Page 57 of Duke of Silver
The dress is for the ball tomorrow evening. I took the liberty of picking out something for you from the family jewels as well. I do hope it is to your liking.
—Alexander
Elizabeth’s fingers trembled slightly as she set the note aside and opened the box. Inside, nestled on a bed of velvet, was a stunning tiara adorned with diamonds and sapphires that perfectly matched the dress, and a pair of equally resplendent earrings.. The sight of it, combined with the unexpected gesture, sent a wave of emotion crashing over her.
Elizabeth found herself unable to tear her gaze away from the breathtaking gown and the sparkling jewels that lay before her. Time seemed to stand still as she marveled at the exquisite craftsmanship of the midnight blue satin, the delicate lace, and the shimmering sapphires. The anticipation of wearing them was almost too much to bear, and she wished, with all her heart, that she could hasten the hours until tomorrow evening when she would finally adorn herself in the dress and jewels.
Could this be another gift? The thought flitted through her mind, bringing with it a flutter of hope. Could this be Alexander’s way of making amends for his absences, for the distance that had so often separated them? Oh, how she desperately wanted it to be true. How she longed for this gesture to mean something to him, to signify that she, Elizabeth, meant something to him.
The following evening, as her lady’s maid fussed over the final touches, Elizabeth could hardly contain her excitement.The maid, equally enthusiastic, beamed as she stepped back to admire her handiwork.
“Oh, and I thought the red dress was beautiful on you,” the maid gushed, her eyes sparkling as she took in the sight of Elizabeth in the midnight blue gown.
Elizabeth smiled at her reflection, the rich color of the dress bringing out the blue in her eyes. It was as though the gown had been crafted with her in mind, every detail designed to complement her natural beauty. Satisfied with the final look, she took a deep breath and descended the stairs to meet her husband.
As she reached the front vestibule, she noticed Alexander loitering there, his posture relaxed yet attentive. At the sound of her steps, he glanced up abstractedly, but when his gaze truly settled on her, he froze, his breath catching in his throat.
“Liz,” he called out, almost breathless, as she reached the bottom of the stairs. The color rose in her cheeks, a warm blush spreading across her face.
“The dress fits,” she quipped sheepishly, trying to ease the tension that suddenly filled the space between them.
“Indeed,” he murmured, his voice thick with something she couldn’t quite place. “You look as though you’ve stolen the entire cosmos in that dress, Liz.” He reached for her gloved hand, his touch gentle yet purposeful, and slowly slipped off the glove before placing a lingering kiss on her bare knuckles.
The warmth of his gesture spread through her, enveloping her like a soft embrace. “In that case, you stole the cosmos for me then,” she chuckled softly, her heart swelling with an emotion she could scarcely name.
“And I would steal it a hundred times over for you,” he replied, his voice low, yet filled with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. The emotion in his gaze was so raw, so unexpected, that it left her momentarily speechless. She had never seen him look at her like this before, with such depth of feeling.
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, he interrupted her. “You’re almost ready.”
“Almost?” she echoed in surprise, her brows knitting together in confusion. What more could there possibly be?
A sly smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a small velvet box, slightly larger than the one that had held the tiara she now wore. “Open it,” he urged, holding the box out to her.
Practically bursting with curiosity, Elizabeth took the box from his hand and carefully opened it. A gasp tore through her lungs as her eyes fell upon the dazzling necklace inside.
“Oh, Alex,” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper as she stared at the magnificent piece. The diamonds and sapphires nestled in the velvet lining sparkled with a brilliance that took her breath away.
“Never say you thought I would let my Duchess grace society without a befitting jewel around her neck too?” Alexander teased gently, his voice warm and affectionate.
Elizabeth was at a loss for words, emotion pricking at her eyes as she tried to process the overwhelming gesture. “I don’t know what to say,” she managed, her voice trembling slightly.
“This is not from the family jewels, Liz,” he said, his tone soft yet resolute. “I purchased this separately for you,” he added, emphasizing the last word as though it carried all the meaning in the world.
Elizabeth’s heart swelled with emotion, and for a moment, she feared she might cry. This was not just a gift—it was a declaration, a testament to the fact that she mattered to him in a way she had not dared to hope for.
“May I?” he offered, his voice tender as he gestured to the necklace.
Unable to speak, she simply nodded and turned, lifting her hair to allow him to fasten the necklace around her neck. His fingers brushed against her skin as he secured the clasp, sending a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the coolness of the jewels.
“There,” he said, stepping back to admire her.
“I think society is ready to meet you now,” Alexander said, his voice filled with palpable satisfaction as he surveyed the ballroom.
Elizabeth managed a nervous chuckle, the weight of the evening suddenly settling on her. “I’m not sure if I am ready,” she admitted, her heart fluttering with both excitement and trepidation.
This was it—her first appearance in London society as the Duchess of Sterlin, and more daunting still, their first appearance together as a married couple.
The significance of the moment was not lost on her, and despite her outward composure, she couldn’t quite quell the nerves that danced just beneath the surface.
