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I don’t wish to kiss her here.

Cassian felt his insides clenching at the thought.

It seems that once I start kissing the wretched woman, I cannot stop.

Applause broke out, somewhat belated, and a few shouts of congratulations drifted up from the crowd. He felt Emily’s hand tighten reflexively around his. He glanced down at her, and she glanced up at him, flashing a tentative smile.

“Now what?” she whispered.

“Now we celebrate,” he responded.

CHAPTER23

Considering how little time Octavia had had to throw together the wedding breakfast, she had done a truly marvelous job.

It seemed that Emily played a remarkably small part in her own wedding. More guests had gathered for the wedding breakfast than had attended the ceremony, and she found herself wading through a cluster of chattering people, all of them commenting on the fineness of the champagne, the delicious smell of the food, and the beauty of the decorations.

Garlands made of greenery, interwoven with fresh flowers, hung everywhere. Tables had been set up in a horseshoe shape in the ballroom, draped in lacy white tablecloths. Footmen glided among the guests with trays of food and drink, as placid and unconcerned as if they entertained surprise wedding breakfasts every day of the week.

Emily stepped into the ballroom, taking in the scene, and allowed herself a small smile.

Anna appeared at her elbow. “Goodness. Mama has outdone herself.”

“I think so, too. We’re going to have the party here, and then Cassian and I will retire to his home.” Emily blinked, giving herself a little shake. “I mean, His Grace.”

Anna said nothing, only giving her a wry, pointed look, which Emily tried to ignore.

“I suppose it’s my home now, too,” she murmured. “Goodness, how odd that sounds.”

She twisted her wedding ring on the third finger of her left hand. It was nothing fancy, just a simple gold band. However, she rarely wore rings, as she found them uncomfortable. She often used her left hand for drawing and painting—Octavia had never believed in the nonsense about left-handed children—and feared that a ring would make it uncomfortable for her to hold a brush or a pencil.

Well, I can hardly take it off. It’s a wedding ring, after all.

Anna craned her neck, tutting under her breath. “Oh, heavens, Daphne is retching in the corner again. That will be the coffee, I think. She says that it turns her stomach these days. Just a moment, Emmie, I’ll go and see to her.”

“Is morning sickness always that bad?” Emily asked impulsively.

Anna paused, frowning. “It can be. Daphne will be fine, you know. Mama was the same with you and Daff, vomiting often during the first few months.”

Emily bit her lip, glancing away. “I know Daff will be fine. I’m being selfish, I think. Perhaps… Perhaps I don’t want to have a child right away.”

Anna tilted her head, studying her sister with an unreadable expression.

“Well, there’s little a woman can do to control that,” she said gently. “Unless you and the duke abstain, of course. Oh, heavens, Emmie, youdidget the talk from Mama, didn’t you? About men and women in bed?”

Emily rolled her eyes. “Yes, Anna, I did.”

“Good, good. Anyway, it’s not the worst thing in the world to spend a little time getting to know each other before children come along.”

Emily bit her lip, nodding, but said nothing.

Anna hurried away.

Could I wait a little while before having children? I want to finish those paintings for the Prince Regent anyway. I wouldn’t be able to do that if I had to vomit every thirty minutes. But would Cassian agree?

She would have to deal with that later. Perhaps it was a discussion that they should have had earlier, but everything had happened soquickly.

Faint music drifted through the room, mingled with the sounds of chatter and laughter. Emily noticed a few familiar faces. Was that Clara Van De Rio, along with Corderoy and Titus Greaves? They sat together, looking a little uncomfortable, but Corderoy gave her a wink, and Clara waved.