Page 67 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
“Nobody was invited to our wedding.”
“Well, that is rather untrue,” Edwina cut in, and Lucien shot her a glance.
She turned to his friend, but he held up a hand.
“Oh, I know it is not true,” Jasper said. “Rumor has it that the Viscount Grenfield and his family were present. Even our mysterious, former friend Nicholas seemed to come out of the shadows for it.”
“He is Edwina’s brother,” Lucien pointed out incredulously. “Of course, he?—”
“He did not attend any other social event,” Jasper countered. “He disappeared from knowledge, including that of his friends. Did you ever find out the cause?”
Edwina cleared her throat.
Lucien narrowed his eyes at his friend. “Perhaps we should not discuss such things in front of my wife?”
“It is no matter,” Edwina interjected quickly. “However, I would like to offer an apology to Lord Tulley. He is clearly important, and he is right. The Viscount Grenfield’s daughter is my best friend, and I wanted her to be present.”
“Ah, I see, I see. It is your fault, then, Lucien, for neglecting to invite me.” Jasper smirked, but Lucien only rolled his eyes. “It almost makes me not want to give you your wedding gift. Nevertheless, I would not want to see it go to waste. So, here it is.” He held out a document.
Lucien, perplexed, reached forward and snatched it from him.
“What on earth…” he muttered, glancing up at his friend. “You bought us… an opera house in Cheltenham?”
“With your own box, of course,” Jasper answered, leaning back and sipping the tea that had already been served. “Word is that Her Grace is a fan of the opera, and… well, Lucien, you very rarely go out for anything other than business, so I thought you would enjoy attending often.”
“Tickets would have sufficed, I am sure.”
“Perhaps, but I felt in the mood for spending frivolously.”
“You bought us a theater as a wedding gift, Tulley?”
“Yes. And you had better use it.”
“I assure you that we will, Lord Tulley. Thank you, truly. It is a wonderful gift.” Edwina giggled, peering at the deed in Lucien’s hand.
“There is also a bonus,” Jasper continued. “You are entitled to a percentage from the profits of all shows. I suppose you can call this business and pleasure.”
“You are insane,” Lucien muttered, laughing. “But thank you. I believe you are the only one who has given us a wedding present.”
“My aunt Isabel is sending us her elephant statue,” Edwina reminded him.
Lucien bit back a groan. “Oh, that. Yes.”
He’d forgotten that Edwina had mentioned it before their wedding ceremony.
“Jasper, Edwina’s aunt has gifted us her beloved, human-sized elephant statue. It is made from porcelain, apparently.”
“You are joking!” Jasper cried, clapping his hands together. “She sounds delightful. I would like to meet her.”
“I am sure you shall,” Edwina told him.
Lucien had many business ventures across London and the surrounding towns and cities, but he had never invested in an opera house. He barely even entertained such pastimes, but he saw how Edwina’s eyes lit up when she read the deed. Usually, he would keep business separate from pleasure, but it seemed Jasper was intent on involving his wife in such matters now.
“Remind me, Luc, that when I am to be married, you shall not be my groomsman,” Jasper teased.
“Are you still offended?”
“Yes, for I am not the only one.”
