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Eveline chuckled as she led her friend to the drawing room, where Lily exchanged pleasantries with Ava and Stella.

“Now, you must tell me everything that happened,” Lily said the moment she sat down.

“The Duke told her that their marriage is only one of convenience and they shall only be friends and nothing more even after they have shared a bed,” Ava spoke up.

“I cannot believe it,” Lily gasped in shock.

“We were all shocked when Eveline told us. I suppose the Duke deceived us all,” Stella mumbled.

“This cannot possibly be right now, can it?” Lily asked as she turned to Eveline. “I had seen the two of you at Kensington Gardens, and I had been positively impressed by how much he seemed to dote on you.”

“And he still doted on me even a day before he finally made the announcement,” Eveline informed her.

“How bizarre!” Lily exclaimed. “Does the Duke even know that he is lucky that a damsel like you agreed to be his wife and fell for him?”

“I suppose he is not aware,” Ava scoffed.

“I suppose it is a good thing that this happened,” Lily said.

Eveline was confused. “How could this possibly be a good thing?”

“It is a good thing that he told you so early into your marriage. Now, you know he is only but a man with a deceitful tongue, and you shall never truly care for him the way you would a loving husband.”

“I suppose you are right,” Eveline relented. It was truly a blessing that she knew now the sort of man William was. “I cannot help but wonder if I should simply ask for a divorce.”

Ava dropped her crocheting pin, and Stella gasped. Lily was the only one who did not seem particularly shocked by her statement.

“I do not fault you for wanting a divorce, Evie,” Lily said. “After all, it is better to seek a divorce than suffer in silence.”

“Papa would simply swoon if he ever heard of such a thing,” Stella said.

“Since when did you care what Papa thinks?” Eveline asked.

“Papa could not possibly afford the rather expensive bill that comes with filing for a divorce,” Ava said. “We would simply go bankrupt. And since it could take five years for Parliament to approve it, you will still have to live in the Duke’s home for years.”

“This is why I say that marriage is nothing but a trap for women,” Lily declared. “It is almost impossible for a woman to get a divorce, and even then, it would take years, and it shall pass through Parliament, which consists of only men. And in your case, the man you wish to divorce is also a member of Parliament. How could your case possibly get a fair review when the Duke is still one of the people who would decide on the divorce?”

Eveline sighed as Lily’s words sank in. It was truly impossible for her to file for a divorce, given that her father would never agree to it. Even if it was not so hard, it would still take a rather long time, and that was if her case ever saw the light of day.

“I suppose I am tied to the Duke forever, then.”

The idea of remaining stuck in a loveless marriage where she and her husband would live in different homes was unfathomable. Even the mere thought of it made her shudder.

“Even if a divorce is far too expensive and tasking, Evie can simply get a legal separation.”

As Lily rattled on and on about her options, Eveline could not help but wonder if she truly wanted to separate from her husband.

What if he had only said those words because she was lacking in some ways or he did not find her quite desirable?

“Eveline!” Stella tapped her gently, pulling her out of her reverie.

“What is the grand plan that seems to have held your mind captive?” Ava asked.

“I suspect I might know the true reason why the Duke seems to not have a romantic interest in me,” Eveline said.

“Aside from the fact that he is a dishonorable man?” Ava sneered.

“Or a cruel one?” Lily added.