Page 25 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke (Claimed by Regency Devils #2)

Chapter Twenty-Five

“I s everything ready?” Violet hurried into the room, looking frazzled and beside herself with worry. “Please, tell me you that you nearly are.”

“A few more minutes,” Caroline said as she helped to adjust Aurelia’s dress, fiddling with the sash about the waist and ensuring it was tight and well cinched. “These things cannot be rushed.”

“Tell that to the people outside,” Violet said as she took a few long breaths. “I had no idea so many people would be coming!”

“Lord Mildenhall insisted,” Caroline said simply. “And seeing as he is paying for it…”

“Quite a bit, by the looks of things.” Violet added.

“I have not seen it yet,” Rosalind joined in. She was attending Aurelia’s face, touching up around her eyes to ensure that they popped with the green of the dress. “Is it that beautiful?”

“Heavenly,” Violet crooned. “Lord Mildenhall spared no expense.”

“He certainly is generous,” Caroline agreed. “I had no idea he would go through such lengths.”

“Can you blame him,” Violet added. “He wants this wedding like nothing else. His mother especially…” She curled her nose. “You would not believe that she had the nerve to ask me about my plans for children, how many I wish to have, and if I had already started trying. Not because she cared, but because she wishes to see if there is anything wrong with me.”

“Me too,” Caroline scoffed. “Clearly, she does not want to take any chances where grandchildren are concerned. But that is the point, isn’t it? Lord Mildenhall was not exactly subtle about it.”

“Is now the time for this conversation?” Rosalind interjected and looked at the two sisters. “We have a ceremony to prepare for.”

“Yes, sorry,” Violet grimaced. “I will just pop out and tell everyone –”

“There she is!” Aurelia’s mother was in the room next. “How much longer? Everyone is ready!”

“A few minutes, mother,” Caroline assured her, taking a step back to admire the dress on Aurelia. “Rosalind…”

“Almost done,” Rosalind agreed, also taking a step back to check her work.

“Good, good…”Aurelia’s mother looked upon Aurelia with a bedazzled expression that saw her eyes begin to well with tears. “Beautiful, absolutely beautiful, Aurelia. I cannot believe it – not that you look beautiful,” she then laughed. “That the day has finally come!”

“Beautiful,” Caroline agreed.

“Stunning,” Violet added.

“I can’t believe it,” Rosalind said with a sniff as she wiped at her eyes. “You look like a princess, Aurelia. Lord Mildenhall is a lucky man.”

To that, all four ladies nodded their heads in agreement.

Aurelia stood in silence as the chaos swirled about her. Happy to let her sisters, mother, and best friend cluck and carry on with feigned happiness and joy for she did not want to risk saying anything that might ruin the mood. She had committed herself fully to this marriage by now, and to suggest anything else might ruin the day. Not the marriage, however, as she doubted that anything she did or said would change that outcome.

It was set to begin at any second. Now that her dress was fitted and her face was painted, all she needed to do was say that she was ready and the ceremony would begin.

The ladies had sequestered themselves to an antechamber at the back of the church for these final moments. Beyond the doorway and down the hall, Aurelia could hear the buzzing of the scores of guests who had come to witness her special day. Most were friends and family of Lord Mildenhall, but many were here for her also. And from the sounds of things, all agreed that it was a wedding to be remembered. And a marriage to be forgotten…

“Mother,” Violet began. “Go and tell them that we will be out shortly.”

Their mother nodded her agreement. But not before taking Aurelia by the hands and fixing her with a smile. “I am so proud of you dear, I hope you know that. So proud.”

“I know, mother,” Aurelia said, ignoring the stabbing pain in her chest.

“Mother!” Eveline appeared suddenly at the door. “I was looking for you.” The sight of her sister had the pain increasing, a reminder of why she was doing this. “Daniel wants to know how long.”

“Daniel…” Their mother rolled her eyes. “I am coming, Eveline. And tell you sister how stunning she looks.”

“She knows she does,” Eveline sighed, only to look upon Aurelia and beam. “You do though, Aurelia. Wow.”

“Thanks, Eveline,” Aurelia said with a soft smile.

Her sister was only eighteen and had her entire life ahead of her. A life that would now be her own, once this marriage was secured. Any doubts that Aurelia was having were dashed in that instant. It might not have made her feel better, but it made her more determined.

Eveline and her mother were quick to leave, which meant that Aurelia was out of time. They would spend the next few minutes quieting the crowd and ushering everyone to their seats, at which point she would be expected to appear at the end of the nave and begin her walk down the aisle.

“This is it…” Aurelia sighed.

“I best be going too,” Rosalind added. She smiled for Aurelia and took her hands also. “I will see you after.”

“I sure hope so.” She held onto Rosalind’s hands tightly, looking into her friend’s eyes, hoping to see an answer to the question she was too afraid to ask…

“Until then.” Rosalind gave her hands a squeeze and then vanished.

Rosalind had come alone today. Her brother, the duke, for reasons she had not explained, had decided not to attend. Worse than that, Rosalind had not even seemed to think it strange. She mentioned it as a passing comment, slightly annoyed because she had expected him here, but not considering there to be a reason beyond the fact that he didn’t enjoy social events.

When she heard this, Aurelia had needed to work as hard as she ever had not to break on the spot. It was stupid, she knew, but a part of her had wondered if the duke being here and seeing her might be the final push he needed to… No, do not go down that path again. He is not here because he does not care. He never did, and wishing differently isn’t going to change anything.

This wedding was happening, and Aurelia had resigned herself to it fully.

“I best tell them you are coming,” Caroline then said. She too took Aurelia’s hands and smiled. “I know this is scary, Aurelia. Believe me…” She chuckled. “Violet and I both know it more than most. But trust me, sometimes the most unlikely marriages turn into the stuff of dreams. And if you want it, it will happen. I promise.”

“Thank you,” Aurelia said with a smile that did not reach her eyes. “Lord Mildenhall is lovely, and I am sure that I will be happy with him.”

Caroline frowned at the response, likely taking note of Aurelia’s dejected tone. But she said nothing to it, probably because it was not that surprising. None of them were such fools to think this marriage to be a love match, most considering it a standard affair, in many ways better than how a lot of arranged marriages began.

Caroline left then, leaving Aurelia alone with her eldest sister, Violet.

It felt apt in many ways that she should be the last to see her off. Years ago, Violet had been faced with an even worse prospect than Aurelia’s own, her marriage doomed to be a most dreadful thing. And where it was by no means perfect, Violet had managed to come to terms with her married life, accepting it in ways that Aurelia hoped would one day inspire her. That was where it all began, this quest to pay their father’s debts, so that it was ending now with Violet here to lead her into the church was right and signaled to Aurelia how real all of this was. How unescapable too.

“Shall we go?” Aurelia asked her sister, not bothering with a smile now because it seemed a pointless thing.

Violet studied her for a moment, frowning as she looked Aurelia over, focusing on her sunken shoulders, her resigned expression, and the sadness in her eyes. “Aurelia… you do not need to keep on pretending. Not for my sake.”

“Pretending?” Aurelia acted confused. “What do you mean?”

Violet sighed and took her hand. “I am no fool, Aurelia. None of us are. We all know what this marriage is, and what it promises to become. There is no need for you to act differently as if hoping to fool yourself. That will solve nothing.”

“Oh…” Aurelia shrunk back. “I am… it is not that I am pretending, Violet. Truly, although Lord Mildenhall might not be a man whom I love and adore, he will not be an awful husband. And many have faced worst circumstances than I. Really, I should be grateful that –”

“He is not wicked and cruel?”

“That he accepts what this marriage is,” she corrected. “He will cover our family’s debts, and I will provide him an heir.” She shrugged and then sighed. “Is that not the entire point of most marriages in the first place?”

“For many, yes,” Violet agreed. “But you are not many. Until last month, I never thought I would see you wed. Even mother knew as much, figuring it was better to let you do as you please than risk forcing you on someone you did not want.” She laughed. “I would not envy the man who found himself in that position.”

“Things change.”

“But you have not,” Violet continued softly, her expression one of sadness and pity. “I know why you are doing this. And I cannot tell you how proud I am of you – we all are. But Aurelia…” Violet’s eyes searched her. “If you are having second thoughts, believe me when I tell you, ignoring them will not change anything. Best to have them now and act as you feel is right. Who cares what the consequences –”

“I care,” Aurelia cut her off. “That is the entire point, Violet. And why you even…” She felt herself growing angry now. Why is she telling me this? What good does she think it will do! “Why do you care, Violet? It is not as if you have ever cared for my wellbeing before.”

Violet leaned back at that, her face aghast. “I hope you know that is not true.”

“I know what our relationship is,” Aurelia said. “You and Daniel were always close. And Caroline was old enough and proper enough that you found common ground with her. But do not pretend that you and I ever had that sort of relationship. Which is perfectly fine,” she made sure to add. “I do not begrudge you. I just do not understand why you are choosing this moment to sow doubts into my head.”

Violet was still holding her by the hand. Still studying her with a sadness that made her want to burst into tears. “You are right,” she admitted. “You and I…” She shook her head. “But you are still my sister, and despite what you may think, I know you better than you would be willing to admit.”

“I doubt it.”

“Is that what you think?” Violet cocked an eyebrow at her. “So, this sudden zeal and determination to be married has nothing to do with another?” Aurelia’s face dropped, unable to hide her surprise. “Another who you would rather be walking down the aisle to greet, but for some reason have resigned yourself to not take that chance?” Her eyebrow rose knowingly. “I might be wrong, but somehow I doubt it.”

“How… how did you…”

“It is His Grace, isn’t it?” Violet said gently, taking Aurelia’s other hand. “I am not as blind as some, and I saw the way you to looked at each other at my drum. And then there was His Grace’s dinner party…” She shook her head but smiled. “Did you think that the two of you could disappear as you had and go completely unnoticed.”

Aurelia’s face paled. “That was… we were not… nothing –”

“I do not care what happened,” Violet said. “All I care for is you. And if you do feel this way for him, why on earth are you so set on going through with this marriage? Marriage is for life, Aurelia. Believe me, I know it better than most.”

Aurelia’s chin began to quiver. She felt her eyes well with tears. Desperate not to break down and start to cry, she snatched her hands away and turned her back on Violet. “I told you why. There is no other way.”

“You do not need to do this.” Violet put her hands on Aurelia’s shoulder and stepped into her. “Not for us. Daniel will find another way to pay the debts his owes.”

“Eveline –”

“Not her,” Violet said. “There are other means to make money. If you do not wish to do this, if there is even a chance at something better…” She sniffed also, her arms now wrapping around Aurelia. “You owe it to yourself, Aurelia. Do not live as I do. Do not live wondering what might have been if only you had taken a chance. If there is even the smallest possibility of something else… take it. Even if it all comes crashing down, at least you will have tried.”

She just doesn’t understand. Her heart is in the right place, and I love her for that. But this isn’t me denying myself a chance at happiness. This is me knowing happiness is not mine to take.

“The duke does not care for me,” Aurelia said, sniffing back the tears and steadying herself. “That is why I am… this is not me being scared, Violet. It is just the way it is. I went to him. I told him how I felt. He rejected me” She nodded and unpeeled herself from her sister, turning to face her. “It really is that simple.”

“Aurelia…”

“Do not feel sorry for me,” Aurelia said with a warm smile. “I will not have it. Not on my wedding day. Lord Mildenhall might not be the one I love, but he is not as bad as he might be. I am glad to be doing this.” She looked right at her sister. “And most importantly, I want to.” A lie, but one that I need to believe.

Violet nodded her understanding, taking Aurelia’s hands again and squeezing them. “So long as you do.”

“Now, come…” She forced her smile to grow, through with feeling sorry for herself. “They are waiting and if I make them wait any longer, I dare say that Lord Mildenhall might be the one who double guesses if this is what he wants.”

Violet laughed at that but kept hold of Aurelia’s hands as she led her from the antechamber and into the body of the church.

It was brimming with a sense of anticipation when she arrived. Scores of guests already seated, the chatter they had been engaged in silencing the second she was noticed. Heads turned to look at her. Eyes began to brim with tears. Smiles all, for this was a happy occasion and needed to be treated as such. The church was decorated brightly, colorfully, like Spring blooming after a most terrible winter. Indeed, Lord Mildenhall had spared no expense, for this was a marriage he not only wanted but needed.

And there he stood at the end of the aisle. When he saw Aurelia appear he smiled rightly and nodded once, pleased it seemed to see her. There was no love in his eyes. No adoration of her beauty. Merely an acceptance that things were going ahead as planned.

In a last showing of hope, Aurelia scanned the crowds, wondering if she might see the duke among the face… of course he is not here. Why would he be?

Violet took her seat and Daniel came to her. She made sure to beam and his smile was soft yet unsure. As Violet had said, there was no fooling them, and where Daniel knew why she was doing this and accepted it as the right move, even he could not pretend at being overjoyed for her.

“Are you ready?” he asked as he linked his arm through her own.

“As ready as I will ever be,” she said, taking her final breath. “Let us begin.” And with that, Aurelia started down the aisle, toward her soon-to-be husband, toward her new life. Accepting, but not happy. Not surprising, as happiness had never been a part of this arrangement…