Page 100 of The Duke Who Loved Me (The Duke's Estates 1)

“And then complain when the thing is done that you wished it otherwise? We have seen how that goes.”

“That was…”

She waited, then said, “Yes?”

He wanted to say that was the past, and that everything was different now. But he knew she would ask him how things were different, and he had no answer.

Fortunately twenty minutes later, the hotel servants arrived with the dinner Cecelia had ordered, and she put the list aside.

Cecelia had seen James’s restlessness growing as she discussed the tasks that needed their attention. He seemed even more resistant than in the past. She’d thought of this before their marriage. They could no longer wrangle over some bit of business and then part while the dispute faded. Or, if they did, this would be a sad sort of marriage. They must have more to talk about than estate management, and the truth was, she could manage most of it without bothering him. That might be best.

She changed the topic over their dinner, asking which friends he’d seen at his club and what fresh gossip was circulating. Since he could now tell her some of the more spicy stories, she heard some eye-opening tales. She raised her eyebrows at the right spots and let her shock amuse him.

And when the dishes had been cleared away and they were alone, she went to sit on his lap, suggesting he demonstrate one of those scandalous stories he’d been telling her. That made him laugh. Cecelia sank into delirious kisses with the realization that they were happy together in this. Soon, surely, they would be in other ways as well.

Nineteen

“Well, I must say, you have never looked better,” said Lady Wilton to Cecelia when they arrived at her home for the promised ball. “That gown is splendid.”

Cecelia smoothed a hand over the froth of creamy silk and lace. She was pleased with her new ensemble. She’d judged that it was just the right combination of high fashion and elegance for a duchess, and she was glad Lady Wilton agreed.

“What about me?” asked James.

His grandmother waved this away. “You always look well. It is easier for gentlemen.”

“If you think so, you know nothing about it,” he replied with a rueful smile.

“Well, I certainlycarenothing about it,” said the old lady. “Have you any news from your agent about Ferrington?”

“I’ve been rather busy. Getting married and so on.”

“Always thinking first of yourself. You haven’t even thanked me for putting on this ball, you know.”

“Thank you very much for setting us up on display to theton, Grandmamma. And increasing your own consequence by issuing a coveted invitation, which will draw a great crush even so late in the season.”

Lady Wilton sputtered. “Rogue.”

“I suppose people will begin arriving soon,” mused Cecelia, to distract them.

“They will,” said James’s grandmother. “Come along and display yourselves.”

And so the Duke and Duchess of Tereford took their places beside Lady Wilton to greet a burgeoning stream of guests.

It was soon apparent that the ball would be very well attended. Many were curious or pleased about the new couple and eager to look them over. Some were undoubtedly envious and hoping to see cracks in their facade. Cecelia’s swooping changes of reputation over the last few weeks added interest. People offered their congratulations and took in every detail of the Terefords’ appearance as they passed along into the ballroom.

She and James opened the dancing with a waltz, and Cecelia couldn’t help comparing it with the same dance at the beginning of the season, which seemed so long ago now. Outwardly, all was the same—his hand at her waist, his fingers warm on hers, the whirl across the floor. Their steps were still well matched, and it was still a delight, floating across the floor with him. But inwardly, all was different. The waltz was no longer the thing that brought them closest. The warmth in his blue eyes as he looked down at her spoke of bare skin and tumbled sheets. She felt her cheeks warm with thoughts of those caresses.

She danced with others and then with James again. They spent the supper interval together, sitting with Sarah, Charlotte, Harriet, and their partners, and then resumed dancing. The room grew very warm despite long windows that opened on the night. The scent of the flowers that decorated the ballroom was heavy on the air. James had just gone to fetch Cecelia a glass of lemonade when there was a flurry at the doorway. The murmur of the crowd rose in volume, and people started to stir like water being parted by the prow of a rushing boat.

A tall man moved aside, and Cecelia saw Prince Karl striding into the room, actually pushing people out of his way if they did not move fast enough for him, furiously scowling. He had, of course, not been invited. But he ignored the rising tide of comments and disapproving glances. He was aimed at someone, and when Cecelia met his eyes, she understood that she was his target.

He shouldered past Harriet Finch, nearly knocking her down, and came to stop a few feet from Cecelia. “You!” he said.

Cecelia wondered if he’d lurked at the door until he saw James leave her. She suspected it. The prince was tall enough to see over the heads of most of the crowd.

“I have come to confront you, you see,” he said.

Though her heart beat fast, she was not afraid.

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