Page 63 of An Unwanted Spinster for the Duke

He was going to rely on his hearth for light again, no doubt, instead of embracing the sunshine.

The moment between them—if there ever was—had already passed.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Marianne wondered why there was barely a breeze. Perhaps she was merely suffocating at the thought of appearing in Society for the first time as the Duchess of Oakmere.

Dominic had explained—rather stiffly—that they were attending a private theatrical performance at Lord Cheswick’s estate. It would be a short trip, no overnight stay, just enough to reintroduce her to Society without too much fanfare.

She understood her role: not quite a guest, more of a display. Still, it was a welcome reprieve from the silence and loneliness of the past few days.

The carriage trundled along a winding road leading to the Cheswick estate. It wasn’t a long trip, just as Dominic described, but it was a bumpy one.

At the end of some gently rolling hills stood Lord Cheswick’s residence. It wasn’t as large as Oakmere Hall, but it certainly glowed like a lantern, whereas the former would have remained dark and dreary.

Marianne gaped as the grand house came closer, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap. She believed she looked enough like a duchess in her seafoam silk dress. She also had her dark curls pinned to one side, exposing her slender neck.

Meanwhile, Dominic looked as dashing as ever. Quiet, too. They had not spoken even once throughout the journey.

When the carriage door opened, Dominic transformed into the polite gentleman everyone expected him to be. He climbed out of the carriage first and offered his arm to Marianne.

“Shall we, Duchess?”

Even though he sounded polite, Marianne could still hear the distance in his voice. He was merely going through the motions, and it made her heart ache.

How long could she stand this?

She took his arm, anyway, just as committed to doing what was proper. She could not help but feel how solid he was beneath his clothes. Strong and muscular, Dominic Carlyle had achieved his physique through his work around the estate.

She reminded herself that they were supposed to move like a united front, a newlywed couple who was in love. Thetonmight complain about not knowing about them beforehand, but they were there to dispel all fears and silence any gossip. Still, it was hard to do when there wasn’t even a friendship between them.

What was there between them?

She hardly knew.

The drawing room was already full of people. Chairs were lined up to prepare for the performance. Guests were served flutes of champagne to sip from while waiting. The sounds of laughter and soft music mingled with clusters of conversation and the rustle of long dresses.

Marianne had seen balls and theater performances before. It came with being a marquess’s daughter. It was expected, or else her father would have just locked her inside the house. However, she had never been the object of people’s interest.

To her delight, the Earl and Countess of Darfield were there. Lord Darfield was Dominic’s friend, and she recalled that his wife had been kind to Elizabeth during the stag hunt.

“Ah! Finally, you’ve decided to show your wife to the rest of the world!” Lord Darfield exclaimed, clapping Dominic on the back and giving Marianne a bow.

“Well, it hasn’t been long, dear,” Lady Darfield said kindly. “They needed alone time.”

Marianne blushed. If only they knew what being alone with her husband entailed.

“I’m glad to see the two of you again,” she said.

“Likewise, Your Grace,” Lady Darfield returned with a smile. “I always welcome a chance to be in the company of other people.”

“Olivia!” Lord Darfield complained. “I’m right here.”

“Exactly what I’m trying to say,” Lady Darfield explained. “Simon is a wonderful husband, but I also want to chat with other people. He wouldn’t be able to stop if it’s just him.”

“Ah,” Marianne said. “Well, in my case, I would have loved to hear more from my husband. What if we can find someone who is right in between?”

“Oh, I like the sound of that. What do you think, Simon?”