Chapter 33
Thirty-Three
“Enter,” April called as the soft knock came.
She sat in the dressing room while Miss Evans carefully tucked the last of the pearl pins into her chignon. The maid stepped aside just in time for the doorway to fill with the tall, composed form of her husband.
Miss Evans gave a swift curtsy and disappeared. April remained seated, her hands folded in her lap, but her gaze caught his in the mirror. He approached without a word and set a small velvet box on the vanity before placing his hands lightly on her shoulders.
She raised a brow at his reflection. “You arrive bearing gifts now?”
He bent and kissed the top of her head, the warmth of it sending a small thrill down her spine.
“Perhaps it’s a reward,” he said. “Though undeserved. You’ve retained none of the lessons I’ve given you about patience.”
“Have I not?” she asked, pretending to pout. “I thought I’d made excellent progress in the art of patience.”
His brows lifted. “Is that what you call pestering me for answers every other minute?”
“I call it curiosity. A woman’s prerogative.”
“Is it?” he murmured, fingers brushing deliberately along her collarbone as he opened the box.
April turned to peer inside. Her breath caught.
A sapphire necklace, rich and brilliant, nestled in velvet beside its matching earrings. The gems gleamed like frozen sky, deep and dazzling.
“They were my mother’s,” he explained. “And before her, my grandmother’s. At least three Duchesses of Stone wore them before you.”
April reached out, fingertips grazing the cold stones. “They are beautiful,” she whispered. “Far too fine for me.”
Theo met her gaze in the mirror. “They are yours.”
She couldn’t look away. Not from the sapphires and not from the way he looked at her.
He lifted the necklace and stepped behind her, brushing the pearls from her hair before fastening the clasp. His fingers grazed her skin, and her eyelids fluttered before she caught herself.
This man is far too practiced at disarming me.
His hands lingered for a heartbeat longer than necessary. Their eyes met again in the mirror.
“I doubt I’ll be able to dazzle anyone,” she said lightly, “not when you’re the one they’ll all be staring at.”
He removed the pearl earrings she wore and replaced them with the sapphires. “You’ll manage well enough.”
She touched the necklace once more. “It feels… significant.”
“It is.”
He offered his arm. “Shall we go and dazzle the ton, Your Grace?”
She picked up her beaded reticule and let him lead her from the room. The ride into the city was quiet at first, broken only by the clatter of hooves and occasional glances exchanged between them.
“I still don’t understand,” she said at last. “Why did we return to London so suddenly? I thought we were going back to Stone Hall.”
He turned his head slightly, one corner of his mouth lifting. “There you are again, questioning everything.”
“And you refusing to answer.”
“A perfect match,” he said.
April narrowed her eyes. “You can’t distract me with compliments.”
“I thought to bring you nearer to your family,” he said finally. “Was I wrong?”
Her fingers tightened around the reticule. “No. I’m glad. It feels… easier here. Familiar. Safer.”
He nodded once. The shadows in the carriage disguised his expression, but she felt him watching her.
He brought me back because he thought it would ease my mind. That I would feel less afraid. He was right.
They arrived at the ball just after the hour. When the majordomo called out, “The Duke and Duchess of Stone,” heads began turning, and a hush settled over the crowded ballroom. April’s fingers instinctively curled tighter around Theo’s arm.
“They’re staring,” she whispered.
“Let them. You look beautiful, and you are my duchess.” He smiled down at her, and both the gesture and his words melted her from within.
A lady nearby gasped. “The Duke of Stone smiles!”
Another voice followed. “He truly is in love!”
April laughed under her breath while Theo only shook his head. They were met halfway by May and June, both beaming. August came behind them, and their mother trailed in with barely concealed triumph.
“My darling,” Dorothy said as she embraced April, “you look a vision.”
April smiled. “It is lovely to be here.”
Dorothy then whispered, “Your presence lifts all of our prospects, April. Society cannot help but admire you. This will raise your sisters’ chances, I’ve no doubt.”
April pulled away and smiled at her mother. If her title could serve any purpose beyond endless scrutiny, she was glad it might lift her sisters’ chances. “How is Father?”
“Improving,” Dorothy replied, nodding. “He is resting well.”
They moved further into the ballroom, April still flanked by her sisters. Before long, May and June seized the opportunity.
“You’re coming with us,” June commanded, linking arms with her and steering her toward the refreshment table.
“Have I a choice?” April asked, laughing.
“None,” May replied.
When they reached the table, May picked up a plate, and they piled them with tiny cakes and sandwiches. As they began nibbling, April leaned in.
“Any news of Loretta Roth?”
June rolled her eyes. “Very little. But a lady from my charity circle recalled that Loretta had a spectacular debut. Everyone expected her to marry a marquess. She settled for Gregory Roth instead—respectable fortune, no title.”
April raised a brow. “She must’ve been desperately in love.”
May glanced around then whispered, “What if she had no choice? What if she was ruined?”
April’s fingers tightened around her cup.
Or perhaps she was bitter. Perhaps she’s still watching from the shadows, jealous of what I have now.
Before she could reply, a familiar presence approached. She felt it first—then saw Theo. He always managed to find her in moments like this—when she most wanted him near.
He held out his hand. “Dance with me.”
She placed her fingers in his. “Shouldn’t you be frightening young lords with your scowl?”
“I’ve retired for the evening.”
He led her onto the floor. As the music began, he drew her close, not quite as reserved as he once might have been.
“You look lovely tonight,” he said, his gaze on hers as though they weren’t surrounded by half the ton.
“You appear far too satisfied for a man who claims to dislike society.”
“That’s because I am. Everyone here knows you’re mine.”
She raised a brow. “Possessive, are we?”
“Only when it comes to you.”
They spun through the crowd. His gaze didn’t waver. It warmed her skin more than the dancing ever could.
“Stop looking at me like that,” she said.
“Like what?”
“Like I’m… I don’t know. Like I’m breakable. Or rare.”
He smiled, subtle and slow. “That’s because you are. Though I suspect you’d bite the first person who dared say so.”
Her heart beat painfully in her chest. This is becoming too much. And yet, she didn’t want him to stop.
Theo and April’s eyes were still locked when the dance ended and the music stopped, and they held on a moment longer, as if they were appreciating each other anew. Before either could speak, a familiar voice sliced through the hum of the ballroom.
“April, how radiant you look.”
She turned, and the knot formed instantly in her stomach.
Loretta Roth stood beside her husband, Gregory, who offered a warm smile. April did her best to maintain her composure though she felt Theo shift slightly beside her.
“Mr. Roth,” she said with a cordial nod.
“Your Grace,” Gregory replied. “A pleasure to see you. You look resplendent this evening.”
“Thank you,” April answered. “You are very kind.”
Loretta, still half-hidden behind her fan, gave a long look from the hem of April’s dress to the top of her pinned hair. “And such a stunning necklace,” she observed, her gaze lingering.
“Ah, yes,” Gregory said with a fond glance at the sapphires. “That is one of Stone’s heirlooms. If I recall correctly, it has adorned the necks of at least three duchesses.” He smiled at April. “You must be pleased, Your Grace. It is surely among the most beautiful pieces in the kingdom.”
April’s fingers rose to touch the necklace, almost absently. Her eyes drifted up to her husband, who was watching her with quiet fondness. Their gazes held, the unspoken passing between them louder than any words.
I don’t want to let you in this deeply, and yet, I already have.
Then Loretta’s gloved hand slipped into her arm. “Come, let us take a turn about the room,” she said.
It was not a request.
April glanced at Theo. He gave her the barest nod. She allowed herself to be drawn away.
As they walked, Loretta raised her hand and waved cheerily at a nearby group of ladies. One detached herself and approached.
“Mrs. Tollens,” Loretta said brightly, “may I introduce the Duchess of Stone?”
April inclined her head. “A pleasure.”
Loretta beamed. “We are sisters-in-law now, you see.”
Of course. That is what this is. A public display to attach herself to me.
April smiled, responding with the polite warmth expected of her. Mrs. Tollens offered her greetings and moved on, and Loretta, satisfied with the impression she had made, resumed their stroll.
“You must truly love Gregory,” April said, her tone light but the meaning unmistakable. “To turn away so many titled gentlemen during your season, Loretta.”
Loretta’s step faltered, barely, then she let out a laugh and looped her arm more tightly through April’s. “But of course. Gregory is everything to me.”
She said it just loud enough for those nearby to hear, even adding a bright laugh. From a distance, they might have looked like the dearest of companions.
April smiled. “Even if Theo returned to you, wishing to rekindle a former passion?”
Loretta’s laugh was sharper now, brittle behind her teeth. “My heart is spoken for. Besides, even if he were to come begging, I would still choose Gregory.”
You chose comfort over scandal, didn’t you? April thought. You don’t act like a woman in love. It’s Gregory who watches you like the world hangs on your every word.
“And how are your children?” April asked. “Samuel and Everett, is it?”
“Quite well.”
“And Samuel—when was he born? How soon after your wedding, I mean?”
Loretta laughed though it came with less ease. “What a ridiculous question.”
April tilted her head. “Is it? I find it a rather straightforward one.”
The silence stretched before Loretta answered, “Within the first year of our marriage. He was a delightful babe.”
She had avoided the question. Cleanly. But not convincingly.
April said nothing. She only walked, thinking.
Then Loretta said, “It’s unlike Theo to dance only with one woman. Has London softened him?”
April followed her gaze and found Theo still speaking with Gregory. She was not sure what to make of what Loretta had just said—whether or not it was true.
“Perhaps you’ve simply been away too long,” April replied. “He may be a different man now.”
Loretta laughed again. “How charming. You believe in change. Such girlish fantasies. Men do not change. I know. I’ve lived in this world longer than you.”
April smiled, but the edges were sharp. “Then perhaps it’s time you tried another world. This one clearly doesn’t suit you.”
Loretta blinked, and for the faintest second, her eye twitched.
“I remember how Theo once looked at me,” she said suddenly. “As if I were the most precious thing alive. But he looks at all women that way, doesn’t he? You’ll see. In time, you’ll be left behind like the rest of us.”
The words struck deep, but April didn’t flinch. She remembered the terrace at the theatre, the way he had kissed the top of her head. The way he’d fastened the necklace with trembling fingers.
She looked Loretta full in the face. “Whatever romantic dreams you still harbor, put them to rest. Theo chose me, Loretta. He made me his duchess. No one else.”
April pulled her arm free. “And you may stop pretending we are friends. I do not befriend hypocrites.” She walked away without another word, leaving Loretta to gape behind her.
Instead of returning to Theo, she turned toward the ballroom doors, needing air, distance—anything.
The doubt had already begun to seep in, soft and insidious.
She doesn’t know him. But what if she’s right? What if I’m just a moment of novelty, a season of affection he’ll one day forget?
Before she could reach the doors, someone caught her gently by the elbow. She turned to Theo, and her heart gave a kick in her chest.
“Are you well?” he asked, his dark brows drawing over his eyes.
She opened her mouth, but nothing came. Her thoughts twisted too quickly to untangle.
Then she remembered who she was.
I am April. I do not crumble.
She smiled faintly. “I only need a moment to visit the retiring room.”
He nodded but didn’t let go. His eyes held hers, searching as though trying to see every thought she would not say.
Then, slowly, he released her.
April turned and walked away, keeping her shoulders high and her gait confident. But inside, she felt her heart breaking apart, piece by piece.