Page 16

T he ball was unlike anything that Alethea had ever come into contact with.

Surely, she thought that about a lot of things in her new life. But this ball was truly the picture of splendor. Oliver was by her side, his hand resting on the curve of her waist.

"Are you cold, Alethea?" Oliver's voice came low against her ear, acknowledging the shiver which was not due to the weather but rather his touch.

Alethea turned her face up to his. His features were carefully neutral, but concern flickered in his eyes.

"Not cold," she assured softly. "Just taking everything in. It's a bit overwhelming."

"Understandable," he said. He looked out over the crowded room. "I remember my first ball. Believe me, I would have rather faced a charging bull."

Alethea felt a laugh bubble up, picturing a much younger Oliver awkwardly navigating an event like this.

"Hard to imagine you nervous," she replied. "You seem so composed in any crowd."

"Appearances can be deceiving," he said quietly. She felt the urge to ask what he meant, but before she could, Oliver inclined his head toward a group of approaching guests. "It seems we're about to have company."

Alethea followed his gaze and immediately spotted her sisters making their way toward them. Her heart lifted at the sight of them. In the flurry of her sudden marriage, she hadn't seen them very often except for a few brief visits.

"Good evening," Alethea greeted warmly as they neared. She stepped forward out of Oliver's light hold, reaching for Felicity's hands first. Felicity squeezed them, her sharp eyes flitting over Alethea from head to toe as if assessing her condition.

"Alethea. We've been looking forward to seeing you tonight." She leaned in and brushed a sisterly kiss against Alethea's cheek, then added in a lower voice meant only for her, "You look well. I trust you are well?"

Alethea gave a small nod.

"I'm very well," she whispered back. "Truly."

Felicity's lips quirked as if she wasn't entirely convinced, but she stepped aside to let the others greet her.

Daphne enveloped Alethea in a gentle hug.

"Married life agrees with you, I think," she murmured, smoothing a hand over Alethea's hair. "You're glowing, dear."

She smiled and returned Daphne's embrace. "It's wonderful to see you all."

Joyce came last.

"I missed you," she said simply, eyes soft with emotion. Alethea realized this was their first proper reunion since the wedding day chaos.

"I missed you too," Alethea replied, giving her sister an extra squeeze. "All of you."

"Ladies," Oliver said politely once the ladies had finished their greetings, "a pleasure to see you again."

"Your Grace," Daphne responded, dipping into a perfectly measured curtsy. Felicity and Joyce followed suit.

"Your Grace, I hope married life has been treating you kindly," Felicity said, a smile on her face that nonetheless did not reach her eyes.

"It has indeed, Lady Felicity. I count myself fortunate every day." He glanced at Alethea as he said the words.

"How lovely," Felicity replied. "I confess, it was all quite a surprise… your courtship with our Alethea. Happening so fast, under our very noses."

"Life can surprise us pleasantly at times," he said. "When I met Alethea, I knew straightaway that I must act decisively or risk losing the chance to make her my wife."

Alethea's eyes widened slightly. Was that flattery or part of the agreed story? Either way, hearing him speak of her in such terms made her stomach flip.

"Is that so?" Felicity arched a brow. "How decisive of you. And here I thought maybe it was Theodore we had to thank for orchestrating opportunities. Brothers can be so protective and… involved."

Alethea's pulse fastened at her sister's questioning. Felicity was probing the official story of how they wed. On the contrary, Oliver seemed quite at ease with himself.

He is a better actor than me, she thought to herself. And then felt a strange sense of gratitude at the thought.

"Theo meant well," Oliver replied smoothly. "But I take full responsibility. When one's heart is engaged, one might be driven to unconventional methods."

Daphne intervened then with a bright smile, perhaps sensing Felicity's interrogation was growing a bit too intrusive.

"Regardless of how it began, what matters is you both seem to be settling in nicely." She turned to Alethea. "You look happy, dear. I can see it in your eyes."

"I am," she answered. "The duke's family has been very welcoming. And the duke himself…" She trailed off, glancing up at him. She suddenly felt shy voicing such sentiments with him right there. "He has been kind and a better husband than I could have hoped for, truthfully."

It was the first time she had openly praised Oliver in front of her sisters. Felicity's gaze sharpened, and a sly smile curved her lips.

"Oh my," Felicity said, fanning herself theatrically with one hand. "Did I hear that correctly? Our little Alethea sounds positively smitten."

Alethea's flush deepened.

"Must you say that?" she protested in a half-whisper, casting a nervous glance at Oliver. He was politely engaged in a side conversation with Daphne. Felicity took the opportunity to lean closer to Alethea's ear.

"No, I have seen this look before," Felicity smirked. "You are falling in love with him, aren't you?"

"I don't…" She struggled for a denial, but the words wouldn't quite form. What could she say?

Somehow, saying that she was not in love with her own husband felt like a slight and that would be the last thing she wished to do.

"There's no shame in it, darling. In fact, I'm glad. You deserve a bit of happiness and romance after all you've been through," Felicity spoke again.

"Yes, sure. Whatever you wish to make of it," Alethea said, hoping nothing more that her sister would change the topic.

"Just remember though," Felicity's expression turned serious again. "We are here for you, always. If you ever find yourself un happy, you need only say the word. We will support you."

"I truly do appreciate your concern," Alethea acknowledged. "But I do not anticipate the need of any saving in my future. Believe me, and I do know the difference, but I am very well cared for in the estate."

Felicity beamed at that, relief evident.

"Very well. I shall try and stop probing," she laughed. "But it is hard not to. It seems that love has blossomed between the two of you quite quickly."

Alethea blushed again, feeling as though that the pinkish hue on her cheeks was a permanent accessory to her tonight. But then gently, Oliver turned his attention back to them.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," Oliver cleared his throat.

She nearly jumped; she hadn't noticed he'd finished with Daphne and turned back to them. How much had he heard?

His eyes flicked between the sisters, and Felicity immediately took a polite step back.

"Not at all, Your Grace," Felicity said. "We were just indulging in a bit of sisterly chatter. I should go find my husband for the next dance." She gave Alethea a quick wink that only she could see.

Oliver gave Felicity a gracious nod as she departed. Daphne and Joyce too excused themselves to mingle, leaving Alethea and Oliver momentarily alone.

"They're starting another set. I wondered if you might honor me with a dance?" Oliver asked her as he held his hand to her, palm up.

"I'd love to," she answered, placing her hand in his. Oliver led her toward the dance floor. Alethea's heart lurched; a waltz was an intimate dance, partners held close.

She knew the basics, but having to dance in a room full of people filled her up with nerves.

Sensing her hesitation, Oliver gave her fingers a light, reassuring squeeze.

"You'll do fine," he said softly. "Just follow my lead."

They stepped into the forming circle of couples.

Oliver released her hand briefly to bow, and she sank into a respectful curtsy.

The formalities done, he returned, one hand sliding around to the small of her back, the other enclosing her right hand and lifting it to the height of his shoulder.

Alethea placed her free hand lightly on his upper arm.

And so their waltz began.

At first, Alethea's focus was entirely on not misstepping. But Oliver was guiding her gently at every step.

"Do not worry," he said in her ear. "Pretend as though you are the best dancer in this room."

"I am not as good of an actor as you," she said, focusing on her movements.

"But you are quick learner," he said, smirking lightly.

"I have a good partner," she replied.

"Do you direct every compliment you receive to the person giving it to you?"

"I do not know," she said, smiling now. "You are the only one who compliments me."

"Then I shall be forced to compliment you more often," Oliver chuckled low in his throat.

"I do not wish to force you to do anything, Your Grace."

"Oh, no such thing," his smirk returned. "I shall be doing so most willingly."

He is flirting with you again. The thought came to her unbidden, and she blushed again, willing herself to not read too deeply into it.

Her earlier conversation with Felicity nudged at her thoughts. You're falling in love with him. Was that what this was?

Oliver must have noticed the shift in her expression.

"Is something on your mind?"

"I was just thinking," she said, trying to sound offhand. "This is my very first ball. I didn't quite know what to expect, but… it's almost enjoyable."

She dared not voice her real thoughts. But this was not a lie either.

"I recall you once said you were nervous about re-entering society," Oliver nodded, "You seem to be handling it well."

"Once again," she blushed. "I believe you have a hand in that as well."

"Or it is all you," he suggested. "And you are discovering now that you fit into society just well."

"Oh, I am not too sure about that," she admitted earnestly. "Fitting in is not a notion that I am familiar with."

"Then you stand out," he said. "Which might be even better."