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A tingle ran through Isabella's body and she shifted nervously.

“Isabella?” her sister took her by the arm. “Are you even listening to me?”

“Huh?” Isabella tore her eyes from her husband. “I am sorry, you were saying something?”

Louisa sighed with frustration. “I was simply pointing out how uneventful the ceremony was, a sure sign that your marriage islikely to be much the same. Not the horror show that you have been bracing yourself for.”

Oh, Louisa, if only you knew the truth...

“It was fine,” Isabella said quickly. “But it is a ceremony, Louisa. Not a marriage. And besides...” Her eyes flicked to the Duke. “What could possibly happen with so many people about? Mother, especially.”

Louisa frowned. “What are you saying? That you expect once His Grace has you alone, he’s going to transform into some sort of... of beast!” She laughed and slapped Isabella’s arm. “Honestly, Isabella, you are the heigh of absurdity. Marriage is not a cage or a nightmare. It is a wonderous thing for which you should be grateful. I might even go so far as to say that I am jealous of you.”

Isabella rolled her eyes. “You should have said so. I would have gladly stepped aside for you.”

“No, no, he is your husband. I will find my own.”

Isabella nodded vaguely and went back to watching the Duke.

There were three score of guests gathered in the ballroom and all seemed to be gravitating around her husband; desperate to show him that they had come, that they were here, and that it should be recognized. Isabella almost felt like an imposition at her own wedding ceremony and wondered if anyone would notice were she to leave.

“I know that mother is relieved at least,” Louisa sighed. “I think she expected you to do as Selina did and tear down the very sky in an effort to escape – what are you looking at?” She followed Isabella’s eyes and smirked. “Oh, I see. You know, for someone who claims to be in mortal peril, you are doing a rather good job of playing at being smitten.”

“I am not!”

“And yet you cannot stop staring at your own husband. With a look that I know very well.”

“Oh, what do you know aboutthat?”

Louisa’s cheeks flushed. “I do too know!”

“He is not as wonderful as you think...” Isabella went back to watching him, a warm pulse radiating through her body. “And now I am trapped with him.”

“Ah, I see what this is...” Louisa giggled. “You are scared of what must be done tonight.”

“Tonight?” Isabella was back on her. “What is tonight?”

Her sister looked at her flatly. “Oh, come now. You know...” She pumped her eyebrows. “Your wedding night...”

It took Isabella a second.

“Oh -- oh!” Her eyes went wide and she was back to watching her husband; she could feel the blood draining from her face as she began to consider what this meant... what tonight would bring.

The wedding night! How had I forgotten that?Her heart began to race.

“I have heard it is not something to fear,” Louisa explained. “And surely it will not be so bad. For all your complaining, be grateful that the Duke is at least handsome. It is more than can be said for most.”

She watched her husband, thoughts of their last interaction now screaming in her head. The kiss had been nice. What he did to her neck, also quite lovely. But everything else...

She would be alone with him. He would not hold back – he would have no reason to. Her breathing turned short as he filtered between panic and excitement.

No. It couldn’t be excitement. She was mistaking it for fear, because that was what any logical person would be feeling. Fear of what the monster, her husband, might do to her.Especially if I misbehave...

“Isabella. Isabella, are you listening?”

She was not. Still watching her husband, he turned suddenly and their eyes met across the room. Isabella fixed him with a glare for no other reason than she had no idea what else to do.

“I know that look,” a voice spoke over Duncan’s shoulder. “It is the look of a man besotted with his wife!”