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“Very well, act like a child if you feel the need to, but this is all for your own good, Alicia. It will be a great day, you shall see. You are the Diamond of the Season, and I have secured you the bestmatch you could have wished for. I hope you are aware of the sacrifices I have made throughout your life, and understand the weight of responsibility that now rests on your shoulders. Make me proud.”

CHAPTER 3

As the wedding day drew closer, Alicia’s mood plummeted by the hour, and she spent much of her time in the house, avoiding her father.

Since she had stubbornly refused to be involved in the planning of a wedding she did not want, he had made all the decisions, including for her wedding gown.

It had arrived that morning, and Alicia stared at it sullenly as her maid lifted it out of the box with much excitement.

Rose, who was very young and passionate, was bouncing on the balls of her feet as she pulled back the muslin that protected the gown and untied the ribbon.

Alicia stepped forward, looking down at it incredulously. It was a simple design, which suited her father’s tastes more than her own.

The satin shone beautifully, reflecting the soft light filtering through the window. A band of gold circled the high-waisted bodice, and as Rose pulled it out, the rest of the train cascaded downward, all the way to the floor.

Rose let out a squeal of delight that grated on Alicia’s nerves, and Alicia had to force a smile as her maid brought the dress to her. She ran a finger gently down the fabric.

She was well aware that many women would kill to be in her shoes. She existed in a world of wealth and privilege that few could dream of. Still, the sight of the gown filled her with despair.

If only there were a room deep underground that I could go to; I would be able to scream at the top of my lungs, and no one would hear me.

Perhaps sensing her reluctance, Rose gently folded the gown back into the box after a few minutes.

Alicia grimaced when she remembered she would be wearing the thing in just three days.

With a curtsy and a warm smile, Rose left the room.

Alicia had to hold herself back from tossing the box into the fire.

I do not even know who I am marrying.

It was not simply that the Duke of Radcliffe was a stranger to her, but the rumors she had heard about him were far from… flattering.

Alicia had tried to glean more information from a variety of sources to no avail. She had even asked Katie for her thoughts on her future husband, and her anxiety had only risen when Katie pretended that she knew nothing about him.

Her friend was not a good liar, and Alicia could tell that Katie was holding back from telling her something unwholesome about him. Alicia had probed her for more details, but Katie simply said that she refused to spread gossip.

Alicia had been none the wiser.

What shehadbeen able to do was observe how others reacted at the mention of the Duke’s name.

She had watched her father announce their engagement to several of his acquaintances at a garden party the day before, and their expressions had been enough to make her nerves grow by the day.

Who is this man? Why do people seem to fear him so?

Carriage wheels rumbled outside, and Alicia turned, walking to the window to look down at the street. She had not been aware that they were expecting any more visitors today.

The horses that came into view were sleek and black, beautiful beasts larger than any she had seen. The coach they pulled was also of the finest quality, gleaming in the sunlight, black and smart like the horses before it.

Alicia frowned, not recognizing it. It seemed too fine for her father’s solicitor or a man of business to travel in.

She hissed through her teeth as a footman jumped down and opened the door to reveal the tall figure of the Duke of Radcliffe. The chain of his watch glinted in the sunlight, his shoulders so wide that he could not step out of the carriage without angling himself to one side. The sharp angles of his face looked all the more prominent, his dark eyes unreadable.

He stepped down effortlessly, looking around him and up at the townhouse with an expression of disdain so intense that if the window had been open, she would have thrown something at his smug face.

How would he like to have a black eye for the wedding?

Walking swiftly out of the room, she went to the landing to see what he wanted.