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“As I have said plenty of times before: Iknowyou, Cordelia.”

She rolled her eyes like a petulant adolescent. “He decides to start things with me, Irene,notthe other way around.”

“Really?”

“Is that truly so hard to believe?”

“As a matter of fact -”

“Irene!”

Her sister let out a laugh. “When did you become so defensive, Cordelia?” Irene’s brow rose, a knowing smirk beginning to spread across her thin lips. “If I knew any better, I’d say something else sits heavily on your mind.”

Cordelia glanced at her. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Irene shrugged. “Nothing.”

“Sister,” she warned, leaning forward and catching the attention of Tiberius, “There is nothing else weighing on my mind, other than my husband who has finallydecidedto be my husband sent word that we might attend a ball later this week.”

Irene’s eyes widened. “A ball?”

“I know,” Cordelia muttered. “Isn’t it ridiculous? I haven’t attended one in -”

“That is spectacular, Cordelia!” Irene blurted, clapping her hands as if she could no longer contain her excitement. “It has already been a marvelous Season. I am very pleased you’ll have a chance to experience it as a married Lady.”

Cordelia rolled her eyes again. “I am in no way looking forward to the event, Irene.”

“Don’t tell me you argued with the Duke about it.”

“Well,” she mused, falling back against the sofa once more, “I suppose he did not give me much of a chance.” Her mind wandered, lingering in the reverie of the Duke’s heavy stare holding onto her across from the breakfast table. That same feeling returned: the tightness in her chest, the increased hammering of her heart. Cordelia waved a hand in front of her, as if the memory was a pesky bug. “Perhaps I will voice my concern the moment I return to Solshire.”

“For Heaven’s sake, Cordelia,” Irene snapped, “Don’t do such a thing.”

“Why not?”

Irene sighed. “I told you before. The Duke is a beastly thing.”

“You seemed very excited for me a moment ago!”

“When left uncontested, I believe it to be a great opportunity,” she argued. “Despite the Ton’s whispers only being rumors, haven’t you considered what would happen if they weren’t?”

Cordelia shrugged. “No.”

“Rumors or not, the Duke of Solshire was known as a beast before you were ever wed. Doesn’t that worry you?”

“Why should it?”

Irene rose from her seat, quickly rounding the table to lounge on the sofa beside her. Without a moment to lose, Tiberius followed, resting his head across Irene’s lap with a loud sigh. His wide, brown eyes stared up at Cordelia.

“Perhaps,” Irene began, her voice soft, “You might consider allowing yourself to be afraid of the Duke.”

Cordelia leaned away from her sister. “Why would I ever do such a thing?”

“How are we supposed to know what he might do if pushed too far?”

“You can’t believe everything the Ton whispers, Irene.”

“Of course not,” she replied. “But they are not blind. To ignore it would be ignorant.” She reached, grasping a hold of Cordelia’s hand tightly. “I only want you safe and content, Cordelia. Is that so wrong of me?”