Page 42 of Sincerely, the Duke
After the vicar announced they could kiss, all she could hear was the pounding of her heartbeat thundering in her ears. She looked into the duke’s eyes and for an instant wondered if he would kiss her as he had the first time.
Seconds passed, and the room remained quiet. Hemade no move to touch her but waited and let his gaze slowly caress down her face as he gave her a small, tender smile. It was as if he was telling her not to worry. She inhaled unevenly and caught the faint scent of the rose she clutched tightly in her hand, the new wool of his coat, and the heady, masculine scent of his woodsy shaving soap. Smells that pleased her. Calmed her.
A cloak of warmth spread over her at his patience and pulsated inside as she pushed away all thoughts of the crowd. She was transfixed by his face as his came closer to hers until his lips brushed lightly, invitingly upon hers with feather softness. Her stomach tumbled and twirled at the amazingly soft contact. Her chest seemed to expand. The kiss was exactly how she imagined a first kiss would be: sweet, tender, making her insides tighten, and making her want more.
All too quickly he eased away from her a mere fraction, moistened his lips, and, surprisingly, kissed her in the same manner again, with slightly more pressure and urgency than before. Tingles of delicious pleasure rippled across her breasts and down into her lower stomach. She wanted to hold onto the ecstatic feeling so it would last, but he lifted his lips from hers, straightened, and took a step back.
A smattering of applause and several hearty comments of congratulations and good wishes rumbled throughout the packed room. Distantly, she heard the violins and a pianoforte start playing again and chatter from the crowd. The wedding was over, and the celebration was about to begin, and later there would be the wedding night. That filled her with trepidation.
A soft breath of laughter passed the duke’s lips as he looked into her eyes. “Was that kiss more to your liking than our first one, Duchess?”
His tone was sweet and inviting. “Much better,” she answered softly, hoping that would be the way he kissed her tonight, when the guests had gone and they were alone.
“I am a lucky man you received the letter I wrote.”
“Both of us were,” she answered, feeling nervous jitters in her stomach again. “I hope you will continue to believe that.”
He eyed her keenly. “Is there any reason I shouldn’t, Duchess?”
“None that I know of.” Right now. “I only meant that ours is a curious arrangement. If you don’t mind, now that we are married, I think I should be more comfortable if you’d call me Edwina.”
He nodded once. “And I am Rick. After today. For now, we must address each other properly or forever have the ire of the ton.” He bent closer to her ear and in a low voice said, “We’ll begin with my mother. She’s been in a dither to meet you for almost thirty years, and she’s standing behind you. Don’t let her intimidate you. She respects strong women.”
That was good to know, but Edwina wasn’t feeling very strong right now. There were too many people in the room and too many unsettled feelings about the wedding night. She was overwhelmed. Tamping down those feelings, she turned to see a distinguished, confident-looking lady with tawny-brown hair, trying hard not to reveal she was giving her new daughter-in-law more than a curious once-over. His mother stood the same height as Edwina but with a slightly fuller figure. She had an elegant countenance, and beautiful blue eyes like her son. Wearing a stylish frothy gown the shade of a summer sky, she appeared regal and almost celestial.
“Your Grace,” the duke said to his mother. “May I present my wife, the Duchess of Stonerick.”
The two greeted each other with the required formality and Edwina was thankful to have the introduction over. She noticed the duchess couldn’t seem to keep her gaze from straying to Edwina’s hair, then to her eyes and back again. She cleared her throat and tried not to let the obvious appraisal bother her. In time, she would realize Edwina had no power to read minds. Or any other superstitious control or powers. Watching the dowager’s face, Edwina didn’t detect any snobbery or malice but there was a heaping amount of interest in her expression.
“Well, my dear,” his mother said with conviction, “you are every bit as… lovely as the duke said.”
The unexpected compliment eased a little of Edwina’s tension. “That was kind of him.” She glanced at the duke and received an encouraging smile. “Thank you for letting me know.”
The dowager gave a confident nod toward her son. “What he indicated is true. Since his father died, my only goal has been to see him married and with a son of his own to protect the title.”
His mother’s voice had a soft, cultured tone, making it seem as if every word she said was important. They were, of course. That truth was Edwina’s new role in life: to produce an heir. She was healthy, strong, and had no doubt she could do it. The terrifying worry was, would it be one or three?
“We have the same aspirations,” Edwina answered, thankfully not feeling as nervous as she expected to be in front of his mother.
“Ah, here’s champagne.” Rick lifted two glasses from the server’s tray, handing one to his mother and the other to Edwina before taking one for himself. He raised the glass in a salute as he looked at Edwina with a smile and a nod. “To our future.”
As Edwina lifted her glass to the duke’s, his mother added in an undertone, “And to the enduring continuation of our family forevermore.”
The dowager’s comment made Edwina’s burden heavier. Before having a babe, she had to get through the wedding night. Perhaps the champagne would help ease her fears concerning it. According to Henrietta it wouldn’t be an enjoyable experience. Her maid had offered to make her a tonic to sip while she dressed for bed, insisting it would help with wedding night apprehensions. Perhaps the champagne would be enough.
Never having tasted the drink, Edwina took the smallest of sips and found it to be pleasant enough, reminding her of apple cider without the sweet richness of the fruit.
The dowager turned to Edwina with an affable smile and said, “I understand that your sisters made it to London in time for the wedding. You must be so pleased.”
“Yes. I missed them.”
“I’m sure,” she offered with a genuine sweetness to her voice. “I should like to meet your aunt too. I look forward to talking with her and hearing more about your family. I’m sure she can—”
“But not today, Maman. There will be plenty of time to discuss families later.”
The duke moved closer to Edwina, brushing his arm against hers. His protective gesture warmed her.
“Yes, of course you’re right, Stonerick. I must remember…”
