Page 53 of Duke of Silver
Elizabeth followed their lead, letting her own eyes drift over the room’s details. She had not truly taken it in before, not with the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time. Itwasbeautiful—refined and stately, yet with a warmth that made it feel like home. And yet, there was a pang of disbelief within her, a small part of her that still found it difficult to believe that this, all of this, was now her life.
“Oh my, it’s made of pure gold,” Peggy exclaimed, her voice brimming with awe. “Come have a look, Auntie,” she called out, beckoning with a wave.
“Oh, I cannot turn down an opportunity to sight some foreign treasures,” Aunt Petunia responded, rising from her seat with a matching eagerness. The two women huddled around the figurine, their expressions a mix of curiosity and delight.
“Those two’s curiosity should be a crime,” Anna remarked with a chuckle, her gaze following Margaret and their aunt as they continued to explore the room with unabashed enthusiasm.
“Andyourlack of curiosity needs some questioning too, Anna,” Elizabeth teased, a playful lilt in her voice as she reached for the teapot and refilled her cup.
“You call it a lack of curiosity, I call it grace and sophistication in maintaining control over one’s curiosity,” Anna countered, sitting up straighter, her posture suddenly prim and proper as she made an exaggerated effort to embody the very elegance she spoke of.
“Oh, do not let Aunt Petunia hear your opinions about their display,” Elizabeth laughed, the sound light and genuine as it echoed through the room.
“You know how to keep a secret, don’t you, Liz darling?” Anna responded with a wink, and the two sisters shared another bout of laughter, the easy camaraderie between them filling Elizabeth with warmth.
But just as quickly as the moment of levity had come, it faded. Anna’s expression sobered, the mirth draining from her features as she moved closer to Elizabeth. Her sudden seriousness sent a ripple of unease through Elizabeth, the shift in mood impossible to ignore.
After casting a brief glance in the direction of a distracted Petunia and Peggy, Anna leaned in, her voice dropping to awhisper. “I shouldn’t be saying this to you, but I feel you must know.”
Dread coiled in the pit of her stomach. Elizabeth had known this was coming—had felt it looming over her ever since her return to London.
“Aunt Petunia is of the opinion that you needn’t be burdened with this,” Anna began, her voice laced with concern. “But I believe that knowing is the only way for you to protect yourself—and your husband.”
Elizabeth’s heart sank as Anna’s words confirmed the dread she had been trying to suppress. The rumors that had plagued her thoughts were not mere whispers carried on the wind; they were very much alive and spreading like wildfire through the ton.
Anna leaned in closer, her expression grave as she continued. She recounted the latest murmurings in town, each word solidifying the fear that had grasped Elizabeth ever since the whispers had first reached her ears.
Elizabeth sighed, the sound heavy with resignation. “I know, Anna. The rumors somehow reached us even in the country,” she admitted, feeling both frustration and weariness.
“Oh dear,” Anna breathed, her eyes widening with sympathy.
“As a matter of fact, we returned to town for that very reason,” Elizabeth added, her tone firming as she spoke.
“What do you mean?” Anna asked, curiosity and concern mingling in her voice.
Elizabeth met her cousin’s gaze, the determination she had been clinging to rising to the surface. “Hiding away in the country will only make society speculate further,” she explained. “But if we present ourselves in society and they witness our interactions—see that there is no cause for scandal—then perhaps we can quell their curiosity and put an end to the speculations and rumors.”
Anna considered this for a moment, then nodded slowly. “It sounds very plausible,” she agreed, though there was a hint of doubt in her voice, as if she wasn’t entirely convinced that such a plan could truly silence the relentless gossip of the ton.
Elizabeth offered a faint smile, appreciating her cousin’s attempt at optimism, even if she herself felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her.
“I am sorry about everything, Elizabeth,” Anna said softly, her gaze dropping to her hands. “You made the sacrifice and married, but even that wasn’t enough to stop the rumors and scorn.”
Elizabeth felt a pang of guilt at Anna’s words. The scandal that had forced her into a hasty marriage had not only affected her own life but had cast a shadow over her family as well. She reached out and took Anna’s hand, squeezing it gently. “It isyouI am worried about, Anna,” she said, her voice earnest. “How is society treating you all after the scandal?” she asked, her concern evident.
Anna hesitated, her eyes flicking away for a moment before meeting Elizabeth’s gaze once more. “It has not been easy,” she admitted, her voice quiet. “There have been whispers, cold shoulders... and some invitations that no longer arrive. But we are managing. Aunt Petunia has been a pillar of strength, and Uncle’s position helps, of course.”
Elizabeth’s heart ached at the thought of her family enduring such treatment because of the decisions she had been forced to make. “I am so sorry, Anna,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “If I could change it all, I would."
Anna shook her head, a sad smile playing on her lips. “We know, Lizzy. But what’s done is done. We just have to move forward the best we can. Society’s tongues cannot and will not bring us down, Lizzy, you know that,” Anna said, attempting to lighten the mood. Her voice carried a note of determination, as if she could will the gossip away by sheer force of will. “We are all right. Papa is all right,” she reassured, her tone gentle but firm.
Despite Anna’s words, Elizabeth couldn’t shake the concern that had settled like a weight in her chest. She had always known the cost of scandal, but it was another thing entirely to see its effects ripple through the lives of those she loved.
“I am glad to see you fare well with your husband anyway,” Anna continued, steering the conversation toward lighter topics. “Considering the circumstances of your marriage, I am happy to see that he treats you well,Liz,” she added with a teasing grin.
“Anna,” Elizabeth murmured, a blush creeping up her cheeks at her cousin’s deliberate use of Alexander’s affectionate nickname for her.
“Goodness, Lizzy. You’re married to this man, but you still blush like a schoolgirl at the mere mention of him?” Anna chuckled, her amusement clear as she observed Elizabeth’s reaction.
