Page 126 of Corrupting his Duchess

The ring was warm from his palm when he slipped it onto her finger.

And when the kiss came, it was brief, chaste, until Henry’s hand lingered a moment too long at her waist, and Anna tilted toward him.

Their lips parted only when the guests laughed quietly, affectionately, and the bells rang again overhead.

They emerged from the chapel as the Duke and Duchess of Yeats, stepping out into a flurry of flower petals and London air.

Anna blinked up at the sky. It had not rained.

“Thank God,” Julia muttered. “I could only survive one soggy wedding this Season.”

Gretchen elbowed her. “Speak for yourself. I had no intention of surviving any Season.”

Nathaniel strolled past, pausing just in front of them.

“You’re blocking my view,” Gretchen muttered.

Nathaniel didn’t move. “You have excellent taste.”

“I was talking about the bride,” she said sweetly.

He smirked. “And here I thought you only noticed dukes.”

She finally looked at him. “Only when they’re underfoot.”

“Then I shall do my best to be a persistent nuisance.”

“Oh, I’ve no doubt.”

Henry helped Anna into the waiting carriage. Her skirts rustled softly as she gathered them in one hand, veil slipping gently into her lap. The door clicked shut behind them, muffling the sounds of bells and laughter outside.

Inside, it was quiet.

He sat beside her, careful not to crush the delicate folds of her gown, and looked at her. He stared for a moment, just long enough to make her laugh.

“What?” she said, cheeks flushed, breath fogging a little in the winter air.

“You,” he said. “You’re mine.”

She rolled her eyes fondly. “I’ve been yours.”

“Since when?”

“Since you called me difficult and then spent every day proving I was right.”

He laughed then, head tipped back, hand over his heart. She grinned so hard her cheeks ached.

She smiled back, warm and tired and utterly his.

“I can’t feel my feet,” she said, leaning into him.

“That makes two of us.”

“And you’re warm,” she murmured.

“That’s the layers of wool and an undignified level of joy.”

She tucked her face against his shoulder, giggling. “Henry.”