“Thank you.”
He continued to admire me as I entered the room and stood before him. He was wearing the silk flower he’d purchased from me outside the Metropolitan Opera House in his button hole.
“You brought it with?” I asked, a smile warming my face.
“I always have it with me.” He shook his head. “It feels like just yesterday that we met, yet I can’t seem to remember a time when you weren’t part of my life.”
My smile widened as I realized I felt the same way. Learning about Alec’s childhood over breakfast last week made me feel as if I had known him my whole life.
“I hope tonight is a splendid success for you, Keira. You’ve worked so hard for this moment. I hope it won’t be ruined by a gossip column.”
I let out a breath. “Even if things turn around in our favor, I’m not sure if I still want to marry the duke.”
He frowned. “Why not?”
“It’s silly, but Gallagher heard some rumors about the duke’s home and family, and to be frank, I don’t want to find out if they are true.”
“I inquired about the duke down at White’s gentlemen’s club.”
“Did you learn anything valuable?”
“Rumors and speculations, though there was one thing I did discover that is verifiable.”
“What is it?”
“His mother killed his father.”
My eyes widened. “That was one of the rumors Gallagher heard—but that she was the third duchess in a row who killed her husband.”
Alec frowned. “I hadn’t heard that. What I did learn was that the duke’s mother died shortly after entering prison.”
“How horrible for all of them.”
“Apparently, and this is the part that you need to understand—” He studied me as he spoke. “It was the duchess who had been having an affair, and when her husband learned about it, there was an altercation. This happened fifteen years ago, well after you were born. I do not believe the Duke of Severton’s family has anything to do with yours.”
I nodded. “But there is still much to consider. I cannot let the duke’s past hinder my decision, just as I hope my past won’t hinder his, but do I want to live in a castle that is so shrouded in rumors and mysteries?”
“You would be a fool to turn him down,” Aunt Maude said as she entered the room.
We both turned at her arrival.
“It doesn’t matter what rumors surround His Grace,” she continued. “He has a title. That’s all we need.”
“We’re talking about Clara’s life,” Alec said. “She must take into consideration more than the title.”
“Why?” Aunt Maude lifted her chin. “That was what she agreed to when I adopted her. Are you getting picky now that you’ve realized you could have any of the single men in London?” she asked me.
I shook my head, feeling guilty that she would even think such a thing.
“Very well.” She tightened her jaw for a moment. “I want to hear no more of this talk. We should leave for Lady Randolph Churchill’s ball. There is much at stake tonight and we need to be a unified front.”
Alec straightened and I readjusted my gloves.
Ready or not, it was time to face society head-on.
While in London, Lord and Lady Randolph Churchill lived at 2 Connaught Place on the north side of Hyde Park, near the Marble Arch. Their home was an impressive display of wealth, since Jennie had been an American heiress and brought a significant dowry into their marriage.
As Lady Mandeville’s carriage pulled up to the Churchill townhome, my nerves were so frayed, I was afraid I might be sick. It was one thing to be cut in Hyde Park, but another to be cut in a ballroom with everyone watching.
