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Scarlett was known for her boldness and her impulsiveness. Evie could not have her hotheaded friend going after the Marchioness just because of a few cryptic words.

“You do know that His Grace and the Marchioness…” Phoebe trailed off. The distrust was still clear in her eyes, the disapproval in the grim line of her lips.

It was very rare for the brunette to show scorn for anything, as she had always been so polite and proper.

For Phoebe to regard the Marchioness so spoke volumes of her loyalty as a friend, and it warmed Evie’s heart, even as she grappled with her enigmatic conversation with Lady Cobham and how Daniel turned her away just earlier.

Evie smiled and reached for their hands. “I am truly blessed to have friends like you who watch out for me at every turn, but I assure you, she did not mean to cause trouble of any sort.”

At least nothing that warranted the sort of confrontation Scarlett was going to unleash on her. The Marchioness did keep referring to Daniel as her “old friend,” and Evie did not particularly like the sound of that.

In any case, I am the Duchess now.And he is my husband.

“Well, whatever ploy she has in her head barely matters.” Scarlett sniffed disdainfully. “Youare the Duchess of Ashton now, Evie. Can you imagine that? Duchess!”

Phoebe smiled. “Scarlett is right.”

“I suppose the gossips would not be too happy to hear about it,” Evie sighed in mock dismay. “After all, they have all been breathlessly anticipating my downfall.”

“Not if your husband has anything to say about it.” The redhead smirked with a raised eyebrow. “I swear, that man derives as much pleasure as I do from proving all those nasty naysayers wrong!”

Phoebe looked at her helplessly. “What did your mama tell you about swearing, Scar?”

Scarlett simply grinned at her impenitently. “How fortunate then that she is not within earshot at the moment!”

They burst into laughter beneath their gloved hands, with Phoebe shaking her head at Scarlett’s antics.

Evie could only smile as she watched her two friends. How fortunate they were to not have to marry such a complicated man as the Duke of Ashton. The unmarried young ladies of thetonand their mamas might look at her with envy for managing to wrangle a proposal from a duke, but only Evie herself truly understood the dilemma in such a union.

Daniel had told her that they were to maintain their distance in private, even if they must act as if their marriage was truly a love match when in public.

However, if there was one thing that her husband had yet to learn, it was that Evie herself did not exactly like to be told what to do and how she should do it.

Daniel is simply going to have to find out the hard way.

Weddings were usually held in the morning to allow the bride and the groom to retreat to their home or leave for their honeymoon.

For Evie and Daniel, there was no such thing, although sometime towards the end of the wedding breakfast, he had subtly dismissed the guests as if he could not wait to have his bride to himself. The guests had laughed politely and then left, eager to spread the word that the Duke of Ashton was the most enthusiastic of bridegrooms and his new Duchess had to be the most blessed of all women to have secured such an attentive husband.

And that she might even require the services of a discreet physician in the morning as a result of his excitement—whatever that meant.

“Reformed rakes truly make good husbands!” Lady Merlon had remarked in astonishment before she left. “And it would seem that Wolves are the very best of the lot!”

Indeed, Evie would not be surprised if young ladies all over London started to consider marrying a Wolf.

If they only knew how difficult they can be!

Evie laughed inwardly and shook her head bitterly.

She knew just how stubborn Colin was. But Daniel? He was ten times more so. A hundred, even!

They might all look at her with envy for making what was now purported to be the match of the Season, but how could they know that the new Duchess of Ashton was lying in her bed all alone while her husband locked himself up in his tower?

Even if I tell them, they will never believe me!

She let out a groan as she rolled over onto her back and stared at the luxurious canopy above her. Ever since she had moved into Daniel’s rooms, the servants had gone out of their way to furnish the vast expanse of it according to her tastes.

The dark and dreary upholstery had been replaced with pale blues and golds. The heavy velvet curtains were thrown out in favor of lace and light blue satin. Softer carpets in soothing hues were laid underfoot.