Page 31 of The Duchess Audition

“It is a… pleasure to see you again,” Marina said, pulling back.

Yvette glanced at the fabric. “Heavens, tell me that is not what you are choosing for your wedding? Congratulations, by the way. I had to read the announcement four times to make sure I was not seeing things.” She laughed. “You have caused quite the stir in society, Miss Longman.”

“I… did not mean to,” Marina mumbled, her face warming, her fingertips moving to brush more hair over her scars.

“Nonsense!” Yvette cried. “I knew you were a troublemaker the moment I met you, which is precisely why I befriended you. Society is so dull this Season. You have been the most exciting thing to happen since it began.”

Marina kept her head down. “I do not think that can be true.”

“Oh, but it is. Everyone is fascinated by you. You are quite the mystery, and I have become rather popular myself for having information about you,” Yvette said proudly, as if Marina were some museum curiosity instead of a person.

“All good things, I am sure,” Marina said, doubting it.

Yvette chuckled. “I am doing you a favor by talking about you, really, for there are rumors abounding that you have trapped the duke or tricked him, especially as his first wife was such a renowned beauty. No one can believe that he has chosen you above all others.”

“Tell me, what have you had to say to that?” another, sharper voice cut in.

Marina could not bring herself to turn, though she sensed the ire of the shadow that had fallen across her. Sensed the power and intimidation that radiated throughout the modiste, where everyone had fallen silent.

“Well?” Anthony pressed, his voice a growl.

Through her eyelashes, Marina glimpsed Lady Yvette’s stricken face, her cheeks turning an alarming shade of red, her eyes wide in alarm.

“Obviously, I responded that Miss Longman is… a very pleasant woman,” Yvette stammered. “An interesting woman. I have insisted that you must be… a man who favors character most of all.”

Anthony took Marina by the wrist, and she finally peered up at him. Anger flared in his green eyes, his mouth set in a grim line, all of it directed at Yvette.

“Do not bother my bride again,” he warned. “And if you are asked about her in future, you would do well to hold your tongue and save your gossip. It would be unwise to cross a duchess.”

He pulled Marina away from Yvette and walked her back to where the dowager stood. The old woman had her head tilted, a slight smirk playing at the corner of her mouth.

“What are you doing here, my dear boy?” she asked.

Anthony released Marina’s wrist. “I was passing and I saw you through the window. I thought I would come in to tell you that you may buy whatever you like.”

He was looking at his grandmother, but Marina realized he was talking to her.

“I do not need much,” she said quietly.

“Spare no expense,” Anthony replied, though he was definitely talking to his grandmother this time. “It will not be a large wedding, but everyone should know who my wife is. I do not want her harassed like that again.”

A lump formed in Marina’s throat, her hand moving to cover the spot where he had held onto her. She could still feel the pressure of his grip and the anger that had thrummed from him.

He defended me again…

It should not have affected her as much as it did, but she could not help her heart fluttering a tiny bit when she thought of Yvette’s chastened demeanor. Indeed, she had not known that Anthony’s protection would be part of their bargain, but she was not sorry about it.

Harriet gave a quick nod. “Of course not. I assumed they were friends; it was my mistake.”

“The sooner we leave the city, the better,” Anthony grumbled.

With that, he gave a brief bow to Marina and left the shop without another word.

Chatter soon resumed, though more cautious than before. And among the beautiful young ladies who were selecting fabrics and designs, there were no more whispers or stares cast in Marina’s direction. For perhaps the first time in her life, no one dared.

“Your Grace? Miss Longman?” the modiste called from the curtained doorway that led to the back room. “Shall we?”

Marina took a breath and, with Harriet leading the way, she stepped into unknown territory.