Page 41 of The Odyssean Duke

Theodora laughed, and Anna grinned.

“But eventually, he returns home to Penelope,” Evelina said. “And they are happy together.”

“You will be, too,” Maria said.

They all clinked their glasses together, and Evelina took a generous swallow of brandy. The spirit burned the back of her throat and filled her with a sort of sparkling energy.

Her friends really believed that this marriage was a blessing in disguise, instead of the means to an end. Evelina’s chest ached as she thought of how she would inevitably disappoint them all. It did not matter how hard she tried; even if she had that inclination, the Duke of Rothbury would never love someone like her.

CHAPTER 17

Stephan wondered if sending the Dowager Countess of Thornwall the gown and drawers—especiallythe drawers—might have been an error in judgment. He had requested that the seamstress produce both items on a whim, and even when she had protested that she lacked the measurements of his bride, Stephan had insisted. Lady’s garments were generally quite versatile, and it was not as if the lady was a particularly large woman. Anything was certain to fit with only minimal adjustment.

He had sent the items as a gesture of goodwill.See? I will make good on my word to give you a child.

In hindsight, it occurred to Stephan that the young lady might have found his gift to be inelegant at best, lecherous at worst. He sighed and nearly ran his hand through his hair before remembering that his valet—seemingly the one staff member who knew how to properly do his job—had spent considerable effort giving him the ruffled owl look that was so popular among gentlemen.

It was his wedding day, and he descended the stairs feeling a little ridiculous. What did he know about encouraging any woman, much less a lady?

“Rothbury!” Murrayton’s cheerful voice boomed from the foyer.

Stephan’s spirits lifted. “You are early.”

Murrayton still stood by the door, the maid fumbling with his card and coat as though she did not know how to manage him. Stephan grimaced, but if Murrayton thought poorly of him for having an untrained staff, he did not show it. Murrayton whistled between his teeth and shook his head. “I do not think I have ever seen you look so genteel,” he said.

“Me neither,” Stephan admitted.

He had not requested that any clothes be made for himself, but he had taken a little additional care in his appearance. It would not do to appear at his own wedding looking as though he did not care a whit about his bride’s honor, after all.

“I thought we might talk before the wedding,” Murrayton said. “I know that when I married my dearest, I was—ah—a mess that morning.”

Stephan raised a brow. “Were you? I find that difficult to believe.”

On the contrary, Stephan found it all too believable.

Murrayton laughed good-naturedly. “It is unfortunate that you could not be there! You would have been a welcome presence.”

“Well, then…” Stephan gestured to his study, and his friend followed quickly. “I suppose we could have a drink before the ceremony.”

“It seems fitting, a toast to your good fortune in managing to secure a marriage so quickly.”

Stephan frowned. There was a note of something in Murrayton’s voice that he could not quite identify. “Do you doubt me?”

They entered the study. While Stephan retrieved the decanter and glasses, Murrayton flung himself into the nearest chair. “Are you certain that you wish to marry Evelina?” Murrayton asked. “Any debutante would have accepted a proposal from you. Why a widow?”

Stephan shrugged. He filled the glasses and dropped into a chair beside Murrayton. “Well,” Stephan said, giving his friend one of the glasses. “I would not want a debutante. Young women are always so eager to attend balls and soirees, and I would prefer that my wife care little for either. I do not want her to request my company, and I suspect that a debutantewould. She would expect her husband to accompany her at all times. That sounds like a fate worse than death, truth be told.”

Murrayton laughed. “Worse than death,” he echoed. “You do not need to resort to melodrama to prove your point, my friend. You are not an actor.”

“It is how I feel.”

“I see.” Murrayton paused. “I suppose there would be—not to be crude—certain other advantages.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that she knows what to expect. Have you—all is well if you do not wish to say—but have you begun already trying to produce an heir?”

“No,” Stephan said. “I will admit that I considered it, suggested it to her even, but…she refused. I suppose that is for the best. She is a lady, after all, and I have quite forgotten how a proper lady expects to be treated. It was good that she reminded me.”