Page 26 of The Duchess He Couldn’t Resist

“A perfect opportunity for what, Owen? Debauchery?”

“A crowd, champagne, whatever your excellent cook would make, a little music, and eligible ladies to flirt with.”

Brandon smirked but didn’t engage, since that would only encourage Owen more. Not that he needed any more encouragement. Owen approached him as he was adjusting the signet ring on his finger.

“You do realize that it is dreadfully difficult to seduce anyone in a half-empty church?”

“It is a cross you must carry.”

“Weddings are a perfect opportunity to find desperate women. Even married women reminisce about that day, wishing they had gone down the aisle with a different groom. Me.”

“It is always encouraging to hear your opinion on the sanctity of a wedding ritual.”

“All I am saying is that it is quite selfish of you to think only of your first night as a married man and not that of your best friend.”

“When the day comes that you marry, I will make sure it will be a grand feast.”

Owen laughed hard.

“Just tell your cook to make cold dishes because hell will freeze over the day I decide to marry.”

“I will make sure to inform him.”

Owen smirked again and shook his head. He stood behind Brandon, his reflection in the mirror meeting his eyes.

“Nervous?”

Brandon didn’t know how he felt, so he decided to choose how to feel, to control his emotions though it felt like the exact opposite.

“Of all the ton, you and the other Fingers are the only people who know that this is nothing but a transaction.”

“All I am saying is you could have made a different deal and still got the information.”

“This serves multiple purposes.”

“Oh, I am sure.” Owen smiled wickedly. “There will be several purposes to be served.”

“You are vulgar.”

“That was vulgar?” Owen scoffed. “If I wanted to be vulgar, I would say⁠—”

“Stash it.”

* * *

The luxurious ducal carriage rode through the city with only Brandon and Owen inside. For some reason, Brandon’s mind went to the dark, unmarked carriage he had sent for Marigold that first night she snuck into his residence. He chuckled, thinking how brave and daring that unassuming woman was.

“At least tell me she’s tolerable to look at,” Owen said. “She makes no social appearances, and I’ve heard conflicting reports.”

Brandon felt a dark satisfaction hearing that. It was good that others thought of Marigold as plain and simple because she was not. The first image that came to his mind was her eyes. He was never a romantic or poetic kind of gentleman, but he really wanted to find the words to describe those almond-shaped, big amber eyes of hers. The only word that came to mind was honey. Golden, glowing, fragrant, sweet, sticky honey.

“The only thing that everyone agrees on is that she is tall,” Owen said, taking him away from his wanderings only to guide him to a new path.

Marigold was tall, and yet she felt smaller in his arms. She also had a willowy, firm body. He tightened his fists when he thought of how she felt under his palm.

“She’ll do.” Brandon quickly covered these thoughts.

They arrived at the church and saw that a small crowd had gathered. Not guests, just people eager to see a new Cinderella story, the grand Duke with the lowly lady. Brandon adjusted his coat and walked inside without paying anyone any attention.