Page 32 of Wedded to the Ruthless Duke

“My word!” Violet declared as Grace stepped into the opera house behind her. “Well, I remember the day when we as bluestockings wanted attention. I’m beginning to regret that wish now.”

“Strangely, I heartily agree with you, Violet,” Grace murmured. As they had stepped into the opera house, it seemed every pair of eyes had swung toward Grace.

She felt as small as she did when her mother was reprimanding her. It had been a day since the Duke had barged into her house and declared they were to marry. The scandal sheets published that morning had talked of a planned betrothal, but it had not been enough to dampen the scandal completely yet.

“They speak like hissing fires,” Eleanor observed on Grace’s other side as whispers tore around the room.

Grace’s friends closed in around her. Eleanor and Violet flanked her, with Diana following close behind. Out in front were Violet’s and Eleanor’s husbands, Xander and Dorian.

“Don’t think about it, Grace,” Dorian said with soft words, glancing back at her. “They soon find another scandal to talk of, and you will be old news.”

“When?” Grace asked with such an ironic tone that her friends all smiled in humor.

“I suggest we go straight to the box,” Xander said, striding ahead of the group. “The less time we are out here being gawped at, the better for Grace.”

She was happy to follow him along with the others. They cut across the foyer of the building, heading to the doors at the far end to take their seats. As much as Grace tried to ignore the whispers around her, she could not.

“Seen clasped in his arms. Oh yes, she was,” one woman’s words reached her ears.

“From what I heard, it was quite a bit more than that,” another claimed. “There were skirts higher than around her ankles.”

Laughter from gossiping ladies followed these words. Grace halted sharply. She was so disgusted by the innuendo that she turned back, intent on saying something, but Violet and Eleanor caught each of her arms and dragged her back again.

“Oi, I had something to say to them —”

“Yes, and much good would have come of it, wouldn’t it?” Violet murmured.

“It’s best to stay quiet,” Diana added, following close behind.

“Where are they even hearing these lies from?” Grace asked in defiance, turning her head back and forth. “Like your formal brother would ever be seen with a lady who had her skirt higher than her ankles anyway.”

“Please don’t.” Eleanor wrinkled her nose. “I do not want to think about my own brother in such positions.”

The others laughed at her words, but Grace could find no reason to smile.

Something in what the Duke had said that morning had led Grace to believe that he had experience when it came to women. He knew exactly how to excite her.

He’s had lovers, I’m sure of it, even if he has been subtle.

“This way,” Dorian called from up ahead.

They left the main foyer, stepped through some doors, and made their way up a spiral staircase. Near the top of the building, they stepped out into a private balcony box that overlooked the rest of the auditorium and the stage.

“Beautiful,” Diana murmured, taking her seat at once and staring around in awe.

Grace sat beside her, quite unable to take it in though she had a feeling it had more to do with the way Eleanor and Violet sat down on her other side, staring at her, clearly intent on speaking.

“I am sorry I did not have the chance to come and see you yesterday,” Eleanor said, stifling a yawn as she placed a hand to her swollen stomach. “This baby is making me so tired that I could not drag myself out of the house more than once.”

“It is no matter.” Grace shook her head. She tried to shift her attention to the stage, but the performance hadn’t yet begun. That unfortunately meant Eleanor and Violet had more time to interrogate her.

“I cannot believe this has happened,” Violet murmured. She sighed loudly and leaned forward. “Someone else must have seen you that night. Someone saw you together while I was walking. Though I’m still not sure how His Grace ended up there in the first place…”

“Eleanor, I’m so sorry.” Something crumpled in Grace’s chest with Violet’s words as she looked at Eleanor.

“Whatever for?” Eleanor asked, her brow crinkling behind her spectacles.

“For dragging your brother into scandal. Him of all people!” Grace muttered. “No one would think him capable of it. It’s my fault, all my doing.”

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