Page 26 of The Burdened Duke (Willenshires #4)

One Month Later

William stared down at the neat little envelope, his name written briskly across it in his father’s handwriting.

All of his siblings had gotten a similar letter on their wedding days. He’d invited them all into his room, all of them in their wedding finery. There was a taut sort of silence hanging in the room.

“My letter was strangely comforting,” Katherine said at last, breaking the silence. “He said that he always hoped I would marry Timothy. That shocked me, a little. That he could know me that well?”

Alexander huffed. “Well, he told me I was his greatest disappointment.”

“I don’t know what I’d rather hear,” William muttered. “I don’t know if I want to read it.”

“Would you like me to read it for you?” Henry offered. “I could read it in my head, and aloud, if I think you’d like to hear it.”

William bit his lip. “That’s kind, Henry, but no. What I mean is… well, I don’t know if I want to read it at all.”

There was a silence after that. His siblings exchanged looks.

“You aren’t him, Will,” Katherine murmured, reaching across to put a hand on his shoulder. “Whatever you choose, we will support you.”

He smiled weakly at his siblings. “I’m grateful to have you three, you know. I don’t think I particularly understood just how grateful. I… I know I haven’t always been the finest older brother, or the best Duke of Dunleigh, but…”

“Well, you certainly weren’t the worst,” Alexander put in, making the others laugh. William chuckled, shaking his head. He glanced down at the envelope again, and the smile faded from his face.

Picking up the envelope, he crossed the room to where a fire blazed in the hearth. He glanced over his shoulder at his siblings.

“Aren’t any of you going to stop me?”

“It’s your letter,” Henry said firmly. “Your letter, your wedding day. You can do what you like, and we’ll support you. We will.”

He nodded, turning back to the flames. Letting the envelope dangle over the fire, he held his breath.

He let go.

The envelope landed in the edge of the grate, one corner beginning to smoulder and blacken, a single tongue of fire beginning to eat up the white paper.

William muffled a curse, darting down to snatch the letter out of the fire. It smoked, and he gave it a little shake, putting out any residual embers. When he dropped it back on the desk, only one corner had burned up. The contents, he guessed, would only be lightly blackened.

“Well,” he said heavily. “That didn’t work.”

Alexander placed a hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have to look at it now, you know. Why don’t you enjoy your wedding day, and think about it afterwards?”

William smiled up at his brother, nodding slowly. “I think that’s a good idea.”

Outside, wedding bells began to peal.

***

Three Days Later

Lavinia picked up the envelope, lifting an eyebrow. “Is this it?”

William nodded. “There it is.”

Their wedding day – and the next few days – had passed in a blur of wine, dancing, and laughter. William couldn’t entirely believe that he was married, and to the most beautiful woman in the world.

At least, he thought that she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

Lavinia had kept her wedding-dress, a beautiful, lace-edged, ivory creation which suited her fiery hair and smooth, creamy skin. Her bouquet was mostly greenery, dappled with small white flowers, and matched William’s button-hole posy. He’d pressed the posy between the pages of a book, to keep forever.

Today, she was wearing a simple muslin gown, probably one of her riding gowns. Lavinia had ridden Sapphire now too, and she and the horse seemed to be a perfect match.

William still did not love riding, but he was growing to like it more. Just a little more. Now that the horse which had killed his father was named, the creature seemed… well, more like an ordinary horse. Sometimes, the events of the past few months seemed like a hazy dream.

The families were settling down now. Katherine’s pregnancy was common news, and they were all excited for the new baby. Their mother had set up a firm friendship with Lady Brennon, and the two women seemed remarkably good for each other. Miss Gillian was engaged to Lord Langley, who had apparently been ready to ride out to meet her at the country estate as soon as he knew she had left Bath and beg her to marry him. They seemed well suited.

It seemed odd, though, that the Willenshires were suddenly settled, with all the chaos behind them. Was this the end?

“If you want to destroy it,” Lavinia said, cutting into his thoughts, “I won’t stop you.”

William let out a breath. “No. I want to read it. I should read it.”

She smiled, and impulsively leaned down to kiss him.

“You’re a brave man, Will. Go on, then. Let’s see what your old man has to say.”

William gave a burble of laughter at this. “You’re a wretch. He’d have hated you.”

“I certainly hope so.”

He undid the envelope, pulling out a single sheet of good paper, covered in the old duke’s handwriting. The corner of the page was singed. Lavinia met his eye and lifted her eyebrow questioningly.

“Don’t ask,” William mumbled, and began to read.