Page 110 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
“Let us not get too emotional, Edwina.” Nicholas laughed, but then he smiled bashfully. “It has been too long indeed, but I feel good. I feel well. And it is all thanks to you both.” His eyes flicked to Lucien as he joined the siblings. “I am forever in your debt. I was in the clutches of a terrible darkness and could not see my way out. You both helped me, brought me into the light.”
“You look well, Nicholas,” Lucien noted, nodding. “Your progress has been admirable and honorable.”
The two held each other’s gazes, and Edwina watched as they nodded sharply to one another, an understanding of men who carried their pasts heavily. Yet, that weight grew less and less heavy with each day, and Lucien and her brother were coming along in their own way.
Nicholas beamed at the praise. “Coming from the man who I recall saying I was once a man of honor and lost that quality, it means a lot to me to hear that. Now, come, Your Grace. There is a full party out there of associates and acquaintances rather desperate to rub elbows with you and your wife.”
Nicholas clapped a hand on Lucien’s shoulder and made to steer him outside. But Lucien paused, glancing at Edwina.
“Go,” she urged, happy to see them close again. “I must find my aunt and Diana.”
“Diana Hughes?” Nicholas asked quickly, suddenly interested. “I believe she is outside, near the fountain. She is speaking with one of my accountants.”
A furrow appeared on his brow, and Edwina stifled her giggle.
Oh, yes, Brother. I have noticed your interest in my friend.
“How peculiar that you are so aware of her whereabouts,” she commented lightly. Rising on her tiptoes, she pecked Lucien’s cheek. “I shall see you soon. Enjoy your networking.”
Lucien gave her a deep, brooding scowl that she so adored before she stepped away. By the time she made it to the fountain, the man Diana had been speaking to was already striding away, frowning.
“Edwina!” Diana cried out, embracing her friend. “I cannot believe it has been a month since we last saw one another.”
“Indeed,” Edwina sighed. “I must get out more, but…” she trailed off, thinking of the news she intended to break to her husband that night. “Regardless, I believe my brother is jealous of your closeness with his accountant.”
Diana blinked, a small flush rising to her cheeks. “He is?”
Edwina bit her lip, nodding. “You are not doing it on purpose, are you?”
“Me? Never. Besides, I am still recovering from my disastrous experience with the Marquess of Highbury. What a terribly-behaved rake.”
Four months ago, after the Marquess had teased Diana around London, even courting her for a brief time, he had been caught in a compromising position with a baron’s daughter and thus was forced to marry so far beneath his rank. However, the Baron’sdaughter was remarkably pleased with her rise in status, while the Marquess was miserable.
“It serves him right, although I am sure the Marchioness is most happy,” Edwina muttered.
“If his breeches were not so loose, perhaps he would have settled well. There is still time, I suppose, but I have been spared from a potentially humiliating adulterer.” Diana’s face brightened.
It had been several weeks now that Edwina had suspected something. Ever since Nicholas’s return to Society a month ago, as the co-manager of Lucien’s racehorse breeding venture, and the manager of some sort of transportation business that she did not fully understand, she had noticed something between him and her friend.
Every time they wrote to her, they asked about each other, and Edwina had found herself caught in the middle. Apparently, there had been one ball where they were reported to dance together, but neither had mentioned anything.
“See over there,” Diana whispered, pointing in another direction. “Lady Isabel and Lord Bartlet. Word is that their courtship is progressing rather well.”
Edwina followed her friend’s finger to find her aunt holding a tray of chocolates, and, as she made to refill her champagne flute, Lord Bartlet swiped a square of chocolate. By the time Isabel looked back to grab the delicacy, it was gone, and LordBartlet pretended to frown at a passing gentleman, as if blaming him.
“What a wonderful match.” Edwina laughed. “I am sure if their courtship continues, my aunt will have a long, happy life.”
“I never thought she would settle. It is lovely to see.”
Edwina couldn’t agree more.
Her aunt caught her eye and waved, excitedly gesturing towards Lord Bartlet.
“It is so funny that they met over trying to buy the last available box of chocolates.” Diana giggled. “What are the chances.”
“Well, Aunt Isabel did once say that was her one true love. Perhaps this was fate all along.”
Diana tucked her hand in the crook of Edwina’s arm, squeezing it.
