Page 315 of Desires of a Duke Collection

CeCe woke the following morning determined to forget the previous day’s events. She was overly bright and cheery in the breakfast room, assuring her mother that all was perfectly well and her headache had vanished.

She smiled and told Elias that he had never looked more handsome, asking if he had changed tailors. He was so startled by her question that he found himself immersed in a discussion of what colors would be most popular in the coming season. He abandoned ship as quickly as possible.

CeCe consulted with the housekeeper and Cook to ensure that everything was arranged for her special tea that afternoon. She desired only the finest cakes and cookies to be served. Her staff would have been offended at her, even hinting they would present a guest with something subpar if she had not been acting so out of character.

It was true that CeCe had always been good-natured, but today she seemed almost feverish in her desire to be pleasant.

Yvonne gave up trying to find the perfect dress, and CeCe resorted to pawing through the closet on her own, tossing dresses this way and that. Good heavens, it would take forever to put the room to rights again.

Finally, she pulled out a coral pink dress, just peach enough not to clash with her auburn tresses and pink enough to give her a touch of color. For some reason unknown to her, she seemed a bit pale.

CeCe was just entering the foyer when Widow Abbott and Frances arrived.

“Perfect timing! I was hoping to get down here in time for your arrival. Welcome to our home, Mrs. Abbott and Miss Abbott! I am so very happy you could come today. Please follow me into the blue parlor. I do believe we are to be joined by some gentlemen this afternoon.”

CeCe watched Frances carefully as she surprised her with the announcement of additional guests. When the color fled her face. CeCe began to worry. Surely, she wasn’t that shy?

Widow Abbott settled herself on the gold sofa, and Frances sat quietly beside her.

“It was too kind of you to invite me today,” Frances stammered, unable as of yet to meet her eyes.

The widow took her niece’s hand and turned to CeCe. “Heavens, child, I do believe you grow more beautiful each time I see you. I must know your secret!”

CeCe laughed, looking into her dear weathered face. The widow’s skin was paper-thin with wrinkles upon wrinkles. Her hands were bent from arthritis, and her back curved.

“Widow Abbott, if I ever even want to match your beauty, I will need to make those strides every day and more. You are the beautiful one, not I.”

The widow’s cheeks pinked. “Go on with you now. Bless you, sweet girl, bless you.”

CeCe noticed that Frances had started looking her way when she complimented her great-aunt. Again, it struck CeCe that Frances could be quite lovely if she had a little more confidence in herself.

“I am so grateful that you both could be here. Oh, it looks like our tea has arrived along with our other guests.” CeCe smiled at Robert and looked behind him for Charles, but he wasn’t there.

CeCe went over to Robert in greeting, took both of his hands and allowed him a quick kiss on her right cheek. She whispered for his ears alone, “Where is Charles?”

Robert’s look was sorry, but CeCe had no desire to be pitied. Swallowing, she put on a brave face. “It doesn’t matter, and we are so very happy you could join us. Robert, you know Mrs. Abbott and her niece, Miss Abbott?”

“Indeed, I do,” he said, going over to take each of their hands in his own but refraining from kissing them.

CeCe tried to get her thoughts back on track, but all she could think of was that Charles hadn’t come. He always came, even when he was upset with her. He had never let her down.

Robert, clearing his throat, brought her back to the conversation at hand. “I do apologize. Here, let me pour.”

The tea fell flat despite Robert’s attempts at being charming. CeCe was so terribly distracted, and Frances wouldn’t utter a word.

Finally, the widow, taking pity on all of them, said it had been a lovely afternoon, but they must be off.

Robert visibly sighed in gratitude, getting up with the Abbotts and seeing them to the door.

CeCe still sat in the same place she had been before they left.

Robert wasn’t sure how to approach her, but as it turned out, it didn’t matter.

“He didn’t come,” she stated, staring straight ahead. “He always comes.”

Robert sat beside her, and CeCe turned to look at him, her eyes full of tears.

“Does he hate me?” she whispered.

Robert pulled her into a brother’s comforting embrace. “No, he could never hate you. I think he just needs some time.”

“I broke him,” she said, beginning to cry in earnest.

Robert looked around uncomfortably. Sobbing women were not his cup of tea, but he was the only hero in the vicinity.

“Please, do not cry. You are breaking my heart. Please don’t cry. What can your old pal Robert do to make it better?”

“What did you do to her?” Elias asked from the doorway while popping a piece of apple in his mouth.

“Thank my lucky stars,” Robert muttered. “CeCe, look, Eli is here. He can make things better.”

CeCe lifted her face from Robert’s now-damp waistcoat to her brother Eli. In moments she’d rushed over and flung herself into her twin’s arms. “Eli, I’ve ruined everything!”

Eli gave Robert a loaded glance. “CeCe, calm down. I’m sure everything will be fine.”

“But that’s just the thing,” CeCe looked up at him with her pitiful puffy eyes and trembling chin. “Things will never be fine again. He didn’t come.”

“Charles?” he asked softly, looking over her head at Robert for confirmation.

Robert nodded once. CeCe only continued to cry.

“Well, we will just have to fix this. Robert and I would do anything for you,” Eli said, moving her back over to the gold sofa.

“CeCe, it’s time for you to tell us what’s been going on. And don’t leave anything out.”

CeCe dried her eyes with hankies from both gentlemen. There were copious amounts of tears. Then she slowly recited what had happened on the ride after Eli had left them.

To the gentlemen’s honor, they were quiet during her confession and did not belittle her doubts and fears.

After she had explained to them all that had happened, Eli kissed her on the forehead. “All will come to rights, CeCe, and don’t you worry a moment more.” Eli only hoped he was telling the truth.