Page 21 of Wedded to the Sinful Duke

“Of course you haven’t, Uncle! I could have never dreamed of the kindness you have shown me,” she replied.

She dared not tell him about her encounter with the Duke by the pond. That would prove to him that she plunged willingly into this disgrace. That she might have somehow predicted or even planned it with the Duke himself. That was of course preposterous, but she knew that the ton only cared about what something looked like, not what it actually was. That was the sad truth of their existence and also why she never felt as if she could live her own life in such a false manner.

“Then what was it?” he asked.

“I was upset after I saw my parents,” she confessed with a voice that was on the verge of breaking. “The Duke saw what had happened, and he followed me to see if I was all right.”

Her uncle frowned. She knew how preposterous that excuse sounded. A man with such a reputation following a young woman into a solitary corner to ask if she were all right? That was no more possible than pigs taking flight.

“I know how that sounds,” she said, realizing that she was only enforcing a lie.

She knew well why he had followed her. She knew it because she wanted the same. She wanted the repetition of that scene by the pond, regardless of all common sense.

“You should have come to me, Ciara, and not allowed yourself to be prey to a man like him,” he chastised, frustration furrowing his brow.

“I know, Uncle. You are right. I should have acted more rationally.” Her voice was laced with guilt, and she couldn’t help but swallow hard as she spoke.

Her uncle sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in a defeated manner. “I suppose there is no point in discussing something that has already happened. What we need to focus on now is you steering clear of that man. There is to be no more contact between you two unless it is in the middle of the crowd with everyone serving as chaperones. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Uncle,” she nodded.

She knew that he only meant well. His orders were for her own good, unlike the orders she used to receive from her parents.

She looked away at the window, the weight of his words settling heavily on her shoulders. She had to find a way to navigate this scandal, to protect herself and her future which at the moment didn’t seem bright.

But for now, all she could do was endure the journey home and hope that tomorrow would bring some clarity.

CHAPTER 11

Sleep did not grace Ciara with its blissful presence that night. The same unease and feeling of guilt kept gnawing at her throughout the dark hours of the morning, and it did not leave her side even with the sun rising. Instead, she felt even guiltier, knowing that she was partly to blame for what had happened with the Duke of Silverbrook. She was supposed to push him away and quickly go back to the ballroom, refusing to be in his company unchaperoned. Yet, she couldn’t refuse him. And that lack of character had cost her dearly now.

A knock on the door interrupted her need to hide away from the rest of the world for the day, even from her own uncle.

“Yes?” she called out, her voice a whisper.

The door opened, revealing the butler. “Miss Everton, your uncle requests your presence in his study.”

Ciara swallowed heavily. “Now?”

The butler nodded apologetically. “Yes. He said at your earliest convenience.”

That, of course, meant right now.

“All right,” she confirmed with a tinge of concern in her voice. “Please let him know that I shall be there momentarily.”

“Yes, Miss Everton.” The butler bowed respectfully then closed the door behind him.

Ciara’s heart was beating wildly. She had hoped that his tirade of questions would end the previous night during their carriage ride home. She had hoped that she would be able to hide in her chamber for the rest of the day, for the rest of the week, even the month, and not see anyone. She knew that was impossible, of course, but one could always hope.

Inhaling deeply, she took one glance at the looking glass, not even certain why she had done that. It was a nervous habit her parents had instilled in her.Always look your best, my dear,her mother would say. Even now, she could not get those words out of her head. Did she need to look her best for a chastising?

Mustering all the courage she had left, she opened the door and hastily walked down the corridor, climbing the grand stairwell that led to her uncle’s study. She lingered in front of the door,her fingers curled into a fist, then she quickly knocked, fearing that her courage might leave her.

“Come in,” she heard from inside.

As soon as she opened the door, she felt as if someone had punched her in the gut, forcing her to expel all the air out of her lungs. With her hand still clutching at the doorknob, she realized, much to her horror, that her uncle was not alone.

“Miss Everton,” the Duke of Silverbrook smiled upon seeing her, getting up from the armchair which he was sitting in a moment ago.

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