Page 18 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke (Forbidden Lords #2)

Chapter Eighteen

“ D o you have any rules for tonight that I must obey?” Veronica asked, smiling tightly at the Duke.

She had no intentions of doing any such thing.

He spared her a brief glower as the carriage drew closer to Lindbury House. “Behave yourself.”

Veronica wanted to be brave enough to challenge him further, to ask and what if I do not ? For ever since she had taunted him in the doorway to his study, she had not stopped thinking of how she’d wished he would have taken her right there.

The Duke was igniting something in her that she could not keep denying, and she did not know how to fight it. But she would not be the one to ask or beg. She would hold her ground, keep her power in this way, and have him come to her.

But her mouth remembered the shape of his against hers and the taste of him when he swept his tongue over her lip, and every time she thought of it, she felt weak with desire and questioned how much longer she could resist asking him his thoughts.

“And how shall I behave myself?” she pushed.

He simmered. “Use your imagination.”

She leaned in, wanting a taste of playing him at his own game. “I would rather you used yours, husband.”

His fist clenched where he rested his hand on the bench. He turned away from her to look out the window.

“We are here,” he announced gruffly.

He looked dangerously, darkly handsome in his black shirt, decorated with a silver cravat, and a black waistcoat that had a neat, silver trim to match. His black pants accentuated his physique, and polished leather boots gave him the air of grace that Veronica found herself watching whenever he walked.

To match, she had donned a beautiful silver gown with a pale blue trim on the sleeves and neckline. The bodice clung to her chest, nestling just below her breasts, and a swirling floral pattern decorated it. The skirt flowed straight down, encasing her legs, before the skirt ended in rounded slippers of silver that caught the light.

The carriage door opened, and the Duke stepped out. The footman went to offer Veronica a hand down, but the Duke stepped in front, giving the footman a sharp look.

She bit back a smile and took his offered hand.

“So, you do wish for a proper pretense,” she noted as they walked up to the beautiful manor owned by the Lindburys.

“It is customary for me to assist you out of the carriage, is it not?”

“I do not recall you doing it on our wedding day,” she told him airily, but he ignored her.

The manor was awash with light, illuminated against the dark night, as they ascended the grand staircase leading to the front door which opened upon their arrival. In the foyer, bright and open, with light spilling from every crevice available, their hosts, the Earl and Countess of Lindbury, turned to them with smiles on their faces.

“Your Graces,” the Earl greeted.

“Lord Lindbury, Lady Lindbury, I would like to formally introduce you to the Duchess of Westley,” the Duke introduced them. The two hosts bowed and curtsied.

The Duke stood next to Veronica, gesturing at their hosts. “Duchess, this is my cousin, Lady Nancy Forbes, the Countess of Lindbury,” the Duke introduced her, and they curtsied to one another. “And the Earl of Lindbury, Lord Zachary Forbes.”

“It is wonderful to meet you, Your Grace,” Lord Lindbury said, smiling brightly at her. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“And you, my lord,” Veronica answered, her excitement making her voice jump. She had yet to attend a formal event as a Duchess. “Your home is beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Nancy, the Countess of Lindbury said, her face flushed with happiness. “We are very proud of how we have made the house our own. She looked to the Duke. “Henry, it is good of you to actually turn up to one of my dinner parties.”

“Of course, he would have to now,” Lord Forbes joked. “He has his new Duchess to show off. I told you that a young woman had caught your eye at the Fernwell ball! It was that night you proposed, did you not? Lady Sheridan told us so. She has been sharing fascinating tales of Westley Manor.”

“I am sure,” the Duke answered flatly. He turned to Veronica. “Shall we?”

She nodded, and he offered his arm for her to slip her hand into. It felt unnatural, but it was their pretense. Veronica could feel all eyes on them, but she only cared for how his mere touch radiated through her like a hot poker.

But all those thoughts vanished the moment she saw a glimmering midnight blue gown on an elegant woman with graying hair.

“Mama?” Veronica asked, her voice raising. She broke out into a smile and hurried over to her mother, who was among the other guests in the ballroom where champagne was being passed around. “Mama, I did not know you were attending.”

“It is quite lovely, dearest,” Judith said, laughing. “Ever since you became Duchess, I have been receiving invitations once again.”

Her face shined with more happiness than Veronica had seen in some time. Her attention turned to the Duke, and she curtsied deeply. “Your Grace.”

“Lady Grantham,” he said, bowing.

There was a deep silence where he ought to have said a pleasantry, but he did not, and the silence lingered.

Veronica cleared her throat. “Mama, might we go over to this corner? I have some news for you.”

“Oh?” Judith exclaimed, glancing between the two of them.

Her eyes flitted to Veronica’s stomach, but Veronica was far too focused on taking her mother away from the listening ears of the crowd to refute her guess. “You must tell me!”

Veronica gathered her mother’s hands in her own, keeping her voice low, “Mama, the Duke has been searching for Robert! He has his solicitor looking for him, and they shall find him, I am sure of it.”

Judith’s eyes glistened with tears as she turned to the Duke. “Your Grace, this is true?”

A smile began to lift her mouth as she let herself hope. He looked at her with discomfort as he nodded curtly.

“Yes.” Veronica met his gaze, silently pleading with him to tell her mother more. “We—my associate, Thomas Shawcross, and I—have been following some leads. However, I warn you not to get your hopes up yet. We do not have anything certain yet.”

Veronica knew he would take care not to speak so matter-of-factly to her mother as he had with her. But even still, he hesitated, and she wondered if he was wondering whether to tell her mother to prepare for the worst. Heavens knew, she had to as well.

Judith wrapped the Duke up in a hug, and Veronica had to bite back a laugh at the startled look that crossed his face. He went stiff in her embrace and quickly pulled back, clearing his throat.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Judith said to him earnestly. “In a world where everyone is spreading nasty rumors about my son, you are caring enough to search for him.”

Please do not have so little mind about you that you will tell my mother you do not care. Do not tell her it is about your investment only , Veronica thought, hoping to convey it with a glance at the Duke.

And he didn’t. He only gave her a tight smile that said he was very much done with the conversation, and he stepped back. “If you will both excuse me, I must speak with Lord Lindbury.”

Veronica guessed it was merely an excuse to be away from her mother’s excitable energy.

Despite her grief and losses, Judith remained a pillar of hope and brightness, potentially falsifying it for Veronica’s benefit, and it had naturally become part of her way. She had certainly brightened since Veronica’s brief engagement.

Judith linked her arm through Veronica’s. “I still cannot believe I am able to introduce you as a duchess to people. You must come home for longer. You and the Duke can stay a night for a long visit, and we can find our way back into the ton . What do you think?”

Veronica thought of the tearooms they had not attended in a while, her favorite place to spend the hours away with her mother. It had been some time since they could afford even a simple delight such as that.

“I would like that very much. But speaking of introductions, I see Lady Sheridan and Lady Lindbury at the other end of the ballroom. I shall introduce you to them.”

She led her mother over to the two Dowager Countesses, weaving through countless other lords and ladies whom she would not hope to recognize, having not been present in society enough to learn new faces. She knew some names, of course, but with her prospects dwindling in the past months, she had not had a chance to mingle the way she once had done.

When they approached the two women, Veronica stepped forward.

“Lady Sheridan, Lady Lindbury, I would like to introduce my mother, Lady Grantham.” She gestured to her mother. “Lady Grantham, I would like to introduce Dowager Countess of Sheridan and Dowager Countess of Lindbury. It is Lady Lindbury’s daughter who is hosting this fine dinner party tonight. And Lady Sheridan is His Grace’s aunt.”

“And what a beautiful host we have,” Judith said, beaming at Lady Lindbury. “It is an honor to meet you both.”

“And you, Lady Grantham,” Lady Sheridan curtsied. “It is an honor to meet you. Under normal circumstances, I would have enjoyed meeting you at my nephew’s wedding to your daughter, but that man is truly hopeless when it comes to what society expects.”

Lady Lindbury giggled as though they were gossiping young woman. Veronica’s mother looked stricken for a moment, as if unsure of whether she was right to laugh along with them. She gave a nervous chuckle.

“In truth, this is my first dinner party in a while,” Judith admitted to the women.

The two older women nodded sympathetically. “It does not matter, for you are joining in with us now, and we are delighted for your attendance.”

Then the two women gathered Judith into their circle and began to take her for a turn around the room to make more introductions. Within moments, Veronica noticed that the three women were chatting like old friends. Smiling, she turned to find her husband’s eyes already on her from across the ballroom. He stood next to a couple Veronica had not yet met. The moment their gazes met, Veronica felt that slowly familiar heat go through her.

She ignored that spark. It would do her no good.

He beckoned her over with a raised brow, and Veronica found herself wanting to smile, as if they might share an inside joke, a game they played of obedience. But they did not, and the Duke always found more ways to create distance between them. Veronica longed for such a strange thing: an inside joke, something intimate between them.

As she approached the Duke, she realized all over again that she would never find a love match within him.

Ignoring the ache in her chest, she returned to his side.

“I would like to introduce you to the Duke and Duchess of Harwick,” her husband said. “Your Graces, this is my wife, the Duchess of Westley.”

Veronica bowed at the couple, noting that the Duchess of Harwick was heavily pregnant, holding her stomach with one hand. Her face glowed with a smile, and she was petite, pretty, and Veronica smiled right back.

“It is an honor,” she said. The Duke of Harwick bowed to her.

“We are currently staying in our countryside residence until Cecilia gives birth,” he said, “and we thought that we would take the opportunity to attend tonight. We are sure it is the last event we can attend before Cecilia is unable to travel.”

“Then I hope we shall make it memorable,” Veronica said. Her gaze flicked to the Duke of Westley.

“I am sure we will,” he murmured, and for a brief moment, it was as though the rest of the room faded away.

In the dining hall, more light spilled into the room, catching off jewelry and glinting off glasses as they were raised in various toasts throughout dinner.

“I think we should raise a toast to the Duchess of Westley,” someone announced, whom Veronica recognized as Lord Simon, the son of a marquess.

She was sure she had seen him at the Fernwell ball. She had found him rather charming, but he was a man who had turned away from her when she had glanced around the room, hopeful for a dance partner.

And now, he was toasting her being a duchess.

The irony was not lost on her.

“I agree,” another lord spoke up.

She could not recall his name, but her cheeks flushed as some of the other lords began to pay attention.

“To the Duchess of Westley,” Lord Simon announced, lifting his glass.

A chorus that echoed him went up, and sitting opposite her, the Duke’s glare flared. But it was not as though she had asked for the attention.

Still, to see what she thought was jealousy flash through his eyes was… exhilarating, she thought.

This is another way I could tease him.

“Your Grace, how are you finding your new home in the countryside?” Lord Simon asked, continuing his attention towards her.

He smiled at her with no mind to the imposing glower her husband was giving the room. Conversation flowed around them, and Veronica heard her mother talking to Lady Sheridan more about Robert’s disappearance, desperate to correct any gossip.

“It is beautiful,” she said. “The gardens are very expansive, and being away from the noise of Dalton Square has been strange but wonderful.”

“I am sure you have been eager to escape the watchful eyes of the ton with its nasty rumors,” Lord Simon commented, and Veronica paused.

“Indeed,” she answered. “It has been… trying, to say the least.”

“We are fortunate you were able to join us,” the Lord continued, and Veronica was more and more aware of the Duke’s glare boring into her. His hand was clenched tightly around the stem of his glass. Her skin prickled with the attention. “Will you be attending the Gallan ball next month? It would be a shame to miss you if you were not in attendance!”

“Lord Lindbury, this wine is excellent,” the Duke cut in, his voice quiet but still rising above any answer Veronica would have given. “Perhaps Her Grace would like another glass?”

He signaled for a server to refill Veronica’s glass, thoroughly distracting her from the topic, and by the time she looked up towards Lord Simon, he had already been pulled into another conversation.

She leaned forward, drinking deeply from her glass. “The wine is quite delectable,” she said to her husband, letting a bead of wine lingering on her lips. He tracked her tongue as it caught the droplet, a very brief moment of teasing. “What is wrong with you, Your Grace?”

“Nothing,” he answered tightly.

“Of course, there is,” she insisted, unconvinced.

But before she could press it further, an announcement to move into the parlor went up, and everybody vacated the dining hall. Lord Simon looked as though he would approach her, but the Duke stepped to the side nearest where the Lord would come from and took her arm in his.

“I shall walk with you to the parlor,” he insisted quietly.

“Will you truly not tell me what ails you this evening?” she asked, laughing quietly.

The wine was making her feel rather relaxed around him tonight, but it felt good. She felt as teasing and as light as she had that night he had kissed her senseless and then used his mouth on her in such pleasurable ways.

“As I told you,” he said, “nothing ails me.”

But his jaw was tight, and his eyes searched the room with a deeper scowl than usual, and Veronica could feel how tense he was, his arm pressed to hers.

She thought about teasing him again.

I shall make a comment about speaking with Lord Simon . I wish to know if he is jealous, perhaps.

Before she could, a gentle tink, tink, tink sounded through the parlor, and Lord Lindbury stood up. The guests all gathered around him as he stood next to his wife.

“I would like to make an announcement,” he spoke up. “Yes, yes, I know I seem to make one at every party I host, so you shall all have to bear with me, for I do like talking?—”

“Get on with it, Zachary!” Lady Sheridan laughed. “We shall be slumbering by the time you get around to your point.”

“My mother-in-law clearly does not enjoy my speeches, everyone,” Lord Lindbury laughed, and everyone joined in. Even the Duke allowed an eye roll. “I jest, Lady Sheridan. No, my announcement is sincere and shall be kept brief, for it needs no introduction. It is too important to delay. Tonight shall be my wife and my last event for some time.”

The room seemed to hold its breath as they waited for the next part.

“For we are expecting. And do not worry, I shall not be making another announcement for some time. My next shall be to announce my child’s arrival into the world.”

The parlor erupted into cheers and shouts of celebration. The Duchess of Harwick, cradling her stomach, went over to Henry’s cousin and embraced her. Veronica drifted forward to give her congratulations to the woman while the Duke of Westley went to shake hands with Lord Lindbury and congratulate him.

“Congratulations!” Cecilia said, throwing her arms around Nancy.

Veronica felt she was intruding on such a moment between obvious friends, but they drew her into their circle in the next moment. Veronica hugged Nancy as well, who blushed with happiness.

“Thank you, Cecilia.”

“Congratulations, Lady Lindbury.” Veronica smiled brightly at her.

“I am excited that our children shall be born rather close together!” Cecilia exclaimed. “We shall schedule everything for them arriving!”

“We shall!” Nancy giggled. “I am so very excited to meet this little one.”

Veronica felt a pang of longing as the two women discussed the arrival of their babies and when they expected to give birth. She moved over to congratulate Lord Lindbury while the Duke congratulated Nancy, and everybody once again took their seats while more wine was poured.

“I could not be happier,” Lady Sheridan exclaimed. “to see my daughter so aglow with pregnancy. May your future be filled with crying babies that grow into beautiful children!”

Everybody raised another toast for the couple. Joy radiated from Lady Sheridan’s face, her smile wide, and laughter freely falling. Her eyes crinkled with joy.

“Although, it makes me wonder when we shall be hearing the news of another duchess expecting!” she suggested loudly, her eyes cutting to the Duke.

Veronica tensed, feeling the Duke do the same next to her.

“Come on, Henry. Surely you wish to have some news for us soon?” Lady Sheridan added.

“Indeed, Henry!” Lord Lindbury called. “Perhaps it shall be you and the lovely Duchess making the next announcement at a dinner party hosted in Westley Manor. It would be a shame to redecorate such a house and not host a banquet to celebrate.”

“This is exactly what I protested,” Judith said.

“Do not be ridiculous, Zachary,” Henry said flatly. “There shall be no dinner party.” He looked at Lady Sheridan. “And as I have expressed before, I have no plans to have an heir.”

“What I am sure His Grace means is that we have not thought long and hard about it yet,” Veronica said, laughing nervously as all eyes turned to them.

It was quite a bold statement, especially given that she did not know this plan of his.

Had she… had she married a man who truly did not wish for children? Growing up with her brother had been a delight. Seeing Judith be a mother made Veronica wish to be one, too.

“I have thought plenty about it,” the Duke said, sparing her a brief glance before he stood up. “It shall not be discussed again. Lord Lindbury, you have hosted us well. Thank you. Now, it is time for my wife and I to make our leave.”

“Henry please,” Lady Sheridan called, her wine sloshing in her glass, “do not go just yet.”

Lady Lindbury burst out laughing beside her. “Do hush, Lucinda. Perhaps the couple wishes to make a start.”

Veronica’s face flooded with an embarrassed heat. Clearly, the two women were very comfortable among their friends and family and had drunk quite a bit. The jolliness of their inebriation danced through the room but had caused them some trouble.

Beside her, the Duke stiffened. He turned to her, lowering his voice. “I told you my condition is to leave when I decide. That is now, Duchess.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” she agreed quietly.

He bid another brief farewell to everyone, and Veronica hastily did the same, embracing her mother before she left Lindbury House, catching up to her husband at the carriage.