Mary Ann rose. “Oh!” she squeaked, flushing slightly. “I’m sorry, sir, but I’m not entirely sure who you might be.”
“—That would be Lord Redwood,” her family’s butler announced hastily, having obviously hurried past the gentleman.
“My aunt sends her apologies,” Lord Redwood simpered, bowing deeply over Mary Ann’s hand. “So, I’ve come in her stead. I hope I will be an acceptable replacement.”
“Oh.” Mary Ann sent a glance at Aurelia, who felt her stomach sink. The Duchess of Fenwick had been invited? “I’m… sure my father will be very sorry to hear it,” she said politely. “I know he wished to see the duchess. Come, let me introduce you.” With an apologetic look at Aurelia, she led Lord Redwood to where her father was sitting by the fire, blankets draped over his fragile frame.
Aurelia attempted to catch her breath. No doubt Mary Ann had been certain the duchess wouldn’t attend, but if she had, the situation would have been terrible for her reputation. So much for rebuilding—thisalonewould be enough to ruin everything.
Truthfully, Lord Redwood’s presence might well be enough for that anyway.
The girl playing the harp continued, and Aurelia sat by herself as she contemplated what to do. Leave before dinner and risk people whispering about her, or remain in place andalsorisk people whispering about her?
Her question was answered as Lord Redwood sank into the chair beside her, clapping languidly.
“Duchess,” he announced, giving her a lascivious glance she wished she could slap from his face. “I confess I amdelightedto find you here.”
Aurelia pulled herself up. “No doubt.”
“Oh, my dear, you wound me. I had not come so I could make any jests at your expense. After all, you are now a duchess!” His expression turned contemplative. “Did you offerhimwhat you refused to offer me? I must confess—it wouldnothave worked on me, so you played your hand rather impeccably if so. Although what boon is marriage to such a man, really?”
“More of aboonthan I would get from a marriage to you,” she mumbled, her stomach turning. “He is kind to me.”
Lord Redwood adopted an oily smile. “Such lukewarm praise. But then, I suppose it would be, considering his plans for you.”
Ice prickled down Aurelia’s back, but she did her best not to show it on her face. “I can’t imagine you would know more about his plans than I do.”
Not that she knew of any plans.
A tightness grew in her chest nonetheless.
“Naturally, I know nothingpersonally. But he has acquaintances in London—and people talk. Surely you must know that by now. The wonderful people of the city have such inventive names for you. Would you like to hear some of them?”
“Of course not.” Aurelia sat ramrod straight. Sebastian had told her not to do anything foolish, and running from Lord Redwoodnow would certainly constitutefoolish. People would talk. But worst of all, this odious man would think he had won. After everything, she couldn’t bear to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had gotten to her.
The best revenge was indifference.
Lord Redwood leaned in. “It’s hardly surprising he intends to send you away once you’ve borne his children,” he whispered. “After all, just abouteveryoneknows he never cared for a wife, much less one such as yourself—a girl with no family, nothing to recommend her. I mean, it certainly wasn’t a love match, was it?”
Her heart thumped.No, she couldn’t claim that.
“He has given me no indication that he intends to send me anywhere,” she hissed back politely.
“No?” He smirked wolfishly. “Then he has spoken openly of the future, I suppose? And of your very own tiny littleimperativerole in it? Has he mentioned hisreasonfor marriage at all, at least?”
Of course he had!—and his reason for marriage had been purely for heirs. But once they had shaken things up, they had gotten along well together. Helikedher.
At least, so she believed. He certainly enjoyed spending time in bed with her, but was that the same thing? Was that enthusiasm a product of his desire to sire children?
No, she couldn’t allow doubt to creep in. It was precisely what thisvenomous serpentstrove to achieve. Once she returned home, she would speak to Sebastian about their future in no uncertain terms, and at his refusal, everything would return to normality.
Though, ifnormalitywas anything like the past week as opposed to her first few weeks at Ravenhall, it was no longer a utopia she wished to revisit.
…Was there some truth in Redwood’s words then?
“Ah, such loyalty,” Lord Redwood sighed when she said nothing. “Truly, it is touching to see you so adamantly cling toyourversion of the truth. He ought to be delighted.Moved, in fact. How charming your defense of him is. Have you fallen in love with him, duchess? That would be aShakespeareantragedy, indeed.”
“And what wouldyouknow about love?” she demanded through numb lips. “You have hardly courted it.”
