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"Significant is a word for it," Charity said. "But we are getting along, trying to keep up with society's nauseating ways."

Alethea shot Charity a gentle warning glance, but Oliver didn't seem taken aback at all. Instead, he chuckled.

"I can understand that," he said.

"There is much to learn and grow accustomed to. Dancing, for one," Prudence spoke next.

The conversation spilled into trivial details of their new lives. Alethea felt a surge of pride in how her friends were holding their own in this conversation. And how well Oliver seemed to be speaking to them.

"I nearly forgot in all the excitement," Temperance announced. "They caught the revenant. His trial is set for next week."

Alethea inhaled sharply, her fingers tightening. A tension settled in the air suddenly, and she could feel Oliver watching her closely.

"Truly?" she whispered, scarcely believing the word.

"The rumors are swirling that he is to be prosecuted," she continued.

"It is what he deserves," Oliver cut in, his voice now cold. Alethea noticed that the sudden shift alarmed her friends. "I shall see to it the punishment gets delivered."

In her friends' faces, Alethea could see the same pride that she felt.

"I suppose Alethea told you then?" Prudence asked, seeming surprised.

"I only wish for justice to be served," Oliver replied then, dodging the topic. Alethea suspected it was because he did not wish for her to feel awkward.

So thoughtful, once again. Alethea nearly wanted to embrace him then, but she showed great restraint.

"Ladies, I must return to my study for the evening. Duties await, I fear. But before I go, please know that you are welcome back at any time," Oliver announced before leaving. He gave Alethea a small smile on the way out.

The moment he was out of earshot, the girls had surrounded Alethea.

"Well, well, well ," Temperance teased.

"Oh, Alethea, he's wonderful," Prudence breathed.

"He is certainly not what I expected of a duke," Maria added .

"I admit I may have misjudged the man. He is all right for an aristocrat," Charity said.

"Charity, you were ready to despise him outright," Temperance giggled.

"Fine," Charity rolled her eyes. "Consider me impressed, if you must."

They all laughed, and Alethea finally sank back onto the sofa, still feeling rather dazed. Oliver had shown her and her friends such heartfelt kindness that they were nearly as charmed by him as she was.

Her friends exchanged glances of amused satisfaction as they watched Alethea's face.

"What?" Alethea asked, attempting and failing to feign innocence.

"You two are so sweet together," Prudence giggled."

"I've never seen a man look at his wife quite that way," Maria said thoughtfully. "At least, not among the ton ."

"He seems utterly smitten," Temperance declared in her usual bold fashion.

"You're all reading too much into polite gestures," Alethea murmured, blushing wildly.

"Polite gestures," Charity shook her head, "My father is polite to my stepmother and he's never once looked at her the way the Duke just looked at you."

Alethea bit her lip again, trying to suppress the bubbling happiness inside of her.

Could they be right? Could it be that Oliver…? She dared not think it fully.

"We're only teasing because we're so happy for you, love," Temperance added, "You deserve every ounce of this happiness and more. And after meeting him, I'm relieved to see with my own eyes that he cherishes you."

"I'll have you know," Charity whispered wryly, "I arrived here fully prepared to find fault with your husband. But based on what I've witnessed today…"

She cast a glance toward the door through which Oliver had departed, then back to Alethea.

"Well, I daresay all those rumors swirling around the ton might actually be true."

"Rumors?" Alethea said, curious.

"The rumors that the Duke of Redhaven is utterly in love with his wife," Temperance giggled.

The idea set her heart pounding.

"He…" Alethea stammered, utterly caught off guard.

"Oh, look at you blush! That tells me all I need to know," Temperance just chuckled. "The man is clearly in love, and by the looks of it, so are you."

"Temperance!" Alethea hissed. It was one thing for Temperance to suggest it in private, another to proclaim it so boldly.

"I could have told you that, after seeing the man's face just now," Maria agreed.

Alethea covered her cheeks with her hands.

"You are all reading too much into things."

"Don't even try to deny it, we know you too well," Temperance laughed and threw an arm around Alethea's shoulder.

Alethea peeked out from between her fingers.

"I will not deny that I am very fond of my husband," she conceded softly.

This admission earned her a collective squeal of triumph from her friends.

"But I must not speak of this no more," she added hastily. The dangerous seed of hope had been already planted inside of her, and she dared not water it more.

Her friends seemed to respect her decision, deciding not to push more.

"Come now," Alethea said, "Let us walk in the garden before you depart—the roses are just coming into bloom. And perhaps I can persuade you all to stay for luncheon. Oliver did invite you to visit often, after all."

"Say no more, Your Grace," Temperance intoned playfully, then broke into a grin. "We'll make a proper afternoon of it!"

Arm in arm, chattering happily, the five friends began to make their way out of the drawing room. Alethea's heart was so full she thought it might overflow.

Thank you , she thought, as if Oliver could somehow hear it. Thank you for this happiness.