Discouraging the Duke by Alexa Aston
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Emery awoke in her own bed in the rooms designated for the Duchess of Winslow.
Shewould become that duchess this morning.
She had insisted on sleeping in her own bed—alone—for the first time since Miles had returned. Convincing him to spend the night apart had been difficult but he had accepted her request in the end.
As long as it was the last time they would be parted.
Emery readily agreed. The days he had been gone when purchasing their special license and going to invite his friends to their wedding ceremony had seemed like years. She had no intention of being separated from him again. Ever.
He had shared his plans for their honeymoon. They would leave after the wedding breakfast this morning and head to London, where she was to receive an entire new wardrobe. When she balked at the idea, Miles told her that just as she had told him the people of Wildwood had expectations regarding their duke, the same would be true of their duchess, as well as members of Polite Society. She understood and agreed, finally becoming excited about the new clothes she would wear. Though neither of them wished to spend large amounts of time in London, he did want them to attend a few events of the Season while they were in town. Miles said he was eager to introduce his wife.
After a few weeks in London, they would travel as planned to several of his holdings. Emery was actually more excited about that part of their honeymoon than seeing London for the first time. She had corresponded with so many of the estate managers in recent years and couldn’t wait to see all the places Miles had inherited. They had agreed that while on this trip, they would consider which of the stewards would be most suited to move to Wildwood to replace her father.
She rose as Addy entered with a breakfast tray, followed by her mother.
“It is a glorious day for a wedding. Hot water for your bath is coming, Emery. Addy, have you pressed my daughter’s dress?”
“Yes, Mrs. Jenson. I’ll fetch it now.”
Both Emery and her mother had worked on the gown she would wear today, a mint green muslin trimmed with ribbons in a darker green. It was much fancier than what she was used to wearing but, after all, it was for her wedding.
She ate the single piece of toast, spread with marmalade, and drank the cup of tea to fortify herself. Soon, servants brought in buckets of hot water and Emery sank into the bathtub, where her mother had poured a small amount of lilac. The fragrance wafted up. Miles had told her how much he favored the scent on her and how he wanted lilac bushes planted at each of their estates.
After her bath, Addy helped Emery to dress and then Mama did her hair. She allowed a few ringlets to artfully frame Emery’s face.
“There.” Her mother touched Emery’s shoulders as they both gazed into the mirror. “You look lovely.” Mama paused. “Except for one thing.”
Reaching into a pocket of the apron she wore, Mama said, “Close your eyes.”
Emery did as asked and felt something going about her neck.
“Open.”
She did—and saw a necklace of pearls hanging there. She gasped.
“It is from His Grace. He wanted you to have a gift for your wedding day.” Mama pulled something else from her pocket and opened her palm. “Earrings to match.”
“It is so generous,” Emery exclaimed.
“His Grace is a generous man,” Mama agreed. She smiled as Emery put on the earrings. “I think you will suit very well together.”
“I know we will. We have so many things we wish to do at Wildwood once we return from our honeymoon. We will be busy with that and dining once or twice a week with the various tenants.”
“His Grace is an unusual man. I know, however, that he already had the respect of his people but with his marriage, he has earned their love.”
Tears brimmed in both their eyes and they embraced.
“I must go change my clothes,” Mama declared. “And make certain that your father is ready, too. I will see you downstairs in half an hour.”
Emery bid her mother goodbye and then sat and looked at her image in the mirror. The pearls looked creamy against her skin. She had never owned jewelry of any kind and couldn’t think of a better choice. She supposed she would be expected to wear jewels when they were in London. The pearls were tasteful and would go with any gown. She couldn’t wait to thank Miles for such a lovely gift.
She went to the window and saw guests already coming up the drive, most likely those from Woodmorrow. They would not attend the ceremony but be at the breakfast that followed.
A knock sounded on the door. She hoped it wasn’t Miles. Addy had told her it was bad luck for the bride to see her groom before the wedding, one of the reasons Emery, though not superstitious, had decided to sleep in her own bed last night.
She went to the door. “Who is it?”
“Your escort to your wedding,” a voice replied.
She opened the door and found Finch standing there.
“I don’t believe I have ever seen a more handsome vicar,” she told him. “Please, come in. We still have a few minutes before we need to be downstairs.”
In the days before their guests arrived, Finch had been charming and witty. He had teased Emery unmercifully, just as a brother would, and she had spent a good deal of time with him. Once the others arrived, though, Finch changed. Though he was familiar with everyone, he seemed to pull into himself. He was polite but distant.
“Are you comfortable with those attending the ceremony being present?” she asked.
He studied her a moment. “You are very perceptive, Emery.”
“It’s just that you seemed more outgoing before the others arrived.”
Finch sighed. “I am only truly comfortable in the company of the Terrors,” he admitted. “We spent over a decade together. Every single day. They know me as well as I know myself.”
“And yet you never shared with any of them why you came to Turner Academy,” she said softly.
“No. I didn’t. I couldn’t at first. It was too raw. Too painful. I didn’t know whom I could trust. Once we became friends, it wasn’t something I wished to talk about. It was as if it happened to another person. They accepted me all the same.”
“Yet you still carry this burden within you.” Emery touched his arm. “I hope someday, Finch, you will find the right person you can share your story with.”
“I doubt it.”
“Lord and Lady Marksby seem to dote on you.”
“They have been good to me over the years. The Turner brothers, too. I am glad they could all come for today’s ceremony.”
Emery had liked the Marksbys on the spot. She and Lady Marksby had much in common and the countess had already invited Emery and Miles to come to Markham Park whenever they wished. She also liked the Turners and their wives and even gruff Mr. Smythe, the former soldier who served as a type of father figure to the Terrors.
“I came to ask you if there is anything special you wish for me to include in today’s ceremony.”
“Nothing I can think of,” she admitted. “You must perform marriage ceremonies all the time.”
“Yes—but not for those I consider to be family.”
Finch bent and kissed her cheek. “Miles couldn’t have chosen a better woman to make his duchess. And I benefit by having a new sister.” He smiled at her. “Shall we make our way to the garden?”
He offered his arm and she accepted it. They went downstairs and through a set of French doors to the terrace. Emery saw her parents waiting.
“I’ll give you a moment,” Finch said. “Signal when you are ready to begin.”
He left them and she went to her mother, who embraced her.
“I am so very proud of you, Emery.”
“Don’t cry, Mama.”
“If I do, they are tears of joy.” She touched her husband’s sleeve. “My darling, you are to escort Emery to where those people are.” Mama pointed at the semicircle in the distance. “Can you do that?”
“Of course,” Papa said, sounding like his old self for a moment.
Mama kissed her again. “I love you.” She went down the stairs, leaving Emery alone with her father.
“Why are we going to see those people? Shouldn’t we be working?” he asked, letting her know that he didn’t realize what was about to take place.
“Not today, Papa,” she said gently. “I am getting married. To His Grace.”
He looked startled. “You can’t wed a duke.”
“Why not?” she countered.
“I don’t know,” her father said blankly.
“Papa, I love Miles. Very much. And he loves me.”
A glint came to her father’s eyes. “You do? I love your mother, you know.”
“I do know.” She slipped her hand through his arm. “Miles is my choice, Papa. He is a good duke and a good man.”
Her father smiled. “Then I hope you shall be happy together.”
“We will be. I know it.”
Emery glanced to Finch and nodded. He said something to those gathered and they all turned and looked as she and Papa came toward them. Her gaze went to Miles, standing there looking ever so handsome in a white waistcoat and a double-breasted dark blue coat. He even wore a striped cravat, probably Crowder’s doing. His eyes never left hers as she came toward him. Her heart slammed against her ribs in excitement as she and Papa reached her groom.
“Thank you, Mr. Jenson,” Miles said. “For trusting me with your daughter.”
“She will make you proud, Your Grace,” Papa said.
“That she will,” Miles agreed.
Finch opened the small book he held and began the ceremony. He spoke of the solemnity of marriage and yet wove in a few lighthearted stories, the perfect mix of serious and joyful. As Emery spoke her vows to Miles, she thanked the heavens for bringing this man into her life.
Finch pronounced them man and wife and said to the small gathering, “I present to you the Duke and Duchess of Winslow.”
Miles kissed her and then asked, “How does it feel to be a duchess?”
“I only like it because of you being my duke.”
He kissed her again and then Mama said, “Shall we make our way to the breakfast?”
As their handful of guests went to join the others who had been invited to the celebration, Mama said, “Spend a few moments alone and then make your way inside.” She hurried away, catching up to her husband.
“Your mother is a wise woman,” her new husband said. “She knows I need privacy with my wife.”
He slipped his arms around her as she linked her fingers behind his neck.
“I rather like hearing that. Wife,” she said.
“Wife.” He kissed her. “Wife,” he murmured and kissed her again. “Wife,” he said, almost growling the word and kissing her long and deep.
Emery reveled in hearing that word and enjoying those kisses. She pressed against him, ready to make love with him again.
Miles broke the kiss. “We cannot disappoint Cook and our guests. We must make an appearance at our own wedding breakfast.”
“I suppose so.”
He laced his fingers through hers. “Come, Emery Notley.”
“Oh, that’s right. I have a new name.”
“And a title,” he reminded her.
She smiled blissfully. “I rather like it. Emery Notley. It sounds as if it were meant to be.”
They joined their guests in the ballroom, where Trottmann had ordered tables to be placed in order to accommodate the swell of people. A violinist began to play as she and Miles entered to applause. They spoke to a few guests as they headed to a table for two at the head of the room.
Soon, the first course came out and several more after that. Once they finished eating, she and her new husband circulated about the room, at first together and then separating to cover more ground.
Then a footman appeared and handed her a slip of paper. She opened it.
Come to the library.
She glanced about and saw Miles speaking with Mr. and Mrs. Oldham. She supposed he would slip away and join her. Emery excused herself and left the ballroom, heading for the library, chuckling to herself. Her handsome duke had planned a brief tryst in the middle of their wedding breakfast.
And she was delighted he had.
She would share a few kisses with him—maybe even more than kisses—and then she would change into traveling clothes since they were to leave for London soon.
Smiling to herself, Emery entered the library and closed the door behind her, thinking of future events they would host when she and Miles might slip away for a brief respite and indulge in kissing while their guests had no idea what their hosts were up to.
Then her feet stopped and her heart began to pound ferociously.
Baron Haddoway stood there.
With a pistol pointed at her heart.