Page 119

She looked down at the little journal resting in her lap.

"And he told me he thought I was beautiful."

The words still felt wonderfully impossible. Eliza had spent weeks telling Colonel Radnor everything she had been too embarrassed to admit to anyone else, including how desperately she had wanted him to look at her as a husband ought.

"And... we shared a kiss today."

She glanced towards the colonel as though checking he was still asleep before leaning forwards conspiratorially.

"I know it isn't very ladylike to kiss and tell, but I thought perhaps that could remain our little secret. Oh, Colonel..."

She looked back down at the journal as she began writing again.

"I care for him so very much."

The admission felt strangely freeing.

"I know he cares for me too. I just wish I could convince him of it."

She looked towards the sleeping soldier once more.

"Hell..." she sighed, "...I rather wish you were awake. If anyone could order Arthur to stop being so stubborn, Laurence insists it would be you."

As she concentrated on finishing her sentence, she failed to notice his fingers twitch once more. A polite knock sounded at the door before Mr Ellis stepped inside.

"Your Grace," he said with a respectful bow, "I wished to inform you that the Dowager Duchess has arrived. She will be joining the family for dinner this evening."

"Thank you, Mr Ellis."

As he quietly withdrew, Eliza closed the journal and placed it carefully upon the bedside table. She reached for his hand one last time, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Goodnight, Colonel Radnor. I'll see you again in three days."

She hesitated.

"And... do try to get better soon, won't you?"

Reluctantly, she released his hand before leaving the room to be readied for dinner.

She chose one of the evening gowns Arthur had purchased for her shortly after her arrival at Winworth. It was the first formal dinner they had hosted since their marriage, and despite the impressive wardrobe that now occupied almost an entire dressing room, she had barely worked her way through half of it.

Tonight she settled upon a gown of rich burnt orange silk, embroidered delicately with gold thread below the bust that caught the candlelight whenever she moved. Vinnie had insisted upon arranging her curls, though she spent much of the process muttering under her breath about the alarming number of missing hairpins.

Eliza smiled innocently. She rather suspected that, if the staff ever organised a thorough search of the Duke's study, they would discover enough stray hairpins scattered about the room to account for the mystery entirely. She did not need to pinch colour into her cheeks that evening. The memories of earlier that day had left a near-permanent blush warming her face.

"Thank you, Vinnie," she said with a grateful smile.

Vinnie lingered for a moment before reluctantly stepping back.

"If you need me, Eliza, I'll be in the kitchens until late this evening."

"I shall be perfectly fine." She gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Please, go and enjoy your evening. I intend to have dinner, freshen up, and then retire with His Grace."

Vinnie searched her face for a moment before giving a knowing nod.

"As you wish." Only then did Eliza make her way towards dinner, her heart fluttering with anticipation.

As she entered the dining room, Arthur had already changed for the evening. Gone were his shirtsleeves, replaced by impeccably tailored black breeches, a black evening tailcoat, a white waistcoat and a fine linen shirt, finished with a crisp white cravat tied with military precision. He looked devastatingly handsome.