Page 29 of A Mother for the Blind Duke’s Orphans

“As I have repeated countlessly, I am marrying you for the girls.”

Poppy did not know if he could see the details of her face. She did not know if he could make out the determination she had placed there like armor, or whether she was only a pale shape before him with a small voice attached to a promise. But he heard her. Of that, she was certain.

He looked almost amused as he chuckled softly.

“Then,” he said, “we agree that this is a marriage in name only.”

“Yes,” she said simply, ignoring the rising dread within her. “This is a marriage in name only.”

Hector held out his hand when the clergyman indicated they should turn toward him. Poppy placed her gloved fingers in his, and his fingers closed around hers with firm restraint. He was surprisingly warm and gentle, yet she shuddered at his touch. It disturbed her that his body contradicted him. More than anything, it also intrigued her. For a moment, she truly wished to run, but the ceremony began and reality rose around her.

Chapter Seven

“Our carriage awaits,” Hector whispered into his duchess’s ear, and he heard her breath hitch quietly beside him.

“May I say farewell to my family?” Her tone was sad, and he heard the panic in it.

He cleared his throat. “Of course you may.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” she whispered.

“You are welcome, Your Grace.” She froze beside him at the mention of the title, but he watched her features and saw a small smile curl at the corner of her lips.

The ceremony and wedding breakfast had been small, but he had a feeling that his duchess’s family did not want to let go of her. The sun was beginning to set, and Hector watched the world gather itself for him in contrasts and colors without precision as his bride stood a little to his left. Her warmth was like a magnet to others, and he frowned, trying to imagine why she felt different from the rest.

“My dear aunt,” she said beside him, her voice softened in the way it did when she spoke to his nieces. “Thank you for everything.”

“Oh, Poppy,” the countess of Bendon’s voice cracked with emotion as Hector listened in. “You do not have to thank me; it was a pleasure raising you and your sister with whatever little time I had with you two. You have brought us so much joy.”

“You truly have, and I will miss my sisters so much!” Lady Georgia added.

Hector heard Lord Bendon clear his throat uncomfortably beside them. He turned toward the elderly man who paid no regard to his niece. He could see the outline of his massive body and the light reflecting off his beady eyes, which were stuck on Hector. Hector ignored him and watched as the duchess embraced her aunt and cousin.

“You have always been kind to me,” Her Grace continued, and something in the simplicity of it made the surrounding voices seem farther away. “Thank you for supporting me when you need not have done so, and thank you for hosting our wedding breakfast on such short notice.”

Her aunt made a sound that might have been a protest, but Hector could see tears falling. There was something pure about tears that light caught onto, allowing him to see their trails.

“You were always deserving of kindness, child,” the countess said emotionally.

She lowered her head, and Hector looked away. He had no wish to intrude into her life any further. He looked around and felt the lack of such a farewell on his own side. He invited no one on his behalf, and he had preferred it that way.

Her Grace stepped back from her aunt and turned to her cousin.

“Lady Georgia,” she said to her cousin, who was sniffling. “I will miss you dearly.”

“Surely you will visit?” Lady Georgia choked on her words.

“I will try my best.” He caught the sidelong look she gave him.

Hector felt as though he should say something.

He cleared his throat and addressed the younger lady. “Of course, the duchess can visit whomever she pleases.”

He could see the color of the duchess’s skin brighten under her ivory dress.

“I cannot wait!” Lady Georgia’s response made Her Grace smile brightly, and Hector felt his breath hitch.

He continued to watch his bride bid farewell until her uncle came. Her posture changed almost imperceptibly when she stood in front of him. The man made a small movement. A nod in the Duchess’s direction as he ignored her and drifted toward Hector.