He led her to up the stairs, only pausing at her bedroom door. For a moment, Alethea hoped he might follow her inside. Instead, he bowed slightly.
"Good night, Alethea," he said. "Sleep well."
"Good night, Your Grace."
He lingered a moment, as if trying to decipher her expression, then inclined his head and continued down the hall to his own chambers.
Alethea entered her room and shut the door, leaning against it with a heavy sigh.
What a night it had been.
Her body was weary, but her mind and heart spun with all that had happened.
There was no doubt in her heart now, she loved him. And the most traitorous parts of her hoped that beneath all his careful restraint, he was beginning to love her as well.
CHAPTER 18
The Carter Debut Surprise: A Triumph for the New Duchess.
Alethea had read the headlines, scanning the newspapers for anything that might have to do with the events of the ball she had hosted. Next to her was Oliver, at the breakfast table. He had not said much to her that morning, but he was scanning the headlines with the same curiosity as her.
"It seems like we pulled it off then," Alethea commented, smiling as she gestured at the papers in his hands.
"You did," he replied instantly. "I had little role but to stand there in support."
"Well, that is what you say," she grinned, taking the paper from his hands and folding it to a specific section, "But look here, they are also talking about you here."
Oliver raised an eyebrow and then scanned the section that his wife seemed to be referring to. His expression changed.
"Besotted with the duchess," he read out loud what had been written about him. "Well, I suppose that is better than the alternate."
"Is it true, you think?" she asked, hesitantly. In earnest, she was only trying to gauge what he truly felt inside.
"If the papers say it, then it must be," he smirked in response.
Alethea bit down on her lip, looking down at the table in front of her.
He is flirting with you again,she thought to herself. The two girls had not yet shown up for breakfast, and neither had Theodore.
In fact, she had not seen Theodore since the ball. He had been locked away in his chambers for most of the day, or outside the estate.
"I have decided to arrange for a small picnic today," she announced.
Oliver raised an eyebrow.
"We have been so busy with the ball, I feel we haven't spent time with your family in a convivial way," she said. "Why not host a little picnic at Lockhart Park? Just a family affair, the weather is fine, and it would do everyone good to relax."
"A family picnic?" Oliver had eyed her over the top of the newspaper.
"Yes. We could invite my sisters and yours. Maybe play some outdoor games. Pall-mall, perhaps?" She tried to sound casual, though her heart kicked anxiously.
"It's true we haven't had an outing with the young ones in some time," He lowered the paper fully, considering. "Clara would love that. Eleanor, too."
They were at the ball too, allowed to watch from an upstairs gallery for a while before bedtime.
"I thought to include my sisters as well. And…perhaps Theodore, if he's free to join."
At that Oliver's face grew guarded. He folded the newspaper precisely and set it aside.
