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“I think it was a splendid gesture, though,” she continued without waiting for his reply. “Lady Evelyn was rendered speechless—in a good way, of course. Perhaps there is hope for you, after all.”

Laughingly, she turned around and walked out of his study, leaving him to ponder her words.

What hope was there for a man like him?

And that trousseau? It was the least he could do for Evie, now that she had to spend the rest of her life with him.

He groaned and ran his hand through his hair. The document he had been pretending to be so engrossed in was thrown aside in frustration.

In a few more days, Evie would become his wife. He could only hope she would not come to regret life with him in the future.

CHAPTER 19

How strange… I had thought that I would feel so much more on my wedding day.

Evie blinked as she allowed Jane to help her out of bed and assist her with her morning ablutions.

Ever since she came to terms with the fact that she had to marry—and marry well—she had looked forward to her wedding with a sort of giddy excitement and a healthy dose of trepidation. Before Colin married Alice, the only example she had before her of atonmarriage was that of her parents.

Unfortunately, their union was not one that would inspire romantic dreams and fantasies in a young girl.

Since then, she had thought that she would marry a gentleman who was not only agreeable but whose company she could at least tolerate without devolving into a heated argument.

And look at me now, about to marry a man who barely even talks to me.

It was hardly the sort of marriage she had envisioned for herself.

On the other hand, she did not feel a sense of dread like she usually did when she thought of her future husband. Daniel might be unpredictable at times, but she knew deep down that he would never hurt her. He had even offered himself on the altar of matrimony to save her.

She could hardly imagine any of the gentlemen of her acquaintance doing the same.

She could only hope that he would not end up regretting his decision in the future.

She sighed inwardly as Jane helped her into her wedding dress and arranged her hair. Evie had thought that wedding preparations would last interminably, but her dexterous maid was done within the hour, and when her grandmother and the Dowager Duchess finally stepped into her chambers—or Daniel’s chambers—she was already in the act of putting on her gloves.

“My dear, sweet child, you look absolutely beautiful,” her grandmother murmured as she pressed a light kiss to her cheek.

The older woman’s eyes were misty with tears, and seeing her grandmother so emotional, Evie felt as if she might burst into tears at any moment, too.

Fortunately, the Dowager Duchess stepped in to gather her into a hug—carefully so as not to wrinkle her dress—no less as warm as the one she received from her beloved grandmama.

“Marvelous! Simply marvelous!” The Dowager Duchess beamed at her as she stepped back and admired the lavish gown that had been created just for that day. She affectionately patted Evie’s cheek and smilingly said, “No need to be so anxious, dear child. It is your wedding day, after all!”

Evie wanted to laugh out loud at that.

That is even more reason to be anxious!

However, she had no opportunity to say anything contrary to the matter as a slight commotion, followed by feminine laughter, alerted her to the arrival of her two friends.

Scarlett bustled in with a wide smile, looking at Evie with admiration and approval. The redhead, who was normally garbed in the most eye-catching fashions, was dressed far more simply that day. She usually gravitated towards dresses that accentuated her vivid coloring, but for the wedding, she had chosen a muted rose-colored dress. Although it did not clash with her features, it was far less flamboyant than her usual fashion.

Phoebe wore a pretty lilac gown, her cap sleeves embroidered with tiny blue flowers that gave her a rather refreshing look. Her hair was also done simply and adorned with blue flowers.

“Well, that is a rather impressive-looking dress you have there, Lady Evelyn!” Scarlett declared in open admiration. The redhead peered closely at the crystals that had been sewn into the bodice, her eyes growing wide. “You must be wearing the worth of an entire mansion on your body!”

Evie blushed at those words. “Do not be silly.”

“You do look very beautiful,” Phoebe told her. “Like the moon.”