Page 37 of An Unwanted Widow for the Duke (The Unwanted Sisters #3)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“ A nxious?” Gerard asked, sliding his hands lightly over her arms.

Wilhelmina exhaled sharply, the nerves twisting in her stomach.

The house glittered and shimmered with candles and crystal, each table set immaculately, each corner arranged with floral elegance. Every detail reflected hours of her planning and hours of worry.

“Yes,” she admitted softly.

“You did beautifully. Everything looks perfect, Mina,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

She shivered at the contact, the warmth spreading through her in ways that had nothing to do with the ball. Frustration curled in her chest, a fierce longing swelling within. She wanted him so close, but she had to attend to her duties for now.

“You hear that?” Gerard continued, his voice low and amused. “Some are already gasping in awe.”

“Really?” she asked, tilting her head to meet him.

He looked… different tonight. Not rugged and brooding as she sometimes caught him, but polished, precise, the image of a duke at his social best. And yet, beneath the tailored coat and shining boots, there was a glimmer in his eyes that made her stomach tighten.

“And you look exquisite, Mina,” he added, almost reverently. “I mean it.”

Heat flashed in his gaze, fleeting, tantalizing, and Wilhelmina blinked before she could be certain it was there.

She went forward to greet the guests, her movements measured, yet effortless. Gerard followed behind, his presence a shadow that warmed her shoulder. The strains of violins and piano wrapped the hall in music, soft yet alive, and she could hear her pulse in time with it.

Tonight, she felt like a duchess. Pale blue silk clung to her form, dotted with tiny pearls and silver thread that caught every flicker of light.

Her hair was swept back, dark blonde waves interlaced with matching pearls, a crown of modest elegance.

Even she had to admit that she looked every bit the part.

She caught her twin sisters’ eyes, wide with admiration, and felt a surge of warmth as she went to them.

“You look magnificent,” Victoria gushed. “I can scarce believe that the sister most like myself has finally chosen to dress as a proper lady.”

Wilhelmina laughed, unable to resist. “That can’t be right. Wasn’t I a lady when walking beside Robert?”

“Perhaps,” Victoria conceded, though her eyes softened. “But there is a different… glow about you tonight.”

“You are doing so well, dear sister,” Daphne said, pride tinging her voice. “You have always been capable and beautiful. I’m glad the world gets to see it.”

Victoria leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “His Grace cannot keep his eyes off you. I dare say he watches you far more hungrily than Robert ever did. Do try not to blush, Mina, it suits you far too well.”

“He’s getting closer,” Daphne added, her tone teasing. “Oh, he clearly adores you!”

“Has he told you?” Victoria asked. “Because if I were you, I would find out just how much he adores you. Do not waste this marriage when you have a good man by your side.”

“No. That can’t be you speaking, Vicky!” Wilhelmina gasped, a playful horror in her tone as she covered her mouth.

Victoria merely giggled, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

Wilhelmina gave a small sigh, forcing herself back to her guests.

Gerard approached, his gaze never leaving her as he offered his arm for the first dance.

The music swelled, a slow, intoxicating waltz that seemed to pull the very air around them.

“You honor me,” she murmured as she stepped into his embrace. His arm was firm, confident around her waist, his hand brushing the small of her back in a way that made her shiver.

“The honor is mine,” he replied, his voice low, almost a growl. “You look breathtaking tonight, Mina. Breathtaking.”

Her chest warmed, and she felt herself melt slightly into his hold as they began to move.

Each step was deliberate, perfectly in time with the music. The world beyond the ballroom walls disappeared; the flickering candlelight, the murmurs of the guests, even the strains of violins—all were background to the closeness of his body, the heat of his chest against hers.

“Do you always dance so well?” she asked, her voice soft, teasing.

“Only with the right partner,” he said, dipping her slightly and bringing her up again.

His lips brushed her ear as he spoke, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.

With every turn, every gentle press of his hand along her back, Wilhelmina felt the subtle thrill of being truly seen, desired, not as a duchess, but as herself. She dared a glance up at him, meeting the depth of his gaze, and found an unspoken promise in his eyes.

By the third rotation of the floor, she realized how easy it was to forget the formalities, the weight of appearances. His presence was commanding, yet gentle; protective, yet daring. She laughed softly when he spun her out and caught her again, his breath warm against her cheek.

“You must be careful,” she murmured. “I may get spoiled with such treatment.”

“Let it spoil you,” he replied, voice low and intimate, “and perhaps I will not be able to resist.”

When the music ended, they lingered, unwilling to break the spell. Gerard guided her to the far corner of the ballroom, hands still lightly resting on her waist. The warmth of his fingers, the heat of his gaze, the closeness of his chest—it was intoxicating.

Wilhelmina could feel the attraction coil inside her, a bright, taut thread. She wanted to speak, to comment on the look in his eyes, but words failed her. Instead, she rested her hand lightly on his chest, and he followed her lead, letting their shared silence speak volumes.

Victoria and Daphne moved among the guests with donation boxes, leaving Wilhelmina a quiet moment with her husband. She exhaled slowly, savoring the ache in her chest, the heat of him near.

For once, she felt entirely present—not just the dutiful hostess, not the widow or stepmother, not a duchess of London society—but Wilhelmina, as she was when he held her.

She felt her heart swell with something new: a sense of belonging, of being truly desired.

The charity auction had progressed well. Some people were still in the house, socializing, eating, and drinking.

Gerard felt proud that Wilhelmina handled the event well.

Assured that everything was well in hand, he went to his study, hoping to sort out some correspondence. He had barely sat down when a knock sounded at the door.

“Yes?” he called, his eyes fixed on the letters.

“Lady Farnmont wants to see you, Your Grace,” the butler’s voice announced.

“Lady Farnmont?” Gerard murmured, looking up with a frown.

“She insisted that she see you, Your Grace. I will be in the corridor if you need me.”

“Thank you. Show her in, then.”

Lady Farnmont swept in, looking distraught. She sat on the chair across from him without waiting for permission.

“Your Grace,” she said. “I hope I am not intruding. I wished to talk to you, but didn’t expect you to retire from the event so early.”

“I am planning to return to bid the guests goodbye. What is it that you wish to talk about?”

“I’m here to warn you, Your Grace,” she began somberly.

“Please speak plainly,” Gerard urged, his patience wearing thin.

“It’s about your Duchess.”

He did not like that at all.

Jaw clenched, he met her eyes. “Choose your words carefully, Lady Farnmont.”

“Oh, I shall,” she said breathlessly. “If you think your Duchess is a model of grace and innocence, think again. She has been hiding behind a mask. I have reputable sources telling me that she is none other than Lady Silverquill herself. Imagine being married to someone who has repeatedly disturbed the peace of the peerage.”

“All right, then. What else do you want to tell me?” Gerard asked evenly.

“You may not believe me now, but you will thank me once everyone finds out. There will be a scandal, certainly. What do you think the ton will do to a duchess who writes like that? She thrives on scandal.”

“Mhm. I thank you, Lady Farnmont, for the information you provided,” he said, trying to keep his temper.

Lady Farnmont laughed bitterly. “She has blinded you. I knew that woman was dangerous. If you think her being Lady Silverquill is nothing, how about this? Robert’s death is still a mystery.”

“Tread carefully, Lady Farnmont,” Gerard warned.

“No! Consider the injustice! Robert’s memory lies in her hands! She married him simply to pacify her mother. Surely she must have done something to bring that ill-fated marriage to an end!”

Gerard rose to his feet, fury simmering inside him. “How dare you accuse my wife of murder in her home?”

“She had every part in Robert’s death!” Lady Farnmont cried.

“She is calculating. Ask around. Your wife was not gentle and meek. She used that false personality to ensnare you, Your Grace, just as she did Robert. When she realized that he could do nothing for her, she cast him aside in the worst way possible!”

Gerard clenched his fists in a bid at self-restraint. He had never and would never hit a woman. “Enough, Lady Farnmont. I won’t hear any more slander against my wife.”

“You have been bewitched. Again, ask the ton. The Grisham girls have a way of ensnaring dukes. They are an ambitious lot. Robert was not enough for her.” Lady Farnmont then rose to her feet.

Gerard did not doubt the intensity of her feelings. She truly believed what she was saying.

“It is one thing to mourn Robert, Lady Farnmont, but quite another to weaponize your bitterness and hurl accusations at those who have not wronged you. That will not be tolerated.”

For a moment, the two were silent, each one trying to rein in their anger. Then, the door to the study swung open.

Wilhelmina entered, looking bewildered. “Lady Farnmont?”

Gerard saw his wife battle with her emotions before taking a deep, steadying breath. Her eyes studied Lady Farnmont briefly, then flicked to him.

“Am I interrupting something?” she asked firmly.

“On the contrary. You have arrived just in time,” he replied, walking to her side. “Lady Farnmont was just leaving.”

“How fitting, to see the woman in question before I leave,” Lady Farnmont spat.

“I have to ask you to leave, Lady Farnmont,” Wilhelmina said in a calm voice. “I will not have you insult me in my home.”

Lady Farnmont flushed red but would not back down. “So, you think yourself powerful now? A murderess hiding behind your husband’s title?”

Wilhelmina’s eyes widened. Her whole body stiffened.

“What did you just say?” she asked, looking aghast. “Are you accusing me of murder?”

“You murdered Robert!” Lady Farnmont exclaimed. “Who else? Unless you are hiding more secrets. You never loved him, and you murdered him when you realized that you wanted your freedom!”

“I did no such thing!” Wilhelmina exclaimed, tears springing to her eyes.

“First, you stole him from me. No, you stole him twice . You married him when you didn’t love him. Then, you killed him! One year later, you found yourself a wealthy duke. It made me think that perhaps you had the Duke of Talleystone waiting on the sidelines all along as you pretended to mourn!”

“Lady Farnmont,” Gerard growled.

“I loved Robert!” Wilhelmina blurted, her voice quivering but fierce.

“I loved him like no one else ever could. He was my friend, my companion. He gave me space to breathe in a life that never felt my own. I did not betray him; I would never have betrayed him. And now that he is gone, you dare to rewrite his memory, to sully it with your insinuations. I will not allow it.”

Gerard was startled by the vehemence of her words. He staggered a little, but he doubted she even noticed.

Wilhelmina had just declared her love for her first husband. She would forever love this man, who could no longer do anything but be remembered.

Gerard might have had her body, but Robert had her heart. It was like Pamela all over again.