Page 39 of His Forsaken Duchess
“It belonged to my sister, Cecilia. It was a gift from our mother.”
The Duchess’s face softened, and she glanced down at her hands before looking back at him. “It must hold great significance for you.”
“It does,” Cedric admitted, his throat tightening slightly. “When I saw you wearing it, it… startled me. It brought back memories I wasn’t prepared to face.”
She nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful. “I didn’t mean to intrude on something so personal. When I found it in the townhouse, I thought it was simply a family heirloom. I never intended to?—”
“You didn’t intrude,” he interrupted. “You couldn’t have known. My reaction was… unfair.”
She searched his eyes. “It must have been difficult to see it again, after so long.”
Cedric exhaled, his voice quieter now. “It was. The necklace represents a part of Cecilia. Society did to her what they are doing to your sister now.” He stepped a little closer to her. “You carry a great deal, Duchess, but you need not do it alone.”
Surprise flickered in her eyes again, but this time, she did not look away. “It is my responsibility,” she said, though her voice lacked the firmness it had earlier. “For my family. For Lilianna.”
“Perhaps,” Cedric said. “But that does not mean you must bear it alone.”
She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. “And who would bear it with me, Duke? The ton? Hardly.”
“Not the ton,” he replied firmly. “But perhaps… your husband.”
Her breath caught, her surprise evident. For a moment, she seemed to consider his words before nodding slightly.
Cedric stepped even closer until his hands were resting on the top of the pianoforte. “I will help your sister in any way I can.”
Her gaze met his, and as the moment passed, he felt his chest lighten.
“Thank you, Cedric. Truly.”
Her words made him pause, the sound of his name on her lips striking him as unusual.
For a moment, he simply looked at her, until he cocked an eyebrow and asked, “Cedric, not Duke?”
A laugh escaped her lips—a light, melodic sound that caught him off guard.
“I believe I have earned the privilege of using your Christian name after enduring this cold castle and your temper for so many days,” she teased, a playful gleam in her eyes.
His lips curled into a faint smile. “Have you now?”
“I think so,” she said, her tone mock-serious. “It has been no small feat.”
“And here I thought I’d been a perfectly agreeable host,” he drawled.
She tilted her head as if considering. “Well, you’ve improved marginally. That should count for something.”
Cedric chuckled, shaking his head. “You are bold, Duchess.”
“And you are insufferable, Duke,” she replied smoothly. Her smile grew as she added, “Though perhaps not entirely.”
He allowed himself a quiet laugh, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “So you mean to call me Cedric now?”
“I do,” she said lightly. “And if you truly object, I am willing to endure your grumbling.”
He gave her an exaggerated skeptical look. “Oh, I don’t grumble.”
Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “You most certainly do.”
He straightened, his mock-serious expression returning. “If that is the case, then I insist on reciprocity. If you are to call me Cedric, then I shall call you Audrey.”
