Page 5 of Unraveled By the Duke
The man frowned, looking at Celia as though wondering who she was. Then, his eyes widened.
“Captain Greenwood, I presume?” Celia asked innocently, feeling no little sense of triumph.
I may be condemned to marry an obnoxious old man, but Lavinia, who put me in this situation, is clearly mired in an even stickier situation.
CHAPTER 2
“Greenwood? No, I’m afraid you have me mistaken for another,” the man replied, frowning.
“I recognize you, Sir,” Celia said. “Your face is quite distinctive.”
“I am the Viscount Darnleigh. I have never held the rank of captain—or any rank, for that matter. And you are?”
Aurelia and Lavinia were looking at Celia as though she were mad.
But I know I saw this man before, and I remember exactly where.
“I have an excellent memory, Sir,” Celia insisted. “I saw you and…” She glanced at Lavinia, whose face was twisting into a glare. “… a young lady. I even drew you.”
Was it really Captain Greenwood that Lavinia had mentioned? If it was, she was playing a dangerous game by associating with him while her betrothed was around. Assuming Lavinia wished to be a duchess anyway.
His frown deepened, and then he smiled as though realizing something.
“You are the young lady who was caught dressing as a commoner, aren’t you? I recall there was something in that story about drawing. Weren’t you caught in some assignation with a peasant?”
“My sister does not consort with men, regardless of rank. She is an honorable person,” Aurelia asserted.
“And Lavinia has admitted to fabricating that particular tale,” Celia added. “It is untrue. Is it not, Lavinia?”
Lavinia glanced at Captain Greenwood—regardless of what he said, itmustbe him—and then back to Celia with an expression of concern.
“I actually relayed a rumor that I had heard. I did not start it. Such tales must come from somewhere. I would be careful not to throw accusations at people, if I were you.”
“I did not hear an accusation,” Aurelia interjected.
She visibly shrank back when Lavinia glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.
When did Aurelia become so cowed by Lavinia? What happened while I was in the country for three months, waiting out the scandal?
“Aurelia, I have taught you better than that,” Lavinia chided. “One must always read between the lines. Listen to what is unsaid, as well as what is said.”
“Yes, Lavinia,” Aurelia said meekly, refusing to meet Celia’s eyes, her cheeks flushing bright red.
Celia’s temper flared. She’d had to accept culpability for the scandal that had tarnished her family’s name and could make it difficult for Aurelia to find a husband.
If she had not been outside dressed as a man, mixing with the commoners, then she would never have been vulnerable to Lavinia’s lies. But this was too much. Lavinia was behaving as though she were superior to Aurelia. Like an imperious queen to her courtier.
“Lavinia, it is not so much about what is not said as what is seen. A woman betrothed to a duke in the arms of another man. Seenanddocumented,” Celia drawled.
Lavinia’s eyes flashed, and Celia was conscious of the man claiming to be the Viscount Darnleigh looming at her elbow. Shefelt a momentary thrill of fear and reminded herself that they were very much in public.
He cannot hurt me, and neither can she. And I know that I am right. I will not allow myself or my sister to be bullied.
A servant was approaching with a tray of wine glasses. As he drew near, the Duke of Cheverton suddenly appeared and plucked a ruby red glass from the tray. He immediately dominated the small circle, a head taller than Greenwood and physically more imposing. He was an oak compared to a sapling.
Celia found her eyes drawn to him, even though she knew she should not stare, especially in front of his betrothed. But she was unable to help it.
He may just be the most handsome man I have ever encountered.
