Page 46 of Stolen and Seduced By the Duke

"You are making demands already," he murmured.

"I am making sensible requests."

"You have been married to me for less than an hour," he said.

"And already you are discovering how difficult I am."

"I had noticed the night at my party," he said.

Margaret smiled sweetly. "Good."

They entered the drawing room together, and Pierce immediately guided her towards a group of elegantly dressed guests. Margaret recognized them as the Darren family, though she had never met them personally.

Lady Darren was a tall, severe woman with an expression that suggested she had been born disappointed by everyone around her. Beside her stood her husband and two daughters, all dressed in the latest fashions and wearing the sort of expressions Margaret associated with people who believed they were doing the room a favor merely by occupying it.

"Lady Darren," Pierce said smoothly, "allow me to introduce my wife, the Duchess of Ravenfield."

Lady Darren's eyes travelled slowly over Margaret's gown before returning to her face. "Yes," she said coolly. "I had heard."

Margaret waited. Lady Darren did not smile. Neither did Margaret.

"How fortunate," Margaret replied pleasantly. "It would have been terribly embarrassing to arrive at my own wedding without anyone knowing who I was."

One of the younger Darren daughters covered a cough that sounded suspiciously like a laugh.

Pierce looked away, but Margaret caught the faint amusement in his eyes.

Lady Darren's mouth tightened. "I meant that I had heard you were from the Lempster family."

"And now you have heard correctly," Margaret said, smiling.

Pierce's hand settled lightly over hers where it rested upon his arm. The gesture was subtle, but Margaret felt its warmth immediately.

Lady Darren continued examining her with undisguised scrutiny. "I confess, Your Grace, I expected someone rather different."

Margaret tilted her head. "Taller?"

"More…"

"Dull?" Margaret offered.

Lady Darren's eyes widened. Pierce coughed. Margaret smiled innocently.

"I was going to say refined," Lady Darren replied stiffly.

"Ah." Margaret nodded thoughtfully. "Then I am afraid you shall have to give me time."

Pierce's fingers tightened slightly around hers, and Margaret suspected he was struggling not to laugh.

For the first time since arriving at Ravenfield, Margaret found herself wondering whether becoming a duchess might not be quite as dreadful as she had feared. If nothing else, she had discovered that Pierce was perfectly capable of appreciating a little rebellion.

And Margaret had every intention of giving him plenty of it

* * *

I have chosen wisely. She can hold her own under such scrutiny.

Pierce remained beside Margaret as the conversation with the Darrens continued, though his attention had gradually shifted away from Lady Darren's stiff expressions and towards his new wife.