Page 19 of The Duke, My Rescue


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No matter how she swallowed, she could not make it go away. She kept her lips pressed tightly together as she stayed in her position. It was the one her father had redirected her to a moment ago while the Duke pulled the archbishop aside.

This cannot be happening. This cannot be happening. This cannot be happening.

“As grateful as we are for everyone’s patience,” came the thundering voice of the archbishop. She nearly jumped, stunned as she was to hear such a loud voice coming from a small man. “We are more than happy to begin today’s sacred joining if there are no more objections.”

She opened her mouth. It was more out of habit, she liked to think. She always had to object, to speak her mind, to correct people when they made mistakes.

But there was a shift at her side. Her lips pressed together as the Duke took her hand and placed it on his arm. As she looked at him from the corner of her eye, Georgiana felt a shiver run through her body. Her hand invariably tightened on his arm. He laid his other hand over hers to give it a gentle, comforting squeeze before dropping it to his side.

Comfort… He thinks I need him. But I don’t. He must know that. I don’t need him. I don’t need this marriage. I don’t need any of this.

The archbishop carried on with his spiel from the Book of Common Prayer. While he spoke, Georgiana worked through the reasons why she didn’t need to marry the Duke.

“… and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”

The arm beneath hers shook slightly. Georgiana stiffened. She glanced at the archbishop, who only stared impassively back at her. Was she to do something? When he gave her no clue, she was forced to look at the Duke for guidance.

He was mouthing the word ‘yes’ while giving her the slightest nod.

Feeling her mouth turn dry, she managed to say, “Yes, I… I do.”

It took her a moment to recall those words.

Trapped. That was what she was. Even though she had fought so long to be her own person, to lead a life where she still maintained some level of control, it all came to naught. Her own life and that of Emma.

She pursed her lips in frustration.

Between the two men, I don’t know that I would have any preference. Yet Benedict seemed more lenient than the Duke of Winchester. What was his name? Owen Comerfield? He looks like trouble. Already I can tell he isn’t friendly and is most likely demanding and rude. He’ll expect me to do whatever he desires at any given time, no matter what he has said up till now.

Even though she didn’t trust the Duke, apparently her father trusted him enough. They had agreed to merely make an addendum to the current contract which would switch out the names of Benedict to Owen. Her father had sent someone to retrieve the men of business so the situation would be handled immediately.

And it was. By the time the archbishop announced her wed, two men had arrived. Her father reviewed the changes while the marriage license was brought out. All the papers were signed in a matter of minutes.

“It’s finished,” Ernest announced. He wore the closest thing he had to a smile as he turned to their small audience. “I present you the new Duke and Duchess of Winchester!”

A small rumble of annoyance came from the man at her side. She flinched. He was so quiet for one standing so close to her. All she had to do was step slightly to her left to press against his elbow.

But she didn’t do that as he offered her his arm. “My Lady?” he prompted in a curt tone.

“Thank you,” she muttered, sounding equally unhappy.

The two of them descended the steps to join those in the pews. But her father hadn’t invited her few friends. Though her aunt and uncle were in attendance, her cousin Marjory was not there. No one else there knew her very well.

Nor did they know the Duke. Georgiana caught that quickly between the awkward introductions and the hesitation in their conversation. Nearly everyone commented on the rare sighting of the Duke to his face, rude as it might be. He was cold and stern, nodding more than using his words, until they had finally spoken to everyone.

“I’m so sorry,” Lady Carlisle murmured one more time at her shoulder before she disappeared.

“Right this way, Aunt Augusta.”

Owen slipped from Georgiana’s side to help the Marchioness. It was as though he couldn’t get away from his wife fast enough. Although, Georgiana supposed, his aunt really did need the assistance.

Watching them disappear toward the entrance, Georgiana lingered behind without knowing what to do. She looked for her father, but he was deep in conversation with his solicitor.

Which means he’ll never notice me now. Nor will he want to talk to me. What am I to do, stand around here forever? These so-called gentlemen think that I can just do anything they like, as though I’m not my own person.

Georgiana let out a loud huff of annoyance before she decided to do something about it. Out of the church she went, walking all on her own. It only took her a moment to reach the carriage she had stepped out of not even an hour ago.

She had hardly rapped on the door before it swung open. “Georgiana!” her sister squealed.