Page 51 of Duke of Silver
When Elizabeth returned to her bedchamber, her mind still buzzing from her conversation with Alexander, she wasted no time in informing her lady’s maid of their impending departure.
“We shall be leaving for Town in the next few days,” she announced, her tone brisk as she crossed the room.
The maid, who had been carefully folding a garment, paused mid-motion. “Why, so soon?” she asked, her voice laced with what Elizabeth could only describe as mild surprise.
Elizabeth raised a brow at the question, slightly taken aback by the girl’s forwardness. “We’ve been rusticating here a while now.I hardly think it’s that soon. Besides, you only just started here, remember?” she replied, trying to keep her tone light.
But as she spoke, she noticed something shift in the maid’s expression—something fleeting, inscrutable, that passed over the girl’s features before she quickly averted her gaze.
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace,” the maid said, her tone suddenly more formal, almost guarded. “It is not my place to question your decisions.”
The abrupt change in her demeanor was subtle, yet unmistakable. The familiarity the girl had displayed moments before seemed to vanish, replaced by a carefully controlled politeness that left Elizabeth feeling some unease.
CHAPTER 23
Elizabeth took Alexander’s hand as he reached up to help her down from the carriage. The warmth of his touch sent a pleasant shiver through her, and she couldn’t help but smile as she gazed up at him. The setting sun bathed him in a golden light, accentuating the sharp lines of his jaw and the deep, thoughtful eyes that now seemed softer, more open, than she had ever seen them.
He smiled down at her, a look that made her heart skip a beat, and for a moment, she forgot about the long journey, the exhausting hours on the road, and the uncertainty that still lingered between them. In that instant, he was not the distant, enigmatic Duke of Sterlin, but simply her husband, the man she had begun to hope she could truly love.
He led her up the steps of Sterlin House, his hand never leaving hers, and Elizabeth marveled at how natural it felt, how right. But as they stepped inside, their shared moment was interrupted by the butler, who approached with a stack of correspondence that required Alexander’s immediate attention.
Alexander glanced at the letters, then turned back to her with an apologetic smile. He brought her hand to his lips, brushing a soft kiss against her knuckles. “Forgive me, my dear,” he murmured, his voice low and intimate. “Duty calls."
Elizabeth’s heart fluttered at the warmth in his gaze, the tenderness in his touch. “Of course,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
He lingered for a moment longer, his eyes holding hers, and the connection between them felt almost tangible, as if they were sharing a secret, a promise that went unspoken but was deeply felt. Then, with a final squeeze of her hand, he turned to attend to his duties, leaving Elizabeth standing in the entrance hall, her heart still racing from the intensity of their brief exchange.
She watched him go, a small, wistful smile playing on her lips. Elizabeth still couldn’t quite believe her luck. Alexander had become more present, more engaged in their marriage, and the change was as surprising as it was welcome.
But even as she reveled in the warmth of his newfound attentiveness, a small voice in the back of her mind wondered if this was all part of the facade they were preparing to present to society. Was he truly warming to her, or was he simply ensuring that they played their roles to perfection once they returned to London?
These thoughts lingered in her mind as she made her way to her bedchamber, the exhaustion of the journey finally catching up to her. The familiar surroundings of Sterlin House did littleto soothe her restless thoughts, and even as she dressed for bed, her mind was elsewhere—on her family, whom she hadn’t seen in so long.
Once ready for bed, she sat at her escritoire, the room lit softly by a single candle. She pulled out a sheet of fine paper and dipped her pen in ink, the simple act of writing bringing her a sense of calm. The words flowed easily as she penned a note to her family:
Dearest Aunt Petunia, Margaret, and Anna,
I write to you with great excitement to inform you that Alexander and I have just arrived in London. The journey was long, but my thoughts were filled with the anticipation of seeing you all again. I cannot wait to call on you tomorrow. It has been far too long, and I have missed you dearly.
Until then, I remain, as ever, your loving Elizabeth.
She read over the note, a fond smile tugging at her lips as she imagined their reactions. With a satisfied sigh, she sealed the letter and left it on her writing table, her thoughts now filled with the joy of reuniting with her loved ones.
The following morning, Elizabeth dressed with care, her anticipation growing with each passing moment. But just as she was fastening the last button on her gown, a commotion in the front hall drew her attention. Curious, she hurried downstairs, her heart skipping with excitement as she approached the source of the noise.
“Peggy!” Elizabeth practically squealed, her voice filled with delight as she caught sight of her sister, Margaret, standing in the doorway.
Margaret beamed at her, her eyes shining with the same joy. “Lizzy!” she called out, rushing forward to embrace her.
But Margaret wasn’t alone. Behind her stood Aunt Petunia and Anna, their faces lit with excitement. “We got your letter late last night, dear,” Aunt Petunia said as she squeezed Elizabeth in a warm hug.
“And we simply couldn’t wait to see you,” Anna added, her voice bubbling with laughter as they all crowded around Elizabeth, pulling her into a group hug.
Elizabeth laughed, the sound pure and joyful as she held her family close. “Oh, rubbish,” she dismissed, her heart swelling with happiness. “It’s wonderful to see you all again. I’ve missed you so much.” She led them into the drawing room and rang for tea.
“Oh, I’m sure you must have quite the news for us,” Aunt Petunia said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation as she settled into a comfortable chair.
Elizabeth chuckled softly, though there was a slight self-consciousness in her tone. “Oh, hardly anything special,” she replied, trying to downplay the significance of her time away from Town.
