“Three weeks,” he blurted out, trying to regain his composure. “We will get married in three weeks. We should begin preparations for the ceremony as soon as possible.”
“That is an acceptable idea. I will speak with my godmother and the Dowager Duchess about it tonight,” she agreed, her acceptance still filling him with an odd sense of unease.
It is good, he tried to remind himself. In as much as they seemed to not get along right from the start, she seemed to be just as in need of this marriage as he was, and if she was making some attempts to be as civil as possible, the least he could do was accept her wish to behave so and do his part to ensure peacefulcoexistence. This way, there were no complications, and no more toes would be threaded upon.
“All right, see that you do. The household staff are at your beck and call. Whatever you need, simply ask, and it will be provided.”
She nodded but remained standing where she was, confusing him.
“Is there something you need?” he questioned uncertainly.
She appeared almost… reluctant to speak, seemingly forcing herself to get the words out in a single breath.
“We were not formally introduced. I mean – I know who you are. I’ve known ever since I was told about our marriage. But…”
She trailed off, looking lost, and something in him greatly disliked that expression on her face.
“Silas. I am Silas Oakley, Duke of Forestwood,” he paused and added as a quick afterthought, “my lady.”
The way he spoke was much gentler than the harsh words they had spat at each other on the road and the cold tone he used to order his servants around, and something inside her greatly warmed up at the sound of it.
“Lady Agnes Fitzroy, Your Grace. Eldest daughter of the Earl of Lockheart.” She curtsied, praying that this would be enough to somewhat compensate for their rough beginning. “I hope our marriage will be able to provide us with what we’re after as quickly and as peacefully as possible.”
That was a sentiment Silas found that he could agree with.
“As do I.”
“Oh, there you are,” Lady Anna smiled up at her goddaughter. “How did it go? Isn’t he just an absolute dream?”
“He seems a lot more like a nightmare to me, but we’ve never shared like minds in the past, so I’m not surprised we cannot agree on this either,” Agnes stated emotionlessly, sinking into a settee as the day’s exhaustion finally caught up with her.
Her lady’s maid had been waiting for her outside the Duke’s study, quickly showing her to her room, after which she took a hot bath and changed into a new set of clothes for dinner. She would have rather retired for the night, but she had yet to meet the Dowager Duchess, and it was important to make a good impression on her – seeing as her chances of doing that with the Duke himself had been shot.
But she was at least thankful to be warm and dry, relieved that the itchy sensation of the wet fabric against her skin was longgone, freeing her mind from the lingering irritation enough for her to be able to think of… other things.
“Isn’t it just wonderful that you both were able to meet the way you did? I told you he was a kind man. It was thoughtful of him to bring you here after finding you out in the rain. Speaking of – why were you even out there? I told you to wait inside the carriage for us. You could have caught a cold.” Lady Anna huffed in concern.
Agnes contemplated telling her that the Duke’s concern had come as an afterthought – considering she would have preferred him to show his horse before he took him riding out in the rain. But that conversation would just open up a door she could not shut, so she leaned back and said,
“I was trying to fix the wheel to save us time. I thought it would be better if it were done by the time you had returned so we would be on our way. The Duke was certainly… thoughtful in the face of my plight.”
Lady Anna grinned and clapped her hands excitedly. “You both will make a wonderful couple.”
“I certainly hope so,” Agnes muttered. “I have a lot waged on this marriage.”
Her godmother seemed to have heard her, and her pleased expression dropped into something that resembled exasperation, but before she could speak up, the door opened,and a woman walked in. Lady Anna’s gaze shifted, and she rose quickly, stepping closer to the new arrival with open arms.
“Alexandra! My goodness, you look wonderful!” Lady Anna gushed as she walked into the embrace, holding the Dowager Duchess close.
“As do you, darling! Heavens, how do you always manage to look younger every time we meet?” Alexandra questioned, pulling back slightly and holding her friend by the shoulders at arm's length.
“Dearest, I wonder the same thing about you. Share your secrets with me,” Anna whispered conspiratorially, the corners of her eyes crinkling in delight.
“Later,” the Dowager Duchess promised, shifting her gaze to Agnes. “Is this your goddaughter?”
Agnes had risen as they greeted each other and shuffled closer as the attention shifted to her, feeling nervous as she curtsied.
“Your Grace –”