She was famished. She had barely managed a morsel the day before, what with her nerves and attempts to see every detail of her trousseau packed and prepared. She and Basset were likely leaving shortly after this breakfast ended, and she had no idea if he were inclined to drive straight through to Cornwall without stopping, or if he would have a care for her comfort. They hadn’t discussed the thing in the least, other than that they would not be remaining in London.

As the Season had concluded, she could hardly protest, but it did seem a trifle brutish to rush immediately to the wilds of Cornwall and leave civilization so soon. But, in accordance with her new manner of outward docility, she had said nothing about it in the presence of her family.

Basset would hear about it the moment they were removed from this company, however.

It was a relief beyond all reliefs to have the wedding itself done with. Though she had been preparing for weeks, though she had planned it all perfectly, rather like a game, the moment she had set foot in the church on her father’s arm, her stomach had begun to swarm with nerves. The music she had specifically requested for its grandeur and solemnity had thundered in her ears as though she stood directly beside the organ itself. Her heart had begun to dance a reel against her ribs, and she wondered if her father might have to carry her the rest of the way when she would inevitably swoon.

Where had her confidence gone? What had been in her possession all this time had fled the moment when she’d needed it most, and she was left as a scared little girl stepping into a great unknown.

Thankfully, she had found her tongue as Basset had stared when she’d reached him, though there had been no helping the blush on her cheeks. Given he did not stare so frankly, it could not be helped that he had done so at that precise moment. And his banter had been a blessed relief, though it had almost certainly not been intended to put her at ease.

And then, of all things, he had told her she was beautiful and radiant.

No matter her feelings about the man, he was shamefully handsome, and his complimenting her person in such raw, honest terms had been something she could not be unmoved by.

The rest of the ceremony had been a bit of a blur, though there had been a moment of smug satisfaction when he allowed her to place a ring on his own finger without complaint. It was a strange way for her to claim victory, but a victory it was all the same. He had been in a most accommodating mood, likely given the solemnity of the occasion and their place before a man of God in a church.