Page 43 of Stolen and Seduced By the Duke

I had not considered that.

The realization arrived slowly, almost painfully. Pierce had destroyed Harrowby's claim, and once he had done so, Margaret had technically been free to walk away from him.

I could have stayed at Lempster House, remained unmarried, and refused every proposal that followed.

But she had never thought of doing it.

"He released me from Harrowby so that I would be free to marry him," she said quietly. "Walking away now would make me a coward."

Her sisters exchanged a look.

"And besides," Margaret continued, her voice softening, "there is Hugh."

She told them about her visit to Ravenfield the previous night, about the quiet nursery and the sleeping child, and how she had brushed his cheek while promising that the two of them would get along. As she spoke, something inside her settled. Whatever doubts she had about Pierce, she could not doubt the child.

"He needs me," Margaret finished.

Iris reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "Then I am proud of you."

"So am I," Camelia added, her eyes shining. "If anyone can bring out the best in a difficult man, it is you."

Margaret laughed softly. "I am not certain Pierce Sterling possesses a best side."

"Oh, he does," Iris said. "We have seen the way he looks at you."

Margaret immediately glanced towards him.

Pierce was already looking at her.

Their eyes met, and his expression shifted into that faint, knowing smile that always made her heart behave foolishly.

Margaret quickly looked away.

Maybe bringing out the best in the Duke of Ravenfield was going to be rather more complicated than my sisters imagined.

* * *

Margaret spent the next quarter of an hour doing what was expected of a new duchess, though she privately suspected that no amount of practice would ever make her feel entirely natural at it.

She rose from the table when the last course had been cleared and moved among the guests with the appropriate smile, accepting congratulations from people whose names she struggled to remember and responding gracefully to compliments about her wedding.

The ton seemed fascinated by her, which was hardly surprising considering the speed with which she had gone from a woman destined for Lord Harrowby to the Duchess of Ravenfield. Margaret could almost hear the questions forming behind every polite smile.

Lady Richards approached first, her elegant gown rustling as she extended both hands towards Margaret. "Your Grace, allow me to congratulate you properly. I confess, your marriage has been the most unexpected event of the Season."

Margaret smiled politely. "I am beginning to think my life has become the most unexpected event of the Season."

Lady Richards laughed, clearly pleased by the answer. "You must forgive us. Everyone has been speaking of nothing else."

"I shall forgive you," Margaret replied, "provided you promise not to repeat anything I have said."

The older woman laughed again, and Margaret found herself relaxing. Maybe this was not as dreadful as she had imagined. She could speak to these people, smile when necessary, and even make them laugh. If they wished to gossip, they would do so whether she participated or not.

She moved on to greet several other guests, including Lady Samson, who regarded her with a smile that was perfectly pleasant and eyes that were considerably less so. "Your Grace," Lady Samson said, dipping into a graceful curtsey. "How fortunate we are to have a new Duchess of Ravenfield."

"How kind of you," Margaret replied, returning the smile.

Lady Samson glanced towards Pierce, who was speaking with Nathaniel near the fireplace. "His Grace has always been rather difficult to persuade into society."