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The cloud of unease over the missing antiquities continued to linger in Blanche's mind, casting shadows over the grandeur of Brooksdale Manor. Yet, amidst the persistent worry, a welcome reprieve arrived in the form of an unexpected invitation.

"I am to attend a private lecture this afternoon,” Philip announced, a pleased smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Mr. Pratt is to speak—on what, I am not certain, but it promises to be a most engaging subject. I thought perhaps… you might like to accompany me.”

Blanche looked up from the page she had been pretending to read, her expression brightening with genuine interest. “I should like that very much. I shall dress right away so I am ready."

As she ascended the staircase, Blanche realised that she had first spotted Philip at a lecture by Mr. Pratt.

Of course, she had not known much about him at the time, and of course, she had no idea that he would end up being her husband, but she had been intrigued by him.

She thought him handsome and interesting.

She yearned for a chance to exchange ideas with him.

Now she could talk to him whenever she wanted, about whatever she wanted.

How strange life was.

Blanche dressed quickly, selecting a soft lavender gown that brought a delicate warmth to her complexion.

She hesitated briefly before choosing a silver necklace simple, but elegant.

Not for the ton, not for appearances, but for him.

It pleased her, more than she cared to admit, when Philip admired her.

As she descended the staircase, the gown flowing like water about her feet, she found him waiting in the foyer. He turned at the sound of her approach, and his expression softened into something that caught her breath.

"You look absolutely enchanting," Philip remarked, his eyes lighting up with admiration.

Blanche felt colour rise to her cheeks. “Thank you,” she replied, “I am looking forward to the lecture. What do you think Mr. Pratt will discuss today? Has he given a subject matter for his lecture?"

Philip chuckled, offering his arm. “With Mr. Pratt, the subject is often a mystery until the moment he begins. But whether it’s ancient burial customs or the pottery shards of forgotten tribes, he has a gift for making it all rather enthralling.

I am sure we shall be in for an enlightening afternoon.

I will be glad to have you with me as we learn.

It is always exciting to have someone to talk to afterwards about everything. "

"Yes, I agree." Blanche beamed from ear to ear. "That is one of my favourite things to do also."

Together they stepped into the waiting carriage, the quiet rhythm of hooves on cobblestone accompanying their shared anticipation.

As the manor faded behind them, Blanche leaned back and looked out the window, her thoughts adrift.

She had once stood in that same hall, an unmarried woman nursing private curiosities about a stranger at a lecture.

Now, she sat beside that very man, on their way to share an afternoon of learning and conversation.

How swiftly life could change.

And for the first time in many days, the weight of missing heirlooms and whispered doubts slipped from her shoulders, replaced by something quieter, but warmer: the sense that perhaps, just perhaps, she and Philip were beginning to find their way toward one another.

***

The lecture hall was abuzz with quiet anticipation, the low murmur of scholarly conversation echoing off panelled walls and vaulted ceilings.

Blanche and Philip took their seats amidst the gathered assembly gentlemen in tailored coats, ladies fanning themselves softly, all drawn by the promise of Mr. Pratt’s erudition.

The air held the pleasant tension of minds eager to be stirred.

When Mr. Pratt finally stepped onto the modest platform, the hall fell silent. With eloquence and ease, he began to speak—transporting his audience through distant lands and vanished eras, unravelling the fates of long-forgotten empires with the finesse of a master storyteller.

Blanche leaned forward slightly, eyes alight, her mind momentarily freed from the lingering shadow of the missing antiquities. She was drawn in wholly—every word, every image conjured, pulling her deeper into the enchanting web of ancient wonders.

During the intermission, as the room filled once more with soft conversation and rustling notes, Philip turned toward her, a light in his gaze.

“It is quite something, is it not?” he said, his voice low, intimate. “I am very glad we chose to come together.”

Blanche glanced over; her smile genuine. “It truly is captivating. I had not realised how much I needed this... Thank you, Philip. These moments with you—they are a welcome escape.”

He gave a small nod, his expression softening in that rare way it sometimes did—reserved only for her.

As the second half commenced, the lecture delved deeper into the intricacies of archaeological methods and the delicate dance between discovery and preservation. Blanche and Philip exchanged the occasional glance—an unspoken recognition of shared fascination, and perhaps, something more.

Gone was the stiffness of titles, the weight of courtly obligation. Here, in this hallowed hall of learning, they were not duke and duchess, but simply two curious minds finding common ground.

When Mr. Pratt opened the floor for questions, a brief hush fell over the hall. Blanche hesitated, then raised her hand, pulse-quickening with both nervousness and resolve.

Philip turned to her with a look of quiet encouragement—there was pride in his eyes, and warmth.

“Yes, my lady?” Mr. Pratt called, gesturing toward her with polite curiosity.

Blanche rose slightly in her seat, her voice clear but composed.

“Thank you, Mr. Pratt. I was most intrigued by your mention of delicate finds. Might I ask—what measures are taken to ensure such fragile artefacts are preserved during excavation? And once uncovered, how are they best protected from deterioration?”

A murmur of approval passed through the audience at the thoughtful query.

Mr. Pratt inclined his head, clearly pleased.

“An excellent question, indeed. Preservation, particularly of fragile items, is an essential and often overlooked part of the work. We begin with careful documentation, and when necessary, create controlled environments on-site to avoid destabilisation. Once recovered, items are cleaned—often with the gentlest of brushes—and stabilised by trained conservators. Some pieces require months, even years, of delicate restoration before they are fit to be studied or displayed.”

Blanche listened intently, absorbing every word. “Thank you, sir. That is most illuminating.”

She resumed her seat, cheeks tinged with colour—not from embarrassment, but from the quiet thrill of having contributed something of value. She could feel Philip’s gaze upon her, and though she did not meet it at once, she smiled to herself.

Yes—Penelope had been right. Whatever else lay ahead, this—this spark of shared purpose—would remain. Here, among lost histories and long-buried truths, Blanche had found a sliver of certainty.

They would always have this between them: a meeting of minds, a shared reverence for the past, and the possibility—just the faintest glimmer—of something genuine unfolding in the present.

***

The clatter of hooves echoed through the narrow London streets as the carriage carried Blanche and Philip towards her family's townhouse.

The flickering gas lamps cast a warm glow, illuminating the familiar surroundings of the city.

Blanche's mind, however, was focused on a matter closer to her heart; the mystery of the missing antiquities still weighed heavily on her mind.

Spurred by inspiration from Mr. Pratt’s lecture and buoyed by Philip’s agreeable nature, Blanche had requested a detour to her family’s townhouse. To her quiet relief, he had agreed without hesitation.

As the carriage slowed before the tall, familiar facade of the Ipswich residence, Blanche felt a rush of anticipation mingled with unease. Stepping down with Philip at her side, she smoothed her skirts and steeled herself.

The door opened to the scent of polished wood and the gentle hush of memories. The house stood as it always had, though something in the air felt slightly altered charged, somehow. Blanche’s gaze scanned the hallway, half-hoping the artefacts might greet her from their rightful place.

Before she could venture further, a burst of laughter rang down the hall. A familiar voice followed.

“Leopold?” Blanche called, surprise and delight threading through her tone.

“Sister!” he cried, racing forward. “You’re here—I hadn’t expected it! I’ve missed you dreadfully.”

They embraced warmly, and for a moment the house rang with laughter and youthful joy. It was only when they pulled apart that Blanche remembered herself, turning toward Philip with shining eyes.

“Philip, this is my younger brother, Leopold.” She hesitated briefly, the next words catching oddly in her throat. “Leopold—this is my husband.”

It was a little strange to use the word 'husband', especially in front of her brother. This might have been the first time the whole thing felt intensely real to Blanche.

Philip, a warm smile on his face, extended a hand towards Leopold. "It is my pleasure, Leopold," he said. "It is an honour to meet you."

Leopold, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, shook Philip's hand firmly. "Likewise, Your Grace," he replied with a playful tone. "I must say—it’s quite something to return home and find one’s sister has married a duke. That wasn’t in any of the letters.”

Blanche laughed softly. “It was all rather sudden.”

Philip chuckled. “Indeed. Life rarely announces its surprises ahead of time.”

Blanche chuckled. At only fifteen years of age, Leopold had a lot to learn about the life that lay ahead of him. Although it was likely going to be a lot easier for him to navigate this world as a man. He would have more choices ahead of him.

And an older sister who, of course, was going to guide him along the way…

But the warmth of the moment was soon chilled by Blanche’s true purpose. She turned back to Leopold, her voice gentle.

“Is Mother at home?”

Leopold, a picture of youthful innocence, looked up with wide eyes. “Oh, you just missed her. A gentleman—rather an odd sort, truth be told—called on her earlier. They spoke in private for over an hour, and then she departed in haste, saying she had an engagement. Seemed to be in quite a hurry.”

A thread of unease wove through Blanche’s chest. A secret meeting? And now a mysterious departure? Her mother was not one to act without motive, and lately, Blanche’s suspicions had only grown.

Leopold, ever unbothered, carried on. “But everyone’s been talking about you. A duchess! It’s like something out of a novel. You wouldn’t believe the way people’s faces change when I tell them you are now married to a duke.”

Blanche could not help but smile at her brother's genuine enthusiasm, finding solace in his innocence. Yet, the mystery surrounding her mother's meeting lingered, casting a shadow over the joyous reunion.

Her mother was so obsessed with her social standing that she would do anything . But Blanche was a duchess now, was that not enough for her? What on earth could she possibly want now? And if it was not linked to her social standing, then what on earth could it be?

That might have been more troubling.

Nerves got the better of Blanche.

The uncertainty quickened her breath.

Philip, perhaps sensing her inner disquiet, stepped in with light-hearted ease. “Leopold, how would you like to visit the Tower of London tomorrow? The Royal Menagerie, perhaps? Lions and leopards and all manner of beasts?”

The boy’s face lit up as though someone had flung open the windows to let in the sun.

“Truly? That would be marvellous!”

Blanche turned to Philip, her heart easing. “Thank you. That sounds just the thing.”

Philip offered Leopold a conspiratorial smile. “Prepare yourself, young sir. It shall be a day of great adventure—and a few curious tales, I daresay.”

As the evening drew on, the cheerful chatter between brother and sister filled the house, and plans were soon made for their excursion. Yet beneath Blanche’s smile lingered a quiet tension. Her brother’s news had planted a seed of doubt that would not easily be shaken.

For now, the promise of a new day and a shared adventure offered welcome reprieve. But the shadow of unanswered questions remained. Somewhere behind her mother’s polished exterior lay a truth Blanche was determined to uncover.