As Elias washed down a bite of cake with tea, he decided Monty was likely right about Celia’s reaction if he told her of their plan before they married. In fact, she might even refuse marriage if she became the legitimate Duchess of Hasterton. He would not risk that. Celia would be his wife, and he would win her love again. Somehow.
Chapter Fourteen
“Dr. MacMaddenly issuch a charming man. Do you not think so?”
Celia looked up from the book she might as well put back on the shelf. All she could think about was Elias and their cruel bargain. “Forgive me, Mama. What did you say?”
Her mother smiled as she gently tugged a vibrant blue thread up through the body of a partially embroidered bluebird. “I think Dr. MacMaddenly is quite charming. Do you not find him so?”
The physician was a pompous, overly proud Scot, but Celia decided not to say that, since Mama appeared much improved under his care. “I find him very knowledgeable.”
“Very knowledgeable?”
Celia turned the page she had read at least three times and still couldn’t remember a word of. “Yes. Very knowledgeable. Your color is better than it has been for months, and your energy is increasing. We are very fortunate that Friedrich found the good doctor.”
“Are you unwell?” Her mother lowered her needlework and studied Celia with a suspicious scowl.
“Unwell?” Celia asked. It was far better to repeat the question than answer it truthfully. Mama had no idea just how unwell she had been since confessing all their sins to Elias.
“You are never diplomatic, and you always repeat the question when you do not wish to answer it honestly.” The duchess cast a disapproving look down her nose at Celia. “Why are you so distracted? Is it because Lord Raines has not called upon us for almost a week?”
Lord Raines hadn’t called upon them because the man more than likely could not tolerate the sight of them. But Celia could not admit that either. Instead, she forced an indulgent expression. “He sent a note begging our forgiveness, remember?”
Her mother’s eyes narrowed.
Celia clenched her teeth, belatedly remembering that Mama was not one to swallow a lie easily. To fool her required Herculean effort. It had been so long since Celia tried to trick her mother about anything that she had forgotten what a chore it was.
Resettling herself in the chair, she lifted her book as though aching to get back to it. “We cannot expect him to postpone a request from Prinny.”
The duchess appeared to accept that answer. “As long as you know that in your heart.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “There is notsomething elsetroubling you, is there?”
“Something else?”
“Stop repeating my questions!” The duchess smacked the chair arm with a hard spat.
“You are in a temper.” Celia smiled. Her mother hadn’t had the energy to be so ill-tempered in a very long while. “I honestly do not know whatsomething elseyou are referring to. Forgive me for my ignorance.”
“Flowers.” The way the duchess drew out the word could only mean one thing. “After all, is it not nearing yourtimeto bloom?”
“Rest assured, Mama, someday you will be a grandmother,” Celia said. “Butnot yet.”
Her mother seemed disappointed with that news and even reacted with a frustrated huff. “Did Lord Raines tell you when he would call again? After all, we must give the modiste a time to finish your gown.”
“He did not say. I am sure he will call on us as soon as he can.” Celia lifted her book again, determined to hide within its pages.
The loud clacking of the front door’s brass knocker made her cringe. Deep down in her soul, she knew it was Elias. No, not Elias. It was her judge and executioner—and soon, her husband, who would bide his time and heaven only knew what else until he could be rid of her.
“Lord Raines,” Gransdon announced as Elias joined them in the parlor.
Celia gritted her teeth and struggled to hold a pleased expression as Elias bowed to her mother, then turned and took her hands in his.
“You do forgive me for not calling until now, yes?” The sincerity in his voice almost crumbled her composure.
“Of course,” she said over-brightly. Scolding herself for sounding false, she swallowed hard and resolved to do better. “One cannot put off the prince regent.”
Elias’s hopeful smile faltered and something akin to pain filled his eyes. Pain? How ridiculous. She had to be mistaken. It was more than likely his disgust for her that he was trying to hide.
She eased her hands out of his and motioned to the chair beside her mother. “Do sit. Gransdon already knows to bring tea.”
