Page 71 of To Steal a Duchess

“It is strange,” Eloise whispered as the priest intoned a verse from the Bible at the front of the church several days later. “When we were wed here, I did not think I would see my best friend get married within two months of me. I did not think anything would have happened like this.”

Her hand rested on her lap, her gloves off and bundled between her fingers. She half hoped Dorian would take her hand, to make a lovely remark about their wedding day, but he remained upright. Ever since he had met with Gideon after their charged breakfast, he had been different.

He had been quieter again, and although he still left notes if he left the townhouse before her, and despite them sharing breakfasts and dinners, he barely spoke. When she had pressed, he had told her that was nothing wrong.

“She looks beautiful, does she not?” Eloise asked in a hushed voice. “And Gideon looks very proud up there.”

“Eloise, respectfully, if you do not whisper throughout the ceremony, we will both miss it,” he said softly, teasingly, and Eloise’s cheeks flushed as she nodded.

Biting her tongue for the remainder of the ceremony, Eloise kept her admiration to herself, focusing on Nancy and not the burning, shameful hole in her chest.

After they declared eternity to one another in their own vows, Gideon took Nancy into his arms and kissed her chastely.

Eloise snuck a look sideways at Dorian, but his jaw was clenched tight.

She couldn’t help thinking of all the times they had almost kissed. They had actually done so the very first time right where Nancy and Gideon stood.

What had changed since that breakfast the other day for Dorian to go quiet on her? Did he think she had been provocative? Was he displeased about her presentability? Perhaps he had thought she had tried to seduce him when they both knew the terms of their marriage.

“Come, Eloise,” Dorian said, taking her by the arm.

Around them, people were leaving the church, filling into carriages to relocate to Langford House.

“Now will you speak to me?” Eloise asked in the brief journey to the townhouse.

Dorian’s eyes cut to her, and something flashed through them. It was there and gone, too quick to pinpoint, but it didn’t look like anger. After it disappeared, Dorian looked annoyed.

“Yes,” he said stoically. “They both looked wonderful and proud. I am happy to see them happy.”

Eloise shrank back into the carriage booth, confused. “Have I done something, Dorian?”

“You have done nothing,” he told her, but it sounded too formal. “Nothing at all.”

She had known him to always tell her the truth. However, right now, he wasn’t, and there had to be a reason for it. So, instead of letting herself be hurt over his strangeness, she leaned forward, clasping his hand. He didn’t pull away, though his shoulders stiffened.

“Then, in that case,” she said, calling his bluff, “let us go and celebrate with our friends.”

Dorian only nodded, but his eyes were fixed on their joined hands and did not stop being so until they arrived at Langford House. Guests streamed in, directed by a composed butler, and then an aisle of stewards led the further way into the dining hall where the wedding breakfast was to be served.

“There are so many people here,” Eloise murmured.

Notably more people were taking their places than at the church.

“Gideon told me that Nancy wrote so many invitations that her hand had to be iced,” Dorian told her, and though his tone was neutral, Eloise was glad for him actually speaking to her.

“She told me the same thing when we went wedding dress shopping. I was surprised she left her dress decision so late. Countess Maystone advised her to do it earlier, apparently, should she need any alterations, but Nancy was rather offended at the suggestion.”

“Alterations? Surely she would not eat so much to⁠—”

“Pregnancy,” Eloise interrupted gently. “The countess was known for her own promiscuity at Nancy’s age, and Nancy was born out of wedlock, her parents’ marriage arranged due to such a thing. Her mother is quite accepting of them having an heir quickly. Nancy, however, wanted a more traditional way of things, but definitely has her mother’s… boldness for that sort of department.”

“I imagine Gideon will be rather overjoyed,” Dorian huffed, and it was the first sound of amusement.

After Eloise pointed out the Earl and Countess Maystone, Dorian guided Eloise to their seats. Before they sat down, they approached the wedded couple, and Eloise beamed at Nancy’s happy, flushed face.

“Well, you are a marchioness now,” Eloise congratulated. “And you look beautiful, Lady Langford.”

“I am going to have to get used to my new title,” Nancy laughed. “However did you do it?”