Page 4 of One Kiss in the Shadows (Singular Sensation #12)

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M ay 22, 1819

Hamilton House

Berkley Square

Mayfair, London

It had been two days—really a bit less than that—since Mallory had been rescued from the asylum by a duke who wasn’t Edenthorpe. Two days since she’d felt the fresh air of freedom in ten years. And two days since she’d experienced her first kiss, given to her by a taciturn duke who both fascinated and frightened her by turns.

In fact, she’d gone through a whirlwind the past less-than-two-days, and she’d had no time to recover from it. The pinnacle to top everything was the fact that she would be married to her rescuer and a stranger to boot in less than two hours, and because of the circumstances, the nuptial ceremony would need to take place today, for her mother would call down the heavens in her rage at finding Mallory no longer in residence at the asylum.

Still, knots of worry tugged in her belly, for she knew her mother wouldn’t merely give her up, especially not to a member of the Rogue’s Arcade.

Yet there was also a feeling of giddiness floating through her being. Since the first step she’d taken into Strathfield’s townhouse, everything about her life was the complete opposite of everything she’d known over the past ten years. Despite the lateness of the hour, his staff was more than happy to make ready a bedchamber for her. That night was the first night in a long time that she’d slept without worry.

That next morning, she’d been issued a lady’s maid and given a bath with scented oils and a bar of finely milled lavender soap and a heavenly sponge to scrub her skin. Having her hair washed had been an experience unto itself, and she cried with gratitude afterward when the maid wrapped her in a soft robe then set to work combing out the mass of her hair.

A modiste had been engaged that afternoon, and Mallory’s measurements were taken, to outfit her in every piece of clothing from the skin outward, and she had been told that she could have clothing in whatever styles and colors she desired.

In the meanwhile, the modiste had brought garments and unmentionables she’d had at her shop that would do until the custom-made clothing could be finished. There was even a gown she would wear for her nuptial ceremony that had only required a few alterations, which one of the seamstresses had been assigned.

It was much like a dream that she couldn’t dare to think was true.

Once the housekeeper and cook discovered Peri was with her, they fussed after the cat as if she were a human child. A flat round basket had been procured with a pretty blanket of yellow checked flannel, and Peri had immediately taken to the soft little nest which rested on the floor at the foot of the bed. The cook had given the cat permission to prowl about the kitchens, for that would keep mice at bay, and then that stout woman had given the cat choice bits of chicken and cooked livers therein, which immediately made her a fast friend.

The freedom for them both was quite intoxicating, and it made Mallory almost giddy with it, but she couldn’t lose sight of her primary objective—neutralizing her mother and the army of goons she employed.

Once that happened, she could be free of the unwanted husband as well, just as he’d promised. It was the best for both of them; they merely had to survive the press of the next few months. Wouldn’t they?

A knock on her bedchamber door scattered the brief composure she’d managed to find after her maid had left her following the conclusion of her toilette. Thinking it might be Ruth returning for a last-minute alteration, she bid the visitor to enter.

When her soon-to-be husband did just that, she sucked in a breath, for she hadn’t seen him since he’d ushered her into the house the night of her escape from the asylum. Scrambling up from the comfortable chair in one corner of her room, she smoothed her hands along the front of the gown she’d donned for the ceremony.

“Oh, uh, Your Grace... welcome.” Her attempt at a curtsey was a disaster, but he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he regarded her with curiosity in his brown eyes and a bit of a frown tugging down his sensual lips. “Is it time?”

Please say no!

“It is not. We have just under two hours yet, but I wanted to see how you fared.” Leaving the door partially open, he came further into the room, waved her back into the chair, and then perched himself on the foot of her bed. “There hasn’t been time since you arrived for us to have a proper chat.”

She nodded even as her heart raced. “I suspect you have had other things to occupy your attention.” Though it was an overcast morning, it seemed as if all the available illumination in the room centered on the duke. Not that he had golden hair or anything of the like. It was just that he was such a powerful presence that everything gravitated toward him.

“I did, the least of which was securing a special license so that we can wed this morning.”

Dear heavens , he was spectacular in his black evening clothes, complete with tailcoat. His dark brown hair had been arranged in a popular style, but it was his fathomless brown eyes that captured her attention, compelled her to jump into those deep pools and lose herself. And the scent of him! It was a mixture of citrus, sandalwood, and a hint of leather. Every time he moved, faint whiffs of the cologne teased her nose.

Slowly, Mallory nodded while her nerves felt as if they were crawling through her skin. “Why are you here, Your Grace?”

“Please, call me either Strathfield or Nathaniel if you wish.”

The given name suited him. “You may refer to me as Mallory.”

He tightened his hand on the ornamental ivory head of his cane. “Good morning, Mallory.” The sound of her name in his baritone voice sent a host of tingles down her spine. “In answer to your question, I am here to make certain you haven’t become overwhelmed with everything. The stark change in your circumstances must be taking a toll.”

“To be honest, I’m not sure what to think. Everything has been a whirlwind, and I haven’t been able to catch my breath.” She clasped her hands in her lap. “What I am most worried about is my mother and her wrath.” Would she force her way into this townhouse and take her back to the asylum, or worse?

“And rightly so. Your mother has proved surprisingly horrid.” Lines of concern lined his brow. “However, let me set your mind at ease if I can. You are under my protection, and once we wed, even more so. I will not let any harm come to you.” He shrugged. “And if this unconventional union is the catalyst to take down your mother for good, how bad could it be?”

“That helps. Thank you.” She nodded. “How do you plan to do that, though?”

“Only time will tell, but securing you is my first priority.” When she said nothing in response, he continued. “Do you have other questions for me before we need to go downstairs?”

“How old are you?”

“I just turned two and forty in February.”

A sixteen-year age gap between them. How would a union even work? Weren’t they from different worlds? Then she silently admonished herself, for she’d been locked away from society and the world anyway for the past ten years. Pairing with anyone would prove awkward. “I will turn six and twenty in a month.”

He nodded. “It’s a stretch, but not one we cannot overcome if we’re determined.”

“Well, it is a good sight better than being in the asylum.” When she offered a smile, he didn’t return the gesture. A sigh escaped her. “What will happen after we’ve wed?”

“Anything we want.” The duke moved his head from side to side. “Well, within reason, and I have a feeling we’ll clash with your mother and her goons a few times before everything is finished.”

A sick feeling rose in her throat. “That is what I’m afraid of.”

“Are you afraid of me, though?”

Silence brewed between them for long moments as Mallory studied him. There was a wealth of secrets in his eyes, and a whole lifetime in his expression. “I don’t know you.”

“There is that.”

“However, you were the only one to take on the task of removing me from the asylum, so for that, you do have the beginnings of my trust.” As she spoke, she slowly rose to her feet and shook out her skirting. “Thank you for the generosity regarding... everything you’ve given me.” Heat infused her cheeks. “This gown is the most luxurious garment I’ve owned let alone worn.”

The frock of a silver silk blend shimmered with the sprinkling of tiny clear glass beads. A satin ribbon of midnight blue encircled her waist and ended in a large bow at the small of her back. Another sprinkling of glass beads, sapphire in color, lined the square-shaped bodice. Matching blue satin slippers completed the look.

“You deserve all of that and more.” The duke scrambled into a standing position while his cane clattered to the floor. “It is quite stunning, I agree. The silver suits you.”

“Thank you.” Heat again flooded her cheeks, for never had she received a compliment from a man before, or been in the room with one who wasn’t trying to paw at her or try to force her to do things she didn’t wish to. “I, uh... Well, I’m glad I won’t look like a country bumpkin this morning in front of your friends.”

Assuming they would come to witness the ceremony.

“Even if you did, they would understand. The circumstances were quite dire, and again, you have my word that you will never need to suffer like that.”

She nodded. “You do believe me when I say there is nothing wrong with my mind?”

“Yes. No insane person would write to Edenthorpe and ask for help.”

“Why not?” A frown tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“Because once the rogues become involved in a project or mission, they take it quite seriously.” A fierceness came from him that accelerated her pulse. “If you were to have asked us to free you on a lark or because you have an ulterior motive that would harm any of those men, none of us would take kindly to that and would respond accordingly.”

Another shiver coursed down her spine. “I understand, and I am not here to trick you in any capacity. I only want revenge on my mother.” Then, feeling oddly bold and daring, she closed the distance between them. When he frowned, she slipped a shaking hand up his chest and around his nape, tugged him down, and before her courage failed her, Mallory fit her lips to his. The brief kiss had butterflies awakening in her belly. It was quite a queer experience.

When she pulled away, he regarded her with a quizzical expression. “Why did you do that?”

She shrugged. “I had to know if the first one in the shadows was a fluke.”

“Ah.” Surprisingly, he offered a slight grin, and it completely transformed his face, removed years from his countenance. “Was it?”

“It is difficult to tell.” Not for worlds would she admit to feeling anything because she had been wrong before. It was best to keep everyone at arm’s length, for she refused to be hurt. Or to trust again. “Perhaps it is an ongoing experiment. After all, I have been kept from everything I should have had in life.”

“Fair enough.”

“And forgive me the bold behavior. I temporarily lost my commonsense in the face of a kiss.”

“There is nothing to forgive. I can imagine everything is exciting for you just now.” He retrieved his cane then moved toward the door. “I shall see you again at the ceremony.” The temporary levity from their banter fled. “If you don’t wish to do this, I can secret you away to one of my properties under cover of darkness. It will take some time before your mother can track you to earth, but—”

“Stop, Your Grace, er rather, Nathaniel.” Oh, it was lovely to say his name! “I am doing this partially for your protection, but partially for me, because I have had far too much taken from me by my mother. I don’t want her to win even in this. I will make our union something I can be proud of.”

And that was the truth.

“Very well.” He nodded. “I respect you for that decision.”

M erciful heavens. I don’t know if I can do this.

The moment Mallory stepped foot in the drawing room of the duke’s townhouse, she encountered a large handful of people who’d gathered to witness the ceremony, and the urge to flee from all those eyes took hold.

Then the duke was there at her side, and his large, commanding presence somehow brought a modicum of calm to the tempest inside. “Steady, Lady Mallory. It will all be over soon.” His waistcoat of gold and ivory brocade drew her attention to his flat abdomen, but it was the awe and pride contained in his golden-brown gaze that sent a tremor of excitement down her spine.

“Nathaniel.” The whispered word had barely cleared her tight throat when he approached her. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“That’s understandable, for I feel the nerves too, but do this we must if I’m to keep you safe.” He took one of her hands. “All will be well.”

“I hope so.” What would her mother do to her if she caught her?

“That is a promise.” Then he put his lips to the shell of her ear. “How remiss of me not to have brought you a bouquet of flowers. Had we more time, I would have made certain to put vases of blooms throughout the room for you to make it a day you could look back on with fondness.”

Her pulse quickened, for his teasing sent flutters through her belly. “There is no set time for giving flowers, Strathfield.”

“True. I shall bear that in mind.” Then he tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Shall we crack on with this?”

“Yes. I would like to move forward with my life, however that will be.” Tingles of anticipation played her spine. If that included the man at her side or not, it didn’t matter. She would have her freedom to do whatever she wanted, pursue whatever tickled her fancy. It was heady stuff indeed. Mallory walked beside him as he led her to the clergyman, who quickly introduced himself to the pair of them.

“Is everyone here?” He scanned the room from over the rims of his silver spectacles.

“I believe so.” Nathaniel’s deep voice sent gooseflesh sailing over her skin. “Everyone who matters is already in attendance.” Another frown took over his features. “However, there are many of my friends who are not here.”

“Oh? Have they died?”

“No. Just are currently far away from Town.”

“Ah.” There was much she didn’t know about her soon-to-be husband. A wave of sadness crested over her, for her parents would never be a part of her life. Obviously, her mother was bent on destruction and violence, and her father? Well, she rather doubted the earl had fathered her at all. If he had, he was too far beneath her mother’s thumb to think for himself.

“Very well. We shall start.” The clergyman took a well-loved book from his clerk and opened to the page he wanted while the younger man made his way across the room to a grouping of furniture that contained a table of polished cherry wood.

Mallory briefly bit her bottom lip. In mere moments, her whole life would change again, but at least she’d had a say about it this time. No doubt the good clergyman knew the words by heart, much as she did with her favorite stories, the same handful of books she’d had with her the last ten years.

And she’d left them behind.

The guests she couldn’t bear to glance at for fear she might faint from fright settled into chairs and sofas.

Then the clergyman began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this gathering, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church...”

As her heartbeat raced entirely too fast, Mallory tried not to concentrate on the prickling feeling on her neck from everyone staring at her. Instead, she let her mind wander and breathed in the scent of the duke. Soon, she would be Nathaniel’s wife. He would shield her from everything—her lineage, the judgment and whispers and doubt arising from who her mother was, away from the shame of being in that asylum. This marriage would unlock opportunities for her that she’d never had before. What would she do with all that freedom? She didn’t know but she looked forward to trying... everything.

Then another thought occurred to her. What would happen with her and the duke in the meantime? Would he eventually wish for a real marriage in every sense of the word, especially since he was a duke and would need an heir? Would he want a traditional marriage even though he’d already promised that theirs would be a union in name only? Slight panic rose in her chest.

Have I made a terrible mistake in agreeing to this?

“Mallory.” Nathaniel softly cleared his throat. He touched a hand to hers, and that tiny connection scattered her frantic thoughts. “You might wish to pay attention seeing as how this ceremony will change your whole life.” Amusement threaded through the barely audible whisper.

She nodded even though the apprehension wouldn’t quite leave her.

The clergyman centered his gaze on Nathaniel. “Wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded Wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

Oh, such romantic words! Like a poem, and she should know, for some of the only decent books in the asylum’s library were books of poetry. Mallory trembled, her breath held in anticipation. Would there be the hope of anything else from this union except protection and perhaps friendship?

In a clear voice, Nathaniel answered, “I will.”

A shiver of relief edged down her spine, but there was no time for second-guessing; the clergyman addressed her.

“Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”

Already, he’d shown himself more honorable than any of the men she’d come into contact with at the asylum. To hide the shaking of her hand, she squeezed her fingers upon Nathaniel’s arm. “Yes. I will.” Her answer came out in a breathless whisper, for tears crowded in her throat. Life was rapidly changing, and she had high hopes that she could finally know happiness and could sleep easy.

Strathfield met her gaze, and he nodded. “No ill will come to you. I promise.”

“I know you believe that, but my mother is quite a force when provoked.”

He grunted. “I have fought worse. Also, I am not afraid of bullies.” When he followed the words with a slight wink, she could do nothing but stare at him in surprise.

Did he have a hidden sense of humor?

Then the duke was instructed to take her right hand in his right one. Tendrils of calm emanated upward from that point of contact. Whatever else he was, there was something about him that reassured her. Only time would tell if that were true. When her breath came in tiny pants, he leaned into her, put his lips to her ear and whispered, “I promise this will not be another prison. It is but the starting point of everything you’ve ever wanted for the past ten years.”

“Including revenge?”

“Including that,” he whispered back, and there was a certainty in his dark eyes that made her believe he would chase that by her side.

The clergyman cleared his throat. As he gave them a look of speculation, he continued. “Your Grace, repeat after me...” He intoned words that Mallory scarcely heard until the duke said them to her, his brown eyes locked with hers.

“I, Nathaniel Charles Andrew Hamilton, Duke of Strathfield, take thee Lady Mallory Anne Lambert to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ‘till death us do part.” His somber expression caused the knots in her belly to pull. “And I promise to do my level best to protect you and keep you safe from every horrid thing in this life. According to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.”

Never in her life had she felt as if anyone had told her the truth... until now.

They were directed to release hands, and Mallory was told to then hold Nathaniel’s right hand with her right one. The clergyman addressed her. “My lady, repeat after me.” He gave her the words, and her mind spun at the holiness of what she was being asked.

“I, Lady Mallory Anne Lambert, take thee Nathaniel Charles Andrew Hamilton, Duke of Strathfield to my wedded Husband.” She paused to swallow and cling to his hand so she wouldn’t succumb to a faint. “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, ‘till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “And thereto I give thee my troth.” How wonderful and slightly terrifying such a thing was, for with this union, she finally had a chance for a better life.

Beyond her mother’s dictates.

They were instructed to again release their hands. Nathaniel removed a ring from the pocket of his waistcoat. The thin band of gold winked in the sunshine coming into the room from behind a cloud, but the illumination glimmered on a large, oval-shaped sapphire that was surrounded with tiny round diamonds. It was easily the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. He then gave it to the clergyman, who laid it upon his open Book of Common Prayer along with a small leather pouch that clinked of coins for what she assumed was a form of payment for the services of the clergyman and his clerk. The older man returned the ring to the duke, who slipped it on the fourth finger of her left hand where it sat like a glittering drop of a midnight sky, which was her favorite time of night.

“Oh, goodness,” she said in a barely audible whisper.

The clergyman directed the duke to repeat another set of words.

“With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow.” He sneaked a glance at her, met her gaze. “You are now mine, Mallory, and my responsibility. No more will you go back to that horrible place.”

She nodded with a trace of tears in her eyes. “Thank you.”

The clergyman cleared his throat. “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Let us all pray for the newlywed couple.”

A bit more emotional than she liked, Mallory kneeled when Nathaniel did, and she clung to his hand as if he’d suddenly vanish while the minister said the words of a prayer for the whole room.

At the conclusion, she and Strathfield stood. The clergyman intoned, “I now pronounce thee husband and wife.”

I’m married! And what’s more, I’m free!

She glanced at her husband, and a tremulous smile curved her lips. “Thank you. You have no idea how much your sacrifice means to me.”

“It is not a sacrifice... unless you betray me.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back. Had she already made a societal mistake by not wearing gloves to such an event? “I’ll endeavor all of my days to give you the life you’ve always dreamed about when you were a young girl, before life disappointed you.”

“I would never betray you.” How could she, when he’d rescued her? Tears continued to gather in her eyes. “Since that is what I’ve only known, how could there ever be failure?”

The clergyman cleared his throat. “If you could both sign the registry, we can make everything official.”

Mallory nodded. “Official.” She belonged to the Duke of Strathfield—in every sense of the word, for whatever he should ask of her.

The duke stared down at her, but she couldn’t read the emotions shadowing his eyes. “You are a married woman now, as well as my duchess.” Again, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her middle knuckle. “I hope this life is everything you wish it to be.”

“How could it not? You’ve given me back hope that I might finally put some good into the world where my mother has been stealing it.”

That brought a faint grin to his face. “What a lovely way of saying it. I think we have a chance to rub along well while plotting how to bring that same woman down.”

Before she could respond, a knot of well-wishers descended upon them, and then she was introduced in a whirlwind to some of Strathfield’s club members.

For better or for worse, these were the people she would go through society with. Dear heavens, please don’t let me embarrass him.

Or disappoint herself.