Page 43 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
“We have been invited to a ball,” Madeleine announced. “I do not want to go but I wished to tell you about it regardless.”
“Why do you not wish to go?” He smirked at her.
She noticed how he placed his arm over the document he had hidden, as if further concealing it.
“It is a bad idea to attend an event so soon after Donald’s death. Do you not agree?”
“You are fearful of theton’sopinion again. I told you that I would protect you, and not to worry?—”
“I cannot help it,” she said, almost snapping.
“Who is the host?”
“Lord Banbury.”
“Ah. Banbury. There must be something worth celebrating, then. We are to go.”
“But—”
He stood up abruptly. “You will not hide out in Silverton Hall forever, Duchess. I shall have you fitted for a new gown for the event. In the meantime, Mrs. Turner has requested you in the parlor. She wishes to discuss new furnishings.”
Madeleine nodded, biting her lip. “Very well.”
“Madeleine?”
She lingered in the doorway. “Yes?”
“I mean it when I say I will protect you.”
She nodded before leaving. Her thoughts cast back to when he had snarled in the face of the pub owner.
Do not look at her, he had said.
She had no doubt—but that was what she was partially afraid of. Casting the ball from her mind for now, she made her way to the parlor.
Lord Banbury’s estate was not far from Silverton, between London and there.
Carriages had spilled out across the front, filling the circular driveway. Candles flickered in the windows, illuminating the residence for miles.
Chatter filled the air, and Madeleine could not help the nervous swoop of her stomach as she and Alexander ventured deeper into the ballroom.
Eyes landed heavily on her, and she swallowed.
“Must we be here?” she asked quietly, her eyes roving to the lady who had snidely commented on her at Lady Inglebury’s soiree.
“Yes,” Alexander told her. “Besides, I have some associates to meet with.”
“More of them?” She needed something to focus on. Honing in on the aspects of Alexander’s life she did not know was better than focusing on her own. “Will your associate from our wedding be present?”
“Not here, no.”
“It is a shame,” she said lightly.
“And what of your own people?” he asked. “Where are your friends?”
Madeleine almost wondered that herself until she saw Tessa and Colin lingering near the refreshments table.
Colin had a slice of cake on a napkin, his eyes darting around, as if trying to focus on who might be witnessing it. Tessa was scolding him but her smile was present.
