Page 28 of Unraveled by the Duke (Scandalous Duchesses #1)

C elia stifled a loud yawn with her hand as Aurelia paced the floor. She sat at the window, drinking sweet tea in a bid to rouse herself.

Aurelia held the scandal sheet in her hand, reading aloud.

“Listen to this part, Celia. We must speculate, along with certain individuals who shall remain nameless for fear of retaliation by the wealthy Earl of Scovell, about the reasons for Lady Celia’s disappearance from the family home for months.

Sources close to the family say that this was for the purpose of relieving a condition into which Lady Celia had fallen . ”

She looked up at that word, outrage on her face.

“Note their use of the word fallen . It is blatant insinuation without stating a single fact, and therefore exposing themselves to libel!”

“I know, Aurelia. They speculate that I went away because of a condition I had fallen into, which was quietly alleviated with time. You have read it to me twice now. I already learned it by heart.”

Aurelia plopped down next to her sister, causing the tea to slosh in the cup. “It is outrageous! This kind of innuendo could do incalculable harm. What does the Duke think of it?”

“I have not told him,” Celia admitted.

“Celia!” Aurelia exclaimed. “Is that wise? When he eventually finds out, he may suspect you of keeping it secret.”

“That is precisely my concern.” Celia yawned again. “I do not yet know how to navigate this problem. I would like to know who their sources are, though. They seem to know that I went away, though they have the reason all wrong.”

“A member of the household, perhaps?” Aurelia asked.

“I hardly think any of the servants at Banfield House would be so disloyal,” Celia said.

She had a suspicion but did not want to voice it in front of Aurelia. Lavinia was the prime candidate in Celia’s eyes but she did not want to alienate Aurelia.

“There was that maid who left after she got with child. But Papa made provisions for her. He helped her find a house and paid her a stipend. What was her name?”

Celia frowned, fatigue sapping her will to consider the problem and fogging her mind. “Katherine, I think. I do not remember her surname.”

“I bet she is the snake!” Aurelia hissed.

“Now, now, let’s not jump to conclusions. Even if she were, I haven’t the first clue where she is now.”

“Mr. Phelps has a forwarding address for her. I know because I have seen a letter addressed to her at Banfield House, which he took to forward.”

Celia looked out the window at the sunny but overgrown garden. Finsbury House was so neglected. She could understand the reasons, but she felt sad for it and for the servants who were forced to spend time here.

Because of my presence. Poor Peggy. If it were not for me, she would be at Cheverton with her friends. A much cheerier place. But does Finsbury have to be so sad? Can’t it be a joyful place again?

“Celia? Did you hear I word I just said?” Aurelia asked, sounding somewhat annoyed.

“I’m sorry, Aurelia. I am just tired. What were you saying?”

“That perhaps the way to deal with this scandal is to nip it in the bud. Go to the source and persuade her to retract her account.”

It made sense. Discredit the unscrupulous author of the scandal by going to their source. The opportunity of employment in the residence of a duke might be an incentive for Katherine. Assuming she was the source.

And how providential that this comes just when I’m thinking of how to make Finsbury House livable. I wonder how I might persuade Alexander without letting on about this fresh muckraking against me.

At that moment, the subject of her thoughts appeared.

Alexander was in a waistcoat and shirtsleeves, showing off his narrow waist and broad shoulders. He held a steaming cup in one hand and a letter in the other. Celia yawned again.

How can he attend to correspondence after so little sleep? I think I had an hour or two before Aurelia was knocking on my door. She doesn’t know I was out all night; she is perfectly rested.

“I see the source of your distraction now, Sister,” Aurelia said, looking in the same direction. “I would be distracted, too. Is that also the source of your sleepless night?”

Celia reddened, and she reminded herself that her sister was sharper than she often gave her credit for.

“We went to the theater. You know that. Entirely respectable.”

“But it is what happened after the theater that is the question. Has your marriage of convenience become somewhat… inconvenient?” Aurelia teased.

“Very, actually. He is the most prickly man I have ever met. Laughing one moment and offended in the next breath. I feel like I should wear gloves when I am near him, like Mr. Robins does when he is tackling the rose bushes.”

Mr. Robins was the head gardener at Banfield House and usually wore thick leather gauntlets when pruning the rose bushes away from the paths.

“Seriously, though, Celia. How is married life? You have not spoken of it much.”

“It is much like unmarried life, except there is always another person to consider,” Celia replied.

“At least you have been forced to marry a man who is very handsome and rather dashing. It could have been a lot worse.”

Celia bit her lip, watching Alexander as he walked. She studied the slim line of his body, knowing that the slimness disguised muscles that were hard as rock. The fall of his hair from his temples gave him a wild, savage appearance compounded by the hard lines of his face.

It could have been much worse. I did not want to be forced into marriage. To be compelled to give up my freedom. But there are surely far worse men to be chained to.

Aurelia laughed softly, hugging her. “I see admiration in your eyes. Perhaps the beginning of this marriage is not what is important, but how it grows.”

Celia found herself nodding, smiling to herself until she recovered her senses. She looked away from the object of her feverish dreams, putting him behind her.

I must remember that once he has secured my dowry and Hyacinth’s debut has been arranged, he may decide he has no further use for me. Once the scandal has been forgotten.

She frowned, pursing her lips thoughtfully. The release of her dowry depended on her father knowing the condition of Alexander’s finances. She had volunteered to be shown his accounts and provide that assurance. She could prevent that from happening for a time.

“Aurelia, do you think you are ready to return home? With me, of course. I would not have you return alone.”

Aurelia took a deep breath and swallowed. “I suppose I must face the music, eventually. Perhaps Papa has not yet heard the rumor. He is not exactly a social butterfly, after all.”

The notion of the Earl of Scovell listening with bated breath to scandals being whispered in salons and drawing rooms behind fluttering fans was comical.

Celia burst out laughing, and Aurelia joined her.

For a moment, there was nothing in the world for either of them to worry about. They were returned to a more innocent time, before Celia had been caught on one of her nightly ventures. Before Aurelia had been tricked into being alone with a cad. Tricked by Lavinia , Celia was certain of that.

“I can show you the picture I drew—if it is in my art chest, that is. There is always a chance it is in a portfolio of drawings that I took with me to Aunt Hilda’s house.”

Aurelia’s laughter died down like the light from embers doused in water.

“Are you so convinced that Miss Dunnings is not a good person?” she said. “She has been a good friend to me when I was missing you.”

“I do not judge her character. Merely that she has lied and tried to cast aspersions on my character to cover the fact. I suppose, in my eyes, that does make her of poor character.”

Aurelia looked disappointed, as though she had hoped that her new friend and her sister would get along and be the best of friends, so she could live happily between the two.

Celia wished she could just grin and grit her teeth, and accept Lavinia for Aurelia’s sake. But she would not compromise. Lavinia had lied to everyone and tried to destroy her reputation. She could not overlook that.

“I will look at your drawing, and if it is what you say, then I will accept your account and cut Lavinia off without another word,” Aurelia promised.

“That is a very mature decision. I am proud of you,” Celia said, patting her hand.

Aurelia smiled sadly. “I had to grow up these last few months.”

The criticism was there, unspoken but present.

Celia had not been present, so Aurelia had been forced to step into older shoes. But that was not entirely her fault. She had not been in control of her father’s decision to send her away.

I am responsible for my reckless adventures; that is all. He did not have to send me away. Did not have to punish Aurelia.

Celia bit back the anger she had never felt towards her father before. Previously, she was the only victim of the consequences of her actions, but he had made Aurelia a victim as well.

Or was it me? Did I do this? If so, I must make amends. I must find a way to make amends.

She looked back through the window, but Alexander was no longer in the garden. Before she could wonder where he had gone, a knock sounded at the door to her rooms. Alexander entered without waiting for a reply. He still held the letter in his hand.

“Celia, I have received word from my solicitor that the accounts are ready for your examination. We can go to his office whenever we see fit, and he will make himself available over any other business.”

Celia kept her expression neutral and folded her hands in her lap. “That is kind of him. My sister and I must go to Banfield first, though.”

Alexander blinked, glancing from her to Aurelia. His eyes fastened on her at the end, hard and sharp. “What reason is so urgent that it takes priority over this?”

“Are you so keen to obtain my money?” Celia asked archly.

She felt Aurelia’s hand on her arm, squeezing gently.

“Yes, for reasons I have explained. But I am happy to explain them again. I must secure my sister’s debut. At the moment, that requires additional funds while I bring my estates into order. I do not see that any business you have at Banfield would take priority over that.”

His tone was becoming icy, but Celia could see confusion on his face. She hated the thought that she might be alienating him, after she had tried so hard to break down the walls he had erected around himself. But Aurelia was her blood.

It is time I was prepared to make sacrifices for her.

“Hyacinth is your sister, and Aurelia is mine. She faces a scandal that could end her social life before it has properly begun. I would like to discuss the matter with my father.”

“Celia, this sounds more important—” Aurelia began.

“No,” Celia interrupted, “it is not. We can visit your solicitor another time, once I am sure this crisis has been averted.”

“Very well. I will accompany you to Banfield,” Alexander declared. “I can apprise your father of the steps I have taken to manage this situation and of the availability of my accounts as per our agreement.”

Celia forced a smile.

Even angry, he was handsome and drew her eye. Even cold, she was attracted to him, knowing that deep frost would burn her as surely as fire. She wanted to be in his arms again.

But the end is within sight. He will obtain my dowry, and he will have no further use for me.

I am lying to myself by saying that Aurelia is my first priority.

I am just grasping at any opportunity to delay the inevitable.

To delay the end of my marriage to a man I did not even want to marry at first. I must try to remember the injustice of it all.

I must try to remember how outraged I was at the loss of my freedom.