Page 84 of The Duke on Her List
“The duke is a lucky man,” Dorothy said. “I don’t think anyone will argue with that.”
“And where has he gone, anyway?” Violet asked. “I would have thought he would want to make sure to spend every available moment with you today, Agnes. After all, you two are newly married now.”
Agnes laughed. “I think we’re both just so relieved to have things settled at last,” she said. “I don’t feel the need to remain glued to his side, and I’m sure he doesn’t feel it either. We have the rest of our lives for that. So I won’t claim to know exactly where he’s gone—but it also doesn’t matter. I know he’ll be back and that’s what’s important to me.”
“I know where he went,” Bridget said. “He and Reeves are off having a conversation.”
“Oh, dear,” Agnes laughed. “Dare I ask what that’s about?”
“I don’t think it would surprise you,” Bridget said. “Reeves takes his duties as elder brother very seriously, and he wants to speak to Gabriel once more now that your marriage is official. He wants to remind him how important it is to treat you well.”
Agnes shook her head. “Reeves ought to try to have a little faith,” she said. “But I understand my brother. He wants to control things as much as he can. I hope their conversation satisfies him. For myself, I have nothing but the highest trust and confidence in Gabriel. I know that the two of us are going to be very happy together.”
“I know you are too,” Helena put in. “I hope that I find someone I love as much as you love Uncle Gabriel someday, Agnes. I hope that when I marry, it’s the same as what you two have. If it is, I could really see myself being happy in a marriage.”
“That’s right,” Agnes told her. “You should try to find someone who loves you enough to treat you as though you’re special to him. Someone who makes you feel precious—but at the same time, gives you the freedom to be yourself in every way.” She smiled fondly. “I don’t know that I could ever have married anyone other than your uncle, but he has always loved me for who I am and has never tried to make me into someone else. That means the world to me.”
“You’ll be the one to come to balls with me when I make my debut, won’t you?” Helena asked anxiously. “I can’t stand thethought of Uncle Gabriel being the one to do it. I’m sure he would frighten off any man who looked at me twice.”
“And what about that young man of yours—Benjamin?” Agnes asked. “You speak as if you’ve lost interest in him altogether.”
“Well…no,” Helena said. “Not exactly. But I’m going to have to make a debut. There’s no chance Uncle Gabriel will release me from that obligation, you know.”
“I do know,” Agnes said. “I think it’s good that you accept that.”
“It’s best that I try to enjoy myself,” Helena said. “Since this is going to happen either way, I want to make the most of it. And that means meeting people, dancing…and I’m sure Uncle Gabriel would prefer that I just stand beside the wall and look pretty, that I give people something to admire. But I have no interest in being a part of the scenery!”
Dorothy laughed. “She sounds like a younger you, Agnes. You’re the perfect aunt for her.”
“Oh, don’t get me started on that,” a voice spoke up.
Agnes turned to see her new husband standing behind her. He was beaming. She had never seen him look so happy, and to know that she was the reason for his joy was enough to make her own grow exponentially, though she would have said such a thing was impossible. A moment ago, she had believed she wasas happy as she could possibly be. But now, beyond reason, she was happier still.
That’s what marriage to Gabriel is going to be like. He will keep surprising me with how much happiness I’m capable of. Every day will be better than the one before it. I can hardly wait to begin.
“Ladies,” Gabriel said now, “I wonder if you would permit me to borrow my wife for a moment, as I would very much like to share a dance with her on our wedding day.”
“Of course,” Dorothy said. “We’ll go and get some food. Helena, why don’t you come along with us? You can go on telling us about your hopes for your upcoming debut.”
The ladies wandered off. Gabriel threaded his arm through Helena’s and led her in the direction of the dance floor. When they arrived, he took her in his arms, and together they began the familiar steps.
They had done this so many times before. But it still felt new and remarkable to Agnes to realize that there was no pretense in it now. There was no artifice. They were no longer putting on a performance for the people watching them. Finally, they could admit to what they had felt all along—this dance was forthem, and for the joy they got from holding one another in their arms.
“So,” Gabriel said as they turned. “You were talking about Helena’s debut?”
“She has some enthusiasm for it,” Agnes said.
“Dare I hope that means she’s given up on the idea of the solicitor’s boy?”
Agnes laughed. “She’s young and in love. No, I don’t think she has given up on that yet. I think she’s simply ready to allow herself to enjoy what’s coming her way in the meantime. We should embrace that for her.”
“Oh, you’re right,” Gabriel agreed. “If she’s willing to participate with enthusiasm, it’s the best outcome we could have asked for. It means that she’ll stand a chance at finding a gentleman who is a proper match for her, and forgetting about that boy.”
“You know, he does seem a nice enough boy,” Agnes pointed out. “If Helena was to fall in love with someone, she could have done worse. I know he can’t provide the kind of future you’d like for her, but at least he seems kind.”
“Oh, not you too,” Gabriel said.
“No, no,” she assured him. “I’m not going to try to talk you into letting her see him. It’s your decision to make, at least for the moment. I’m just reminding you that we could have it a good deal worse.”
