Page 6 of His Unexpected Duchess (Hearts of Whitmores #2)

CHAPTER 6

G rudgingly accepting a glass of sherry, Nicholas took a small sip before setting it back down. The taste was sickly sweet on his tongue. He didn’t care for it and scanned the drawing room for something better.

If only it was his drawing room.

He had made a fatal mistake the other day by accepting the Cramptons’ offer to host the wedding breakfast following the ceremony at the church. Though he had every intention of saying no, the wrong words had come out of his mouth. There was no taking them back. Even though there were no plans for a honeymoon or a trip, there would be a wedding breakfast.

Everyone had enjoyed the five courses before coming together in the drawing room. More platters were brought in. Desserts and fruit, he noted. He spotted Eleanor browsing them carefully and taking small bites when she wasn’t speaking with Charlotte.

It seemed that a few other parties had been invited as well. He spotted Lady Lisabeth and her family, for example, and three other familiar groups. The meal had been awkward, but he’d done his best to be courteous and speak with everyone.

Now, he just wanted this to be over.

“You look like you’ve been sentenced to the noose,” noted the Duke of Wakefield as he came to stand beside him. “Relax. It’s only marriage.”

Nicholas eyed the man distrustfully. “Is that not the same thing?”

There had been little reason for them to meet in the past until Adrian had wed Nicholas’s cousin, Charlotte.

Adrian had spent most of his years traveling abroad before he came back home and met his aunt’s goddaughter. Lady Theodosia was somewhere around here as well—probably scolding someone.

Those three had come to attend the wedding ceremony, and for that, Nicholas was grateful. He didn’t think he needed the support, but he had wanted it for Eleanor. They had managed to enjoy a brief moment of levity before it was time to promise his life away to Joanna.

Odd, that. He had lost her again.

Nicholas frowned as he looked around the room and found his young wife standing in the corner. The way she held herself reminded him of a wounded rabbit. But she only stood before Lady Theodosia, who was chattering away glibly as usual, so he wondered why she looked so concerned. Unless it was because her stepmother, who had turned up her nose at the matron, made the third member of their group.

Why doesn’t she just say something? If Joanna can argue with me, I don’t see why she cannot defend herself from everyone else.

It reminded him of the awkward situation he had noted in the church just before the ceremony started. He’d noticed Joanna gaping at his family and then shrinking back from her silent parents. They were rather intimidating, he supposed. But couldn’t all parents be like that?

He’d rescued her then. He didn’t know what else to do. Any words he had in mind would not have been respectful or gentlemanly. Since then, he had convinced himself that he had imagined everything.

But now…

Adrian was still talking. “And before you know it, you’ll be best friends. Or something like that. All you must do is give her a chance. I assure you, Nicholas, it will be worth it.”

“What is?” Nicholas asked and then shook his head. “Never mind.”

He didn’t care. Not enough to make the man repeat himself. But he couldn’t stand there anymore since he’d found his wife. Already she’d excused herself thrice since they’d left the table. Her behavior was odd, and it was driving him mad. Though he had thought to leave her in the hands of Lady Ely and Lady Theodosia, he couldn’t bear the distance another minute.

Striding across the room, Nicholas caught Charlotte before she could reach her husband. “Some music might liven up this crowd,” he noted.

She tapped her nose knowingly. “Yes, my dear,” she promised with a quick wink.

After waving to her husband, she took a detour toward the large piano in the corner.

Soft music started up in the room, drawing attention as Nicholas made his way over to the three women. Someone had asked Joanna something. She hesitated with her answer before pausing when their eyes met.

“Your Grace,” she stammered upon his arrival.

“Duchess,” he responded lightly, though it had the devastating effect of making her blush. She had to know that the title belonged to her now.

Though he focused his attention on her, he saw her stepmother frowning deeply out of the corner of his eye.

But he wasn’t here for Lady Ely and whatever judgment she was passing on them.

Nicholas reached out a hand to his wife. “My apologies, ladies, but I need my wife. Will you have this dance with me?”

“Dance? But this isn’t…”

She was terribly nervous. He’d noted her jumpiness throughout the meal. Any attempt at conversation while they sat across from one another had fallen apart during the first course, and he’d given up after that. She hadn’t even been able to look him in the eye.

“Only a short one, I promise,” he told her.

Since she had already accepted his hand, he tugged her neatly out of the tiny circle.

Her fingers curled around his. “I don’t know how,” she whispered with a sharp shake of her head.

That made him pause. Only for a moment, however, as he continued leading her toward the piano. He hadn’t meant for this to happen, but when he saw Charlotte, the idea had come to mind. There was no stalling now. He would have his dance. He needed Joanna to himself while they were still caught up in this ridiculous party. This was the only way.

The only proper way, at least.

“Trust me. I shall lead,” he reassured her in what he hoped was his most gentle tone.

It was gentle enough that she nodded. But she remained stiff as he pulled them into position, carefully correcting her stance before moving them in time with the music. Joanna’s movements were awkward, especially as she turned her face to look around.

“Joanna.” She shifted her gaze back to him. “Don’t look at them.”

That flush crept up her face again, but her shoulders relaxed slowly. She didn’t stumble when he spun them this time.

“I’m sorry. I can’t help it. Everyone is watching us.”

“As they should be. You make a fine bride.”

She pursed her lips. “You mock me.”

Tsking, he gave her hand a squeeze. “You should know better than that. Besides, you no longer need their approval. You’re a married woman. The only person you answer to is me.”

“I know that.”

“And do you know that I hardly care?”

That made her stumble, but he tightened his grip on her waist to prevent anyone from noticing.

The music continued playing. Nicholas felt his head swimming, though he hadn’t had a drop of the sherry or anything stronger.

He took a quick look around the room and noticed her stepsister eyeing them with a bewildered expression. But the ones that concerned him were the Earl and Countess of Ely, as they were staring hard at him. Or Joanna, he supposed. They didn’t seem to approve of this dance.

He scoffed. Though he didn’t want the title, there was one small blessing that came with it: no one had the right to pass judgment on him.

“Ignore them. This is your wedding day. You will have your own house and your own life by tonight,” Nicholas reminded Joanna so quietly that he hardly moved his lips. But she had straightened and relaxed in his arms, listening with her eyes on his mouth. He tried not to think about that last part as much. “You might as well enjoy yourself.”

“Enjoy myself?” she echoed. “How would you recommend that?”

He nearly rolled his eyes. “You must know what fun is.”

“I am having fun,” she told him hurriedly.

The response came so quickly that he couldn’t help but chuckle. He shook his head, spinning her again in a way that made her gasp. The sound made his heart patter. He ignored that as well.

“If I am headed toward the noose, you are headed toward a funeral,” he noted, considering what Adrian had said only minutes ago. Joanna’s confusion only lasted a moment before she frowned up at him. “But perhaps that is how you feel about our blessed union?”

She pressed her lips together in her defense. But before speaking, her eyes roamed over his face, and she seemed to realize that he was attempting a jest.

A short laugh escaped her, as though even the sound surprised her, and then she chuckled. Her grip on him grew steadier, drawing them closer. Those pretty lips of hers remained curved into a smile as she looked away.

Nicholas followed her gaze, his curiosity growing stronger around her. His wife was an odd puzzle. A pretty one, too. All of it annoyed him as much as it intrigued him. He couldn’t decide what to do about it or her.

Joanna glanced at his family. There stood Adrian beside Charlotte at the piano. Eleanor had drawn closer and was licking her fingers clean. When she realized she had been caught, she blushed. Then, Lady Theodosia joined them, a handkerchief in hand and a wicked smile on her face.

They were all he had now. A strange thought, for it should have been a bigger party. Nicholas had struggled last night with the fact that he would marry when Roger never had the chance, that he would take a wife his father would never meet. He had felt their loss keenly all day long.

But he was also grateful for the people he still had. It made him wonder about Joanna. What did she see in his family?

I cannot help but wonder if she had ever thought any further than the moment she proposed our arrangement in my study. Will she care for Eleanor? Will she like Charlotte? And will they even like her? Though I do not think I’ve brought a fox to the den, I cannot help but think that Joanna will change everything.

Joanna mumbled something under her breath along the lines of, “It’s not so awful,” but he wasn’t entirely sure.

“Pardon?”

“It’s of no matter,” she said hastily. “I said nothing.”

Nicholas hesitated, but he didn’t know what to make of it, especially as the song came to an end. He glanced back at Charlotte, who was smiling widely up at her husband. When the two of them were together, they tended to forget about everyone else. It was annoying. As if this soppy sort of love existed.

Pausing, he directed his attention back to Joanna. His wife—he had to keep saying that in his head in the hope that it would begin to feel real and normal––settled back on her heels and dropped her hands to her sides. She smiled, appearing much more comfortable and confident than she had all day.

That’s an improvement. I cannot bear the thought of having to worry about her constantly. I don’t have the time, and I already worry about Eleanor enough as it is.

“Thank you for the dance,” Joanna murmured.

“And thank you.”

He offered her his hand and led her over to Eleanor and Lady Theodosia, deciding that the two of them would be safe company.

Fortunately, the wedding breakfast didn’t last much longer. By noon, he was riding back home in his carriage, with his sister and new wife sitting across from him. Mercifully, none of them felt the need to speak. It was late in the day by the time they arrived at the house and stepped into the front hall.

“Eleanor, do you need anything?” Nicholas asked as their butler and a footman took their hats and coats.

His sister smiled up at him before shaking his head. “No, but thank you. I find myself rather exhausted from the merriment. You wouldn’t mind if I rested before supper, would you?”

With a warm smile, Nicholas shook his head. “Of course not.”

He didn’t bother saying that he wouldn’t be in attendance. He’d let her rest and not worry, for now. Eleanor looked rather tired as it was, and he wondered if she would sleep through till morning.

“Go on, then.”

Eleanor murmured a quick farewell before hastening up the stairs. Then, it was just him and his wife.

Joanna walked in a little further to study the hall. She took in the nearest paintings with a thoughtful head tilt before peering into the nearby parlor through the ajar double doors. She had only been here for a moment before, he reminded himself, so it wasn’t surprising that she was curious about her new home.

The thought tore at him. He wasn’t ready for this sort of upheaval in his life, was he? It was hard to tell. Though he’d had every intention of taking a wife, it was clear that he hadn’t considered the implications. Like having her around all the time.

“Joanna,” he said, drawing her attention back to him.

A flush crept up her cheeks. He was annoyed at his curiosity as questions flooded his mind. What was she embarrassed about? Was it something he had said?

“I beg your pardon,” she mumbled before drawing closer. “I didn’t get to enjoy a closer look after… when I…” she trailed off. They both knew what she meant to say about her first visit here.

With a shake of his head, Nicholas set it aside.

With the wedding ceremony and breakfast over, he needed to refocus his priorities. The last couple of days had negatively impacted his schedule in several ways—he was behind on several important matters that required his attention at once. He couldn’t keep putting them off, and he couldn’t let his wife get in the way just because she was new here.

“I’ll have Mrs. Knacking give you a tour of the house. She’s the housekeeper. She’ll have a set of keys for you and show you to your room. I believe your luggage and maid should already be there.”

“Oh, right yes.” Joanna shifted from one foot to the other. “That would be excellent. And then I shall see you at supper, I suppose?”

“No.” Her eyes widened in surprise, but he carried on. “I have business to attend to. I’ll be in my office for a while, but I’m needed elsewhere this evening.”

Her mouth dropped open. She glanced back toward the stairs Eleanor had taken and then turned back to him. “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” she said slowly. “You told your sister you would meet her at supper. Unless you mean for me to not…?”

Brushing aside the oddness of her question, he shook his head. “You two may enjoy supper in your bedchambers or together if you like. I don’t think I’ll be available this evening. My sister is aware of my everchanging schedule.”

“So you lied to her?” she asked.

“I didn’t want to worry her. She needs her rest,” he said pointedly, giving her a look to make sure she understood. When she grudgingly gave him a nod, he relaxed. “Good. Then I’m sure I will see you on the morrow.”

“On the morrow? But what about… well, tonight?”

Nicholas had barely turned away. Sighing, he turned back and gave her a look. “Yes. You do recall that ours is a marriage of convenience? The housekeeper will update you on your new responsibilities as the lady of the house. If you have questions that cannot wait until I see you again, then please prepare a list and have someone deliver them to my study.”

“Then you don’t even know if you will see me on the morrow?” Joanna asked, clearly flabbergasted.

She shook her head, rubbing her temples before setting her hands on her hips. The movement reminded him of how warm she had felt in his arms, how firm he had imagined her to be.

“Really, Your Grace. Do you mean I shall never see you again?”

“Nicholas,” he said without thinking clearly. “You might as well call me by my Christian name. That’s as close as we shall get. Besides, isn’t this what you wanted?”

“I, well, yes, but––”

It’s better this way, that she understands my schedule and my inaccessibility. I would hate to disappoint her later. Joanna must understand that I do not have the time nor the heart for her. She’s a clever girl––she’ll sort it out on her own.

“Do you really mean… Do you really mean we will never…” Joanna whispered, drawing closer to him. Her eyes were wide and round. “We won’t have children?”

His gaze fell once again to her lips as he considered what she was really asking about. Sharing a room, a bed. Sharing one another. He watched her lick her lips and wondered what she thought of that.