“That does not make any sense. Why would you take her place if he is such a beastly man? Father would’ve made sure she’d gotten out of the marriage if that’s what she wanted.”
“Yes, Father would have. But then, what about you? Or me? Or even Holly someday? All our prospects—our family name—would’ve been completely ruined. And jilting a duke at thealtar…not even we can skirt convention that much, Poppy.”
Poppy sat down on the bed beside her with a huff. “You’re right, Willow. But to marry him? What about the deceit he pulled on Holly?”
“That he’s truly more of a beast than a knight in shining armor, you mean? Anyone but Holly could see that. Granted, the man is as austere as they come—and something about rules, Holly said. But I can handle one man. I didn’t promise to obey him, after all.”
Poppy smirked at that. “I suppose Holly would have run off eventually, but at least this way she might still find the love she is so eagerly in search of.”
“Or she’ll stumble into more trouble,” Willow muttered. “Let us hope for the former.”
“Oh, I wager she will have the time of her life,” Poppy said, blue eyes sparkling. “But what about you, Willow? Now that you are married to the man Holly ran away from?”
With a groan, Willow rose and swept to the window. “Honestly? I have a feeling that he might not be as beastly as all that. I know it’s bizarre to say, given how little I know him, but I just have a feeling. At any rate, I won’t be having the time of my life just yet.” Willow turned to her sister. “Is that odd?”
“Everything about this is odd,” Poppy said, falling back against the pillows. “I spoke to Holly, you know. She was as shocked as I by the turn of events.”
“You spoke with her?” Willow said in a hushed voice, glancing at the adjoining door.
Poppy sat back up. “It’s safe to talk. Father’s with the duke, remember?”
“Right, I suppose the contracts must be amended now,” Willow murmured. “As well as the marriage license.”
“At least you are a duchess, which ought to be some comfort.”
“That is beside the point.”
“It is?” Poppy said with a sly wink. “I reckon the perks will keep you happy, if not your husband’s stellar body.”
“Poppy!”
“The man watched you like a hawk at breakfast, you know. I thought he was afraid you might jump up and run, too.”
“I wouldn’t get very far,” Willow muttered, trying hard not to think about any perks involving her husband. In any case, she had the sense St. Ives would physically shackle her to him if it prevented her from leaving. He had said an annulment wasn’t an option. Whether for pride or his reason for a rushed marriage, he wanted to remain married as much as she did.
“You may be right. I cannot imagine a man like that giving up anything of his.”
Anything of his.
Willow knew she wasn’t supposed to feel a thrill at the word “his” but damn if it didn’t rouse the pressure in her blood. It pained her, this sudden attraction to the duke. A day ago, he had been Holly’s betrothed. It seemed laughable to indulge in fancies about him now when just hours ago any thoughts on him had been dismissive.
“I’m worried about you, Willow,” Poppy murmured softly, crossing over to join her at the window. “I do not wish for you or Holly to be unhappy. It feels like I have lost two sisters this day.”
“You have not lost us, dear,” Willow murmured. “And this was my choice. I could not let Holly marry a man she did not love, not when she had been so hopeful about the subject. And while I did not plan for this to happen, when I was standing there, something came over me, and here we are.”
“Yes, and while I appreciate the sacrifice, I would be remiss if I failed to point out that it’s not too late to run. The marriage has not been consummated, and Father will call for an annulment if you ask him.”
“You just said the duke would not give up what he considers his.”
“Yes, I did. But on this point, the law outweighs his pride. You are my sister, and I want you to be happy.”
“I cannot run now, Poppy, I’ve spokenvows.”
“Sounspeak them.”
Willow shook her head, giving Poppy an exasperated look. Her sister, who much resembled her cousin Belle, the Countess of Westfield, for her adventurous spirit, meant well, but she was not being sensible. An annulment would be as bad as a jilting. But, in truth, Poppy also wasn’t aware of the desire that had driven Willow into action—and that was Willow’s fault. It was time she put that to rights.
“I must tell you the whole truth, Poppy. Saving our family from scandal is not the only reason I married the duke. I didn’t just do it for Holly, or you, or our family, I did it for myself, as well.”
