Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

The Wedding Day

London

Two Weeks Later

S olomon stood at the front of the small chapel and waited for his bride. Gilbert stood by his side, both of them in similar attire. They both wore black boots and trousers, white shirts, and black waistcoats. Gilbert's tailcoat was navy blue, while the Duke's was jet black. Gilbert wore a navy blue cravat, while Solomon wore dark green.

"Are you sure this is what she wants?" Gilbert asked as they stood alone near the altar.

"Yes, she wishes to be married," the Duke replied.

"No, I don't mean that," Gilbert said. "I mean the ceremony and celebrations, or lack of celebrations. I know she informed you that she wanted a small ceremony without any extravagance and no party after, but we both know women don't always tell you what they want."

"She doesn't need anything more," Solomon replied.

"You almost sound sad about it. Do you want something more, brother?"

"This will do just fine for me."

"We both know that is not what I meant. Do you want more from this? From her? I know you will deny it as soon as I say it, but you have pined for her these past weeks."

"I have not pined for her!"

"I told you you would deny it," Gilbert laughed.

"That is because it is not true," Solomon claimed. "Have I missed her a little? Yes, of course. That bodes well for the marriage. We might not have gotten on when we first met, but we have a mutual respect."

"Yes, and we know that is what you look for in a woman: mutual respect."

Solomon shook his head and smiled. "You should try it sometime."

"Sounds far too boring for me."

"You might like it," the Duke told his brother.

"Let's stop talking about me," Gilbert suggested. "I will continue on as before, but there is no denying you are changed by her, Solomon. She makes you a better person, if that is even possible."

"Will you please stop going on and on about it," the Duke begged. Especially when my internal thoughts are confusing enough. She wrote and informed me she would marry me, but the letter was cold and straight to the point, just like our wedding. Why should that bother me? "We both agreed on how the wedding should be, and we don't need anything more."

"Since when have you not needed anything more?" Gilbert asked.

"Since now," the Duke replied.

"See, she has changed you, and I must admit that I don't mind it."

Solomon rolled his eyes. He did not want to debate all day with his brother, and thankfully, he didn't have to. The musician at the rear of the chapel began to play, and all heads turned toward the door.

Solomon's heart beat quicker now that he knew Leah had arrived. He had seen her briefly over the past weeks, but they had not spent any real time together. Their wedding day would be the first time they spent any real time together since Solomon had given her a choice to cancel the wedding.

His eyes widened when she entered, and he looked at her with awe. She caught his eyes and smiled. It only caused his heart to beat quicker. He had heard about the dress, but he had not expected it to be so magnificent.

Ernest had gone all out to ensure the very best for his daughter. He might not rival many lords in power and influence, but he had wealth and sensibilities. Solomon would help him gain more influence, and he would fit in with almost any lord in the country.

Leah almost floated up the aisle, and the dress flowed with her. The dress hugged Leah's upper body before tapering out to create a water-like effect on her bottom half. The finest baby blue silk had been brought in from France, and one of the finest dressmakers in the city had worked their magic on the fabric.

Solomon admired her in the gown but could not help but think about what she would look like out of it. It had been a while since they had spent any time alone together. It had been a long time since he had spent any time with a woman.

He cursed his brother for being partially right about how he felt. He didn't realize how much he had missed Leah until he saw her in the flesh again. His heart thumped furiously in his chest when she reached him.

"You look beautiful," Solomon said.

"You look very dashing, Your Grace," Leah replied.

"I have missed you," the Duke added.

"I have, too, Your Grace."

Solomon stared into Leah's eyes for a moment. He had expected the reunion to be more emotional, but all he could think about was how she called him Your Grace. He did not have time to dwell on it before the service started.

The minister said a few words to begin the proceedings, and then he led the small congregation in a prayer. Solomon looked at Leah the entire time, but she was unable to meet his eye. She angered him much as she had when they had first met, but in a very different way.

The vows came soon after, and then plain wedding bands were exchanged, and Bridget and Gilbert provided signatures in the registry. And with that, they were married.

"Three cheers for the Duke and Duchess!" Gilbert announced.

"Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!."

Leah took the Duke's arm and never had a simple act and touch made the Duke feel so restless. He guided his wife down the short aisle and out of the chapel.

"Congratulations!" Gilbert was the first to congratulate Solomon, followed soon after by Ernest.

Solomon thanked them both, but he didn't feel much like celebrating. Even the sight of Christianna with a sweet smile on his face did nothing to boost his mood. Not even when Bridget jumped up and down and tried to embrace Leah did he crack a smile. He could only look at his wife and see the sadness in her face. She had written to him to agree to the wedding, but she did not mean it. She obviously did not want to be married. He should have made the decision and set her free, no matter how much it set him back.

Now, it was too late.

"My dear, when will you and Leah return?"

"Hmm?" Solomon asked, looking away from Leah.

"When will you return to the estate?" his mother asked him.

"Oh, yes, soon," he replied. "Lord Prevost has offered us his summer cottage for a few days. We will return after."

"Oh, yes," Dinah said. "Yes, you will have a splendid time together. You must cherish every moment you have."

"We will," Solomon agreed. He took another look at his wife and could see through her smile. She was miserable beneath it.

Solomon didn't want to feel angered and saddened while all around him were happier than he was on his wedding day. He had only thought about his wedding day in terms of the convenience it would bring, but now that it was upon him, he wanted to feel more.

"Come," he said to Leah. "We should leave, or we will spend the entire day thanking people. It is still some distance to the cottage."

"Yes, of course," Leah said.

There were cheers and more congratulations as the newly-married couple boarded the coach and started their new life together. The more happiness that surrounded them, the worse the Duke felt, and it looked like Leah felt the same.

Solomon studied Leah as she waved to her family through the window. The coach rumbled away from the small church and headed toward the outskirts of London.

"I am a Duchess now," Leah said. "I can't quite believe that."

"You are," Solomon agreed. "How are you feeling about that?"

"It will take some getting used to," she admitted.

"And how are you feeling about everything else?" the Duke asked. "This has been an emotionally charged day."

"It has," Leah agreed.

"If you feel unwell or need anything, you only have to ask," Solomon told her.

Leah nodded slowly. "Thank you, Your Grace. I appreciate your care for me."

"You don't have to call me Your Grace!" Solomon shouted. "I already told you that."

Leah instinctively moved away from the Duke, moving closer to the window. "I apologize; I must have forgotten. I will call you Solomon from now on if you like."

"It is not about what I like, but about us being married. We should call each other by our names."

"Yes, of course, and we will. I only know some couples still use their titles. I apologize for the trouble."

Solomon sighed. "No, I should apologize. I shouldn't have shouted at you. I only…"

He didn't know how to finish that sentence. What did he want? Did he want the woman he had forced to marry him to be more caring and loving toward him? Was that what he even wanted?

"You do look very beautiful today," Solomon told her.

"Thank you, Solomon," Leah replied. I look forward to this time with you before we return to your estate to live together—or to live however we might live."

"We can work out the details later," Solomon said.

Leah did not make any further conversation after that.

She is adapting to being married and becoming the Duchess. I must give her as much space as she needs.

They arrived at the cottage two hours after leaving the wedding. The small house was quaint with a thatched roof. It was surrounded by trees on all sides, but the sea could be heard in the distance. A second coach pulled up after theirs with their staff for the three days they would spend together.

"I have some business to attend to," the Duke told her when they exited the coach. "It should not take long."

"Yes, business," Leah replied.

Solomon instructed the staff to unload the cases and trunks. He took his personal bag and went in search of a study or small room where he could compose some letters. All he could think about was Leah, and if she did not want to be married to him, the least he could do was give her the best life possible. That started with concluding his business deals on the new trade route now that the dowry was secured. He might not make her happy, but he could bring her some happiness.

The Duke entered the small room and closed the door behind him. There were two chairs in the room: an armchair close to the window and a small wooden chair by the modest desk. He went to the desk, and instead of sitting down, he swiped the chair against the wall.

He had not felt this angry toward Leah before. She had annoyed and irritated him when they first spent time together, but the way she made him feel now was worse. He was angry; angry at her and angry at himself.

"What is it I want?" he demanded of himself.

When he thought about it, it scared him. He wanted more than just convenience, but that was all he had with Leah. He had married her for her dowry, and he had it now. He had forced her to marry him, and she might be bitter at him forever. He was a rake, not a man who married for love.

He didn't have love; that was not the issue, but he did have… something.

"Blast you, Gilbert!"

His brother had been right. He had feelings toward his wife. He almost laughed at the revelation—in most cases, it would be normal, but in theirs, it was unusual. He knew what Leah wanted, but he had never been able to give it to her. She wanted love. He had feelings for her, but would that be enough?

He shook his head. It was obvious from how she had acted on their wedding day that she did not have feelings for him. She was trapped in a loveless marriage, and he would be, too.

It's fine! This is what I wanted, and this is what I've got.

Solomon slumped down into the large armchair and tried to think about anything else other than his wife.