Cursed & Cherished--The Duke's Wilful Wife (#2 Love's Second Chance Series) Read online

  More than ever she felt regret at her hopeless situation. And while the thought of torturing her future husband generally brought a smile to her face, Anna could not find delight in it now. Watching Judith dance toward her future, a future she wanted, a future she had dreamed of, Anna felt defeated, crushed as though on the day that her sister’s life had finally began, her own had only just now ended.

  Leaving the celebration behind, Anna retired to her room and wept.

  ***

  Ever since that fateful night two months ago, Anna had barely laid eyes on her betrothed, let alone spoken two words with him. During the occasional supper invitation as well as their engagement celebration she had often felt his eyes on her, a charming smile on his lips. However, Anna had felt no desire to further their acquaintance. Yes, she would marry him, because she had no choice. That however did not mean she had to like him or spend time in his company. Knowing her wedding day was not far off, Anna cherished every minute she could spend in her family’s presence as well as Henrietta’s. Of course, she would not lose them upon marrying the duke, but the situation would be different.

  From what her father had said Anna knew that his estate was merely a day’s ride away, and yet a day was a day. She would not be able to stop by her parents’ home or her sister’s or even Henrietta’s. Contact on a daily basis would be nearly impossible, and the thought saddened her beyond expectation. While her family meant a lot to her, Anna had never considered herself an overly sentimental person. However, now facing the certainty of losing the warmth of their presence in her daily life, Anna felt disheartened. What would her new life be like? Would she be miserable? Separated from a family she loved and married to a man she loathed, would she be able to find happiness?

  Visiting her sister in her new home, Anna experienced the full weight of what she had given up without thinking about it twice. The undiluted happiness that the newly-weds radiated stabbed her heart like a thousand daggers. Before the tears could spill and give her away, Anna quickly took her leave, realising that her absence would be barely noticed as Judith and her new husband merely had eyes for each other. How could two people be so absorbed in one another? In a strange way, as desirable as a love match was considered, it appeared akin to a mental illness. A small chuckle escaped Anna at the thought, and she wondered if such an emotional state was even as desirable as everyone thought. Wouldn’t it be better to find a spouse with whom one could share a future in a more reasonable way? Respect and friendship lasted longer than love and passion, did they not? Would Judith and John’s love eventually burn out? And then what? Where would they go from there?

  Walking home, questions pounded her mind, and Anna felt the tears retreat as her thoughts directed her in a practical manner toward the next steps in her life. Yes, she was getting married. And, no, she did not care for her future spouse. On the contrary, she loathed him with every fibre of her being for putting her in this situation to begin with. Anger flared up again, but her rational mind immediately stepped in and redirected her steps.

  Marriage was a contract, nothing else. She would marry the duke, and that was that. Her life was still her own. And if he entertained any notions of peaceful intimacy with regard to their daily married life, she would teach him a lesson. Henrietta had been right. Life only favoured the strong. Tears served no purpose. Only strength would see her through this.

  Determined to crush him under her boot, Anna returned home and sought out her mother, asking for the details of her upcoming nuptials.

  Chapter Eight − A Wedding Takes Place

  When Anna first laid eyes on Brookestone, her future home, she was impressed by its sheer size. Once they passed the gates and the carriage proceeded on the family’s property, it took more than a half an hour for them to reach the main house, located in the midst of well-tended gardens hidden behind tall-reaching hedges. The light stone of the residence sparkled in the sun, its rays reflected in the many windows decorating its facade.

  In a strange way, it resembled her future husband. All light and smiles, but Anna couldn’t help wonder what lay beyond. What dark secrets would she uncover if she dug a little deeper? While the duke appeared a most amiable young man, his way of procuring a wife was more than just questionable. While not by society’s standards, in Anna’s eyes, his attitude to morality was severely lacking.

  Consequently, her first night at Brookestone was overshadowed by rising questions and the deep desire to simply return to the life she had been forced to abandon. By the time the sun would set the next day, Anna would find herself bound to a man she knew little about. Would he put up a fight? Or would he leave her be? Return to London and the life she had heard rumoured only in whispers?

  Anna hoped it would be so.

  When the sun rose on her wedding day, Anna made a pact with herself. She would collect all emotions in a little box and lock it tight so none could creep out. Then she would allow her rational mind to guide her through the day. She would smile and laugh, be courteous and charming, play the part of the dutiful daughter and radiant bride. Until the day was over and everyone would return home. Until she would be alone with her husband.

  When the sun would set, Anna would unlock her emotions and unleash them on her unsuspecting husband. A small chuckle escaped her as she pictured the shock on his face at realising his bride’s true nature.

  The whole house bustled with people. Servants running here and there. Guests arriving. Her mother and sister easing her into her wedding gown. Music playing. Anna noticed it all, in an observant, slightly detached manner.

  As her father finally led her downstairs to the small chapel to the side of the main building, Anna found herself looking at people she knew and those she had never met before. For a moment she wondered about her husband’s family. Did he have a brother or sister? Were they present? Since he had already claimed the title, his father had to be dead. But what about his mother? She knew nothing of his family, had never thought to ask.

  The ceremony was short and simple. It did not feel life-altering, and yet the mere utterance of a few words had the power to chain her to this man. It was indeed a strange world.

  Standing up front at the altar, Anna glanced at the smiling faces around her. While she detected a hint of concern in her mother and sister’s eyes, her father’s face betrayed his delight at seeing his daughter married to a duke. In the row reserved for her betrothed’s family sat a tall man and a petite woman with midnight black hair. Her small hand rested in his huge one, and although sitting with her back straight, Anna saw the slight lean as she rested against his shoulder. Occasionally their eyes met, and the devotion she saw there spoke volumes. They reminded her of Judith and John.

  Anna didn’t listen to the priest’s words. Her mind was too occupied assessing the people around her. Most prominently her future husband. Although he had chosen a wife not based on affection but monetary gain, his eyes glowed as he looked at her and a dazzling smile played on his lips. Had she not been aware of their past in that moment, Anna would have felt drawn to him. Those startling blue eyes!

  But then her rational mind stepped in once more, reminding her that he was probably just putting on a brave face, not unlike herself. He needed her dowry to save his estate, which was the only reason he had asked for her hand. She was the fly in the ointment!

  Maintaining a straight face, Anna noticed his left eyebrow arch up as though in question. If it hadn’t been inappropriate, she would have shaken her head at him. How dare he complain about the lack of a smile on her face! Not even with her emotions stashed away could Anna smile in the very moment her fate was sealed! She doubted anyone in the world had that much will power!

  When the priest finished his boring litany, the duke stepped toward her, leaning in for the ceremonial kiss. As he closed the distance between them, Anna once more detected a hint of a triumphant twinkle in his eyes as though he was enjoying his victory over her immensely.

  A glimpse of anger slipped through the lock
to her boxed-up emotions, and the moment be-fore their lips would have met, Anna slightly turned her head so that his lips brushed her lower cheek instead.

  Feeling the muscles in her jaw tense, Anna bit down hard to keep her emotions from breaking the lock completely. If they did, she knew she would do something very unfit for a young bride!

  ***

  As her lips thinned into a tight line, Edmond couldn’t help but grin. She was adorable in the way she fought down her nerves! Her eyes barely met his, and he could see the pulse thudding in her throat as he had leaned in for the kiss. He could only imagine how nervous she had to be! Innocent, young women generally were, were they not?

  Disappointed, his kiss had missed her lips, Edmond contented himself with the thought of more to come−once the guests went home and the lights went out!

  Maybe his steward’s idea hadn’t been such a life-saver after all, at least not merely. Maybe he had chosen the perfect bride for himself. She was beautiful, especially when her emerald eyes would blaze as though a raging fire burned just beneath the surface. A fire reflected in her scarlet curls cascading down her back. At least, he suspected they would once all those bloody pins had been removed. Guiding his new bride to the ballroom of Brookestone, he pictured himself running his hands through her velvet tresses come nightfall. If only all these blasted people went home! Preferably now!

  As guests swarmed around them, voicing congratulations and well wishes, Edmond spotted his brother-in-law, Graham Astor, Duke of Kensington, standing with his wife, Rosabel, by the southern window front. Leaving his new bride with her family, he ventured over, wondering what they thought of his rather hasty nuptials. It had been some time since they’d last seen each other, and he hadn’t had the opportunity to invite them to attend his wedding in person.

  Realising that he wished for nothing more but their approval, Edmond greeted them with a warm, yet hesitant smile. “I am so glad you could come. Are the children at home?”

  Rosabel nodded. “Georgiana caught a cold. She was thoroughly put out that she couldn’t accompany us! And Christopher is teething at the moment.” She glanced at her husband, a slight chuckle in her voice. “You would not have appreciated his presence today!”

  Edmond laughed. “Then I shall have to come for a visit soon.”

  “You are most welcome,” Graham said, eyes glancing over Edmond’s shoulder. “And so is your new bride.”

  Edmond nodded. “I know all of this was a bit abrupt.” Their heads bobbed up and down. “But circumstances demanded a quick wedding.”

  Rosabel frowned. “Circumstances?”

  At the same time Graham’s eyes narrowed. “She’s not…I mean, you didn’t…”

  For a second, Edmond had no idea what they were asking. But the slightly uncomfortable apprehension marking their features quickly revealed their line of thinking. “Of course not,” he hastened to clarify. “She is not,” his voice dipped to a mere whisper, “with child.” He cleared his throat. “We barely know each other. It was more of an arranged marriage.”

  “Really?” Graham said. “I wouldn’t have thought you the type.” Edmond clearly read the surprise on his friend’s face, remembering how Graham himself had quite reluctantly chosen a new wife not three years ago. After Edmond’s sister, Leonora, had died, Graham had fallen into a deep hole. Only the knowledge that their daughter, Georgiana, needed a mother had led him to choose a new wife−as well as Edmond’s continued prodding. What had started as a marriage of convenience had turned into deep love for both of them.

  “Then what circumstances do you speak of?” Rosabel asked.

  Glancing at all the people around him, Edmond shook his head. “Not now, my friends. To-day is a day for celebration. Come, I want you to meet my wife.”

  ***

  As though she was handing out gold coins to them, people lined up to offer their congratulations and well-wishes. Forcing a polite smile on her face, Anna thanked them all, trying to remember their faces and names. Some looked familiar while others did not. Oh, if she had only paid better attention when attending balls before. Never would she have thought that one day she would belong to the peerage and thus be expected to socialise with these people.

  While some smiles seemed as forced as her own, the Duke and Duchess of Kensington approached her with true delight shining in their eyes. By her side, her new husband beamed at them, eagerly making introductions. Although Anna was set to dislike anyone who appeared a closer acquaintance of her husband, for it could only speak to their own lack of morals, she could not help but welcome the honest warmth with which the duchess greeted her. “If he gives you any grief, be sure to come to me. I’ll put him in his place.”

  While her husband rolled his eyes at the petite woman, Anna smiled at her, for the first time feeling the corners of her mouth tuck up on their own. “Thank you. I’ll be sure to remember.”

  Regretfully Anna watched the duke and duchess make their way over to the refreshment table before turning to an old crow who had all but materialised in front of her, offering her own congratulations that sounded much like a eulogy at a funeral. Forcing a polite smile back on her face, Anna thanked her as kindly as she could, well aware of the coldness ringing in her voice. Blast! She was not made for this!

  When the throng of people lined up to meet her finally found its end, Anna breathed a sigh of relief, only to have it lodge in her throat when she found her husband walking toward her with yet another gentleman by his side. “Will this blasted day never end?” Anna cursed under her breath.

  “My lady,” her husband approached her, gesturing to the man following on his heel. “Allow me to take this opportunity to introduce you to Mr. Lloyd. He is Brookestone’s steward. Should you want for anything, do not hesitate to consult him.”

  “Your grace,” Mr. Lloyd whispered, bowing to her. His movements rather stiff, Mr. Lloyd looked almost as uncomfortable in this setting as Anna felt herself. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  “Mr. Lloyd,” Anna mumbled, wondering about the man’s flighty gaze. Had he indulged in spirits? At his employer’s wedding? That seemed unlikely, or at least ill-advised. Maybe he simply felt ill at ease in such a large crowd. Whatever the reason, he was unable to meet her eyes for long as though fearing she would be able to read his mind if he did so. Instead his attention stray to someone behind her on the left.

  Glancing over her shoulder, Anna found her parents approaching. Her father, a glass in hand, strode toward them, almost dragging his wife along. Trying to maintain her dignity, her mother shot her husband a chiding glance, which he ignored. “Cromwell, this is a splendid feast indeed.”

  “I am glad you approve,” her husband said, smiling politely, and yet Anna thought to detect a hint of disapproval in his eyes. Deep down, Anna had to agree with him although she’d rather bite off her tongue than say so out loud.

  Ignoring Mr. Lloyd’s presence completely, her father prattled on about the splendour of the festivities and Brookestone in general. All the while, her mother stood next to him, looking about as ill at ease as Mr. Lloyd, who kept his eyes to the floor and didn’t say a single word. And not even her husband had the ability to interrupt her father’s monologue and only smiled along as though his behaviour was perfectly within reason.

  In that moment, Anna wanted to slap them all. Maybe her husband was a better fit for her family than she had first thought.

  ***

  When the music began to play and her husband offered her his hand for the first dance, Anna felt a sense of relief. Not that she wanted to be in his arms, but the sheer volume of the throng of people cornering her whenever she left the safety of her family’s embrace was headache-inducing; not that her family wasn’t.

  As his hand guided her across the floor, his other settled onto her waist and she could feel its warmth through the layers of fabric of her dress. Anna couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like without the fabric in between. Instantly, a deep flush came to he
r cheeks.

  But then she glanced up, and her eyes met his. Again she detected that triumphant twinkle and smug smile that spoke of an overbearing attitude. As though he was in that moment counting out the gold coins that made up her dowry! Anna didn’t know if there were actually gold coins in her dowry, but the image served to crack her box of emotions ajar. Oh, how she wished she could wipe that smug smile off his face!

  Patience, the rational part of her mind cautioned. Your time will come!

  “You look beautiful today,” her husband whispered, and his arm pulled her closer.

  Anna could feel herself tremble with the effort it took not to stomp on his foot or slap him across the face. “Thank you, my lord,” she whispered instead, keeping her eyes cast down so he wouldn’t read the insincerity she felt in her heart.

  “This is a most wonderful celebration,” he said, and Anna could feel his eyes on her. “I hope you are enjoying yourself.”

  Not looking up, she nodded her head.

  When the music stopped, his hand released hers and settled under her chin. Gently, he made her lift her head, gazing into her eyes. A mischievous smile played on his lips. “And I’m looking forward to a more…intimate celebration later on.”

  The bluntness of his words shocked Anna to her core. She felt her eyes widen and saw the answering grin pull up the corners of his mouth. Had not her parents approached them in that moment, she would have taken off his head! And to hell with those who would have disapproved!

  Chapter Nine − A Night Like No Other

  Long after the house fell silent, Edmond found himself in his chambers. The day had seemed to go on forever until finally every guest had taken their leave or retired to the assigned guest quarters. Among them, his new bride’s family, who would return to their home on the morrow. The awkwardness of the situation didn’t escape him, having his in-laws under his roof when he was preparing for his wedding night.