Page 65 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
“I am sure you have been eager to escape the watchful eyes of thetonwith its nasty rumors,” Lord Simon commented, and Veronica paused.
“Indeed,” she answered. “It has been… trying, to say the least.”
“We are fortunate you were able to join us,” the Lord continued, and Veronica was more and more aware of the Duke’s glare boring into her. His hand was clenched tightly around the stem of his glass. Her skin prickled with the attention. “Will you be attending the Gallan ball next month? It would be a shame to miss you if you were not in attendance!”
“Lord Lindbury, this wine is excellent,” the Duke cut in, his voice quiet but still rising above any answer Veronica would have given. “Perhaps Her Grace would like another glass?”
He signaled for a server to refill Veronica’s glass, thoroughly distracting her from the topic, and by the time she looked up towards Lord Simon, he had already been pulled into another conversation.
She leaned forward, drinking deeply from her glass. “The wineisquite delectable,” she said to her husband, letting a bead of wine lingering on her lips. He tracked her tongue as it caught the droplet, a very brief moment of teasing. “What is wrong with you, Your Grace?”
“Nothing,” he answered tightly.
“Of course, there is,” she insisted, unconvinced.
But before she could press it further, an announcement to move into the parlor went up, and everybody vacated the dining hall. Lord Simon looked as though he would approach her, but the Duke stepped to the side nearest where the Lord would come from and took her arm in his.
“I shall walk with you to the parlor,” he insisted quietly.
“Will you truly not tell me what ails you this evening?” she asked, laughing quietly.
The wine was making her feel rather relaxed around him tonight, but it felt good. She felt as teasing and as light as she had that night he had kissed her senseless and then used his mouth on her in such pleasurable ways.
“As I told you,” he said, “nothing ails me.”
But his jaw was tight, and his eyes searched the room with a deeper scowl than usual, and Veronica could feel how tense he was, his arm pressed to hers.
She thought about teasing him again.
I shall make a comment about speaking with Lord Simon.I wish to know if he is jealous, perhaps.
Before she could, a gentletink, tink, tinksounded through the parlor, and Lord Lindbury stood up. The guests all gathered around him as he stood next to his wife.
“I would like to make an announcement,” he spoke up. “Yes, yes, I know I seem to make one at every party I host, so you shall all have to bear with me, for I do like talking?—”
“Get on with it, Zachary!” Lady Sheridan laughed. “We shall be slumbering by the time you get around to your point.”
“My mother-in-law clearly does not enjoy my speeches, everyone,” Lord Lindbury laughed, and everyone joined in. Even the Duke allowed an eye roll. “I jest, Lady Sheridan. No, my announcement is sincere and shall be kept brief, for it needs no introduction. It is too important to delay. Tonight shall be my wife and my last event for some time.”
The room seemed to hold its breath as they waited for the next part.
“For we are expecting. And do not worry, I shall not be making another announcement for some time. My next shall be to announce my child’s arrival into the world.”
The parlor erupted into cheers and shouts of celebration. The Duchess of Harwick, cradling her stomach, went over to Henry’s cousin and embraced her. Veronica drifted forward to give her congratulations to the woman while the Duke of Westley went to shake hands with Lord Lindbury and congratulate him.
“Congratulations!” Cecilia said, throwing her arms around Nancy.
Veronica felt she was intruding on such a moment between obvious friends, but they drew her into their circle in the next moment. Veronica hugged Nancy as well, who blushed with happiness.
“Thank you, Cecilia.”
“Congratulations, Lady Lindbury.” Veronica smiled brightly at her.
“I am excited that our children shall be born rather close together!” Cecilia exclaimed. “We shall schedule everything for them arriving!”
“We shall!” Nancy giggled. “I am so very excited to meet this little one.”
Veronica felt a pang of longing as the two women discussed the arrival of their babies and when they expected to give birth. She moved over to congratulate Lord Lindbury while the Duke congratulated Nancy, and everybody once again took their seats while more wine was poured.
