Oliver cast a brief glance at Alethea, then returned his attention to his sister.
"Clara, hush now," he consoled softly. "Listen to me." He shifted her slightly in his arms so he could look her in the eyes. "We hadseveraldresses made for Alethea, did we not? So you see, youhaven't ruined anything. The Duchess will go to the ball, just in a different dress."
"R-really?" Clara sniffed hard, considering his words.
"Really," Oliver confirmed. "We'll simply help her change into another dress. No one will know the difference."
In that moment, watching him, Alethea felt something within her chest tighten. He had not become angry. He had shown only kindness and restraint.
Had her fear been misplaced? Oliver was a far kinder man than anything that she had been accustomed to.
Oliver exhaled and gently shifted Clara in his arms. The little girl had calmed considerably, her sniffles subsiding.
"Eleanor," Oliver said, "why don't you take Clara upstairs now? It's past both your bedtimes." He lowered Clara into Eleanor's arms carefully; Clara went without protest.
"Yes, Brother," Eleanor agreed. She looped an arm around her younger sister, who leaned against her. "We truly are sorry. And… and I know you'll look stunning, no matter which gown you wear," she added.
"Thank you, dear," she said, feeling her heart warm. "Sweet dreams to you both."
Now that the crisis had passed, she became fully aware of the sticky wet patches seeping through the bodice of her gown. She looked down at the red stains.
"Oh dear," she murmured. "I made it about five minutes wearing this without incident."
"Look on the bright side, Duchess," Theodore broke the tension. "You'll have an excellent anecdote to share." He winked at her, then bent to retrieve the empty cup from the floor.
Oliver, however, did not laugh. Alethea turned to find him staring at her and a knot of anxiety formed in her stomach.
Was he angry after all, perhaps at the inconvenience? He might have not wanted to show it earlier in front of the young girls. She opened her mouth to apologize, but he stepped forward quickly.
"Alethea," he said quietly, "are you all right? I apologize for your dress that got ruined."
Alethea blinked at him, at first unsure if she had heard him correctly. He was apologizingto her?For the fact that a very expensive gown was just ruined?
"There is nothing for you to apologize about, Your Grace," she said quickly. "In fact, if anyone must apologize, it shall be me. I should have been more careful, knowing that…"
"Enough," he raised his hand to stop from continuing. "There is no need for apology from your end. Do you believe that you will be able to make do with any of the other gowns, or shall we postpone our appearance today altogether?"
"The other gowns are just as good," she said, immediately. His concern was so complete that she had a hard time wrapping her head around it.
He nodded, seeming satisfied with her answer.
"Very well. I am grateful for the modiste for sending over all of the gowns," he nodded. "They have proven useful."
He turned towards his brother then, who had been watching the two of them with sustained interest all this time. "Theo, could you have the footman delay the carriage a few more minutes? We'll depart as soon as the Duchess has changed."
"Right away." Theodore gave Alethea an encouraging grin before striding out.
With only Oliver now remaining at her side, Alethea suddenly felt awkward, unsure what to do or say.
"You must think me hopelessly clumsy," she said finally.
"I think nothing of the sort," Oliver interrupted. To her surprise, a hint of a smile played on his lips. "If anything, I blame myself. I should have had the girls in bed earlier. But I never want them tofeel excluded, especially not tonight when everything is so new. But I did misjudge Clara's excitement."
"Well, she is only a child and cannot be blamed," Alethea nodded, letting her shoulders relax.
"You should change into another gown," he reminded her. "We'll be only a little late at this rate. I'll be right here when you're ready."
As Alethea turned to go, she hesitated. There was a rush of unspoken feeling inside her, something warm that she dared not name. She looked back at her husband.
