Page 21 of The Duchess’ Little Miracle

“That is what I have been trying to say!” Leonora said, pointing wildly at Euphemia. “Thank you! Thank you for finally listening to me!”

Euphemia turned back to Seraphina, her expression shifting from shock to concern. “So, Seraphina... what is going on here? What is this? You told us you were getting married and I thought you had found... well, love! Or something like it.”

Seraphina smoothed down the front of her skirt, remaining entirely unbothered by her sisters’ dramatic outburst. “You both need not worry. It is a logical, practical arrangement,” she explained calmly. “The Duke possesses significant power and connections in London. He can help me discover who is sending these letters far faster than I ever could on my own. Furthermore, the situation ties directly to him. Whoever is behind this is using his family’s private seal. He has a personal stake in finding the culprit.”

“But no!” Euphemia protested, inching closer to her and shaking her head. “That is not how this is supposed to go! We came to Mayfair to find love! To find happiness and build a proper family. We left the countryside because we were terrified of being lonely, of ending up old and forgotten.”

“Effie, you married someone you were not in love with at first,” Seraphina noted. “That worked out for you, did it not?”

Euphemia pressed two fingers to her forehead. “Yes, I did,” she admitted. “When Nathaniel and I married, it was certainly not a grand love story, that much is true. It was done to save public face. We were simply fortunate... exceedingly lucky that we grew to care for one another, and that we have the deep love we share now. I achieved the happiness I wanted. But that is an exception, Seraphina, not the rule.”

Euphemia’s eyebrows knitted together. “I was holding out hope that you would allow yourself to fall in love before making such a commitment. I know that is a far-fetched wish. Knowing the kind of person you are... it feels nearly impossible. You are like a stone wall. A rock. You do not open her heart up to affection like other people do, and I am terrified of what might happen after the wedding when the quiet settles in.”

Seraphina gave a smile. “Then you may set your fears aside, because I do not care about any of that. Love was never my goal.”

Euphemia blinked, stunned. “What?”

“Just like Leonora said the day we visited your estate,” Seraphina said smoothly. “When I agreed to leave the countryside and move to London with you both under the guise of starting our families and being happy together, I had my own motives. I wanted to be closer to my publisher so I could handle my writing column in peace, without relying on delayed posts and distant couriers. Also, I came to keep an eye on both of you so you would not... run wild. But I truly never had the intention of finding love or marrying anyone. It was never my plan. I was only playing along.”

She softened her tone slightly, looking between her sisters. “I am sorry if that disappoints you, but romantic devotion was not what I was looking for in the long run. That wasn’t why I came here. But this arrangement works. In a way, I am fulfilling what you wanted, Effie. I will be married, secured, and protected. Can you not simply consider that a victory?”

Euphemia looked at her for a long moment, letting out a defeated sigh. “Fine,” she murmured softly. “I know I cannot argue with you over this or change your mind. So I won’t. It would be pointless, and I do not have the energy. If this is truly what you are doing... can you at least let me plan the wedding? Exactly as I want to?”

Seraphina hesitated for a beat, weighing her options, before nodding. “Very well. But know this. It must remain simple, disciplined, and within reason. No outrageous extravagances.”

“I still think this is a terrible idea,” Leonora chimed in, crossing her arms over her chest. “It is cold and far too risky. But fine. If you are set on doing it, then I suppose that is what is going to happen.”

Euphemia smiled, reaching to pat Leonora on the lap before turning her attention back to Seraphina. “So... does this mean you are no longer traveling to the country to visit Lady Byron?”

Seraphina shook her head. “That was always meant to be a last resort. My hope is that the Duke can help me catch this blackmailer quickly, so I never have to ask Lady Byron for assistance or reveal to her that our secret has been exposed to a stranger.”

Euphemia nodded. “Well, I certainly understand that. Hopefully it never comes to that. But if it does, Seraphina, you must promise to reach out to me so Nathaniel and I can help as well.”

“I hope it does not come to that either,” Seraphina responded. “But thank you, Effie. I know you only want to help, and I can be... well, me. But... I appreciate you coming all the way for this wedding. As superficial as it may be.”

As her sisters finally settled down, the tension in the room began to thaw. Seraphina took a breath, reflecting on the moment.

It felt as though the fog on her mind was starting to clear.

Her sisters were finally on board with the plan. She could move forward, marry the Duke, and focus entirely on the objective. Once they caught the person threatening her family, that individual would face the full weight of the law. In the meantime, she would honor her side of the bargain. She would do her absolute best to care for Alice, guide her, and make her life better.

At the very end of it all, once the threat was eliminated and the child was settled, they could annul the marriage. Everything would be resolved, the danger would pass, and life would go right back to normal.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“Do you have information for me?”

Anthony paused, his hand frozen mid-air as he reached for a decanter on the sideboard. He turned slowly, holding an unlit cigar in his other hand, staring at William as though he had suddenly lost his mind.

“Come on, William,” Anthony said, letting out a disbelief-filled chuckle. “It is your wedding morning. In less than an hour we have to leave for St. George’s. Your carriage is being prepared downstairs, your butler looks like he is on the verge of an apoplexy, and you are standing there looking like a tax auditor. Why, in heaven’s name, are we talking about work?”

William did not so much as blink. Standing by the desk, he adjusted the lace at his wrists, his eyebrows drawn together. “Go straight to the point, Anthony. Do you have any information for me or not? I did not invite you into my home this morning to keep me company, did I?”

“Would that be such a bad thing? To keep you company?”

“Has the Duke of Glenhaven nothing better to do than haunt my study, or has running your own estate grown so dull that my affairs have become interesting to you?”

Anthony set the unlit cigar on the tray and shook his head in exasperation. William had been close friends with him since their university days, a bond forged over late-night debates and survived despite their wildly contrasting natures. Where William was all rigid, Anthony navigated life like it was his playground. But beneath that breezy surface lay a sharp mind, which was precisely why William trusted him with matters he would never dare breathe to another living soul.