Page 35 of Duke of Gold
Lady Aleshire’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile, and Peggy felt a quiet relief at her apparent approval.
“And I would be honored to continue learning from her,” Peggy added, before glancing at Mrs. Pattons. “And from you all, Mrs. Pattons.”
Mrs. Pattons preened slightly, her expression brightening as though she had been personally praised.
“As you wish, Your Grace,” Mrs. Pattons said with a deferential nod, though her lips tightened ever so slightly before relaxing into a smile. Peggy caught the brief shift in her demeanor, and for a moment, doubt flickered in her mind.Was she displeased?But just as quickly, Mrs. Pattons’s good humor returned, and Peggy inwardly admonished herself for imagining things. Perhaps she was being overly suspicious.
“Oh, you are too kind, Your Grace,” Lady Aleshire said now, a soft pink blooming on her cheeks. The warmth in her voice was genuine, and Peggy felt her spirits lift. She was glad tohave navigated this delicate matter without offense—at least not outwardly.
With that matter settled, the conversation turned to the preparations for the ball. Lady Aleshire welcomed all of Peggy’s suggestions with an open mind and a gracious smile, and for the first time, Peggy felt as though she were beginning to truly belong among these women. They agreed to meet the rest of the committee tomorrow afternoon to begin putting plans into motion.
Later, as Peggy walked the ladies to the door, their conversation full of bright chatter, they were unexpectedly interrupted. Rounding a corner, they came face to face with Giltford. He stood tall, his solicitor at his side, a bundle of documents in hand.
Peggy’s breath hitched, a strange wave of relief washing over her as she took him in. He looked like himself again—composed, steady, and utterly impenetrable. The haunting image of him from two nights ago seemed like a distant memory now, though the unease it had planted remained.
Forcing herself to recover quickly, Peggy stepped forward and offered a warm smile. “Your Grace, may I present Lady Aleshire and Mrs. Pattons?”
Morgan’s gaze shifted to the women, his expression unreadable but his tone flawlessly polite. “Ladies,” he said with a small nod. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Both women dropped into identical curtsies, their movements fluid and practiced. Yet Peggy couldn’t help but notice the subtle tension in Mrs. Pattons’s posture, the slight widening of her eyes as she lifted her head. Lady Aleshire, by contrast, maintained her calm poise, though her gaze flicked briefly to her companion, perhaps noting the same thing Peggy had.
Mrs. Pattons smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Her hands clutched the folds of her skirt tightly, and her voice, when she spoke, had a faint tremor. “Your Grace,” she said, her usual effusiveness dampened.
Peggy glanced between them, confusion tugging at her.Why does she seem so uneasy?she wondered, watching as Mrs. Pattons lowered her gaze almost immediately after addressing Morgan.
Morgan, for his part, seemed utterly indifferent, his manner composed but detached. He exchanged a few polite words before excusing himself, his solicitor in tow, and disappeared down the hallway without a backward glance.
As the women continued toward the door, Peggy couldn’t shake the curious tension that lingered in the air. Mrs. Pattons’s earlier cheer seemed forced now, her steps quick as though eager to leave the castle. Peggy’s brows knitted together. There was something strange at play, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
What could make her so intimidated?
After the ladies’ departure, Peggy felt an urgency she could no longer ignore. She had seen Morgan for the first time since that unsettling night, and while he had appeared his usual composed self, the memory of his vacant eyes and stillness lingered like a shadow in her mind.If I do not speak with him now, I may not get another chance,she thought, setting her shoulders and making her way toward his study.
When she reached the door, she hesitated briefly before knocking. The sound echoed faintly in the quiet hallway. “Come in,” came his voice, calm but clipped.
Peggy pushed the door open and stepped inside, her hands clasped tightly before her. Morgan looked up from behind his desk, his dark eyes assessing her for a moment before he set his pen down. “Margaret,” he greeted, his tone neutral.
She took a cautious step forward. “I wished to speak with you,” she began, her voice steady though her heart raced. “About... about the other night.”
His expression stiffened imperceptibly, but she caught it. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlocking as he rested them on the desk. “There’s nothing to speak of,” he said, his tone final.
Peggy’s lips parted, frustration bubbling up despite her best efforts to temper it. “Nothing to speak of? You were standing in the hallway, unresponsive, as though you were—” She stopped herself, exhaling sharply. “I need to know that you’re alright.”
Morgan’s jaw tightened, and he looked away briefly, as if composing himself. When his gaze returned to her, it was colder, more distant. “I am fine,” he said. “There is no need for concern.”
Peggy took another step forward, the disappointment and unease she’d felt for days welling up in her chest. “You may say that, but how can I not be concerned? You—” She faltered, unsure how to phrase it without prying too far. “You seemed... troubled.”
His gaze darkened, and he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk. “Margaret,” he said, his voice low but firm, “I have work I must tend to.”
The dismissal was clear, cutting through whatever argument she might have voiced. Her breath hitched, the sting of rejection sharp as she stood frozen for a moment.
“Of course,” she finally said, forcing a small nod as she stepped back. Her hands fidgeted with the folds of her dress, her disappointment weighing heavily in her chest. “I won’t keep you, then.”
Morgan didn’t respond, his attention already returning to the papers before him. Peggy turned and left the room.
Does he not see that I care?
“This venue must sparkle with elegance,” Lady Aleshire declared, her voice brimming with enthusiasm as she placed a list of required items on the table. “It is our most anticipated event, after all.”
