“Your Grace,” he said.
It took her a moment to remember that he was talking to her. She lifted her head and did her best not to wince at her now useless title.
“Yes?” she asked.
The man cleared his throat and Cecily waited patiently for him to speak again.
“His Grace, the Duke Archington wishes to speak with you,” he said.
The room fell completely silent, and Cecily felt the instant rise of anger and tension. She heard her mother’s skirts rustling, moving away from her seat and toward the front of the room.
“You may tell him that he is not welcomed here,” the Countess said. “I will not allow him to hurt Cecily any more than he already has.”
Cecily’s mind was racing. He wouldn’t come to her family’s home unless he had something important to say. In fact, he likely would not risk facing the wrath of her family unless he came to apologize. Was it possible that he had changed his mind? Would she allow him to, even if he had?
“Mother,” Cecily said, rising from her own seat. “I will speak with him. Please, do not send him away.”
She heard Agnes gasp sharply, and she could feel her mother’s apprehension.
“Are you sure, darling?” she asked.
Cecily nodded, feeling anything but sure.
“Yes,” she said, turning to the butler. “Please, show his Grace in.”
She could feel the butler’s hesitation, and Cecily realized he must be waiting for confirmation from her mother. After another moment, she heard him bow and leave the room.
“At least let us stay with you, Cece,” Agnes said.
Cecily shook her head firmly, although part of her wanted them to stay.
“No,” she said. “I would like for us to speak in private. I will call if I need you. But please, allow me to face him alone first.”
She waited for her mother and sister to exchange their familiar, annoying looks. Then, both her mother and sister came to her side.
“I do not like it one bit,” the Countess said, embracing her eldest daughter. “But I will respect your wishes.”
Agnes joined in on the hug, squeezing Cecily tightly.
“I will be just outside,” she said. “You call for me the instant he begins to upset you.”
Cecily nodded, gently pushing the two women away.
“I will,” she promised.
Her mother and sister reluctantly left the room. It seemed like an hour passed before she smelled the familiar sandalwood cologne. Her heart began racing like mad, but she forced herself to appear calm.
“Val,” she said coolly. “Please, have a seat.”
She heard Val move quickly to the chair across from her. She sat and waited for him to do the same. There was a long moment of uncomfortable silence. Cecily tried to read Val, but he was radiating a wild mix of emotions. She tried to give him a smile, but it felt painful and unconvincing.
“You must have come here for a reason,” she said gently, trying to not let her hurt show. “You can tell me what that reason is. I will listen to you.”
She thought she heard Val sniffle, but she could not be sure. She waited as he took a deep breath.
“I came to tell you the real reason why I let you go,” he said. His voice was shaky and thick, confirming the sniffle.
Cecily took a deep breath of her own. She was unsure of whether she wanted to hear what he said next, but she had given her word that she would listen.
