Page 84 of His Forsaken Duchess
He hesitated for a moment longer, as though he might say something more, but then he nodded. “Good.”
And just like that, he was gone, the sound of the bell over the door echoing faintly in his wake. Audrey stood still for a moment, her fingers absently brushing the folds of her dress. Excitement warred with disappointment in her chest.
“Is this to your liking, Your Grace?” the seamstress asked, drawing her back to the present.
Audrey forced a smile, though her heart felt inexplicably heavy. “Yes,” she said quietly. “It is perfect.”
But as she stood there, surrounded by silks and ribbons, she could not help but think of Cedric’s words.
“… pride, nothing more…”
And yet why had it felt like more?
Twenty-Nine
Audrey flipped the gossip sheet open, and her lips twitched as she skimmed the familiar names until her own—the Duchess of Haremore—appeared alongside Cedric’s.
The Duke and Duchess of Haremore were seen strolling through Bond Street and Oxford Street yesterday, pausing at various establishments arm in arm, as though they had stepped straight out of a fairytale. It is a curious sight indeed, given how they have never been seen together in public since their wedding. The Duchess, undeniably radiant, looked the very image of a woman in love, while the Duke… well, it seems even His Grace has found himself enchanted. Is this love’s return to London?
Audrey could not suppress the satisfied smile that spread across her face. Carefully folding the paper, she reached for her teacup and took a delicate sip before looking across the table at Cedric.
He was sitting as usual, his shoulders stiff, his movements precise as he spread marmalade onto his toast. To anyone else, he might have appeared utterly oblivious to the world beyond his plate. But Audrey knew better.
“You’ve read this, haven’t you?” she asked, placing the gossip sheet down between them.
Cedric glanced at it briefly, his expression betraying nothing. “If you are referring toThe Scandal Sheet,then yes, I have read it.”
“And?” she prompted.
He looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers with infuriating calm. “And what, Audrey?”
She waved her hand toward the paper, as though it were evidence in a trial. “I was right. The ton is already speculating, and they like what they’re seeing.”
Cedric sighed, setting his toast down and leaning back in his chair. “It seems you were,” he admitted begrudgingly. “But that does not mean you ought to boast about it.”
“I absolutely should,” she declared smugly, reaching for a fresh scone. “I have earned the right, and you know it.”
He muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously likeinsufferable,but Audrey chose to ignore it, her smile widening as she buttered her scone. Victory tasted sweet.
“Admit it,” Audrey said to Cedric, her gloved hand resting lightly on his arm. “This is far more enjoyable than you imagined.”
They were at the British Museum that afternoon, and it was more crowded than usual, the broad halls filled with the hushed murmurs of London’s elite. Audrey stood in the entrance beside Cedric and Lilianna, her gaze sweeping over the marble columns and towering exhibits with delight.
Cedric shot her a wry look. “I shall reserve my judgment until I have endured the entirety of it.”
Lilianna, standing just a pace behind them, smiled faintly at their exchange. “I think it is beautiful,” she said softly, her eyes lingering on a display of ancient Grecian statues.
“It is,” Audrey agreed warmly, her expression softening as she looked at her sister.
Some color has returned to her cheeks.Perhaps this outing is doing her some good.
They had only walked a short distance into the museum when a familiar figure came into view. The Marquess of Belleville stood before one of the larger paintings, his blond hair catching the light as he conversed with another gentleman. When his gaze landed on Lilianna, he smiled widely and strode toward them.
Audrey did not miss the pretty blush that stained her sister’s cheeks.
Good, Lilianna. It is time you forgot that coward Rashford.
“Lady Lilianna, how fortunate to find you here,” Belleville said, bowing deeply. “And Your Graces,” he added with a respectful nod to Cedric and Audrey.
