Page 72 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
“Indeed. I think I shall wear one of my green dresses for it. I believe it is one of the Duke’s favorite colors.”
Lily handed the note to one of the footmen nearby and hastily returned to prepare Edwina for her outing.
On her way towards the carriage house, Edwina passed Lucien, who cocked his head at her, an amused smile on his lips.
It had been three days since their tense moment in his study, yet it had not lingered.
“Where are you going, dressed so finely?” he asked, giving her a slow, lingering look that curled through her pleasantly.
“I am visiting the village,” she said. “Do you wish to join me?”
“I cannot today, but perhaps another time.”
Edwina smiled through her slight disappointment, telling herself it was just as well, for it would do her good to get acquainted with the village in her own time, wandering wherever she pleased, with nobody to rush her.
“Very well. Are you busy?”
“Yes, I am to meet with my solicitor again in an hour.”
“Again?”
Lucien nodded once, his mouth tight. “It seems that your brother has many more debts than I realized. Than was even in the initial assessment. It is taking us some time to sift through them all and find the final, rounded balance.”
Even though it was not Edwina’s fault, part of her felt guilty.
A pang of insecurity shot through her. What if the Duke had agreed to do all of this, paid every debt, renovated a house for Nicholas to return to, and arranged his rehabilitation, only to have her fail as a wife?
“What worries you?” he asked.
But Edwina was quick to shake it off. “It is nothing. I do hope the meeting goes well.”
“And I hope your outing at the village goes smoothly,” Lucien replied. “Make sure to visit Gratesby Bakery. They sell excellent venison pies. My cook serves them for lunch at times when I crave something quick and filling.”
“I shall.” She gave him a small smile before turning to the carriage house, where Lily waited, the door already held open for her.
“Edwina,” Lucien called.
She turned back to see him gazing at her again with an unreadable expression, before the slightest smirk tugged at his lips.
“You look beautiful. Green is a most becoming color on you.”
He was gone before she could thank him, so she was left to make her way to the carriage flushed and giddy, feeling foolish at a silly compliment from her husband.
Stormhold Village was a large place, centered by a fountain where a crowd of children gathered, tossing coins and squealing as they chased one another.
For a moment, inconspicuous and unnoticed, Edwina watched them.
Her mind strayed to her childhood, dredging memories of her and her brother being watched over by their parents. It brought a smile to her lips as she passed by.
Somewhere down one of the four paths leading outward from the fountain, a violinist played a spritely melody for other villagers who gathered to dance. Laughter filled the air, and people tossed coins into the violinist’s music case.
“Where is Gratesby Bakery?” she asked Lily. “I was told you grew up in this village.”
“I did, Your Grace. The bakery’s that way, just past the forge.”
So Edwina set off, past the violinist, to whom she gave several coins. She was met with wide eyes and endlessthank you’s andbless you, Your Grace, and for a while, she was happy not to announce that she was the new Duchess.
When she entered the bakery, she was met with a red-cheeked, young girl whose orange-colored braids were dusted with flour. As soon as she saw Edwina, she dropped into a deep curtesy.
