Page 113 of Ravished By the Beastly Duke

“Why, it is lovely to see you again, Duchess,” he greeted.

“It is my pleasure,” Eveline responded. “Lady Cecilia. I must say, you look absolutely radiant.”

Cecilia smiled shyly behind her brother.

“I must introduce you to Lady Lily and my sister, Ava,” Eveline added.

Lily winked conspiratorially at Cecilia. “You do not have to introduce Cecilia to me. We are friends,” she said.

Eveline was pleasantly surprised. “Then I suppose you already know the Duke of Blackmore.”

“Indeed, we have been acquainted,” Magnus confirmed. “After all, our mothers were friends.”

“Is that so?” Eveline turned to Lily, who did not seem as happy with his presence as she was with Cecilia’s.

“Miss Ava, I am most pleased to make your acquaintance,” Magnus said with a polite bow.

“Then you must be happy for me to make Cecilia’s acquaintance too,” a voice that Eveline knew all too well interjected.

She did not even have to turn around to know that it was Theo.

“I would suggest that you keep my sister’s name out of your mouth,” Magnus warned in a low voice that suggested he was angry.

Theo threw his hands up dramatically. “I cannot even say a simple hello to the sweet Lady Cecilia without her brother breathing down my neck?”

“Theo, give it a rest,” Edwin, who had followed him, grunted.

“Are you certain you still want to host them all for dinner?” William asked Eveline.

She nodded excitedly. She could imagine the chaos that would erupt if she had them all together at her table for dinner, and yet she wanted it even more than ever.

“Did Mayfield mention a dinner?” Theo asked.

“Indeed, Eveline and I are looking forward to hosting everybody for dinner.”

“You mean including the lovely ladies here too?” Theo asked, his eyes twinkling excitedly.

“I must warn you, ladies, that Theo is an incorrigible rake,” Magnus piped up.

“How could you?” Theo scoffed.

“Now, when is this dinner?” Ava asked.

“That will be after our honeymoon,” Eveline replied.

“Honeymoon?” Cecilia echoed. “That sounds so romantic.”

“Indeed, it is.”

“Where are you going for your honeymoon?” Magnus asked.

“Greece,” William announced, smiling.

Eveline smiled proudly at her husband. He had spared no cost in giving her the best honeymoon possible.

“That is incredible!” Lily gushed.

“We shall miss you when you are gone,” Ava said. “I know Stella would be excited to hear you are going to Greece.”

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