by Wendy Vella
Ace turned to face his bride as she looked up at him.
“Thea.” He took her hand in his, pulling her closer.
“Oliver,” she whispered as he lowered his head.
It was soft and sweet and made him shudder, and her sigh whispered over his lips as he lifted his head.
Thea had been nervous before. She’d had her palms go hot, her legs shake, and not been able to swallow due to the lack of moisture in her mouth, but this was something completely different. Her limbs appeared to have frozen and her fingers were tingling.
She’d walked into the church with her fingers digging into Joe’s arm, and seen the big man standing waiting for her and thought that she may very possibly be ill in one of the flower arrangements. Her head was light, and her body did not feel as it should.
She had managed to stutter out her vows and the Reverend had pronounced them man and wife, and then Oliver had kissed her and she was suddenly warm again.
“Thea, follow your husband and sign the registry.”
She heard Bella in her ear and the gentle hand she placed on her spine, nudging her forward. And then they were finished. The service was completed, and Oliver took her arm and they were walking back down the aisle.
“My lady.” Oliver’s mother was the first to greet her, one of her hands taking Thea’s.
“How lovely that I now have another family,” Thea said, leaning forward to kiss the woman’s cheek. She would not upset her by showing the uncertainty and fear that coursed through her veins.
“We are so pleased to have you join us, too.”
She meant it, Thea realized in surprise. The expression on Sarah Dillinger’s face was genuine.
“Well as you are my daughter-in-law now, I will take the liberty of calling you Althea, if I may,” Mathew Dillinger said from beside his wife.
“I-I would like that very much, Sir, or Thea if you feel comfortable enough, too.”
“Thea, then,” he said, kissing her cheek and squeezing the hand his wife had just released. “You are a welcome addition in our lives, and it is my belief that after a few wrong turns you and Oliver will be very happy together.”
Thea swallowed the lump in her throat and managed a wobbly smile for him. Oliver had released her arm and was now shaking hands with Luke.
“I look forward to getting to know you better, Thea.” Daniel Dillinger stepped forward and kissed her cheek.
“Oh, yes, I look forward to it also.” Thea was sure her smile was brittle but she kept it on her face, determined to let no one see what lay inside her.
She was then introduced to the members of Oliver’s family that were able to make the wedding, even though it had been at such short notice. Names and faces appeared and she tried to remember each, but knew she would fail horribly and then Penny was there, her wonderful sister-in-law.
“Hello, I’m Thea’s eldest brother’s wife, Penny. It is a pleasure to meet you all.” She was holding Will’s son Henry and handed him to Thea, who instantly hugged the boy close. She felt the tension inside her start to ease slightly, with his warm weight pressed to her chest, his little arms wrapped around her neck.
“Your Grace,” Daniel bowed deeply. “It is a pleasure to meet you again.”
“Your Grace is such a mouthful, don’t you think? Would you all settle for Penny?” she added with a smile, which the Dillinger family all responded to.
Thea felt a tap on her shoulder as Penny set about making everyone feel comfortable, and turned to see who stood behind her.
“I had not believed it when I heard the news, my lady. That you, a Duke’s daughter, were to wed such a man, and he having no title.” Thea looked into the gleeful face of Lady Carlton. “But I understand that after what happened at the theatre, there was little choice for either party.”
The woman had always been a vicious harpy, and Thea had taken her to task last season over something she’d said to Bella. It seemed now Lady Carlton was to get her own back.
“Congratulations, Lady Dillinger,” Lord Carlton said, also with a smug expression on his face. “Such an unusual match. I’m sure your family will make the best of the connection over time.”
She felt a large, warm hand wrap around her waist and then she and Henry were pulled into the muscled body of her husband.
“Lord and Lady Carlton were just commenting on our union, Oliver. I’m not sure why they are here, as we did not put their names on the very select group who were invited…but of course it is always lovely to see a friendly face.” Thea managed to keep the words light, as if she had not a care in the world, as she addressed the couple.
He did not bow and his body told her how tense he was.
“Mr. Dillinger,” Lord Carlton nodded his head, while beside him his wife drew herself up, ready for attack.
“So the reason you are here is not to wish us well, Lady Carlton?” Oliver questioned the woman.
“Well it is hardly a fortuitous union, Mr. Dillinger, if you’ll pardon me for saying so,” Lady Carlton said. “But of course as friends of the Duke and Duchess, we felt it important to show our support on such a trying day.”
“I believe you have just invested in one of my consortiums, Carlton?”
Thea looked up at Oliver as he spoke, and saw the intensity with which he was watching Lord Carlton.
“How-how did you know that?” The color had leeched out of Lord Carlton’s face as he looked up at Oliver, wide-eyed.
“I know that you have thrown your hat in with Lord Todd who is investing, and when he told me he was representing others of interest, I demanded to know whom.”
“W-well, as to that—”
“My husband does not dally in trade, Sir.” Lady Carlton’s voice rose high above the assembled guests in outrage.
“I’m afraid in that, my lady, your husband is misleading you,” Oliver added in clipped tones. “However, I’m not sure in light of your behavior today, Carlton, that I wish to do business with you.”
The look of horror on Lady Carlton’s face made Thea smile, which was surely beneath her, but she cared little. There had not been much reason to smile the past few days, so she was glad to know she still could.
“Now let’s not be too hasty,” Lord Carlton said quickly.
“Carlton,” Joseph appeared at Oliver’s side. “How nice of you and your wife to come and congratulate my sister on her wedding.”
“Not congratulate, precisely, Joe,” Thea said. “More commiserate with you.” Oliver’s body was rigid beside her as he stood silently glowering at the Carlton’s.
“Really.” Joseph studied the couple, who were now looking less than happy and, Thea suspected, wishing they were anywhere but here. “Let me make this clear, to you and your wife, Carlton,” the Duke added. “This union has all of our blessings. We are very happy with my sister’s marriage to Mr. Dillinger, and I would be most displeased were I to hear a word to the contrary.”
Joseph didn’t use that tone on many people, and usually when he did, they ran scared.
“Carlton.” Will was next up, followed by the Marquess of Levermarch, Phoebe’s husband. Next was Luke and then came their women. She and Oliver were soon surrounded, and it was a show of solidarity that Lord and Lady Carlton could not fail to miss.
“Let me reiterate that Mr. Dillinger and his family are now part of our family,” Joe said which brought tears to Thea’s eyes, because he may not have wished for this union, but the man he was would now embrace it. “And I will accept no disrespect to any of them.” Joseph’s smile was just a baring of his teeth.
“Oh, of course, Your Grace,” Lady Carlton said, wide-eyed. “We are here only to offer our blessings to such a happy union.”
“And remember, Carlton,” Ace said softly. “I can easily remove you from my consortium should I wish it.”
Thea saw the color drain from Lord Carlton’s face before he grabbed his wife’s arm and hurried her away.
“Bitch,” Will snarled.
“Has
he really invested in your consortium?” Joseph asked Oliver.
“He has, and I am not sure I want him now.” Oliver was watching the retreating couple; he then turned and held out his hand to Joseph.
“Thank you for your support…all of you,” he said, looking around at Thea’s family after he had shaken Joe’s hand. There was a lot of hugging and kissing, and then Oliver was leading Thea toward his carriage. He settled across from her, angling his legs to accommodate their size away from hers.
“What did that woman say to you before I arrived?”
He had said nothing else to her, not ‘I’m glad you’re my wife, or all will go well, don’t be nervous,’ not even a greeting. His face was closed, and she saw no way to open it.
“It matters not.”
“It mattered to you,” he added.
“A duke’s daughter marrying a commoner will be news for a while, and there are those who will be happy about that, and only too pleased to let me know that fact. But those people are of little consequence to me, Sir.”
“Oliver,” the word was a growl. “I am your husband; therefore, you should call me Oliver.”
She looked at him then. His eyes were narrowed, body tense.
“Oliver,” she whispered. Now was not the time to talk about things, or try to work out how they would make this marriage work, as they were about to celebrate their wedding with family and friends, but it was a conversation she was determined they would have, and soon.
“I’m sorry she was rude to you,” was all he added and then they both continued the rest of the journey in silence.
Chapter Twelve
They ate and drank, and Thea’s family and close friends welcomed the Dillinger family into their lives. Thea had never been as proud of her brothers as she was when she watched both Joe and Will speak with each member of Oliver’s family. At first, the Dillinger’s were uncomfortable to be in the presence of these people who were lords, ladies, dukes and duchess, but eventually they relaxed and Thea heard Mathew Dillinger’s loud laugh often throughout the meal.
Oliver never spoke to her and she did not attempt to coerce words from him, and by the time the last guest had left her numb fear had been replaced by a smoldering anger.
How dared he treat her this way? At least with their wedding, he had not had to uproot his life and move out of his family home. He had not left the shelter of a brother who had been like a father to her.
“Can I take you to your rooms, Lady Dillinger?”
Thea had said goodbye to her family, after plenty of hugs and tears, and turned to find her husband gone but the butler awaiting her.
“Hello. You’re Elliott, I believe?”
“I am, my lady, and may I say on behalf of the household staff how pleased we are to have you as our mistress.”
“Thank you, Elliott.”
“I shall assemble the staff tomorrow for you to meet,” he added.
Tall, with gray hair and blue eyes, Elliott looked the typical English butler, and Thea wondered how he had ended up in Oliver’s home. He seemed more suited to a nobleman’s household.
“If you’ll follow me, I believe your maid is already waiting for you, my lady.”
Thea did as he asked, simply because she had no idea what else to do. Penny, Livvy and Bella had told her what would happen in the marital bed, but she knew that anyway. Thea was too inquisitive not to have worked all that out for herself, with the help of a few of her brother’s maids.
It was late, therefore should she retire now for the evening? Where was Oliver? Had he retired already? Why had he not said goodnight at the very least, and ensured himself she was all right? Did he care so little for her wellbeing that he could not take a few minutes of his precious time to see to her needs?
Her anger escalated a few more notches. She did not expect to be pampered nor waited upon; however, she did expect respect. Even her brothers had shown her that…most of the time.
Looking around her as she walked, she realized the house was tastefully decorated, if a little overstated. There seemed to be a lot of things on display, trappings of wealth for anyone who doubted the owner of this house now had money.
“Do you know where my husband is?” Thea said, the word husband sounding funny on her lips.
“I believe he is in his office, my Lady.”
She walked a few more paces before asking, “And where is that?”
“The floor below this one, third door on the right once you reach the bottom of the stairs.”
“Thank you, Elliott,” Thea added.
Her rooms were large and decorated in gold and pink, and she thought that perhaps she should be wearing a crown to live up to all this grandeur.
“It is very grand, my lady, don’t you think?” Hester, her maid, appeared through one of the two other doors off the main sitting room.
“Very,” Thea said as she walked slowly around the furniture, touching the elegant chairs and writing desk. Some pieces were edged in gold and small, beautifully stitched pillows sat on the sofa. Her feet sank into the plush carpets and she caught a glimpse of her astonished face in the gilt-edged mirror.
“I have unpacked your things, my lady.”
Thea turned a circle from her position in the middle of the room. Oliver had put her in a room befitting a queen. Did he believe nothing less would have done?
“The bedroom is also quite something, my lady.”
Following the maid, Thea walked through one of the doors and saw the huge bed draped in more pink and gold. The canopy was covered in white satin.
“However will I sleep in that?” she whispered, staggering to a chair where she collapsed.
“Well,” Hester said, looking from Thea to the bed. “The usual way I should imagine, my lady.”
It was too much for Thea and she started giggling. Hester hovered, looking concerned as Thea tried to stop, but ended up snorting. Eventually, she came to a halt with just a few snuffles.
“Forgive me, I believe I’m hysterical,” Thea managed to say eventually. Sniffing, she drew in a deep, steadying breath “Please tell me how you have settled in, Hester.”
“Well, that Mr. Elliott seems a bit pompous but nice enough, and the maids are nice for the most part. But Jimmy is here so I’m happy about that, Mrs. Dillinger.”
Thea looked at Hester with a raised eyebrow.
“Jimmy?”
“My cousin. He’s an under footman and we were close as children, and now we can spend more time together which will please our mothers, who are sisters.”
“God Lord, is he really?” Thea said, happy that her marriage had been fortuitous for someone, if not her.
Hester nodded.
“Well, I am pleased about that, Hester, as I felt terrible taking you away from my brother’s household.”
“Oh, pay no mind to that, my lady. Most of the Duke’s staff are a pompous lot, if you’ll pardon me for saying so.”
“Are they?”
“He’s a duke, my lady. The staff there thought they were a bit special, you see…considering his title,” Hester added, seeing Thea frown.
“Oh, I see,” Thea said, not seeing at all but deciding that she was too tired to get into this further. She wondered why she even cared when somewhere in this house was the man she married, who had not bothered to say goodnight to her. “May I have a bath, Hester?”
“Already drawn, my lady, if you’ll come this way.”
Curious, Thea took off her shoes and sank her feet into the thick carpet as she followed Hester into yet another room off the sitting room.
“Oh, my,” she then sighed, looking at the large bath sunk into the floor.
“The water comes from here, my lady. According to Mr. Elliot, it is the only one of its kind in London, and when Mr. Dillinger went away on one of his trips, he brought a man back who installed it here.”
“Where does the water heat?” Thea touched the taps.
“I’m uncertain but I’m sure your husband will have th
e details, as he had it installed,” Hester said as she began to take down Thea’s hair and remove her clothing.
Stepping into the hot water a few minutes later, Thea sighed. It was bliss. After the stress of the past few days, sitting surrounded by warm water felt wonderful.
“I’ve put some rose oil in there, my lady.”
“Thank you, Hester, and if you want to just leave my night dress out, I shall retire for the evening and have no further need of you until morning.”
“Good night, then.”
Seconds later, Thea was alone and sank down under the water, letting it surround her. She felt cocooned, enjoying the feeling as her thoughts returned to her husband, and where he was now. She stayed in there until it started to cool, and when her hands had begun to wrinkle, she climbed out and dried herself. There would be no visit from her brother or Penny, nor her nephew Billy to bounce on her bed. Tonight, she really was alone. Would Oliver visit her to consummate the marriage? His anger suggested he would not, and as her anger toward him was a match, it would probably be best if he did not.
‘There is nothing more wonderful than having the man you love hold you against him as you drift off to sleep.’ Bella had said these words with a knowing smile on her face, to which Thea had replied that her future husband did not love her.
“He will,” her friend had said. “Give it time, Thea.”
Well, she certainly had plenty of that in her future she realized. Did she get to ride each morning still? Oliver rode now, so surely she would just go with him? Had her horse been brought to his stables? There were so many things she did not know about this life she was now to live.
Hester had draped the nightdress that Livvy had given her for her wedding night over the foot of the bed. It was made of the softest peach silk, and tied in two simple, satin bows on her shoulders. The bodice fell from the neckline that was cut low to match the back and the skirts fell in a soft sweep to the floor. Simple in style, yet it was anything but when she had pulled it on.
“This will incite your future’s husband’s passion, my dear,” Livvy had said with a wink. Picking it up, Thea trailed the material over her fingers. He would probably never see her in it.