“Are you ready?” Thomas murmured.
Madeleine nodded. “I’m ready.”
And as if summoned by her words, the guests began to enter the manor.
Madeleine didn’t know most of the people who came in, and though they introduced themselves, she had a difficult time keeping track of them. There were so many new names. She knew that the fact of her quick marriage was to blame—if she’d had a longer courtship, she would have gotten to know these names and faces before her wedding day.
But there were some she did recognize, of course.
Lady Cecily entered the room, flanked by an older gentleman who had to be her father. She gave Madeleine a long, disparaging look, and Madeleine could tell that she was taking in the scar.
Then she turned to Thomas. “Your Grace,” she said. “Howareyou?” She sounded a breath away from offering condolences. Madeleine was sure she wouldn’t dare to be that bold, but it was clear from her tone what she was trying to say. She was sorry for him, and the reason for her pity couldn’t have been more apparent.
“I’m very well,” Thomas said, his voice cool. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you made it here today, Lady Cecily.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have missed this,” Lady Cecily said. “Not for anything in the world. I hope you know I’ve always considered you a friend, Your Grace. I value you greatly, even…even now.”
“Yes, I would assume that your regard for me hasn’t changed at all,” Thomas said rather dryly. “I’m glad to hear it. And please allow me to present my wife, Duchess Madeleine of Westcourt. Though I believe you two have met before.”
“Oh, yes, we have.” Madeleine felt a strange sensation welling up from within her. She thought she might start giggling. It was odd. “It’s so good to see you again, Lady Cecily. I wasn’t aware that you were on such good terms with my husband—but I’m sure that means that you and I will soon become fast friends!”
Lady Cecily looked horrified. She turned and scurried away without answering.
“That was rude,” Thomas said mildly.
“Did it surprise you?” Madeleine asked.
“No, she’s been rude every time I’ve encountered her,” Thomas said. “But I thought you handled it with grace.”
“I remembered what you told me,” Madeleine confessed. “She’s envious of me. That’s why she behaves that way.”
“That’s right,” Thomas said, sounding very satisfied. “As long as you remember that, she can’t do anything to hurt you. Nobody can.”
“I’m lucky I had you to tell me that.”
“You didn’t need me to tell you that,” Thomas said. “I think you’ve always known that.”
“You didn’t think so when you met me on the garden path the first night we encountered one another.”
“Well, I didn’t know you then,” Thomas explained. “I heard a young lady in distress, and I intervened. I would do the same thing again. But knowing you better now, I see you’ve never needed anyone to defend you. You didn’t need me to defend you then, and you don’t need me to help you defend yourself now.”
Madeleine smiled. It felt good to have him see that about her. In fact, she found that all her hesitation about marrying him was fading away to nothing. She wasgladthey had run into one another that day, and she was glad for the fact that he had defended her. Even though it had led to scandal, the ultimate outcome had been good.
She was still afraid of what his expectations might be and how soon he might want to enact them. But she had to accept that fear. She would have been expected to marry someone eventually, anyway. She was glad that the man she’d married was someone who saw her and understood who she was.
Uncle Joseph arrived. He hurried to her, pushing his way past several guests and ignoring their indignant exclamations. He embraced her, then shook Thomas’s hand. “What a joyful day this is,” he said happily. “Madeleine, I’ve never seen you look so lovely. It’s so refreshing to see that smile on your face.” He looked at Thomas. “You’re to make certain you keep her smiling,” he cautioned. “She deserves to live happily.”
“Of course, Lord Keenward,” Thomas said. “I’ll devote myself to that very aim.”
“Good, because if you don’t, you’ll have me to answer to.”
Madeleine laughed. “Uncle Joseph, don’t make such a scene. You know Thomas will be a good husband to me.”
“It’s my responsibility to look after you, Madeleine,” Uncle Joseph said. “This is no more than your father would have done were he alive to see this day. He always said he’d accept only the best for you and your sisters. If any gentlemen gave you anything less than the treatment you deserved, they would reckon with his wrath.”
He smiled as he said it, and his smile made it clear that there would be no wrath. Madeleine felt warm all over, and all thoughts of Lady Cecily left her. Everything was working out better than she could have dreamed it would.
Eventually, the guests stopped arriving. Everyone had gone into the ballroom, and now Thomas took Madeleine’s arm. “Ready to put that dance practice to good use?”
