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“Very well,” she said. “I shall go speak with Mrs. Timmons and the cook.”

She made to leave, but at the last second, Seth’s fingers closed around her wrist, pulling her back. “Are you angry with me?”

His brown eyes had softened, the beast within slumbering once more.

“Of course not,” she replied shortly. “I will be the picture of a dutiful wife, just as you asked. After all, that is all I am good for.”

She pulled her wrist free, ignoring the stricken look that crossed his face, and left the room.

The air was heavy as evening approached.

Alicia had decided to dispense with her unusual gowns for the night, knowing that this occasion was important to Seth.

She had expected him to hide in his study for most of the day, but instead, he had never been far from her side.

Even as she discussed the arrangements for the dinner, he hovered in the doorway of the kitchen, strangely watchful.

Alicia was hurt initially, believing he was monitoring her to ensure she did not do something he disapproved of. But as the day dragged on, it seemed more that he did not wish to be away from her. She had walked around the house with a constant shadow.

Seth was on edge, agitated, but when he came to stand beside her, his restlessness would fade away.

Alicia did not know what to make of it, and as Rose put the finishing touches to her dress, she was not sure what to expect from the evening ahead.

Seth’s words had felt like a warning, but she could not fathom why.

She glanced at her gown. It was the most somber in her collection but had felt the most appropriate for reasons she could not explain. Large golden leaves were printed on the dark green fabric, and the sleeves made her waist look narrower than usual.

Rose stood up from where she had been adjusting the gown and smiled reassuringly. “You look very beautiful, Your Grace.”

Alicia smiled back. “I know you did not approve of my strange dresses, Rose. I do not blame you. Tonight, I think I must look as a duchess should.”

“Even when you wear something unusual, you look like a duchess, Your Grace.”

The words were strangely touching, and Alicia squeezed her maid’s hands gratefully before leaving the room.

As she walked out of her room, she almost collided with Seth, who was standing just outside the door. He looked extremely handsome in a dark brown tailcoat, tan breeches, and a tight waistcoat.

Alicia made to walk past him, but he stepped in front of her, keeping her in place. She looked up at him, surprised by his sincere expression.

“You look very beautiful,” he said softly. “No feathers this evening?”

Despite herself, her lips quirked up. “No. I thought your friends should believe me to be an ordinary duchess. I did not think you would thank me for making them question my habits.”

“There is nothing ordinary about you, Duchess. You do as you see fit in all things.” There was a hint of a smile on his face now.

“As do you,” she replied coldly, and his smile faded as quickly as it had come.

“Let us go downstairs,” he said sternly, and the mask fell into place as he walked away.

He did not offer her his arm, nor did he look back to make sure that she was following him.

The dining table was beautifully laid out with the finest china and gleaming silverware. Tall white candles cast a soft glow over the room, and Alicia could smell the aromas wafting from the kitchens.

Seth walked around the table. There were place settings at either end for him and Alicia, two on the right side, and just one on the left. He walked to the place setting on the left, tweaking one of the knives and resting his hand on the back of the chair.

Alicia’s eyes narrowed as she watched his fingers grip the wood, his knuckles stark against his tanned skin.

“Is everything all right?” she asked, just as the butler entered to inform them that the first of their guests had arrived.