Page 73 of His Forsaken Duchess
Audrey shook her head, moving to stand beside her sister. “You arenotobligated,” she said firmly. “You should join us because we are a family, and your sorrow is ours too. We want to support you, Lilianna. Not because Cedric is here, but because you matter to us.”
Lilianna turned in her chair, her blue eyes glistening as she looked up at Audrey. Slowly, she rose to her feet, and before Audrey could say another word, her sister wrapped her arms around her.
“I’m sorry,” Lilianna whispered, her voice breaking. “I know I’ve been behaving oddly. I just… I don’t know what to do. The pain is unbearable.”
Audrey’s heart clenched, and she hugged her sister tightly, smoothing her hand over Lilianna’s back. “I know,” she murmured. “But this is the first step, dearest. Come to dinner. Things are getting better already—have you not noticed? We’ve been invited to an event.”
Lilianna pulled back slightly, furrowing her brow. “Margaret and her aunt are simply being kind.”
Audrey smiled faintly, brushing a stray curl from Lilianna’s cheek. “No, they are being wise. You are worth far more than your sorrow, and others are beginning to see that. Let them see it.”
For a moment, Lilianna hesitated. Then, she nodded, her lips curling into the faintest of smiles. “Very well. I will come.”
Audrey descended the stairs with Lilianna at her side, her thoughts briefly brightening. But when they entered the drawing room, her steps faltered. She hadn’t expected to see a guest, much less one sitting comfortably with her father and husband as though he belonged there.
Twenty-Five
“Ah,” Cedric said, his voice breaking through her confusion. He rose to his feet, turning toward them with what could only be described as anactualsmile—rare, uncharacteristic, and entirely surprising. “And here is my Duchess.”
Audrey blinked, her heart fluttering in her chest as he held out his hand to her. She placed her gloved hand in his almost automatically, and to her astonishment, he pulled her closer, his palm warm against hers. It was not possessive, but it was… tender.
“May I introduce you,” he said smoothly, his deep voice carrying through the room, “to Edward Hunting, the Marquess of Belleville.”
Audrey glanced at the Marquess, who rose gracefully to his feet. He was handsome and charming, his golden hair catching the glow of the firelight. His eyes crinkled as he smiled at her.“Finally, a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace,” he said warmly, bowing over her hand.
“And this is my sister-in-law,” Cedric continued, gesturing toward Lilianna. “Lady Lilianna Winslow.”
Belleville turned his attention to Lilianna, and for the first time in weeks, Audrey saw her sister’s cheeks flush.
Belleville took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Charmed, My Lady,” he said, his voice soft but teasing.
Lilianna looked down quickly, but Audrey noticed the faintest of smiles tugging at her lips.
Interesting.
While Belleville engaged Lilianna in conversation, Audrey turned to Cedric, narrowing her eyes slightly at him. “You didn’t tell me you invited someone.”
Cedric smirked, clearly unrepentant. “I thought you would enjoy the surprise.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, though she couldn’t quite suppress her smile. “And what prompted this sudden act of sociability?”
“Belleville has known me since Eton,” Cedric replied casually, as though that explained everything. “He is influential, and as you so often remind me, influence matters.”
Audrey stared at him, her heart soaring unexpectedly.
He is listening to me.
The realization was so overwhelming that she nearly threw her arms around him.
“I do know how influential he is,” she said instead, her voice bright. “The most eligible bachelor in England.”
Cedric raised an eyebrow. “Do I detect matchmaking schemes?”
Audrey glanced at Belleville and Lilianna, who were still speaking quietly. Her sister’s smile had grown—soft, tentative, but real.
“Trust me, Cedric,” she murmured, grinning up at him. “I’ve been right thus far.”
Cedric looked down at her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “Perhaps you have,” he said softly.
