She had heard whispers about Lady Evangeline, the epitome of elegance and kindness, but those tales were often accompanied by hushed warnings about her brother, the infamous Hollow Duke.
“Is he really going after her?” Cecilia muttered under her breath, her worry escalating.
From what she’d gathered, Evangeline was everything a gentleman could desire. Yet, the shadow of her brother loomed large, casting doubt over any potential romance. The Hollow Duke was a figure of dread, known for his fierce protectiveness over the lady.
Rumors swirled about how he’d scared off countless suitors with just a glare, leaving them trembling in his wake. Cecilia had never encountered him, but the tales of his wrath were enough to send chills down her spine.
A gasp left her lips as she watched her brother fall in step with Evangeline easily and her thoughts were confirmed.
It’s her! It truly is her!
As she watched the two exchange bashful glances, a mix of admiration and dread washed over her.
Despite the happiness she felt at the joyful look on her brother’s face, she felt uncomfortable knowing he was walking into a situation that could lead to severe heartbreak or worse.
Quickly, she shifted her attention to the head of their household. She tapped Tristan from where she stood behind him, almost enveloped by the tall gentlemen in his company.
“Brother, may I speak with you a moment?”
Tristan swiveled around. T ipsy as he was, he seemed to struggle with finding her for a moment, “What about, dearest little sister?”
Cecilia flushed lightly as the eyes on him turned to her as well. “It’s… may we speak in private brother?”
The Earl’s eyes narrowed for a moment, then he shook his head with a chuckle and returned his attention to the ballroom. “We can do so later, sister.”
“Tristan, can you please focus for a moment ?” Cecilia pleaded, her eyes darting back to Nathaniel and Evangeline. She tugged at his sleeve, trying to pull him away from the group of gentlemen laughing boisterously around him.
“Just a moment, Cece! You won’t believe what Lord Pembroke just wagered,” Tristan replied, leaning in closer to his friend, a smirk playing on his lips. “He thinks he can charm Lady Marigold by reciting poetry. I told him he’d be better off with a bottle of wine and a good song!”
Cecilia’s heart raced as she glanced back at Nathaniel, who was now cornering Evangeline. “Tristan!” she whispered urgently, her voice barely above a breath.
Tristan finally turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “Sister, this is a ball. We can have serious discussions later.” He clucked histongue, “Besides, there are lovely ladies everywhere,” he said, gesturing toward a striking woman who had just joined their circle. “What sort of sister would you be, preventing me from finding a match?”
As she opened her mouth once again, he gave her a dismissive pat on the head, chuckling. “You need to know there’s a time for everything, little sister. I’ll be back in a moment.”
And with that, he turned away, leaving her fuming as she watched him saunter off in the direction of some ladies, completely absorbed in his amorous antics. Cecilia let out an anxious sigh, wondering what to do next.
But then, her heart began to race as she turned to the sight of Nathaniel following Evangeline out of the ballroom.
Oh no.
What are you doing, Nate?
The glittering chandeliers overhead felt like a mockery of the gathering chaos . She wondered what on earth he was thinking. It was as though she could physically smell a scandal brewing.
With a surge of determination, she slipped through the crowded room, her pulse quickening as she navigated past elegantly dressed couples lost in their own worlds. The whispers of the ballroom faded, replaced by the frantic thump of her heart.
As she reached the grand entrance, Cecilia hesitated for just a moment, the weight of propriety pressing down on her. But the thought of the family’s reputation, as well as her brother’s own safety hanging in the balance propelled her forward.
So, with a deep breath, Cecilia stepped outside, the cool air hitting her like a splash of cold water, ready to confront whatever scandal awaited her.
CHAPTER 2
“Icannot believe I’m really doing this.”
Outside, snowflakes danced whimsically in the twilight, but Cecilia’s attention was fixated on the scene unfolding in the garden.
Nathaniel’s fingers were intertwined in Evangeline’s in a tender grip that sent a shiver down Cecilia’s spine. The sight of them holding hands that close in the darkness was enough to make her jaw drop in disbelief.
