so quickly, and that was the main problem. Once she agreed to this marriage, her father set about arranging it with the type of alacrity that should have been impossible for aman in his state. But that he had already done most of the work before telling her of the arrangement made it that much easier… and that much worse.
Penelope was still yet to meet the man who would be her husband. She was yet even to lay eyes upon him! For three weeks now, all she’d had to go on was rumor and whispered warnings of a man who, if half of what was said was true, would not make for a very good husband. Even with the lowest of bars set.
The Duke of Blackfort was said to be mean and wicked. Withdrawn and isolated. Mysterious and generally most strange. A war hero, he’d returned several years ago and had hardly been seen in public since. The reasons for which might be many, but Penelope had failed to think of a good one.
Penelope had never wanted to marry. Resigning herself since to the likelihood that it would be uncomfortable, awkward, but not an utter travesty. Yet the more she heard, and the more time she was given to consider, the more she could not see any way this didn’t end in complete tragedy.
And people wonder why I had no desire to wed.
“Let us look on the bright side.” Evelina took Penelope by the shoulders and forced her to turn around. A full-length mirror stood waiting, and Penelope’s attention was forced on the reflection. “You look stunning, Penelope.”
“You do.” Albina came in on the other side, gushing. “A princess ready for her king.”
“Father is going to be so happy,” Alexandra cooed. “Focus on that. When he sees you in this dress…” She beamed. “Let that guide you.”
Despite it all, even Penelope had to admit that she looked the part.
Her build was slender, but the gown’s tightness around her hips and under her bust gave the illusion of curves she did not know were possible. The dark blue color of the garment went well with her dark brown hair and green eyes, her face was dusted in light powder which blurred the freckles that covered her nose, and her porcelain skin glowed in the warm light of the midday sun.
Was this a day to be celebrated, she might have gushed with pride at what she saw. But the only celebrationshewould indulge in could come only if she returned home in happy solitude.
I will need to make my intentions clear.Despite what I have heard of the duke, regardless of what he might want from me, he needs to know that this marriage is one of convenience only.
She nodded to herself as this thought settled. A marriage of convenience only… and no matter what, His Grace would not bar her from spending as much time with her father as she wished. That was, after all, the only thing she had in this life to look forward to.
Slowly, Penelope felt her nerves settle…
“Penelope…” From the doorway, she heard her father’s voice.
She turned to see him. Cane in hand, back still bent, and as frail as ever, he looked smart in his suit, and he beamed with pride when he saw how she was dressed. This alone brought a smile to her lips.
“Father…” Her stomach knotted. “Is… is it time?”
“It is,” he said. “Girls.” He looked to the three women. “If you don’t mind…”
Penelope’s two sisters and cousin were sure to wish her well before hurrying from the room and into the church. From here, Penelope could hear the din of the guests as they readied for the ceremony to begin. That had her heart racing, calmed slightly by her father’s warm presence.
“I want you to know that I am so proud of you.” Despite Penelope’s resistance, he sounded as if he meant it. “And all I ask is that you promise me that you will at least try and make this work.”
“I will, Father.”
“You will be happy,” he assured her. “I know you will. All you need to do is believe it.”
She forced her smile as she walked to him. Not for a second did Penelope believe she would be happy in this marriage, but shewould never tell her father such things. That he believed it was enough. Something to hold onto.
“Shall we?” She held out her hand.
