She was married.
Thea played with the ruby ring Drake had given her during the ceremony, the large oval stone a profound weight on her finger. She had never intended to marry, had never looked to her wedding day. If she had, she could never have imagined the way this day had actually turned out.
From the moment Drake had pounded on her door announcing their wedding plans, she had been in a constant state of activity. Even now, she could not completely relax. Lady Upworth had invited every member of the ton who had come early to Town to the "small" wedding breakfast she had planned. Of at least that was how it appeared to Thea.
She had shaken hands and received good wishes until her fingers had grown numb. Finally, her aunt had allowed her and Drake to leave the reception line, but not together. Drake had been instructed to make his aunt comfortable and to mingle, while Lady Upworth had taken Thea in tow to introduce her to some people she had not yet met.
Impossible. She had certainly met every person in the English-speaking world by now.
Once Lady Upworth had introduced her to an elderly couple that had somehow managed to avoid the receiving line, she allowed Thea to find some food. She stood at the buffet table, considering the incredible diversity of offerings, when a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Hello, again."
Thea turned and met warm brown eyes. Her sister had come to her wedding breakfast. "Hello. I did not realize you would be here."
"Aunt Harriet was most insistent. She is quite fond of you."
"She has said many complimentary things about you as well, Lady Irisa."
Irisa's smile touched Thea deep in her heart. "I am glad."
Thea looked around her, feeling awkward, but unwilling to let her sister simply walk away, she said, "I'm not entirely sure how she managed to orchestrate such an impressive gathering on the little notice she received."
"Oh, everyone attends her gatherings. Her buffets are legendary." She indicated the laden table with a meaningful look.
"Besides, she's top of the trees amidst the ton. Everyone who is anyone angles for an invitation to her entertainments. I can tell you, Cecily and her mother were in alt to be invited to your wedding breakfast. They had not yet received an invitation from my aunt, but now Cecily and I are bosom beaus. Our plans to be fitted for our presentation dresses were dust the minute the invitation was delivered."
Thea really enjoyed her sister's chatty, open nature and ached to tell her the truth about their relationship.
She reached out impulsively and squeezed the girl's hand. "I am very glad you came. I find the press of people somewhat overwhelming and seeing a friendly face has certainly helped."
Irisa smile grew conspiratorial. "I'm sure your husband's face is sufficiently friendly, but I appreciate your kind words about my humble self."
Thea laughed aloud.
What a refreshing young woman her sister was. If Irisa only knew how confused Thea felt about Drake right now. She wasn't completely over her irritation that he had surprised her with a wedding, nor did she like the fact that he had not admitted any tender feelings for her.
Although she adored the look of desire that came into his eyes when he gazed at her, she was fast coming to the conclusion that a woman needed more than merely to be wanted physically by the man she had given her life to. Particularly when she had tender feelings of her own she was being forced to come to terms with.
"There you are, Irisa. Mother has been looking everywhere for you."
Cecily's voice came from behind Thea. She and Irisa turned to see the other girl.
"Hello, Cess, I'm just chatting with the guest of honor, or one of them anyway," replied Irisa.
Cecily's brows rose. "I see. Mother wants you."
Irisa's smile slipped. "I'm also getting a plate of food. It is a breakfast and I am hungry."
"Really, Irisa, you exhibit entirely too much appetite for a lady."
Personally, Thea thought Irisa could do much better for a bosom beau than this rather haughty young woman, but seeing the storm clouds gather in her sister's eyes, Thea sought to smooth the waters. "Surely your mother would not mind Irisa sharing breakfast with me. I do hate to eat alone."
Cecily's polite smile cracked slightly. "How kind of you, but I'm sure Irisa does not wish to disappoint Mother. She is Irisa's chaperone until her parents come to Town."
While she had still been rather overly concerned with correct behavior, Cecily had been much warmer the other evening at the musicale. What had changed to make her treat Thea with such freezing politeness now?
"Of course." Thea turned to Irisa. "I'll see you again soon, I'm sure."