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“ Y ou should have married him the following day, Verity,” Eugenia chided as she fixed her gloves up her arms. “What if he does not appear at the church?”

“Then he would have a very sorry name for himself,” Verity said. Then, in a confident tone, she added, “He will be here, I’m certain of it. Now, are you ready to leave?”

“Oh, bother, I’ve lost my hat. I had better find it.”

Off her aunt went, pretending to be a dodgy fool just to give her a moment alone in her bedchamber. Which would not be her bedchamber any longer after this morning.

It was time to be on their way to the village, where she would marry a duke and start a new life.

She didn’t particularly care for the idea.

It’s too late to change anything now. If only I kept my mouth shut…

Perhaps she should have done things differently. But it was too late now. And her aunt had hinted at what she already knew: the village was talking. Rumors continued to spread. A neighbor had stopped by yesterday, noting that their cousin already knew about it in Hampshire.

On and on the story would spread about, risking her reputation and good name if she didn’t marry at once.

Still, Verity had needed a delay. Just a short one. Just enough time to ensure that she had enough support on her wedding day. Sure, her aunt would be there, but she feared that would not be enough.

“Darling, there you are!” In strutted Lady Helena Marsten.

As Verity’s one true friend for several years, Helena had made her mark as the Diamond of the Season when they had first debuted.

She proved it even now, many years later, with her fashionable dark red gown and ruby jewelry.

Her red lips curled into a pout as she turned Verity around to inspect her.

“You look terribly morose for a bride. I feel as though you might drown if you so much as take another breath! Are you certain you wish to do this?”

“Were you certain about your own wedding?” Verity shot back.

Tutting, Helena shook her head. “That isn’t fair, Verity. Our situations are entirely different. I married for security, and you are marrying for… What is it again?”

“It’s still security. My name, Helena. My honor.

It must be done. The rumors would have reached your estate eventually had I not asked for you to come—for which I am grateful.

But you must set aside your concerns, as this wedding shall proceed.

The vicar wishes to check on his mother before the day is out, and once he goes, I doubt he would return. ”

“As if he has no care for you? Nonsense.”

Verity waved her off and headed to the door. “His mother is ailing and refuses to leave her house. Come along, Helena. It shan’t take more than a quarter of an hour.”

“You are still more thrilled than I am, for which I am grateful,” her friend muttered dryly. “Very well, let’s go.”

Once in their cramped carriage, Verity tried not to sneeze at the musty scent and focused on the scenery. Beside her, Helena and Eugenia bantered about the decent weather and the life of widows.

Eventually, they arrived at the chapel in Halewood.

Tutting, Helena shot her a look. “This would look more festive, were it a funeral.”

The three of them clambered out of the carriage, and Helena and Eugenia made their way onto the stone walkway, leaving Verity behind.

A wave of nausea suddenly hit her like a storm. She paused, breathing in slowly.

“What a pity that no one could die today. But we shall proceed, nonetheless,” Eugenia muttered. “Come this way. Verity, dear, shall I announce you?”

“Please do. I… I would like just a moment. Fresh air,” Verity added when she couldn’t bring herself to walk through the chapel doors.

They looked awfully ominous this morning. Perhaps Helena was right. There were no flowers or ribbons. Verity thought she heard music playing inside, but it wasn’t particularly well played.

Off Eugenia went, while Helena glanced around. She hesitated before moving closer to Verity. She took her cold hands, stroking them comfortingly.

“You don’t have to do this,” Helena whispered, her gaze fierce.

Eyes bright, she was forever determined to care and live and thrive no matter the challenge. And she would do anything for Verity.

Which Verity very much appreciated. However, tempted as she might be to take Helena up on her offer, she knew the choice had already been made for her.

There was no turning back now.

“Yes, I do. I must,” she murmured. She gave her friend’s hands a squeeze. “Please do not judge me for this.”

“You never judged me. My husband was surely three times the age of the Duke you’re marrying today, after all. Hopefully, he will be good for you and to you in every way,” Helena murmured. “But should anything ever happen, you know where and to whom you can turn.”

That brought a smile to Verity’s lips. “Yes, I do. Thank you. Now, go inside. I shan’t be another minute.”

Finally, she was alone.

She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes. She held her breath for a long moment as she felt the quiet envelop her. It was peaceful and gentle, and it didn’t attempt to disrupt her peace.

She told herself it would only last for a moment. Just this quiet was needed for now as she braced herself for a new life that would no longer be quiet.

I’m not prepared. I’m not ready for this. My dreams of marriage were long since shattered, and yet here I am.

“You must be the bride, hm?”

Verity started. She blinked in the bright sunlight and frowned as a tall figure emerged from the shadows. Some years older than herself and dressed in a well-tailored suit, he appeared very much out of place. She didn’t recognize a single thing about him.

“I beg your pardon?”

Taking another step forward, he nodded his head toward the chapel. The doors were still cracked open for her, since it was time she went. Everyone would be waiting inside, wondering where she was.

“The bride. I heard there was a wedding taking place today. I take it you are the fortunate young lady?”

Her mouth went dry. Feeling the discomfort, she gave a quick shake of her head to wash it all away. It was just the wedding that made her feel this way now.

“Well, yes. But we shouldn’t speak. We have not been introduced, My Lord.”

He stopped. “Do you know me?”

“No. Do you know me?” she asked cautiously.

A smile spread across his face, but she didn’t trust it to be genuine. “I would like to.”

“Perhaps you should attend the wedding, then,” Verity said.

She didn’t like inviting a stranger like this, but it seemed the polite thing to do.

Fortunately, he slowly shook his head. “I’m afraid it would not be ideal. I merely wished to confirm the rumors about Halewood—that he is taking another wife.” She ignored the shiver that ran down her spine. “I’m afraid he wouldn’t appreciate my presence here today.”

She frowned. The way he said it made it sound like she had no right to care or disobey the Duke. She liked to think she still had some options.

“Then you could attend as my guest.”

The man tsked. “It is clear to me that you are too good for him.”

It was difficult for her to decide whether that was meant as a compliment or something else. Fumbling with the small bouquet that her servants had made from the flowers in her garden, she took a step back and glanced at the doors.

“I should be on my way,” the man said. Then, he paused and executed what could only be called a graceful bow. His form was perfect. “What a pleasure it is to meet you, My Lady. If I might ask for one favor?”

“Only a fool promises in ignorance,” she pointed out. “What might it be?”

He winked. “Clever lady. But I suggest you do not tell your husband-to-be about my presence today. He would not take kindly to it, I think. The man has a dreadful temper, and I should hate to put you in trouble.”

Loud music sounded from inside, drawing her attention. She swallowed, recalling that everyone was waiting. How long had she lingered out here?

Turning back to the man, she watched as he straightened up. She murmured a quick excuse and hastened to the door.

She glanced back out of curiosity to find him gone.

There was nothing else to do now but make her way inside the chapel. Her wedding was less intriguing than her conversation with the stranger.

Verity hastened down the aisle to meet the Duke, who took her hand and knelt at her side. Vows were recited, and rings were exchanged. The vicar soon pronounced them husband and wife. No one clapped or cheered, for which she was very grateful.

Everyone filed outside to talk for a few minutes. The weather was growing dreary. A small feast had been set up at her home, but her aunt wasn’t feeling well, and Helena mentioned that she would need to be on her way as well.

Learning there was no point now in returning to her home—her old home—Verity glanced around for the stranger and then made her way to her new husband, who was speaking with his friend.

She knew of him even before the Duke introduced them. All of London knew Julian Ashcombe, now a duke himself, since he had left his mark on the city. Every now and then, she would find his name in the papers. The man was terribly charming and wildly untrustworthy by all accounts.

Now, he was speaking to her new husband like an old friend—an unexpected picture. He was dressed all in gold, a smile on his lips, and yet somehow she married to the tall, dark, glowering man at his side.

“I must admit that I expected your second wedding to be smaller than the first, but not so gloomy,” Ashcombe was saying as he offered her husband a cigar.

“No,” Tristan uttered. He was studying the church with what could only be a frown. Or his usual expression. “You’re welcome to leave. Is the vicar gone? The roof is crooked.”

His friend paid him little mind, maintaining his smile. “I was tempted, I’ll admit. But someone had to be here to believe it. Northcott remarrying! What a miracle! Glad you didn’t run out the door. If Sebastian were here, I might have lost the bet to him.”