Page 29 of Her Lion of a Duke
“That is to say that your friends have turned out to be capable of doing it themselves? You ought to be proud of them for that.”
“I am, but I?—”
“Cecilia,” Leonard interrupted gently, “I know that you want to secure their futures, but you can only do your best. Whether they marry or not has little to do with you, in the same way our marriage has very little to do with them. I know that your life has been centered on your friendships, but that will inevitably change. It is not a death sentence, only an opportunity for you all to grow and change. Your love for them will always remain.”
Cecilia was grateful that her husband knew better than anyone how to comfort her. He was not acting as though she were fragile, but he also knew not to make her feel as though shewere under attack. All he did was say how he perceived things, inviting her to listen and either agree or disagree.
Fortunately, she found that she rather agreed with him.
“We have been invited to a ball next week, by the way,” he continued. “It means returning to London for a short while, but I assumed you would be pleased about that. It is to be hosted by the Roseworths. Shall I accept their invitation?”
“Do you know if our friends will attend?”
“I do not know, but I shall assume not. The Roseworths are not the most sociable bunch, so they only invite those they know well.”
Cecilia raised an eyebrow. She did not know the Roseworths at all, and she was rather certain that Leonard did not either.
“I may or may not be influential in Parliament,” he explained. “It would also seem that there will be a number of hopeful politicians in attendance.”
“Ah, so you require a night with your perfect wife?”
“That is not what I said.”
But Cecilia was smiling. She knew what was expected of her, and she was more than happy to play the role.
“I can do battle if you can,” she said playfully.
He grinned at her. “Very well, if you feel ready.”
It was strange to be back in London, with all the eyes on her. Cecilia was rather aware that they were wondering just how she had managed to marry a duke, but she ignored them. All that mattered was that she was happy with her situation.
The ball was to be autumn-themed, as Lady Roseworth liked that season the most, which meant that Cecilia could not wear her favorite color.
Were it any other season, she would have chosen a shade of blue, but she had to choose a yellow, brown, or orange. With a sigh, she chose a gown of deep red. It fit well and had layers of yellow and orange in the underskirts, which swished as she twirled in front of the mirror. It was not what she would have chosen for herself, but it was rather beautiful.
As she descended the staircase, she realized that her husband felt the same. He looked transfixed, and though she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
She had to admit that she rather liked it.
“Are you ready for battle?” she asked with a smile.
He nodded and led her out to the carriage.
Although the Roseworths were selective with those they invited, it was as though they had asked the wholecrème de la crèmeof London, and they had all accepted. Cecilia could hardly name some of them, but she knew they were influential.
A ball was an opportunity to dress in one’s finest clothes, and the opulence there was unlike anything she had ever seen, all in shades of orange and red and gold.
For the first time in her life, she felt intimidated.
“You are the Duchess of Pridefield,” Leonard mumbled to her. “Do not forget that.”
She straightened up, prepared to act as she needed to. She smiled, she greeted, she curtseyed, and it seemed as though it was working very well.
“Lady Kensington,” Leonard greeted loudly, so that she could learn the woman’s name. “It is wonderful to see you. You do not make an appearance most often.”
Lady Kensington was a small, thin woman, older than Cecilia by more than a few years. She came in with a small group of older ladies, each one wide-eyed at the sight of them.
“I tend only to appear in places I deem worthy,” she joked, turning to Cecilia. “Congratulations, dear. You have secured a wonderful match.”
