Chapter 15 #2
Things had become easier, once they had found their footing.
The key was to always be moving, which made it harder for Florentia and Hudson to be surrounded and held up.
And when they were approached, after introductions were made, Florentia was quick to make an excuse as to why she and Hudson needed to keep moving.
This saw her husband relax considerably as the night wore on.
Eventually, Hudson’s brother and wife had found them, which Florentia saw brought about an immediate change in Hudson. He loosened up considerably, relaxed even more than he had before, and she saw that he looked as if he was enjoying himself.
“I lost a lot of money tonight, and it is all your fault,” Elias had accused Hudson.
“Money? What are you speaking of—shall I have Mr. Andrews take a look?”
His brother had rolled his eyes. “It was a bet that I lost. I put down large sums of coin betting that you would not attend this ball, an easy wager on which I was certain to make out like a bandit in the night.”
Hudson exhaled sharply. “Do not be foolish.”
“Yet here you are! Honestly, brother, you have changed. I just can’t decide if I like this change in you or not.” He slapped Hudson on the arm and laughed, and Hudson, most surprisingly, joined in.
It was all going so well that when a lord who’s name Florentia did not know approached them and asked if he might speak with Hudson privately, she did not think to intervene. She met her husband’s eyes, and he nodded his approval of the request, allowing himself to be led away without fuss.
To Florentia, it was a sign that he trusted her.
Or perhaps that he had learned enough from her this evening that he would be able to leave the conversation when required, without turning hostile.
Or maybe he was simply enjoying himself, as she knew he would, and for once did not mind the idea of being caught up in chatter.
“The marriage is going well then?” Elias asked. “Although I suppose the evidence speaks for itself.”
She smiled. “It is coming along nicely.”
“Better than last month,” Albina added. “And I told you so, did I not?”
“Yes, yes, take all the credit you wish,” Florentia laughed. “I know you will, no matter what I say.”
“Last month? What was last month?” Elias asked, to which his wife laughed and shook her head.
This was not a traditional marriage by any means.
The truth was that it was hardly even a marriage.
There was no romance between her and Hudson.
And no sense that he wished for it, and nor did she.
Rather, it was a friendship of sorts, as strange as that might have sounded.
Hard going at first, but now one which she was beginning to cherish in ways that went far beyond any friendship she’d had before.
She cared for Hudson, was why. She worried about him. She wished for the best, and hoped he thought the same of her. What was more, she liked his company. How very odd.
It was thus that she found herself missing him by her side, realizing suddenly that he had been gone for some time.
She felt a moment of panic as she worried, her gaze cast across the ballroom in search of him.
She let out a sigh of relief when she saw the back of him.
.. only for her stomach to drop when she saw who he was talking to.
“Oh no...” Florentia said.
“What is it?” Elias turned around and saw to what she was referring. “Ah. This should be interesting.”
“Can I ask you something?” Florentia began, still watching her husband, who was speaking to his stepmother with his arms crossed and a disgruntled look on his face. She, on the other hand, was animated and lively, looking a little too pleased with herself.
“If it’s about our stepmother, I would not presume to tell you why Hudson and she have such a cantankerous relationship.”
“You do not know?”
“I do,” he said. “But it is not my place. If he wishes for you to know, then he will tell you.”
She nodded her agreement, while also wondering if that day would ever come.
As close as she and Hudson were growing, they certainly weren’t at a point in their relationship where they shared history and traumas.
..or rather, Hudson wasn’t at that point.
A closed book was how she read him, and when they did speak it was surface level, and she was careful not to pry.
How will we ever grow closer if he refuses to open to me? Unless it is a conscious effort not to do so?
Nonetheless, Florentia knew a bad situation when she saw one and figured now was a good time to swoop in and rescue her husband before it was too late. However, she never got the chance.
She watched it happen. Hudson, throwing his arms in the air in anger. Florentia, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. Hudson, hands clenched into fists now as he glared at her. And finally, him storming off as if his coat had been set ablaze.
He powered through the crowd, toward the back of the ballroom, heading for the balcony. With such haste did he move that he didn’t waste time dodging the crowd, figuring rightly that they would jump out of the way when they saw him coming.
“That is...not good,” Elias sighed. “I suppose I should go speak with him.”
“No...” Florentia took him by the arm to stop him. “I will.”
“Are you sure?”
No, she was not. But she sensed an opportunity in this, a chance to take what was a solid foundation in their growing relationship and guide it to the next level. Whether the duke wanted such a thing or not...I suppose I am about to find out.