The crowd was still gathered, but they weren’t as vocal now that the excitement had ended, and the people were talking more quietly.
“So, it’ll be a marriage of convenience?” Georgina asked.
“What else could it be?” Lysander responded.
“Very well,” she said, “I accept your offer. For the benefit of us both.”
“At last!” Lord Ridgewell exclaimed in relief.
The Duchess of Nightfell suddenly grabbed Georgina’s arm and pulled her aside. Lysander could hear her whispering to Georgina.
“Are you sure about this?”
“No, but it has to be done,” Lady Georgina whispered back.
The Duchess held her sister’s arm for a long time before she nodded and released her.
Georgina returned to her waiting uncle. She sighed. “I will do it.”
Lord Ridgewell let out another sigh of relief.
Lysander turned to address Georgina. “I shall obtain a special license and take care of all the preparations, and we shall be married within the week.” He looked Georgina up and down. “I am also buying you a new wedding gown. Show up at the altar this time.”
Although her chin tilted upwards, she nodded.
He turned to Thomas, “Let’s go.”
The wedding had been a quiet affair, lacking even the customary wedding breakfast, a fact that brought Georgina quiet relief. She had little appetite for the empty rituals of theton.
She hadn’t known what to expect from the day, but now that it was behind her, it felt strangely anticlimactic.
Except for the kiss.
Their lips had met briefly, a fleeting touch that left her wanting more. As they stepped outside the church to the murmurs of well-wishers, all she could think of was when she might feel that warmth again.
The moment slipped away as her family appeared, one after another. Despite the short notice and recent scandal, many had turned out, and her heart swelled with gratitude.
Juliana and Vincent were first, followed by Ava and Oliver, then Emily and Ambrose. Her friends, Isabella and Beatrice, stood nearby with their father and stepmother.
And finally, her uncle approached.
“My dear Georgina,” Francis said quietly, taking her hand and pressing a brief, formal kiss to it. “All my nieces are finally married. It’s… something I hadn’t expected to feel relief over.”
She met his gaze, choosing her words carefully. “I’m sorry for how difficult this all was.”
He gave a slow, deliberate shake of his head. “It was more trying than I anticipated, yes. But I was confident that you would marry well—despite everything.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” she said, her voice steady. “I’m aware you did what you thought best.”
Once they had said goodbye to Georgina’s family, it was time to bid farewell to the Duke’s guests. He had only invited Thomas, the Marquess of Southfold, and some of his staff.
Were those the only people I had in my life until now?
Thomas approached Lysander with a knowing smile and clasped his hand firmly. “Well done, old chap. I dare say the competition has now been lowered considerably.” He turned to Georgina with a playful bow. “Your Grace, congratulations to you as well. I hope your first night as Duke and Duchess is as memorable as your first meeting. But with considerably less water.”
“Thomas,” Lysander hissed.
Thomas chuckled. “I was only ensuring the proper spirit of celebration.”
