Chapter 25
Twenty-Five
“ A h,” Cedric said, his voice breaking through her confusion. He rose to his feet, turning toward them with what could only be described as an actual smile—rare, uncharacteristic, and entirely surprising. “And here is my Duchess.”
Audrey blinked, her heart fluttering in her chest as he held out his hand to her. She placed her gloved hand in his almost automatically, and to her astonishment, he pulled her closer, his palm warm against hers. It was not possessive, but it was… tender.
“May I introduce you,” he said smoothly, his deep voice carrying through the room, “to Edward Hunting, the Marquess of Belleville.”
Audrey glanced at the Marquess, who rose gracefully to his feet. He was handsome and charming, his golden hair catching the glow of the firelight. His eyes crinkled as he smiled at her. “Finally, a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace,” he said warmly, bowing over her hand.
“And this is my sister-in-law,” Cedric continued, gesturing toward Lilianna. “Lady Lilianna Winslow.”
Belleville turned his attention to Lilianna, and for the first time in weeks, Audrey saw her sister’s cheeks flush.
Belleville took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Charmed, My Lady,” he said, his voice soft but teasing.
Lilianna looked down quickly, but Audrey noticed the faintest of smiles tugging at her lips.
Interesting .
While Belleville engaged Lilianna in conversation, Audrey turned to Cedric, narrowing her eyes slightly at him. “You didn’t tell me you invited someone.”
Cedric smirked, clearly unrepentant. “I thought you would enjoy the surprise.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, though she couldn’t quite suppress her smile. “And what prompted this sudden act of sociability?”
“Belleville has known me since Eton,” Cedric replied casually, as though that explained everything. “He is influential, and as you so often remind me, influence matters.”
Audrey stared at him, her heart soaring unexpectedly.
He is listening to me.
The realization was so overwhelming that she nearly threw her arms around him.
“I do know how influential he is,” she said instead, her voice bright. “The most eligible bachelor in England.”
Cedric raised an eyebrow. “Do I detect matchmaking schemes?”
Audrey glanced at Belleville and Lilianna, who were still speaking quietly. Her sister’s smile had grown—soft, tentative, but real.
“Trust me, Cedric,” she murmured, grinning up at him. “I’ve been right thus far.”
Cedric looked down at her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “Perhaps you have,” he said softly.
Dinner was announced, and the group moved to the dining room. The table was beautifully set, candlelight casting a warm glow over the silver and crystal. Audrey watched as Belleville took his seat beside Lilianna, already regaling her with tales of his travels.
“… there we were,” he said dramatically, “in the middle of the Mediterranean, our ship tossed about like a child’s toy in a bathtub.”
Lilianna’s eyes widened. “What did you do?”
“Absolutely nothing,” Belleville said with a grin. “I was far too terrified of being struck by lightning.”
Cedric snorted softly, drawing all eyes to him. “You did plenty,” he said, his voice dry. “Belleville tied knots that even the captain praised.”
Belleville waved a hand dismissively. “Small knots, Haremore. Nothing heroic.”
“Knots are important,” Audrey said suddenly, glancing at Cedric with a playful smile. “Wouldn’t you agree, husband?”
Cedric raised an eyebrow, though his lips twitched faintly. “Indeed. A strong knot holds everything together.”
“Much like marriage,” Grace chimed in, smiling knowingly at Audrey.
Audrey glanced toward the head of the table, where her father sat. To her surprise, his expression had softened, his gaze lingering on Belleville with something almost akin to approval.
Her heart swelled with hope.
After dinner, the gentlemen remained behind while the ladies withdrew to the drawing room. Audrey found herself standing alone by the window, her gaze sweeping over the darkened garden beyond. The evening had gone better than she dared to hope, but hope, she knew, could be dangerous.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Grace said gently, appearing at her side.
Audrey smiled faintly. “It isn’t easy being here,” she admitted quietly. “London feels… suffocating at times.”
“And yet you’re managing,” Grace said, her voice warm. “Cedric is here, and he seems to be supporting you.”
Audrey’s chest tightened. “Yes,” she said softly. “He is.”
Grace’s hand rested gently on Audrey’s arm. “I hope you find happiness with him, Audrey.”
Audrey looked out at the garden, the darkness beyond the window stretching endlessly. Happiness. The word settled uncomfortably in her chest because she could not see it—at least not yet.
“I hope so too,” she whispered.
But even as she said it, doubt curled at the edges of her heart, leaving her feeling as though happiness was just out of reach—something she dared not believe in.
Audrey glanced down at the stack of invitations balanced on the silver tray that Astor held with his usual impeccable composure. Her eyebrows rose as she sifted through the pile—creamy envelopes embossed with elegant handwriting, each addressed to the Duke and Duchess of Haremore.
“When did all these arrive?” she asked, her voice holding both amusement and triumph.
“This morning, Your Grace,” Astor replied calmly, though the corner of his mouth twitched as though he shared in her satisfaction.
Audrey smiled, her heart soaring just a little more. “Our second day in London, and it seems everyone wishes to see us. Excellent.” She turned, clutching the invitations to her chest. “Is His Grace at home?”
Astor shook his head. “No, Your Grace. His Grace is at the House of Lords.”
“Very well,” Audrey said briskly. “Send Miss Smith to me, if you please. And have my spencer and bonnet brought down.”
Astor inclined his head and disappeared up the stairs with the same quiet efficiency that had come to define him. A few moments later, Miss Smith appeared, her round face bright with curiosity and enthusiasm.
“Are we going somewhere, Your Grace?” she asked eagerly, holding the pale blue spencer that matched Audrey’s dress.
“We are.” Audrey slipped her arms into the spencer sleeves and tied the bonnet’s ribbons beneath her chin with practiced ease. “To Stonebridge House. My sisters have been hiding long enough, and I intend to coax them out of their cocoon.”
“Oh, very good, Your Grace!” Miss Smith said approvingly, her cheeks pink with excitement. “The fresh air will do wonders for Lady Lilianna and Lady Clarise. They must come out, eventually.”
Audrey nodded, straightening her posture. “They will not come out willingly, but they will come out.”
She stepped into the foyer with purpose, only to halt at her husband’s arrival. Cedric was just walking in, his long legs carrying him across the black-and-white tiles. He paused when he saw her, his eyebrow arching as he surveyed her attire.
“And where are you going?” he asked, his voice low and slightly suspicious.
“To conquer London,” she replied brightly, holding up the invitations. “Or rather, Hyde Park.”
Cedric’s lips quirked up, though his brow remained furrowed. “And your sisters are involved in this venture?”
“Not yet,” Audrey replied. “But they will be.” She reached for his arm, wrapping her hand around it before he could resist. “And you are coming with me.”
Cedric stiffened slightly, eyeing her with reluctance and disbelief. “I most certainly am not.”
Audrey tightened her grip on his arm and smiled up at him sweetly. “Oh, but you are. Think of the whispers, Cedric. The Duke and Duchess of Haremore, walking through Grosvenor Square and Hyde Park as if nothing can touch them.” Her smile widened. “Because it cannot.”
Cedric sighed, though there was a hint of amusement in the sound. “You are insufferable.”
“And you are my husband.” Audrey tugged lightly on his arm. “Now, come along.”
He looked at her for a long moment, his dark gaze unreadable. Then, with a resigned exhale, he relented. “Very well. But you owe me for this.”
Audrey tilted her head, intrigued. “And what will you demand as payment, Your Grace?”
He leaned closer, his voice a low whisper against her ear. “You will see.”
The words sent a warm shiver through her, her cheeks flushing despite herself. Her fingers tightened around his arm as they stepped outside, and she felt the stares almost immediately. The residents of Grosvenor Square, so adept at peering through curtains and over balconies, were clearly captivated by the sight of them.
“Smile,” she said softly, her tone teasing but firm.
Cedric turned his head slightly, his lips near her ear once again. “You smile enough for the both of us.”
The intimate whisper only made her blush deepen, and she found herself laughing softly as they walked arm in arm down the street. A group of ladies passing by on the opposite pavement turned their heads, whispering furiously behind gloved hands. Audrey felt a surge of satisfaction.
Let them talk.
Cedric seemed to notice as well. “Enjoying yourself?” he murmured.
“Immensely,” Audrey replied, glancing up at him. “You may not see it yet, but this is precisely what we need.”
They reached Stonebridge House, and Audrey wasted no time sweeping into the drawing room, Cedric following reluctantly behind her.
Clarise was seated with embroidery in her lap, and Lilianna stood by the window, her face pale. Both turned to face Audrey in surprise.
“You are coming to Hyde Park with us,” Audrey announced, her hands on her hips.
Clarise blinked, dropping her embroidery. “What?”
Lilianna frowned. “I cannot, Audrey.”
“Yes, you can,” Audrey insisted, stepping forward. “You can and you will. You cannot hide away forever. The world will not forget you unless you remind them who you are.”
Lilianna hesitated, her gaze darting to Cedric, who stood near the door, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. “But?—”
“No buts,” Audrey said firmly. She turned to Clarise. “And you, too. You are both coming, and that is final.”
There was a pause. Then, Cedric spoke, his voice startlingly gentle. “Your sister is right.”
Lilianna blinked, looking at him as if she’d never seen him before. Audrey, too, glanced at him, surprise flickering across her face. It wasn’t often that he openly supported her, and she felt a surge of unexpected gratitude.
The ride to Hyde Park was uneventful, though the sisters were quiet. Audrey watched them closely, hoping that being in Society again would restore some of their lost confidence. When they reached the park, the air was crisp, and the wide gravel paths were bustling with London’s elite—ladies in colorful bonnets, gentlemen in top hats, and nursemaids pushing perambulators.
Cedric walked alongside Audrey, his gloved hand resting lightly on her back—an action that felt both protective and possessive. Behind them, Lilianna and Clarise walked quietly, their hands clasped.
They had only strolled a short distance when Cedric was hailed by a gentleman passing by. “Haremore! A moment, if you please.”
Cedric inclined his head, murmuring to Audrey, “I will only be a moment. Stay close.”
Audrey smiled reassuringly, though she felt the absence of his presence keenly the moment he stepped away.
“Come along,” she said, guiding her sisters forward.
They had gone only a little farther when a voice cut through the air, sharp and distinctive. “Well, well, look who dares to show her face.”