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“Is it improper of me to be curious about the event we are attending? Or, better yet,” she leaned forward slightly, “An event I hardly know a thing about, thanks to myhusbands’sole planning?” The title of husband lingered in the back of Cordelia’s mind after she set it, the sound of it more right than it ever had been before.

“I suppose I can tell you,” he mocked as his smirk grew wider. “In all seriousness, I do not believe it is a crowd either one of us are familiar with. Your sister, Irene, will surely be in attendance. Along with a good friend of mine, Rhys Glowton, the Duke of Nightrow.”

Cordelia’s eyes widened. “The Duke of Nightrow?”

“Oh, have you heard of him?”

“Haven’t you?” She shook her head. “He is dreadfully reclusive. Even more so than you ever were.” Cordelia paused, one brow raising. “That is the connection, isn’t it? Friends through hermitage?”

“Very amusing,” Michael muttered as he looked away, though there was a smile perking up at his lip.

Cordelia watched him closely. “I hadn’t realized you…well, that you…you had…”

“If you mean to say you never thought I was capable of having friendships,” Michael finished for her, his face expressionless, “I understand.”

“I-I’m sorry, Michael.”

“Do not bother with such things,” he replied with a shrug. “Some days, I hardly believe it myself.”

“That you and the Duke are friends?”

He nodded slowly. “I am not a fool. I know the life I have lived is one of reclusivity. I can see everything that the Ton sees, Cordelia.”

She sat in silence for a moment, merely remembering the sound of her name against his lips. “Well, you couldn’t have been all that recluse, could you?”

“How so?”

“You managed to find the Duke,” she replied. “And he managed to find you all the same.” Cordelia smiled. “What do you two like to do together?”

Michael only stared. He opened his mouth to speak but simply let his jaw hang open, watching her with an intense closeness. The sudden quiet carried on until he leaned backwards, as if he needed to put more space between them. Michael cleared his throat. “Boxing,” he finally said. “We spar together at a club in London. It is private, of course, not like the gymnasiums you expect to see athletes at.”

“How good are you?”

Michael laughed. “That would be a foolish question to ask, wouldn’t it?”

“I don’t think so,” she replied with a shrug. “It is simple enough.”

“Well, I would not be inclined to call myselfbadat the sport, now would I?”

Cordelia wasn’t entirely sure where the blush came from, but could hardly put a stop to it. Quickly, her face was engulfed in heat. Despite the red hue taking over her, she didn’t dare pull her gaze away from Michael. “I suppose you might be right after all,” she replied in a quiet voice. “Is the Duke good, then?”

“Rhys is a capable partner to box alongside,” Michael said.

Cordelia laughed. “That was hardly an answer at all!”

“My point made again.”

The silence that came next was painfully comfortable. Cordelia wanted to bask in it, to fall asleep in it, to wake up with it. The feeling was one she wasn’t used to. Of course Cordelia grew up incredibly close to her older siblings, but they were never as bound as that. Suddenly she found herself sitting across from Michael once more, hoping that he would decide to remain at Solshire for as long as he wanted. She felt like a child as she wished for it, but couldn’t possibly stop herself.

The carriage ride went on smoothly till it rolled to a stop within London’s bustling city. There were countless other carriages that couples and families emerged from, all eager to spend some time in a newly furnished and groomed garden. The weather was beyond perfect for such an excursion, where one’s fan was hardly ever deemed necessary. Michael left the carriage first before extending a helping hand, and pulling Cordelia out next. She stepped out into the spring afternoon, and took in a deep breath.

A tall arched walkway was in front of her, lined with cobblestone. The path led into the twisting and winding gardens, countless different blossoming flowers curving around the corners. Members of the Ton already walked through, all eagerly casting looks in their direction. Cordelia had one arm twisted around Michael’s, and instinctively tightened, not entirely aware she had even done it at first.

“Are you alright?” Michael asked as he steered them towards the gardens.

She nodded. “I am very well, Michael.”

As the arch passed overhead, Michael kept his gaze focused on her. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.