Page 33 of Defending the Duke (The St. Clairs 4)

His words touched her but she refused to put her new family through the hailstorm of gossip that would occur if she didn’t marry Linfield.

“Thank you, Jeremy, but I am perfectly willing to go through today’s ceremony. It may not be the St. Clair way of wedding but it is the Wright one for me.”

He studied her a long moment and then finally nodded. She saw he understood the pun she’d intentionally spoken. Offering his arm, he said, “Then Hudson and I would both claim the privilege of delivering you to your groom.”

She took his arm and Hudson’s and the two men led her downstairs to the drawing room. The only guests gathered included their families. She’d told everyone she wanted a simple affair. Since they were wedding only two days after her come-out ball, it was easier to prepare for such a small group.

At the far end of the room she saw the clergyman, whose name she couldn’t recall. Standing in front of him was her groom. Linfield appeared both elegant and intimidating in his wedding finery, his shoulders impossibly broad, his thick, blond hair swept back from his face, making his cheekbones stand out. Jeremy released her and took her hand, placing it on Linfield’s arm. Hudson held back a moment and then hugged her fiercely, leaning in to whisper in her ear.

“You’ll always be a Wright to me. I love you.” He withdrew and moved away.

“Are we ready to begin?” the clergyman asked.

Laurel glanced up at her groom and then back. She nodded.

The next few minutes passed in a haze, as if a thick fog had rolled in and she couldn’t see a thing. She heard words being spoken. She repeated her vows, the words not really making much sense. It all seemed like a distant dream. Her groom slipped a slim wedding band onto her finger and she looked down at it, thinking it would be something always with her. She would never remove it.

Then the reverend stopped speaking and her new husband turned her toward him. He gave her a chaste kiss, nothing like what had passed between them before, and then lifted his lips from hers.

They were married. There was no going back.

Her family and his approached them, offering their good wishes. Hannah embraced her and said, “Now I have the sister I’ve always wanted.”

“I feel the same,” Laurel told her friend.

“You must call me Aunt Constance. You are family now.”

“I will be happy to do so,” she replied.

“Barton says the wedding breakfast is ready,” Catherine announced.

The group followed Catherine from the room. Only the bride and groom remained behind.

Linfield gazed into her eyes. “Are you ready for this?”

She chuckled. “This will be easy. It’s merely dining with our families. Everyone seems to get along nicely. The real test will be stepping out into society together.”

“When do you wish to do so?” he asked.

“We can discuss it later. Let’s join the others now.”

As always, the food was delicious. Now that the vows had been spoken, the charged atmosphere had become happy and relaxed. Jeremy offered a champagne toast, the first time Laurel had ever drunk the frothy liquid. She remembered the first day that she’d met Jeremy. He’d offered up champagne then, but the idea faded away when she had mentioned Hudson and Jeremy had run off to make sure her twin brother was found immediately. The bubbles tickled her nose and she giggled. Her new husband looked at her a moment and then smiled. She had the impression he did so rarely. He seemed very self-contained, as if he never wanted the world to know what he was thinking. She wondered how well they would get along.

Both in and out of bed.

The thought of him bedding her made her cheeks burn. She quickly downed the rest of the champagne and a footman refilled her flute. She drank that glass, too, and immediately felt lightheaded. She needed to keep her wits about her and set her glass down, determined to stay in control.

By now, everyone had finished eating and Laurel knew it was time for her and Linfield to depart. Her trunks had already been delivered this morning to his townhouse, with another one to go with them to the country. Anxiety filled her as she thought of leaving her new St. Clair home and everything familiar and going somewhere different to live.

She summoned Barton and said, “I would like to speak with Mrs. Talley and Cook before I leave.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” the butler said and slipped away.

It was the first time someone addressed her by her title. It felt a little surreal. She was Laurel Wright, a simple shop girl who’d barely had enough to eat two months ago. Now, she was a duchess, married to a wealthy man who probably owned countless properties scattered across England. Her life had done far more than turn upside down. It had gone sideways, spiraling out of control. She promised herself she would remain humble, always remembering her beginnings, and that her children would not become spoiled brats but rather behave in a thoughtful, kind manner to everyone.

Everyone surrounded her, embracing her, and she promised she would see them soon. Because Hannah was still involved in her come-out, Linfield had told Laurel they would go and spend a week at Linwood, the main ducal country residence located in Surrey, before returning to escort Hannah to events during the remainder of the Season. For now, her family had said they would see to properly chaperoning Hannah to social events.

As they moved to the entry hall, Barton approached.

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