CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"Ican’t believe you got the duke to fetch us punch," Lavinia said with eyes wide, shaking her head.
"He seems like a different person," Emma added. "Is this real? What happened?"
"We had a long overdue conversation and it looks like things might be better between us." Alice was unable to hide the hopefulness in her voice.
The week leading up to the garden party had seen a change in their relationship that had surprised her and had the feelings she had come to realize she had for her husband growing deeper.
They hadn’t had much time for conversation as they had the night of her parents' visit, but she had seen him more often than usual.
He had often opted to respond to correspondence in the orangery with her working on embroidery or having tea with her rather than in his study.
She had noticed his eyes on her more often than usual. Perhaps because he noticed she had put a little more effort into her appearance, but he had said nothing even if he had.
"Oh thank you, Your Grace," Lavinia thanked him once he returned to their party.
She was thankful he hadn’t berated her for choosing to sit with her friends rather than mingle, and even though she could feel the curious eyes on them, she paid them no mind.
Her usual anxiety at parties had dissipated with Victor by her side. His arms had received the brunt of her anxiety when they had stepped into the Bellworth gardens, but he had said nothing, squeezing her hand and sending her a reassuring nod.
"I need to speak with some of my friends," he whispered in her ear. "Will you be alright on your own?"
She nodded as her friends smiled brightly at the intimate gesture, her cheeks flaming with bashfulness. He smiled and squeezed her hand, walking off.
"You love him, don’t you?" Emma accused.
"I do not," she defended, still red.
"It is all over you, Alice." She laughed. "You are literally glowing with it."
"I like him. That I can admit but love? I do not think so," she admitted finally.
"I cannot tell you the truth of your heart, but I can tell he has feelings for you."
Her eyes roamed over to him where she found him talking with a man she didn’t know. Even if he had feelings for her, it would not be easy for him to admit. He wasn’t one to trust so easily.
"I should warn you, Alice," Lavinia said with a frown. "Lord Pembroke is here."
"He has returned? When?" she asked.
"I do not know exactly but…"
Her words trailed off as Alice’s eyes landed on him. He was looking right at her and seemed to be approaching them. Her friends notice and scamper off, leaving her alone with the man she would rather not be seen with. A few eyes were already turning to them, and she knew if she didn’t shorten their conversation, it would turn into a scandal she could not afford.
"Miss Robins," he greeted with an embarrassed smile.
"It is the Duchess of Ravenmoor now," she corrected him.
"Oh you have married," he smiled. "Congratulations."
"Why are you here, Lord Pembroke?" she asked. "Surely it is not to offer overdue felicitations."
He winced at the abrasiveness of her tone, but she didn't care how she sounded. He needed to leave before too many people saw them conversing and rumors started.
"I came to apologize," he answered. "I should not have embarrassed you as I did but I was in love, and I didn’t want to be trapped in an unhappy marriage. Surely you can understand that."
She said nothing, and he took her silence as an avenue to continue.
