Harriet hit her friend with a pillow.
Leonora laughed and hit her back with hers. “Well, if Leeds does not come up to snuff as a husband you can always demand a divorce from the House of Lords after you marry.”
What absurd nonsense was this now? “They would never grant it,” Harriet said with confidence. Given how much that man had done to secure her hand, he would never let her go. Not without a fight. Yes, Leeds was a fighter.
But rather than be terrified by the thought, it thrilled her.
Harriet remembered something. “Leeds mentioned wagers about women. Do you know anything about that?” She hadn’t believed him at the time, but his motive could be tied to the wagers as he’d told her.
Leonora pursed her lips in thought. “I can’t say that I do.”
Was it a lie then?
Had these wagers just been an excuse—a way to try to placate her and to make her believe his reasons were pure? The more she thought about it, the more Harriet began to question their existence. Wouldn’t she or Leonora have heard about this list and these wagers had they existed? Such secrets could not be kept in theton.
Gah! What a conundrum!
One thing she did know for a fact. If Leeds expected a biddable wife, he was in for the biggest surprise of his lifetime.
*
The early morninglight bathed the drawing room in soft, golden hues, casting long shadows across the carpet and walls. Thescene would have been quite romantic, if the mood hadn’t been so serious and solemn.
Will adjusted his waistcoat and straightened his cravat, his fingers trembling with nerves. He stood near the grand fireplace, his heart pounding heavily in his chest.
The day had finally come.
The thought brought equal parts joy and trepidation to his heart. He’d gotten what he wanted most, but the journey to this moment still left a bittersweet taste in his mouth.
He hadn’t slept a bloody wink, doomed to pace his chamber, alert to the slightest of noises. He trusted that Harriet wouldn’t back out after giving her word, but he still wasn’t entirely at ease. After all, the events after he met her had left a deep impression in his heart. He had already experienced firsthand how easily she could slip through his fingers.
I do.
I take you, Harriet Hillstow, as my wife.
You look lovely, Harriet.
To have and to hold. Until death do us part.
He had practiced the lines he would recite today—as well as some additional ones—over and over in his mind to avoid a stuttering episode.
He knew she wasn’t at ease in her heart, either. He’d wanted to have a conversation over dinner, but upon returning to the house she had slipped away to bathe after which she had sent for her friend. Will had let her be. They had their entire lives to talk, and she probably needed a friend more.
He glanced at Calstone.
If only he could get rid of his. The duke had been clinging to him like a shadow. What man in his right mind smiledthatmuch? Did his face not hurt? However, his appreciation outweighed his spurts of annoyance. His friend was the onlyperson who knew how much he struggled in times that might cause his weakness to flare.
And upon hearing the woman’s chatter approaching, his heart sped up. Will tugged at his cravat.
It was their wedding day.
She would be arriving soon.
Will shifted on his feet, and beside him, Calstone offered a reassuring nod. “Don’t fret, your bride won’t abandon you here.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.”
“Do you have the case of nerves?”
