Page 73 of Duke of Silver
Elizabeth walked down the hallway, her thoughts lighter than they had been in months. The events of the previous night had left her with a sense of relief—and, more than that, pride. Alexander had finally opened up to her. After so long, he had let her see the part of him that had been locked away, guarded by grief and guilt. She had been the one to console him, to share in his pain, and that gave her a sense of closeness she hadn’t known was possible.
She wanted more.
The thought filled her mind, refusing to be ignored. Their marriage had always been a formal arrangement, a necessity to protect their family’s honor, but now, after last night, she couldn’t pretend any longer. She wanted a real marriage, a true partnership, not just the hollow shell of a union they had maintained for months. Couldn’t they build something more?
Her steps quickened as she made her way toward the salon where she suspected Alexander was. She would speak to himabout adjusting the terms of their marriage. It was time. Perhaps, after last night, he would be open to more—toeverything.
But as she neared the door, she heard voices, and her steps faltered. Colin’s unmistakable tone carried through the room, light and jovial.
“The Duchess was a marvelous hostess, I must say,” Colin declared, his voice filled with cheer. “And what a delightful family she has.”
Elizabeth paused, her hand on the doorknob, a smile forming on her lips. It was kind of Colin to say so, and for a moment, she felt a sense of pride. But something stopped her from entering. Instead, she lingered by the door, her curiosity keeping her in place.
“They are a delightful lot,” came Alexander’s voice, his tone warm in agreement. “And I must say, your idea about the gifts for the Duchess has reaped excellent results. She receives them well each time.”
The smile on Elizabeth’s lips froze, something within her sinking. The gifts... had they not been from him? Had they merely been suggestions from Colin? She had cherished those moments, thinking they had come from Alexander’s heart. Each gift had felt like a small bridge between them, an olive branch he had offered in the quiet of their marriage. But now... now it seemed they were merely a strategy, a gesture devoid of the meaning she had attached to them.
Had he only given her gifts to placate her? To keep her satisfied while maintaining the distance between them? Her thoughts spiraled, each one sharper than the last, cutting into the hope she had held only moments before. Perhaps it had all been for show. Perhaps their entire marriage was nothing more than a performance to uphold his family’s honor.
The voices in the salon continued, but Elizabeth could no longer bear to listen. Her heart heavy with disappointment, she turned away, her steps swift as she made her way back to her bedroom. She barely noticed the butler as he intercepted her in the corridor, holding out a letter.
“An invitation for tomorrow evening, Your Grace,” he said, bowing slightly.
Elizabeth barely registered the words, her thoughts clouded by the ache in her chest. She took the letter absently, offering a nod before retreating to the quiet solace of her chambers.
The following evening, Elizabeth attended the dinner party, but the lively conversations and laughter felt like a dull hum in her ears. She played the part of the gracious hostess, her smile practiced and polite, but inside, she was struggling. The weight of her disappointment sat heavily on her, and though she tried to push it aside, it gnawed at her throughout the evening.
Alexander joined her on the terrace after the meal, a glass of port in his hand. The cool night air brushed against them, but Elizabeth felt anything but calm.
“You’re quiet,” Alexander observed, his brow furrowing slightly. “Are you all right?”
Elizabeth managed a faint smile, but it felt hollow. “I’m quite fine,” she replied, though the words tasted like a lie. His presence beside her, so close yet so distant, felt like a reminder of everything she could never have with him. The thought of it, of the barriers between them, tightened around her like a noose.
Suddenly, she felt suffocated.
“I... I need a moment,” she muttered, her voice strained as she excused herself. She caught the brief flicker of concern in his eyes, but he didn’t stop her as she hurried inside, making her way to the retiring room.
Inside, Elizabeth stood before the mirror, her hands gripping the edge of the vanity as she tried to collect herself. She could feel the sting of tears at the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. This was not the time, nor the place. She was the Duchess of Sterlin, and her duty was to keep up appearances, no matter how much her heart ached.
After a few moments, she steadied herself and made her way back toward the party. As she walked through the hall, she nearly bumped into Percy, who appeared from one of the adjoining rooms.
“Alone, Your Grace?” Percy teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “I thought you and my brother were practically joined at the hip these days.”
Despite herself, Elizabeth laughed softly. “It seems I managed to escape for a moment.”
Percy grinned. “Tell me, how did you manage it? What’s your secret, eh?”
His humor was light, and though her heart was heavy, Elizabeth found herself smiling. “It’s a talent, I suppose.”
They walked back toward the drawing room together, Percy’s lightheartedness lifting her spirits, if only slightly. As they approached the entrance, however, Elizabeth’s steps faltered.
On the terrace, she saw Alexander in conversation with none other than Georgianna. The widow stood close to him, her body angled toward his, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. Elizabeth couldn’t make out Alexander’s expression, but something about the scene made her stomach twist. Georgianna glanced up then, her sharp eyes catching sight of Elizabeth. A smirk curled on her lips as she whispered something to Alexander, placing a deliberate hand on his sleeve.
Elizabeth’s heart sank as she watched. Alexander’s gaze followed Georgianna’s, landing on Elizabeth and Percy. For a moment, his eyes darkened, flicking between them as if taking in the sight of them together. The smile that had been on Elizabeth’s face faded, and she felt her heart constrict.
Georgianna leaned closer to Alexander, said something inaudible, and then turned to leave, casting one final glance in Elizabeth’s direction as if to underscore her victory.
“I’ll leave you to return to your husband,” Percy said softly, stepping back as if sensing the shift in the air.
