Page 36 of To Steal a Duchess

“Most happy,” Dorian echoed, still a little in thought, it seemed.

“I must ask how it came about!” Eloise urged, reaching to clasp Nancy’s hand, her excitement growing the more the candlelight caught the blush on her face.

“Well,” Nancy began, exchanging glances with Gideon, as though they were silently deciding who was to tell their tale. “It began after your wedding, and⁠—”

“With little to do without my good friend here,” Gideon cut in, clapping a hand on Dorian’s shoulder, “I kept wandering around the park. Jubilee, in particular. The weather has been ever so nice.”

“And I found myself taking some turns around the same one,” Nancy continued, the two of them speaking a perfect pattern, following on from one another. “Things were quieter in London without you, and Lord Langford and I seemed to have the same idea. I must admit it was the first thing that got us talking.”

“We became the most dreadful gossips, though our only topic was, I’m afraid, your marriage,” Gideon went on. “We wondered how you were each getting on, and then how you were getting on together. One conversation led to another and…”

“And soon we were not just happening upon one another, but making proper plans for a morning visit. He has already met my parents, of course, and I am to be his marchioness.”

Gideon’s face was flushed with the excitement of their announcement, and his eyes lit up more and more the longer he looked at Nancy.

“It is a rather romantic story, then,” Eloise sighed happily. “I am glad our marriage has brought you together.”

In her own mind, she couldn’t help but think…

I only wish it could bring us together as the newlyweds ourselves.

Dorian nodded in agreement with her. “Indeed, I agree with the Duchess. Congratulations, Gideon, and to you, Lady Nancy. You will make a remarkable Marchioness of Langford. And I am glad Gideon will have company and a good wife.”

“As do you, Dorian.” Gideon winked. “We shall both be happy, no?”

The silence stretched on slightly too long, and Eloise’s chest tightened. She knew the agreement of their marriage, but she could not help the slight dismay that she would not find romantic happiness in her marriage. Not the way Nancy clearly would.

To have been saved was one thing, and to live finely, but to be cherished and wanted by a husband was quite another, and Eloise realized she had squandered her chance at that out of desperation to escape Lord Sarling.

Even so… she couldn’t quite regret it, for she couldn’t imagine being married to anyone but Dorian.

“You must ensure Nancy is happy, Gideon,” Eloise said, her voice turning a little firmer with a teasing scold. “I shall not have her write to me with tearstains on the page, or have her come to visit out of sadness because you have upset her.”

“Oh, Eloise, do not fuss,” Nancy tried to dismiss, but Gideon held a hand up.

“No, Nancy, Eloise is quite right, and I promise to make the happiest woman alive.” Gideon’s eyes held hers tenderly. “My future wife shall yearn for nothing, and I will work every day to make our marriage one that you will feel secure in every morning.”

Dorian watched the two of them as they each blushed and looked as though they were ready to embrace over the table somehow. Eloise looked at him a moment too long, and he turned to look back at her too.

As before, she averted her gaze. It was a little too painful to look at him in that moment, knowing she would never have what she deserved in a marriage.

She would never receive such a look that Nancy was receiving now from her betrothed. Despite how little she had entirely prioritized marriage, there was a part of her, deep down, that did yearn for more.

She cleared her throat, lifting up a glass. “A toast, then, to the beautiful, happy couple.”

Chapter Nine

“Lady Nancy is staying the night, Gideon,” Dorian said once dinner had been finished, and the wine bottle was empty.

They had shared the last of it in the drawing room, snuffing out the candles before they lingered in the doorway.

“I believe she mentioned it earlier when we left the dining room.” Gideon nodded.

“I can easily have another room prepared for you next to hers,” Dorian offered. “In fact, no, I insist. London is busy, and I know for a fact you have not been to your own countryside estate in a while, so stay. Enjoy the country air for a while. Enjoy company with your betrothed without worrying about prying eyes.”

Eloise blinked at the kind offer, surprised by how Dorian’s voice was less guarded with his friend. It made sense, really.

“Really?” Gideon asked, lifting a confused brow.