“It is hardly flattery if it is true, dear wife.”
“You make a good point, dear husband.”
Richard grinned and pulled her closer, whispering sweetly, “You look like all my dreams come to life. Beautiful and ethereal, just for me. I have been unable to keep my eyes off you all night—not much has changed in that regard.”
His last statement sounded somewhat wistful, and Nancy found herself asking, “What do you mean?”
“During our first ball, I had been so deeply attracted to you then that it seemed that the best thing for me to do was stay away. But… I couldn’t keep my eyes off you. No matter where I went, my first thought was to find you amongst the crowd, and I always did—to my surprise. Most likely because you were the most beautiful woman in the room as you are now. Probably because my heart had already begun to yearn for you, and I just didn’t realize it.”
Nancy blushed, remembering how she had wished for his attention that night, completely unaware that it had been hers already.
“Might I ask you something?”
Richard nodded. “Always.”
“Who… Who was that woman? The one you had talked with before we danced?”
Richard was puzzled at first but then realization dawned on him.
“Oh. Lillian? She’s… She was William’s beloved. They had been courting before his passing. He had planned to propose… before the illness took him from us.”
Nancy felt ashamed. “Oh my, Richard… I am so sorry. I had no idea?—”
“I did not expect you to. I’m sorry as well. I know what that must have seemed like, but we are just friends. Or at least we were when William was alive. He was the thread that connected us both, and after his passing, it was hard to maintain our friendship. She is the daughter of the Baron Gates. That is why she was in attendance. And she had wanted to check on me and make sure I was doing all right. That was all that was.”
Nancy lowered her gaze as heat filled her cheeks. “I am sorry. I feel so silly.”
“Don’t be. I’m sorry for making you doubt me in the first place. Lillian told me that she had seen you at some point and remarked on how lovely you were then told me to try making a life with you. I did not believe it was possible in as much as part of me so deeply craved the possibility of that. But here we are, so utterly in love. She would tease me endlessly if she knew.” Richard chuckled.
The dance came to an end, and they both bowed to one another, moving to the edge of dance floor arm in arm to catch their breath.
“You are not upset?” Nancy queried reluctantly.
“With you? Why on earth would I be?”
“B-Because I assumed?—”
“I found it charming that you were jealous. And something tells me you had not arrived at the conclusion that something might be afoot on your own. No, my love, I am not cross with you. You wouldn’t have felt that way had I been by your side, giving you the attention you rightly deserved in the first place. Do not feel bad, all right?”
Nancy nodded bashfully as he kissed her cheek, smiling as he tapped the tip of her nose fondly.
“Now, dearest wife, would you like to have another dance? Or shall we rest for a bit?” he asked.
Nancy grinned. “Another. We shall rest when we lose the feeling in our feet.”
Her husband mirrored her expression, replying with a flourish as he led them back to the center of the dance floor, “That sounds like a wonderful idea, Duchess.”
The rest of the night passed without incident.
Guests seemed to enjoy themselves immensely and stayed longer than they had during the first night, positively abuzz with conversations about the Duke and Duchess. Many were in awe of their love, noting that they were basking in marital bliss with eyes for no one else but each other.
It had been a rewarding experience for Nancy, who derived a lot of joy in knowing that she really had grown into a good duchess, all thanks to her supportive and kind husband.
As she crawled into their bed long after the guests had left and nestled safely in her husband’s arms, she felt overcome with contentment and anticipation, eager for what lay ahead of them.
Because as long as they were together, she wanted anything and everything life had to offer.
“I love you,” she whispered against his lips.
