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December 30, 1819
O
h, merciful heavens! Everything is happening so fast! Arabella’s mind spun from the speed in which events had unfolded since Graham had asked for her hand in marriage.
He’d gone with his father to speak with the village rector the afternoon they’d more or less sent Lord Breckenridge on his way following the shocking news that she’d marry Graham instead. The duke had promised to accelerate the process of procuring a special license and he would throw his ducal power about if he had to, for the sooner she wed Lord Bonham, the more likely Breckenridge would go away for good. Once the nuptials had concluded, there would be nothing the lord could do.
Now, on the afternoon of her nuptial ceremony, worry knotted her belly. She’d only brought two ball gowns with her, and she’d already worn one of them during her time at Ivy Castle, but there was something almost magical about donning the gown of turquoise silk with its tiny gold spangles on the fairy gauze overskirt and the barely there shimmers of golden thread running through the fabric. Would Graham appreciate the color? It was her favorite and made her complexion almost glow.
She smoothed her hands along the front of the gown while the lady’s maid on loan from the Duchess of Whittington did up the tiny buttons in the back. Good heavens, I’m about to be married! How is this possible? Never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought such a thing could come into being after losing three fiancés over the course of her adult life.
Yet Graham remained most assuredly alive, and for all intents and purposes, he was anxious to wed her despite them barely knowing each other.
The duchess clucked over the proceedings, checking how the skirting fell or how the short, puffed sleeves of the gown laid on her arms. “Not long now, my dear,” she said with a smile.
“I can hardly believe it,” she replied in a soft whisper as her cheeks heated.
“Sometimes life is like that.” The duchess’ eyes were kind. “Stephen has gone to collect your parents in one of the coaches. Since it hasn’t rained or snowed for the past couple of days, the roads should be in decent shape for the short trip.”
“Oh, I hope Mama isn’t cross with me. This happened so suddenly.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that, dear.” The duchess patted her shoulder. “Any mother should prove delighted her daughter is marrying the youngest son of a duke.”
Arabella nodded. “Papa will be so angry.”
“Then he can sit outside on the lawn, for this whole thing came about due to his irresponsible gambling habit,” the older woman said with more than a little criticism in her voice. “At least you’ll be settled and away from that sort of business.”
“Yes.” And plunged into a lifestyle she’d never thought possible. When Nora and Lynette and Lady Lettice came into the dressing room, they encouraged her to sit at the vanity table so the maid could properly dress her hair. “I’ll admit, I’m a bit nonplussed by all this attention. To say nothing of the nerves I’m suffering. I haven’t had time to think!”
“You’re going to do just fine.” The duchess patted her cheek. “Graham would never put you into a position where you felt uncomfortable.” She scooped up Arabella’s left hand and smiled. “He’s looked at that ring of his grandmother’s as if it were the most special treasure he’d ever been entrusted with. My son was always close with his grandmother, above and beyond all my children. I can only guess he’ll take care of you even more so.”
Heat fired in her cheeks. “It does say something about his character.” From the way he’d already spoken of his grandmother, she knew he had a good heart despite the rumors of his reputation in London. “Do any of you have last minute advice for me?” She clasped her fingers tightly in her lap while the maid twisted and manipulated her blonde tresses into an elaborate style. “Though I’ve had three engagements prior, I feel as if I know nothing about life.”
Good-natured laughter tinkled about the room.
Nora held up a jeweled necklace in gold that contained amethyst and another of silver that featured diamonds and pearls. “The only advice I can give you is to be yourself. If you try to put on airs around him, he’ll balk.” She frowned as she looked between the jewelry and Arabella.
“Agreed.” Lynette shook her head. “Arabella’s features need no further adornment today above her gown. Let her natural beauty speak for itself.” She smiled into the looking glass and met Arabella’s gaze.
“Graham has always been a bit wild, but his tastes are spot on. If he’s chosen you then he’s doing it out of honesty. Don’t let us—his family—scare you into being someone you’re not.” His sister, Lady Lettice, perched herself upon the corner of the vanity table. All three ladies wore gowns of rich fabrics that reflected the holiday season. The women shone in their own special ways like a bouquet of expensive hothouse flowers. And soon she’d join their ranks. It was daunting at best. “Honestly, I’m quite envious. You’re able to marry quickly. I’ll need to wait until Courtland comes out of mourning.” She lowered her voice. “And it’s so difficult to wait!”
Another round of laughter went through the room.
Nora nodded. Her blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight. “Griffin and I haven’t done the first bit of planning for our day.”
“Neither have I,” Lynette admitted with a shrug. “I’ve been too busy simply enjoying Stephen’s company and watching how he interacts with John.” Tears briefly welled in her eyes. “He’s going to make a splendid father, I think.”
Lady Lettice sighed. “I don’t know how you’re so calm and collected. I’d be a case of nerves if I were plunging straight into marriage with knowing a man under a week.”
Well, that certainly wasn’t helping her own anxiety. It tightened Arabella’s chest. She shrugged. “Perhaps one shouldn’t overthink something like this. Just dive in feet first and eyes wide open.” She looked at the ladies in attendance. “If you’re not going to take a chance, then what’s the point of moving forward in your life?”
“Wise words, dear.” The duchess met her gaze. Amusement and worry fought for dominance. “Are you quite sure you’ll be happy with Graham? Out of all my children, I wonder about him the most, for he’s always done what he’s pleased without much responsibility.”
It was endearing that she fretted over him, but there was no need. “Your Grace, I’ve spent much of my life unhappy and grieving and waiting for... something to come that would belong solely to me. Someone who needed me.” She caught her bottom lip with her teeth as the maid added a few combs that glittered with specks of gold. “In marrying him in such a fashion, I really do feel we’ll be good together for this puts us on equal footing. I can’t wait to explore the freedom marriage will afford me, and Graham is, well... he’s rather splendid.” Her cheeks heated as the ladies in the room laughed.
Even the maid smiled.
Gladness lit the duchess’ expression. “He’s my youngest. I want him to be happy, like his father and I are.”
Lady Lettice waved a hand. “Mama, we all did quite well for ourselves.”
“True, but Graham had me worried. He still does, for despite this marriage, he isn’t properly in love—” The duchess abruptly cut off her comment with a glance at her. “I apologize for that. It wasn’t well done of me.”
“Think nothing of it.” But Arabella fretted that this was all a foolish gambit. Would she find a year later they didn’t suit at all? “We won’t know until we try, I suppose.”
“Mama, please.” Exasperation rang in Lady Lettice’s tone. “This is Arabella’s wedding day. A bride doesn’t want to hear that the groom might not love her. Besides,” she glanced at Arabella and winked, “I’ve known Graham all his life. He has that look, the one that says he’s enamored, fascinated, well and truly caught, and that he doesn’t ever wish for any of it to end.”
“Truly?” Some of Arabella’s fears faded and her chest relaxed.
“Oh, yes.” Amusement danced in her dark eyes. “When Ivy men fall, they do so hard and oftentimes fast. Just look at my brothers for example.” She flashed a grin at the other two ladies in the room who wore matching blushes in their cheeks. “Ivy men are fiercely loyal and protective. Graham will make you a fine husband. Don’t ever doubt that.”
“Perhaps you’re right, Lettice.” The duchess rested her gaze on Arabella, full of speculation. “How do you feel about him?”
“Oh.” She sighed as the maid finished with her hair. Never had she seemed so pretty or fancy. “He’s charming...”
“Of course.”
“He’s intelligent.”
“That he is.”
“He has amazing potential if he would only focus on that instead of his vices.” Would those eventually win out?
“Agreed, and there is the hope that marriage will mellow him.” The duchess lifted an eyebrow. “Is that all?”
“No.” Arabella shook her head. “I rather like him just the way he is at this moment, for that’s the man I met and became attracted to.” Another round of heat burned in her cheeks for an entirely different reason. “Graham is kind and caring, he dotes on his niece and his soon-to-be nephew, he has an adorable joyful streak he shows when no one is looking, he treats his parents and his siblings well, and he loves Shakespeare. That alone speaks to the state of his heart.” When she smiled, her heart trembled.
An answering meow from Moonbeam who sat upon a nearby chair garnered another round of laughter.
“And my cat seems to get on with him well.”
“There is that,” the duchess said with a smile.
Was it possible to fall in love with a man in a mere handful of days? They certainly had chemistry together as evidenced by their kisses, and during this season of miracles, yes, it felt entirely possible. But was it only wishful thinking on her part, an unwanted old maid on the shelf who desperately needed an escape from an old and possibly cruel lord who would be her husband?
With a sigh, Arabella looked at the duchess, who wore a wide grin. “To answer your question, Your Grace, I believe I’m already on that slide. I don’t know how or when it happened, but here we are. With very little effort, I could easily fall tip over tail for your son.”
“Oh!” The duchess hugged her, and Arabella luxuriated in the genuine affection stemming from that gesture. “That is exactly what I’d hoped you’d say.” Into her ear, she whispered, “You two are well-suited. I wish you the best of luck.” Then she straightened. “Come, ladies. Let’s give our bride a few moments of quiet before Whittington comes up to collect her.”
“Thank you.” Arabella breathed a sigh of relief once silence descended again. In moments, she would say vows to Graham and her whole life would change. She’d be safe from... everything. Beyond that, she had a future, and the possibilities contained therein were limitless.
It was mind boggling to consider.
When the duke knocked a few minutes later and was given admittance, Arabella’s nerves crawled with excitement and anxiety. He was as handsome as ever in his dark evening clothes, and she could just imagine how Graham might look once he attained that distinguished age.
“Everything is in readiness, Miss Holly.” He couldn’t quite keep the grin from his visage. “Your parents have just arrived at the castle. They’re being shown into the drawing room as we speak.” Concern clouded his eyes. The rumble of his voice filled the space. “It’s time for me to give you into my son’s care... unless you’d like your father to have that honor?”
“Oh.” Some of the excitement faded. Her father had been nothing but absent her whole life and an embarrassment the rest of the time. She’d forever lived in shame because of him, and mortification throughout for what her mother had endured due to his wandering eye and horrible skill at the gaming tables. It was because of him that she’d met this cross in the road, this steppingstone to a new life. “No.” Quickly, Arabella shook her head. “Please, I want you to give me away. I don’t want to begin my new life holding on to vestiges of the old.”
“Are you quite certain?”
“Yes.” As she rose to her feet, tears filled her eyes. “Until I came to Ivy Castle, I never knew there could be such kindness in a person—a whole family. My mother means well, but she’s not as demonstrative as your family. To say nothing of my father, who barely took an interest in me except to gamble away my future.”
“Those words make me more grateful than ever in how I’ve reared my children,” he said in a choked voice.
A tear fell to her cheek. “You’ve made such a difference in my life with your influence and in the honor Graham has shown—” Unable to finish the thought, she impulsively threw herself into the duke’s arms despite that being a societal rule broken. “Thank you. You’ll never know what it means.”
He awkwardly patted her back before setting her away. His eyes were kind and a bit misty as well. “Thank you for finding something redeemable in Graham. I feel certain he’ll make a good husband.” His smile held an edge of mischief and... satisfaction, which she found odd.
“I do too.”
“And all of this before the New Year on the morrow. Who would have thought?” He offered his crooked arm. “Perhaps you can thank me properly for saving you from Breckenridge’s clutches by giving me grandchildren soon,” he said in a conspiratorial tone as he led her from the room.
Heat filled her cheeks, for that would assume Graham would bed her at some point in the near future. “Oh, good heavens!” Am I ready for that? She ducked her head. “Only time will tell, Your Grace, but if your son is as skilled as the rumors say, I’m certain it shouldn’t prove an issue.” The heat intensified in her cheeks as she silently berated herself for the plain speaking, and to a duke no less!
Remarkably, he chuckled. “I like you, Miss Holly—Arabella. You’ll be a fine addition to the Ivy family.”
“I do hope so, Your Grace.”
All too soon they arrived at the drawing room that was filled with all Graham’s family and soon-to-be extended family, including the two children. Her parents sat off by themselves on a low sofa, and neither of them seemed pleased. She glanced up into the duke’s face for encouragement. When he gave her a grin, nodded, and led her inside, she sighed, for her attention then landed on her husband-to-be, and the rest of the world faded away.
“Oh, my,” she whispered.
Never one to fall victim to the trivial rules that guided their society, his chosen style of dress reflected that. While his father had gone for the distinguished and proper evening attire, Graham had chosen buff-colored trousers, a gold-brocade waistcoat, and a black tailcoat that somehow made him more gorgeous than he’d ever been. His hair, longer than current fashion demanded, had been arranged into a devil-may-care style that had a shock of it flipping over his brow, but it was the look of awe and admiration in his rich brown eyes that sent butterflies fluttering through her belly.
He smiled in that charming way he had, and she lost a piece of her heart. “You’re beautiful this afternoon, Arabella. I’m a fortunate man.” As he held out a hand and the duke placed hers into his son’s, she had the acute sensation of falling but also of coming home to a place she’d been searching for the whole of her life.
“Thank you.” Heat again filled her cheeks, but she couldn’t tamp her own grin. Yes, this was the right decision, and that of a Christmastide miracle.
She would remain forever grateful for that broken axle.