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“What?” she asked, her eyes meeting his.

“You look too beautiful for words,” he murmured, stepping closer to her. “I feel blessed among men.”

“I thought…” She swallowed. “I had feared you would be displeased.”

“Whyever would I be?” he asked.

“You did not say anything. You just watched me,” she pointed out.

She had found it easy to be vulnerable with him as their friendship had progressed even further. He was honest, and even if he had not revealed much of himself to her, she had heard him discuss literature and poetry with a skill that showed depth of character.

“I was at a loss for words,” he explained. “You do not know what your beauty does to a man, do you?”

She did not answer.

“There are too many ways and not enough ways to compliment you.” He stepped closer to her. “If I were to try, we would miss the party.”

She giggled, smiling up at him.

“You can be charming, husband,” she teased.

“Only with you, wife.”

He held out his arm to her and led her out to the carriage, helping her into it and entering behind her.

They rode in companionable silence to Haversham Estate. Once they arrived, her nerves returned, and she breathed out slowly to calm herself.

“Are you well?” the Duke asked with a hand on the small of her back.

“I feel a bit nervous,” she admitted. “We haven’t been out since…”

“Do not fear their words,” he urged. “They cannot hurt you.”

“I know that. I can not help but feel that they might be right in their assessment.”

He took her hand in his, squeezing it firmly but not hard enough to hurt her.

“I will not have you judging yourself for what you did not intend to happen,” he told her. “I also will not allow anyone else to hurt you. If you need support at any time, or if you want to leave, let me know.”

She nodded, squeezing his hand back. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “Shall we go in?”

All of Eveline’s fears had been in her head, as she had been received with nothing more than warmth and intrigue. Many compliments had been foisted on her as soon as they stepped into the hall.

The Duke and Duchess of Haversham were ecstatic to have them attend and had delayed greeting their other guests just to make conversation. It made Eveline happy to see her husband get attention from someone so powerful in Society.

“Now, I am uncomfortable with the attention,” she muttered to her husband, who smiled at her. “Why won’t they stop staring?”

“You should get accustomed to it,” he whispered. “You’re a beautiful woman. The world should be falling at your feet.”

She blushed, but his words gave her a confidence she had never expected to feel. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.

“Indeed.” She smiled.

He led her through the throng, greeting guests who stopped them every few steps. Soon, her feet were sore, and her face cramped from smiling so much, but she felt ecstatic. With the Duke by her side, she walked without doubting herself, and it felt wonderful to navigate a party without being burdened by insecurities.

“If it is not the happiest couple in the ton,” Eveline heard a familiar voice muse from behind them.