Page 65 of Unraveled By the Duke
But for how long? Oh, Alexander, if only I could believe that you are not just biding your time to be rid of me.
She led him into the sitting room and stopped dead in the doorway. Sitting on the chaise was the Viscountess Alvey, mother to Lavinia.
Celia’s eyes flicked from Lady Alvey’s haughty, dismissive expression to Lavinia, sitting across the room, whispering to Aurelia.
“Lady Alvey and her daughter had arranged to visit for elevenses,” Edna explained. “We did not know you were coming.”
“Good morning to you, Your Grace,” Lady Alvey greeted Alexander. “I trust our presence here is not an embarrassment to you?”
“Why would it be, Lady Alvey?” Alexander asked.
“Why, because of your engagement to my daughter and the unfortunate circumstances that led to its end.”
“I assure you, I feel no embarrassment whatsoever. I already spoke with Miss Dunnings on the matter and made my feelings clear.”
“Have you?” Celia asked, then flushed, realizing that, of course, they must have discussed the end of their engagement.
But it felt like a betrayal, as though it had happened behind her back.
“We met at the British Museum, one of Alexander’s favorite places,” Lavinia elaborated.
She walked to her mother’s side with a companionable arm around Aurelia.
For her part, Aurelia seemed uncomfortable, looking from Celia to Lavinia as though torn.
“Is it? I did not know,” Celia murmured.
“Oh, well, I am sure you will learn these things. We were not engaged for long.”
“I think that my wife already knows me better than other women,” Alexander declared coolly. “Scovell, are we to discuss our business in front of your guests?”
“By no means, Your Grace,” Cornelius replied. “Perhaps you and I should retire to my study. I would like to discuss financial matters with you.”
“Then let us proceed,” Alexander said impatiently.
“I will come with you—” Celia began.
“I think you should remain here, Celia,” Cornelius cut in. “Your mother has missed you.”
“But this concerns me,” Celia protested.
“I will represent your interests fully,” Alexander assured her.
He preceded Cornelius out of the room.
Celia was left looking at the door, which her father closed behind them.
“Shall we play cards?” Lavinia suggested with a bright smile. “Aurelia and I have become quite the team at bridge. Mother does not play, but you and Lady Scovell can pair up against us?”
She patted the seat on the chaise next to her, indicating that Aurelia should sit. That left Celia to take an armchair next to her mother, who was already clearing the table in between for cards.
“An excellent notion.” Celia forced a smile. “Perhaps we can discuss art as we play. Aurelia and I were speaking of art earlier, weren’t we, Aurelia?”
“I’m afraid I know little about art,” Lavinia said. “At least about drawing or painting. Literature is also art, is it not? I do find the idea of writing quite diverting, though. I enjoy reading and am in awe of those who can weave a story straight out of their imaginations. Or recounting true events, for that matter. Why,I was discussing this not so long ago with a gentleman of my acquaintance. He writes for a living.”
She held Celia’s eyes for a moment too long for casual conversation. Her smile hid layers of meaning.
Celia matched it, disguising smile for disguising smile.
