Page 33 of The Duke’s Cursed Virgin (Cursed Brides #3)

SIX MONTHS LATER

“ I t’s certainly good to host people again,” Sophia remarked.

Wolvesley Hall’s grand dining room glowed with candlelight. Sophia could not help but smile as she remembered how she first dined there. It wasn’t bright like this. Instead, it was dark and mysterious, and the whole meeting was forbidden.

This time, the dining room was filled with the company she and Theo enjoyed the most. They both went through an arduous journey before they reached this point. Sophia had been shunned, while Theo chose isolation. Today, they basked in the golden glow of hundreds of candles with their friends.

“Oh, definitely!” Philip Cooke, the Earl of Longford, agreed heartily.

He sat to Sophia’s right, still the jolly person he had always been. He thrived on entertaining his friends and family, and he had so much to celebrate after marrying Anna Martin three months ago.

His Countess sat beside him, a picture of youthful radiance. Sophia could see happiness radiating from her like the rays of the sun—though Anna had always brought the sunshine with her. But being a newlywed? It provided her with something extra.

Across from the young newlyweds, Genevieve Addington, the Duchess of Ravenshire, was in an animated conversation with her cousin Rosaline Fitzwilliam, the Duchess of Oldstone. She was laughing about an old suitor from possibly so many years ago, who had given her a poetry reading which ended in disaster. Rosaline was giggling while Genevieve gesticulated.

Priscilla and Jonathan Martin, Anna’s parents, whom Sophia loved to call the Holtons, were engaged in an argument with Aunt Mary. Of course, Lord Holton had to introduce a new agricultural technique to the conversation.

“My Lord, crops have been doing well everywhere for centuries. Do you really think we still need your supposed innovation? Did someone recommend this technique to you?”

“Your aunt, as usual, is a force to reckon with,” Theo observed, chuckling. He should be sitting at the other end of the table as the host, but Sophia knew that there was no way she could persuade her husband to sit elsewhere. “She enjoys tormenting her friends!”

“Their friendship has always been like this,” Sophia explained with a smirk. “They make it easy for her.”

While everyone might want to stick with trivial matters, it was not possible. Wilhelm Addington, Genevieve’s husband and the Duke of Ravenshire, was slightly subdued. It was apparent that something was troubling him. It seemed like he could no longer endure it, so he cleared his throat before addressing everyone.

“The matter of Anthony Balfour, the former Marquess of Foxmere, has been decided upon,” he said in a hoarse voice.

Everyone quieted down, heads turning toward him.

“To my esteemed fellow dukes, I believe our efforts have been most fruitful. I have located the man hired by the Marquess. This individual orchestrated the accident with the aid of his accomplices,” Wilhelm continued. “The man has confessed to everything. He has been in the Marquess’ employ for decades.”

Justice had been served. The thought of that unburdened Sophia further. She exhaled audibly.

However, Wilhelm was not done. He swirled his wine as he gripped his glass tightly. He watched the contents with mild interest.

“Anthony was hanged for his crimes,” he announced in a soft voice.

“What about his family?” Rosaline asked, her eyes glistening with tears.

“They are well cared for,” Theo volunteered. “Daphne Balfour and her sons are now living in the countryside. They have everything they need to survive and thrive. However, the mind is another matter. What can we do to help them forget what happened?”

“At least, they are provided for,” Sophia added. “We can work together one step at a time. For now, being away from scandal has been the top priority. They don’t want to be exposed to cruel gossip while they are healing.”

A solemn silence fell over the group. Genevieve sighed heavily before she attempted to cut through the gloom.

“To new beginnings,” she toasted, raising her glass high.

The others followed suit, echoing her toast. Their glasses clinked together, creating a harmonious and promising sound.

The mood lightened again. More stories were exchanged, friends eager to hear each others’ tales. Wine flowed as freely as laughter did. Even Aunt Mary did not seem to be as disgruntled.

People became more at ease, relaxing until some felt drowsy, retreating for the night. However, Aunt Mary did not seem ready to go yet. She ushered Sophia to the fireplace.

“You’ve done well, Sophia,” Aunt Mary declared, her eyes not quite as piercing even though it was clear she was still studying her former ward.Sophia could hear the affection in those simple words.

“You can visit anytime, Aunt Mary,” she whispered, realizing she could barely speak. Emotions tightened her throat. “I will miss you. Thank you for being there for me.”

Aunt Mary rolled her eyes at that, making Sophia laugh. When the laughter died, the two of them looked at each other.

The older woman’s eyes were softer now. “I suppose I will miss you, too, my girl.”

Sophia smiled. There was a bittersweet feeling in her chest as she watched her aunt—her formidable aunt—leave.

Later that night, it was time for Sophia and Theo to rest in their chambers. She sighed contentedly. It was a good day. Theo must have noticed because he pulled her in his arms with a smile on his face. He kissed her temple tenderly.

“You look pleased, my love,” he murmured.

She cuddled closer to him. The excitement of the day gave way to the excitement of something else that she was keeping from him. She tried to keep it secret for as long as possible, but it was there, bursting.

No more secrets.

They needed to share everything—joys and pains.

“I have something to tell you. Something important,” she finally said, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Oh?”

Was it her imagination, or did he look a little nervous, perhaps more nervous than she was? The arched eyebrow was just a defensive gesture. The way he held her waist was possessive.

“You’re not going to lose me, Theo,” she whispered, and she could see relief flooding his face.

“I don’t know what I was thinking,” he admitted.

“Don’t worry. I am not going to Scotland anytime soon. I need to stay here so that we can prepare for our little one.”

“Our little one?”

“Yes, dear husband. I’m with child.”

For a moment, Theo simply stared. Then, he jumped out of bed with joy.

“A baby!” he exclaimed.

“Yes, our baby,” she confirmed, laughing as he pulled her up with him.

“You made me the happiest man alive, Sophia. I-I thought I’d be afraid to have a child of my own, when my father and mother could not even take care of me.”

“You’ll be different. I know you will. I know you do,” she reassured him.

They stared at each other. Their happy expressions became something else soon enough. Eyes became heavier, pupils dilated. Sophia knew it would always be like this with her and Theo, and she loved it.

Theo guided her back to bed, his hands cupping her face reverently.

“I love you,” he declared breathlessly.

“Show me, then, Your Grace,” she commanded.

The End?