Page 24 of Unraveled by the Duke (Scandalous Duchesses #1)

C elia woke up from a dreamless sleep. At least what dreams came to her went unremembered. Her eyes opened to the day; the curtains had not been drawn the night before.

She lay naked, only half covered by the sheets. The warmth of lovemaking had left her. Where her body was exposed to the air, she felt cold.

The sensation was welcome, though. As was the ache in her thighs, born of repeated cycles of tension and liquid relaxation. Her loins ached too, the feel of innocence taken. She could feel Alexander’s mouth on her breasts, drawing her nipples into hard points.

The memory made her writhe. But then she became aware of the loneliness of the room. It was emphasized by the ticking of a clock on the mantel. It mocked her for not realizing that she was alone.

Did he rise early? Was his desire truly spent? I honestly do not think I can say the same.

Celia sat up, feeling reckless in her nakedness, throwing aside the sheets and allowing herself to be utterly naked in Alexander’s bedchamber.

Is it to be my bedchamber now? Our bedchamber?

There was a new optimism in her heart. This was surely a turning point. An acknowledgment that the desire she felt was mirrored.

Perhaps life in Finsbury House would not be so intolerable now. Perhaps even Aurelia’s worries would be managed.

She jumped at a knock on the outer door and clutched the sheets to her body.

“Come in!” she called.

Peggy entered, bearing a tray of tea and toast. “Good morning, Your Grace. A touch of breakfast for you, which His Grace instructed to be brought to you.”

“Oh, really? Does he not wish to share breakfast with his wife?” Celia asked, confused.

“His Grace rose early and breakfasted alone, Your Grace,” Peggy said carefully.

Celia felt a moment’s disquiet. It was a tightness in her stomach, a sudden doubt. That was not how she had expected the first day post consummation to start.

Was I being naive? I was truthful with him when I said I did not seek love or romance. I know circumstances have forced us together. But I did expect… something.

Her earlier good feeling slowly faded, colored by sadness.

“Shall I draw a bath for Your Grace?” Peggy asked.

“Yes, please, Peggy. A good hot one, and kindly lay out my dress for the day while I bathe.”

Celia bathed and then dressed, taking no pleasure in the hot water or the steamy air. She treated it perfunctorily, a means of cleaning the sweat from the night’s exertions from her body. By the time she dressed, the sadness had given way to a hard shell she drew around herself.

Let us see what the Duke wishes, how he wants us to be. I will not be hurt by anything he says.

She left his rooms and set out to find him. First, she passed a sitting room, where she saw Aurelia staring out a window pensively.

Oh my, I was so caught up in my affairs that I had clean forgotten about my sister. Oh Lord, forgive me! Aurelia, forgive me!

She rushed into the room to her sister’s side and gave her a hug.

Aurelia laughed quietly. “Celia, you are very attentive.”

“Of course, you are my sister. Why should I not be?”

Aurelia looked at her strangely and peeled Celia’s arms from around her shoulders. “I did not see you after we returned here last night. I did not see the Duke either, and I am thinking the two facts are connected?”

Celia frowned, detecting criticism in her sister’s words. “I do not understand. What are you saying?”

“I needed my older sister last night, Celia. I was beside myself with worry. I still am. I do not know if my reputation is ruined forever. If I have mired our family in scandal with my naivete. No, I will call it what it is—my stupidity. But you disappeared with your husband…”

“But Aurelia, I went to discuss your problem with him, and he is taking steps to resolve it. Let me tell you what will happen?—”

Aurelia held up a hand. “Stop, Celia. I appreciate the help. I surely need it. But am I not to be consulted? Am I so incompetent that everything must be done for me, as though I am a child?”

“No, of course not. Alexander acted in what he thought was your best interests.”

“Which was very kind of him. But did you not think to tell me what was being done?” Aurelia demanded.

Celia was taken aback. Of all the reactions she had expected upon seeing her sister, this was not it.

How to explain that I would have come to her and told her, except that I ended up with Alexander. We ended up…

She flushed, feeling a deep heat in her face.

“Yes, you’re right. I should have come to you. I was… distracted, and then the fatigue of the evening pulled me under. I’m sorry. And I’m sorry that I slept late and did not break my fast with you.”

“The Duke did not either. I saw him going into the library, but he did not acknowledge me. Not even a good morning.”

“I think social behavior is rather antithetical to him,” Celia said.

She was reluctant to speak ill of Alexander; in fact, she was aware of a deep-seated need to show loyalty to him.

That is nonsense. He has not shown loyalty to me, and Aurelia is my sister. She must always come first. Let this be an awakening.

“Well, let me make up for my omissions last night. The Duke has written to a man who has… shall we say that he knows how to navigate the tides of opinion and gossip in the seas of London Society. He has asked this man to ascertain the degree of scandal and to propose a strategy to counter it.”

“Are you going to suggest that I marry Phillip Grimaire?” Aurelia asked, rising and pacing the room, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

“No, of course not. By all accounts, he is a terrible man unworthy of the title of gentleman. What makes you think I would suggest such a thing?”

“It was your solution, was it not?”

“Hardly. I accepted a fait accompli . There was nothing else for it.”

“But your husband is a rake, is he not? Just like Phillip Grimaire. Yet you married him.”

Celia rose now. “He is not!” she snapped.

Is he? An uncommon rake, is how he put it. He certainly was no virgin. I can attest to his expertise in bed.

“I am glad to hear my wife come to my defense,” Alexander said from the doorway.

Aurelia jumped and moved towards Celia before stopping herself.

Celia felt a pang of regret as she saw Aurelia adjusting her instinctive reaction to seek protection from her sister.

She does not trust that I will protect her. Oh, Aurelia, you silly girl! Just give me a chance to show you that I am the same person you have always known.

“Of course,” she said.

“I trust you had a restful sleep and a pleasant breakfast, Duchess?” Alexander asked.

His use of the honorific chafed at her.

He is trying to put me back into a box. One on which he can close the lid. Why? What is this need he has to be alone?

“I did. In fact, I slept for too long—the consequence of falling asleep far too late,” Celia drawled.

Alexander colored, and Celia felt her cheeks flush in response. Both were thinking the same, remembering the same acts.

Like when he showed me how much pleasure can be had from using his tongue on a different part than my lips. Oh my, do not think about that, or you will turn scarlet!

She tried to keep her tone level and her chin high, ignoring the warmth in her cheeks.

“I understand that I owe you an additional debt of gratitude, Your Grace,” Aurelia interjected, her tone dignified.

“Think nothing of it.”

“But I do. Celia has told me of your intervention with a gentleman of your acquaintance to manage any potential scandal. It is more than I could hope for.”

Alexander inclined his head sharply. “As I said, think nothing of it. I take it you are recovered?”

“Quite. May I request the use of your carriage to return to Banfield House?”

“I’m not sure that is a good idea right now, Aurelia. Perhaps let Father cool down, if he has heard the news. Write to him.”

“I quite agree, Celia. Begging your pardon, but it was not my intention to return home just yet. I thought it would be better to go to Miss Dunnings’. I understand that her father keeps a townhouse for her near St James’s.”

Alexander frowned. “Did you not say last night that this rogue was introduced to you by Miss Dunnings?” he asked. “Why would you wish to stay with her?”

Celia had been about to ask the same question. Coming from Alexander, it was laced with brotherly concern.

He shows concern for my sister. Hope is not lost that he has retreated behind his walls once more.

She could not help but feel a flicker of affection for him.

“My thoughts exactly. I do not think it is wise, Aurelia.”

“I am sure that Miss Dunnings had no clue what a rogue she was introducing me to. None. But… if it concerns you, perhaps I should not go.”

“It does, and you are welcome to stay here for as long as you need,” Alexander said. “I will have the maid prepare your room for a longer occupancy.”

“Thank you, Your Grace. You are most kind. You, too, Celia,” Aurelia said gracefully.

As Alexander made to leave, Celia hurried to him, catching his sleeve. They stood in the doorway.

“Thank you, Alexander,” she whispered.

“No gratitude is necessary. Honor dictates my actions,” Alexander said.

The ice was back. The glacier behind which his emotions were held seemed as high and impenetrable as ever.

“I thank you, nonetheless. I hope that… last night”—she lowered her voice further, though Aurelia had turned to look out the window—“did not… I mean to say that there was nothing untoward in what… Oh bother, I believe you know what I am trying to say!”

She became frustrated and annoyed as she fumbled for the appropriate words. Looking into his eyes, she thought she saw a flicker of emotion.

“I am sure I do not. Last night, we acted as man and wife ought. That is all.”

“It felt like more,” Celia insisted.

“It was not. Our marriage remains a transaction. Excuse me.”

His departure was not accompanied by a gust of frigid wind, but it felt to Celia as though it was. She hugged herself as she watched him go, feeling despair engulf her.

Life returns to its familiar pattern. Coldness and loneliness. What am I to do?

She turned when Aurelia cleared her throat.

“I’m sorry, Aurelia,” she said, disliking having to apologize but feeling guilty that, once again, Alexander had distracted her from her own flesh and blood.

Will I ever be free of guilt again? Guilt over drawing Alexander into a marriage of convenience. Guilt over exposing my family to scandal because of my need for freedom beyond the bounds of propriety.

“You look at him the way I think I once looked at Phillip Grimaire,” Aurelia noted.

Celia scoffed. “Do not confuse my marriage with a fairytale. It is what it is and what circumstances demand.”

Suddenly, Aurelia was hugging her. “I’m sorry if I was being difficult, Celia. This has been a very trying time.”

Celia felt a warm rush of relief at seeing her sister behave like she once had, before her world was turned upside down. The curious coldness that she had exhibited earlier seemed to be gone.

“Do you really worry that I wouldn’t be safe in the company of Miss Dunnings?” Aurelia asked. “She has been such a good friend to me.”

“I do, Aurelia. I am sorry to say it,” Celia sighed.

“Did you really see her with another man?” Aurelia pressed, somewhat wide-eyed.

“I did. And I drew it. The picture is either in my chest, in my room at Banfield House, or at Uncle Cuthbert and Aunt Hilda’s from the time I spent there.

“Your chest at home is locked,” Aurelia said.

“It is. How do you know?”

“I have seen you lock it many times, Celia. Keeping all of those sketches that you don’t want Mama and Papa to know about hidden. You don’t think you keep any secrets from me, do you?”

She grinned mischievously, and just for a moment, it felt like being at home, before the horrible moment Celia had been caught sneaking out.

Before the scandal involving Alexander. A time when she and Aurelia had laughed together.

Had fun without a care for anything except for who they would like to marry one day.

“If you wish to see the evidence, go and look in the chest,” Celia said.

She pulled at a delicate chain that she wore around her neck and under her dress, revealing a small silver key. She unclasped the chain and handed it to Aurelia.

“If it convinces you to be wary of Miss Dunnings, then it is worth letting you see my sketches.”

Aurelia hugged her tightly again. “Oh, Celia! Dear Celia. I shall spend all day leafing through them and marveling at your skill!”