Page 77 of Duke of Gold
After a moment, Colin straightened and shifted the topic. “Are you attending the Sterlin ball tomorrow evening?”
Morgan frowned, his brow creasing. “What ball?”
“Why, the Duke and Duchess of Sterlin are closing the season with a grand event,” Colin said, swirling his drink lazily. “And since you are in Town now, I’ve no doubt they will extend the invitation. You are, after all, family now.”
“I am not going,” Morgan replied, his voice firm as he stared into his tumbler.
Colin’s brows lifted in mild surprise. “Surely the Duchess of Sterlin would want her sister to attend. Do not deny your wife this, too, Morgan.”
Morgan’s grip on his glass tightened. “Haven’t you heard a word I’ve said, Broughton?” he asked, his tone carrying a trace of impatience. “Margaret does not wish to see me. Do you truly believe she would enjoy an entire evening in my company?”
Each word twisted like a dagger in his chest, the bitter truth of his own making too painful to ignore.
Colin leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “These are conclusions of your own making,” he said steadily. “Have you asked her? Or are you merely assuming the worst because it suits your self-flagellation?”
Morgan’s jaw clenched. He turned his gaze to the window, his thoughts churning with a mixture of guilt and frustration. “I have no intention of parading through a ball while my marriage lies in tatters,” he muttered.
“You are in no state of mind to socialize,” Colin agreed, his voice softening slightly. “But perhaps this is an opportunity to mend what you’ve broken—if you would only stop convincing yourself that it is irreparable.”
Before Morgan could respond, a knock at the door interrupted them. He turned as the door opened, revealing the elderly Viscount Milton, who peered inside with a jovial expression.
“So it is true,” Lord Milton declared as he stepped inside. “My wife mentioned she saw the Duchess of Giltford at the park earlier today, and upon my arrival here, I heard word that the Duke himself had returned to Town.”
Morgan rose politely, suppressing a sigh. “Lord Milton,” he greeted, his tone civil despite his reluctance.
The Viscount continued with an easy smile, though his words carried thinly veiled curiosity. “What a delight to have you back in Town so soon, Your Grace,” he said, the emphasis onsoonleaving no doubt as to his meaning. “Society will be most pleased to see you—and the Duchess, of course.”
Morgan inclined his head, though his smile was strained. “You are most kind.”
Lord Milton prattled on for another minute about the Sterlin ball and his expectations of seeing them both there before bidding farewell. As the door closed behind him, Morgan sank back into his chair, his hand rubbing at his temple.
“I told you,” Colin said with a smug nod, raising his glass in triumph. “Society’s wheels turn faster than you might like, my friend. Surely you did not expect to return to Town without obliging its whims and events?”
Morgan huffed, leaning back in his chair. “The speed at which word of my return has traveled is alarming.”
Colin chuckled, shaking his head. “Given your reclusive reputation, it is no wonder. Add to that your recent marriage, and I suspect no one expected you to return to Town at all—much less so soon. You should not be surprised that your presence has stirred such interest.”
Morgan frowned, but Colin continued, undeterred. “Moreover, Sterlin is your brother-in-law, and you are obligated to honor his invitation. Surely you cannot imagine the Duchess would wish her sister absent at such an event?”
Morgan let out a long sigh, Colin’s words pressing heavily upon him. As much as he detested the idea of parading through the ball, he saw no way of excusing himself. Refusing the invitation—or worse, attending without Margaret—would fuel society’s gossip. And he would not, under any circumstances, make her the object of further speculation.
“Very well,” he muttered, the words grudging but resolute. “I must go.”
Colin smirked, clearly pleased, but Morgan paid him no mind. His thoughts had already shifted to the challenge ahead. He needed to speak with Margaret, to convince her to join him.
It was, after all, her sister’s ball. Surely, she would not refuse to attend. Yet the greater question remained.
Would she be willing to play the part of his perfect Duchess? Pretend, as society would demand, that all was well between them?
CHAPTER 36
“You are full of lovely surprises, Peggy dear,” Elizabeth exclaimed as she swept into the conservatory. Her smile was as radiant as the sunlight streaming through the glass. She pulled Margaret into a warm embrace. “So good to see you sooner than expected.”
Margaret returned the hug, her lips curving into a faint smile. “I might say the same, Lizzy. I had no notion you were in Town.”
Elizabeth released her and settled into a chair at the table, her gaze falling on the kitten nestled comfortably near the plate of cream. “What an enchanting little creature! And where did you come from, darling?” she cooed, reaching to scratch its tiny head.
“She has been full of surprises lately,” Anna said dryly, pouring herself another glass of lemonade. “First, she arrives unannounced, and now she rescues a stray.”
