The Duke Didn't Want Love — He Wanted a Practical Wife. Then Her Carriage Arrived 40 Minutes Late
Chapter 21
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On the 2nd of November, the third Sunday of banns, Helena stood beside Marian in the parish church and heard their names proclaimed. She felt the solemnity of the announcement, and then the quiet happiness of knowing that the decision was still her own.Avery met her outside beneath a sky the color of pale winter linen. "Are you frightened?" he asked."A little. So am I."She smiled. "Then perhaps we are beginning honestly."The first week of November brought cold mornings and clear nights. At Mossfield, the repaired roof stood beneath new slate where work had been completed, and the remaining cottages were weathertight while fuller work proceeded. Fenwick's verified accounts were being settled. Mercer continued the independent review of the diverted funds, and no one pretended that a lawful reckoning would be finished before the wedding. Vane's conduct would have consequences, but Avery refused to turn those consequences into the final spectacle of Helena's story.Mrs. Bell discovered that the prospect of a duchess who asked permission before altering the pantry shelves was less terrifying than she had imagined. When Helena visited to discuss the coming household arrangements, the housekeeper offered her a place beside the morning room fire without being requested to do so."You will find that this house has its habits, Miss Morland," she said."So have I, Mrs. Bell.""Then I expect we shall both be required to exercise patience.""I should be disappointed if we were not."Mrs. Bell gave an approving sniff that was almost affectionate.Avery showed Helena a copy of his earlier letter to Mercer: her reasonable return expenses, the allowance he had offered independently of marriage, and the truthful defense of her reputation were not conditional upon a wedding; the trustee's marriage settlement, separately explained to her, would take effect only when they married. He showed her the letter openly, not as some secret proof discovered at the last moment."I did not want you to find another condition hidden behind a kindness," he said."I know." She folded the copy and returned it. "I think I'm beginning to know when you mean what you say.""Then may I ask whether you still mean to marry me?""Yes," she answered, and enjoyed how completely the single word undid his composure.On Monday, the 10th of November, Avery stood in Mossfield Church beneath the light falling through its old windows.He remembered a coach 40 minutes late on a September afternoon, and the irritation with which he had greeted a future he believed could be scheduled. He had wanted a woman who would keep his house orderly and ask him for nothing; he had not known how lonely such an arrangement would have remained, or how much courage might be required to let another person disagree with him.At the appointed hour, Helena entered with Marian. She wore pale ivory with a modest touch of blue—a dress chosen for grace rather than display. She did not hurry, and she did not tremble. When she reached Avery, her brown eyes met his, and he saw the woman who had once folded his proposed articles and refused to become a silent ornament in his home.