“Are you alright?” Evie asked, her tone shifting to one of concern. “You look a bit flushed.”
“Just a little cold,” she replied, forcing a laugh that sounded more like a squeak. She glanced back at Alistair, who was now engaged in conversation with Tristan, his laughter rich and inviting. There was something magnetic about him, the way he commanded attention without even trying.
Evie raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief dancing in her gaze. “I said we should head inside and get ready. Dinner will be soon.”
Cecilia nodded, desperately hoping Evie would attribute the heat radiating from her cheeks to the brisk air. She could hardly meet her friend’s eyes, feeling the weight of her embarrassment.
What is wrong with you?
You need to get it together, Cecilia.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever the evening would hold, her pulse racing with anticipation as she followed Evie, leading the way inside.
“Can you believe the magnitude of this feast?” Evie clasped her hands as she exclaimed, her eyes wide as she gestured to the extravagant spread before them.
Cecilia laughed, her gaze drifting from the towering roast to the delicate pastries that seemed to glisten under the candlelight. “It’s like they’re trying to feed an army! I’m not sure I can eat by mere looking at all this.”
“Challenge accepted!” Evie grinned, her playful spirit infectious. “Truly, this looks incredible. I’ve never seen so many desserts in one place.”
As they chattered on, the conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by bursts of laughter. Cecilia couldn’t help but admire Evie’s animated expressions; her dark curls bounced as she spoke, framing her face and highlighting her bright, expressive eyes.
“I say, if I eat more than two of those pieces of cake, I truly might explode,” Cecilia joked, her cheeks flushing slightly as she eyed a generous slice of chocolate cake.
Evie leaned in, a conspiratorial gleam in her eye. “You know what? Life is too short to skip dessert. Besides, we can always dance it off later!”
Cecilia’s heart warmed at her soon-to be sister-in-law’s carefree attitude. It reminded her of her own preferred approach to life, always seeking joy in the little things. “You’re right! I’m all for dancing off the weight. What’s the point of a celebration if we can’t enjoy it?”
Their laughter mingled with the soft clinking of cutlery and the gentle hum of conversation around them. As they shared stories about their childhoods, Cecilia discovered they both had a penchant for adventure.
They exchanged tales of unconventional acts and their shared love for late-night stargazing. Cecilia felt an undeniable bond forming. Their personalities matched seamlessly.
“Wait no longer, here we are at last!” Tristan’s voice was light with playful sarcasm as he and Nathaniel strolled into the dining room, their laughter echoing off the walls.
Louisa chuckled from where she sat opposite the dowager duchess, shaking her head. “How delightful . We’ve been waiting for the entertainment to arrive.”
As the brothers settled into their seats, Cecilia noticed Evie’s gaze lingering on Nathaniel. She chuckled lightly, unable to hide her smirk at the obvious admiration.
“Evie, you could at least try to control the stares until you’re both fully wedded, don’t you think?” Cecilia teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
The young lady’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she quickly turned her head, feigning innocence. “I wasn’t staring! I was just… um, admiring the decor!”
“Sure, the decor,” Cecilia replied, biting back laughter. “But you might want to be careful.”
“Cecilia!” Evie exclaimed, her voice a mixture of embarrassment and laughter, her eyes darting around the table nervously.
Unfortunately, Tristan seemed to have caught on to the teasing, and pointed from where he sat, grinning as he teased. Evie buried her face in her hands, but the laughter that escaped her was undeniable.
As the brothers continued to joke and tease, despite the weather, the atmosphere in the room was filled with warmth.
Alas, the room fell into an expectant hush as the last guest entered, the duke. Alistair stepped through the doorway, and time seemed to suspend for a moment.
He looked impeccably clean and undeniably handsome, a striking contrast to the wild, rugged look he had sported after the hunt. Cecilia found herself comparing these looks; tousled and charming one moment, utterly polished and controlled the next.
She felt a rush of warmth flood her cheeks as she realized her train of thought.
It is terribly wrong to be having such thoughts as a lady, truly what is the problem with you these days, Cecilia?
From the corner of her eye, she caught Evie’s curious expression, a mixture of amusement and surprise. The realization that she had been caught staring sent a fresh wave of heat coursing through her, and she quickly averted her gaze, feeling flustered.
