Married By Midnight by Julianne MacLean

night?
     
     

Chapter Eight
     
     
    The annual children’s Christmas concert at the church hall in the village was a cozy affair for the aristocratic ladies of Pembroke Palace, and a very special occasion for Anne, who had not set foot in church since that disheartening day four years ago, when she had been so firmly cast out by the members of her community.
    Today, there was only charity and mirth in the air. Evergreen wreaths were hung on the post of every pew, and each family was permitted to take one home to decorate their door. The choral music was both moving and cheerful with the jingle of sleigh bells to accompany the children’s voices.
    Afterward the ladies enjoyed a light lunch of egg salad sandwiches and fruitcake, and hot mulled cider to drink.
    While Anne watched the young mothers with their small children, she envied their conventional lives. She had chosen a very different path—one of personal freedom and financial security—but the events of the past few days had caused her to doubt her decision. She was growing melancholy over the idea that she’d never have a true marriage with a man who was passionately devoted her, heart, body, and soul.
    She had not expected to feel such an intense attraction to her betrothed, nor had she expected to mix so comfortably with his sister, his brothers, and their wives.
    She raised a cup of cider to her lips and sipped the last few drops while the vicar thanked everyone for attending the concert. He asked that they leave a donation for the less fortunate as they departed.
    Anne glanced up with surprise when Charlotte touched her arm. “Are you ready to leave?”
    “ Yes, I beg your pardon. I was lost in thought.”
    She joined Charlotte, Rebecca, Chelsea, and the duchess, and together they made their way to the coach. The women waved at the villagers as they drove off.
    As soon as they were underway, the duchess clasped Anne’s gloved hand. “My dearest Lady Anne,” she said, “I hope we have made you feel welcome here at Pembroke.”
    Anne felt all the other ladies staring at her intently, waiting eagerly for her to reply.
    “ You have, Your Grace. I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality.”
    “ Please, you must call me Adelaide,” the duchess replied. “And we are all so pleased to have you with us, aren’t we girls?”
    Charlotte, Rebecca, and Chelsea all nodded their heads in enthusiastic agreement.
    Anne regarded them with bewilderment. “What is going on? I feel as if you are about to pounce on me with some extraordinary piece of news.”
    Adelaide squeezed her hand. “We would never pounce, Lady Anne, but I confess we have conspired to speak to you privately today.”
    A flash of anxiety sparked within her. “Have I done something wrong?”
    Did they know? Had the duchess somehow discovered that Anne was having wicked, indecent thoughts about her son...that she wanted to debauch him?
    “ Of course not,” Adelaide replied. “To the contrary, you have done everything right, Lady Anne. We absolutely adore you. Even the duke cannot stop singing your praises. He thinks you are the most charming creature alive, the last piece of the puzzle that will end the Pembroke Palace curse once and for all.”
    Anne took the compliment in stride, but it all seemed rather silly, for there really was no curse and they all knew it. The duke was losing his mind, and she was being paid to be charming.
    “ I am pleased to hear it,” she said nevertheless.
    The coach rumbled through the slush and snow, while Anne continued to sit beside the duchess, facing the other three ladies on the opposite seat. They were all staring at her with bright smiling faces.
    “ We wish to make you a proposition,” Charlotte said at last. “And we hope you will consider it.”
    Anne regarded them uncertainly. “Another proposition? After the last one your brothers proposed in my uncle’s drawing room, I cannot imagine what it might be.”
    They all laughed graciously as if