Page 23 of Unraveled By the Duke
“Please, I would be your friend as well as Xander’s. Please call me Maxwell,” he said quickly.
“Maxwell, I am gratified that you know the truth and do not blame me. It seems that everyone does. In my family and his.”
Maxwell smiled sympathetically, nodding. “That is because of all the guests here, only the Dowager Duchess, Hyacinth, and I know the secret Alexander has been keeping. If you knew it, you would understand him better.”
Celia saw Aurelia enter the room, moving around its periphery and watching her. She disappeared from view when a group of dancers stepped between them.
“Secret?” she echoed, recalling Maxwell’s words. “Please enlighten me. I wish to understand him better. I am desperate to. The years of marriage will be long if they are spent in my current state of ignorance.”
Maxwell shook his head emphatically. “That is not for me. I swore not to reveal it. But I can see how he is portraying himself, and I will not stand by and let you think him a villain. He is not.”
Celia looked hard at him, trying to guess what this secret might be.
Perhaps he is not the rake that people say he is. In which case, why is he in debt? That does not happen to decent, cautious men. Look at my father.
“I am glad to have an ally in this. I have been given a reputation that I do not deserve,” Celia said. “I am a decent person and mean no harm to anyone. I swear it!”
Maxwell smiled. “I do not judge based on rumors or gossip, but on what I see and hear. I believe you, Celia. You have already shown yourself to have more character than Xander’s former betrothed.”
Celia couldn’t help but smile back. His boyish grin was infectious, and his expert dancing made her feel lighter than air.
There was joy in dancing when it was done well. It had always transported her, and she felt it now.
“And are you married, Maxwell?” she asked. “I feel no wedding ring on your finger.”
“I am not. That pleasure awaits me still, though I now find myself bereft of my partner’s support when promenading or attending balls. Xander was a useful foil for my boyish charms. His glower made me seem sunnier by comparison.”
He laughed, and Celia laughed too.
As they executed a turn, she saw that Alexander had returned. He was staring at them with an odd look. Finally, he started across the room towards them, interrupting them by taking Celia’s arm.
“Maxwell, dear boy, may I cut in?” he asked.
“But of course, old friend. It was my pleasure to make your friendship, Celia,” Maxwell said, glancing at Alexander and then winking at Celia.
Alexander swept her away, catching her in a frame she fell into instinctively.
If I did not know better, I would say he was jealous!
He certainly held her closer than he had, his fingers tighter as though savoring the opportunity to hold her rather than just touch her.
She suddenly felt that she could not have broken free even if she had wanted to. His hold communicated strength but also made her feel safe and secure. His eyes might be cold and his manner abrupt, but his embrace was masculine and protective.
“I thought you had left,” she said, looking up at him.
He glanced down, his eyes unreadable. “I could not, for appearances’ sake.”
“Is that why you cut in? For appearances’ sake?” Celia asked.
“Yes, of course.”
“Your duty was done. No one noticed you leaving. Nothing would have been lost had you remained absent. And I was enjoying dancing with Maxwell,” Celia said.
Alexander’s eyes flashed with a cold fire. His mouth tightened, the movement reminding her of his kiss. She could rise on her tiptoes now and kiss him. No one would bat an eyelid at a wife kissing her husband.
Celia felt her cheeks flush at the notion.
How odd that I had not thought of it before. We are married now. I could kiss him in public, hold his hand, or throw myself into his arms. And it would be acceptable because we are now married.
