Page 34 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

“Daniel.” Violet, knowing her brother would hate it, pulled him into a hug. As the two oldest siblings, and easily the most well-mannered, they had always been close, and Violet was the only person who Aurelia had ever seen make Daniel laugh, or even smile. “I am so glad you came.”

“I would not miss it,” he said sincerely. “I have been saying for too long you ought to invite us over. Well overdue, I think.”

“I could not agree more.

It was early in the evening, the same day that Aurelia and gone for a promenade with Eveline and her mother. As had been planned for weeks now, Violet had invited them and some of her closest friends to her home for a small get together, known as a drum. Aurelia had always been fond of these drums as they came with no expectations. No need to worry about suitors. Expectations of decorum at a minimum. It was an intimate affair, featuring drinks and games and often just good conversation.And quite frankly, I could use the distraction.

Aurelia had spent all day thinking about the park earlier, and how the duke had been behaving. He was still very much the man who she knew him to be, only not so much. His mood had been peaked. His demeanor had been relaxed and forthcoming. He had behaved around her and her mother and sister as if they were old friends, relaxed and comfortable in ways she had never seen before.

What was more, he had asked her to see him tomorrow evening for their first official lesson together. An expected affair, and not something that should have made her feel so nervous.Only, I am. What is more, I am looking forward to it for all the wrong reasons...

Needless to say, she needed tonight to relax and stay out of her own head. And, most importantly, to not think about the duke!

“Come then,” Violet said, linking her arm with her mother. “The others are waiting.”

“I do love this home,” their mother mused as they started across the foyer. “Quaint but still roomy. Surely enough room for His Grace to stay, if he was so inclined.”

“I will pretend I did not hear that.”

“I am just musing, dear. Simply musing...”

Violet and her husband did not live together. A secret, as only Violet’s closest family knew – no doubt she had told those here tonight that he was simply away on business. Violet seemed happy with the arraignment, and she had told Aurelia as much. But their mother... she simply could not help but bring it up, as if her constant bickering might see Violet change her mind.Good luck with that!

Her mother was also in an uncharacteristically bad mood. It was just yesterday when it was learned that Lord Littlefield would not be able to marry Aurelia, as he had no money to cover her dowery. Fury had reigned supreme from their mother that day as she huffed and puffed and shouted about time wasted, no honor among men, and how Lord Littlefield would pay for the slight!

As for Aurelia? She was forced to pretend that she was just upset, even if she had known already. Even if she was thrilled by it...

“Attention,” Violet announced as they entered the drawing room where the other guests were waiting. “The last of our guests has arrived – oh, no.” Violet grimaced. “Sorry, we are still waiting on one more.”

“Who?” Eveline asked.

Before she was answered, the other guests came for them like a swarm of locusts.

The dowager Diana was there, and she was the first to greet them. There was also Lord and Lady Hargrave, both close friends of Violet’s as Lady Hargrave was of the same age. Only three of them, but with the Hawkins mob now involved, there were nine altogether. A perfect size for a quaint evening of drinks and games.

The evening started slowly, with the group sitting about the various couches and chairs, some standing, and Eveline sitting on the floor before the fire with her legs crossed. Violet had indicated that they would play games soon, but there was still one more guest to join them. Nobody thought to ask who, and Aurelia didn’t pay it much mind.Likely just another of Violet’s friends.

It was during this short period that she found herself speaking with the dowager Diana, a conversation which was abjectly miserable, if not laden with warning.

“Your mother tells me you are looking for a suitor?” she asked, forcing a smile but sniffing as she spoke.

“Oh, yes, I am,” Aurelia said, careful not to say the wrong thing as she did not wish to upset the woman. “At my age, it is time for such things.”

“I envy you,” Diana sighed. “I remember when I first met Nathan...” She sniffed again. “Oh, how in love we were – a rare thing, I know. But Nathan was sweet and kind and...” She sniffed again, holding her hand to her nose. “Sorry, I --”

“It is fine,” Aurelia assured her. “Truly, no need to apologize.”

“Do me a favor.” She turned serious all of a sudden. “When you find a husband, hold onto him. Do not let go. Cherish it as I wish I had because you never know when it will end.”

“Ah... I will try.”

“And marry for love,” she continued, taking a deep sip of wine. Aurelia was beginning to suspect the woman was drunk, which she personally could not blame her for. “For love is a most splendid thing and although my heart aches for what I have lost, I would not trade it for anything.”

“That is...” She frowned, not sure what to say or how to say it. “Good advice.”

“And a final piece of --”

“There they are!” Violet cried out, thankfully cutting through Diana’s final piece of advice, which was sure to create even more awkwardness.

---