Page 27 of Yours Always (The Enduring Hearts #1)

Mayfair - London, England

The drawing room was awash in the soft light of early autumn, filtering through tall windows draped in pale blue silk.

The faint scent of sweet biscuits and tea left to turn cold hung in the air.

Sarah sat very straight on the velvet settee, her gloved hands folded primly in her lap, an untouched cup sitting on the table before her.

Across from her, Lady Adeline, elegant as ever in seafoam silk, sat beside her newly affianced Lord Rutledge, a gentleman of quiet manners and even quieter confidence.

He said little, but the way he watched Adeline pour tea made his feelings unmistakable.

“The first ball of the Autumn Social Season is to be held at Langley House, is it not?” Adeline asked, lifting her cup with practiced grace.

“It promises to be quite the event. Though—" she paused, her gaze falling on Sarah and the Duke who sat quietly beside her.

“I daresay, many will be far more interested in who attends together than the music or flowers.” Sarah managed to offer only a faint smile.

“Of course…” Adeline went on, her tone gentle but pointed, “...certain pairings will set the room alight with anticipation.”

“Adeline,” the Duke said quietly, his voice low with warning, though a faint trace of indulgence softened the edge.

She dipped her head with a soft laugh. “Forgive me. I only meant that some occasions carry more weight than others. It would be a very elegant setting, should any formal announcement wish to be made.” Nathaniel turned to Sarah then, his gaze steady above the rim of his teacup, still unreadable, still calm and waiting.

Sarah was spared the necessity of a reply by the sudden arrival of Lady Charlotte, who swept into the room like an ocean squall.

At fourteen, she was all dark, wild curls and unchecked commentary, her slate blue gown slightly askew, one glove tucked into her reticule rather than worn.

“I thought you all would be dreadfully boring, and I was right,” she declared, flopping beside Sarah and grabbing a biscuit.

“I cannot possibly spend the next hour discussing muslin and orchids. Did you know Lady Lytton fainted during the cotillion last night? They said it was the heat, but I think she just wanted Lord Merrick to carry her out.”

“Charlotte,” Adeline said mildly, though her tone held quiet authority. “Your gloves.”

“They’re on my person,” Charlotte replied breezily. “That should suffice.”

Nathaniel pinched the bridge of his nose, caught between amusement and exasperation, while Lord Rutledge looked like he wasn’t sure whether to laugh or flee. Sarah blinked down at her tea, grateful for the disruption. Charlotte’s chaos was blessedly distracting.

A few moments later, the Duke set his cup aside and leaned forward slightly.

His voice was low and even, pitched only for Sarah’s ears.

“Sarah.” She blinked, startled. She still wasn’t used to hearing her name from him, not so gently.

They had agreed it was silly to keep using titles now that they were to be husband and wife, and yet his saying her name always felt too intimate and unfamiliar.

“Yes, Nathaniel?” she asked, reaching for her teacup, realizing too late that her hands were trembling. She set it down again, untouched. On the other side of the room, Adeline had tactfully redirected her attention to Lord Rutledge, offering privacy without pretension.

“Adeline is right,” Nathaniel continued, tone even.

“The first ball of the Season might serve as a fitting moment for a formal announcement.” He paused.

“With your permission, of course.” Sarah’s breath caught.

The walls felt closer now. The pressure in the room, Nathaniel’s affectionate gaze, Adeline’s quiet assumptions, the gleam in Charlotte’s curious glance, all folded in around her like netting.

“That would be very grand,” she said after a beat, carefully. “Though I wonder...if we might delay the public announcement until after Grace and Benjamin’s wedding.” Nathaniel’s brows lifted. “Their wedding is not until after Christmas.”

“I know,” Sarah said quickly. “But I wouldn’t wish to overshadow them, especially not Grace. They deserve their moment without the flurry of attention that comes with a Duke’s engagement.” He paused, but then with perfect composure, Nathaniel inclined his head. “That is very thoughtful of you.”

Across from them, Charlotte frowned faintly. “You could always elope instead,” she offered, swinging her legs. “That would be far more interesting in the society papers. Especially if you caused a scandal.”

“Charlotte,” Adelaine said again, this time more firmly.

“What?” Charlotte huffed. “I’m only suggesting options.”

Sarah let out the smallest breath of laughter, though it sounded more like grief in disguise.

She turned her gaze to the fire, letting its warmth blur her vision.

Across from her, Nathaniel watched her quietly, his hands still.

She felt something shift in the set of his shoulders, but he said nothing.

He only reached across, gently, and placed a sugared biscuit into her trembling hand.