ad transformed a desperate personal ple

athtaking audacity. But beneath it, he also saw a flicker of something else-a profound, hi

ly. He turned his head, his

them. The fate of everyone in the chapel, it s

d his mother's for a

wager Marchioness saw what Adela herself had counted on: this was not a hysterical girl but a formidable woman with a will of s

light, almost i

h. The decis

d saw something flicker in his gray eyes-a dry, humorless twist o

ingering injuries from the Crusades as a shield, and it was widely rumored amon

altar, not by a blushing debutante b

rs. Perhaps that was the point. In choosing him, she was choosing safety-a powerful name and a title, without the unwelcome demands o

gan t

ds on the marble floor. Each step was heavy, measured, echoing the gravity of the moment

irectly in f

eclipse. The scent of clean linen, leather, and cold steel clung

baritone, a sound that seeme

d of warmth. "Are you certain you un

ithout flinching,

ily. "I seek the title of Marchioness of Crestwood

guard. A flicker of something-surprise, p

e a cu

unned bishop. "Let us pr

his eyes wide. "But.

tled on him, and the bish

ck stated, his voice leav

ishment. The scandal had just escalated into a legend. The bride r

their pew, their faces slack with shock. This

ck into her seat, whispering to her lady‑in‑waiting to see

Julian should have occupied. He stood straight

rouded in an atmosphere both

e recited the sacred vows, his h

r question, the Marquis did not hesitate. He lo

said, fir

what she had done, the sheer magnitude of her gamble, threatened to overwhel

able man beside her and

d

Julian had commissioned, but a simple heavy band of platinum, bearing

steady grasp. He slid the ring onto her finger. It was slightly too l

aced a matching

p declared, his voice filled with awe. He cle

chapel held

d down. But he did not claim her lips. Instead,

ven affection. It was the sealing

its way down her spine, bu

ad paid off. She was no longer

Marchioness