“I am looking forward to a moment of peace. It has been quite a long night already.”
“Dinner was lovely, the hosts are very kind.”
If Jonathan wanted to make any comments here about his time with Lady Isabella, and how captivating her conversation was, it would be now. Genevieve’s shoulders rolled up as panic got the better of her. She needed to know how he truly felt, but she also was not sure if she could handle it. Her whole body tensed up and her heart stopped beating as she waited for him to speak. To end this painful anticipation.
“I have been thinking a lot about our quest, you know,” Jonathan declared, flooding relief through Genevieve. Not only did he not want to talk about Lady Isabella, but he wanted to talk about their adventures, which was just the thing that Genevieve wanted to discuss. “And I can not imagine what we will find at the River Lox.”
Genevieve laughed. “It is a mysterious place that I used to visit a lot when I was a child. It is beautiful. I am sure we will have a great adventure when we go.”
“The weather seems favorable; perhaps we could explore the River Lox soon. I am sure, like me, you do not wish to wait too long.”
Genevieve’s heart quickened with excitement. “Soon? That sounds like a promising plan. I can not wait to see what secrets it holds. I keep wondering what we are going to find. If it will be another stone with an engraved message or something else.”
“The map might lead us to the treasure, and we shall be rich,” Jonathan laughed and Genevieve could not help but join in. He was making light of this, but having fun as well, which only made her feel better and even more excited about it all. “Perhaps tomorrow morning will be the perfect time for us.”
She was very grateful to have Jonathan on her side. Harry too, of course. She was not ever going to forget that her brother had helped her through everything. But Genevieve could not deny that her heart skipped a beat at the idea of spending more time, closer with this man. The enigmatic duke who she still wanted to know more about.
The terrace, with its cool night breeze and the faint murmur of distant laughter from the drawing room, became a cocoon for their shared dreams. In the hushed tones of their conversation, Genevieve sensed the promise of a journey yet to unfold — a journey that transcended the confines of societal expectations and ventured into the uncharted territories of their intertwined destinies. Excitement flowed through her veins at the thought of what was to come.
“Ah, Genevieve, I have been looking for you. I thought you might be in the drawing room, but you are here.”
The ethereal spell was abruptly shattered by the approach of familiar footsteps. Harry’s voice cut through the night, the soft cadence of his words breaking the cocoon of their private world. His shadow loomed before he fully stepped into view, and in his eyes, Genevieve found a silent understanding — a mix of concern and caution.
“I believe we are needed back inside, my dear sister. There are people looking for you. You do not wish to be missing for too long.”
The weight of their positions in society, the delicate dance of reputation and propriety, became all too clear. The uncharted territories they longed to explore were constrained by the expectations that bound them. If only the rest of the world did not exist, they could be free to talk and enjoy themselves as much as they wanted.
“Of course, Harry.” Genevieve hated that her beautiful moment was about to be destroyed, because with Jonathan she was having the nicest time she’d had all evening. But she knew that her brother was right to worry about her reputation. This was something that she needed to be more concerned about as well, not that it was the easiest thing in the world to do when her heart simply wanted to remain with him. “I shall come right away. I just wanted to get some air, that is all. But I am feeling much better now.”
“It was lovely talking with you,” Jonathan declared as he bowed at the pair. “Lady Genevieve and Lord Harry, I do hope that you enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“You too,” Genevieve replied with a curtsy in return. Her heart hurt as she pulled away from Jonathan, but she knew it was the right thing to do. “See you soon.”
Following Harry back inside, Genevieve carried the bitter sweet residue of the evening with her. The longing for a world beyond societal constraints, the secrets shared under the stars, and the thrilling anticipation of what lay ahead left an indelible imprint on her heart.
The terrace, now bathed in the soft glow of moon light, held the echoes of their conversation. The unspoken promise lingered, suspended in the night air, as Genevieve re entered the drawing room, where the grandeur of Cavendale Manor enveloped her once again. The secrets and dreams shared on the terrace became fragments of a puzzle waiting to be completed, and the journey, though momentarily interrupted, remained poised on the brink of discovery.
CHAPTER 17
Alistair had spent countless evenings within the opulent walls of Cavendale Manor, where grandeur and elegance danced together in perfect harmony. Yet, tonight, the air held an electric charge, a promise lingering in every shadowed corner. The familiar hum of conversations and the melodic clink of glasses intermingled, creating a symphony of celebration that seemed to echo through the lavish halls.
Perhaps tonight would be the night that he would finally find a woman to marry, and a woman who could help to solve all of his financial problems.
However, after a few conversations with the ladies in attendance of the night, Alistair needed a moment to himself, to gather himself back up again and to recall what he was there for. He needed to make sure the women he spoke to were financially suitable, so he did not waste any time.
Seeking a moment of respite, Alistair stepped out on to the terrace. The night sky stretched above him, adorned with a myriad of stars, and a gentle breeze carried whispers of secrets untold. As he inhaled the crisp air, he felt the weight of the evening lift momentarily from his shoulders.
However, the tranquility was short lived, shattered by the clandestine exchange of hushed voices. Alistair’s instincts, honed by years of navigating the intricate web of high society, guided him towards the source. Lady Genevieve and the new duke, Jonathan, two figures silhouetted against the ambient glow of the manor’s windows, engaged in an earnest conversation. Again. Why did he only ever see the pair of them together? The two people who ruined his life. He hated to see them happy and talking like they had done nothing to him.
The wordstreasureandRiver Loxfloated to Alistair’s ears, a combination that stirred a dormant curiosity within him. The mere mention of potential riches sharpened his senses, transforming the terrace into a stage for a clandestine drama. If they knew where treasure could be found, then Alistair wanted to know. Perhaps that way he would not need to worry about getting married for money.Ifthere was a treasure to be found, then he needed to find it. He needed to know more.
His footsteps, though purposeful, were silent as he edged a little closer, trying to pick out every word. Shadows concealed him, allowing him to eavesdrop without detection. Genevieve’s voice carried a note of excitement, and Jonathan’s responses were measured, hinting at the gravity of their discussion which only made him believe more that there really might be something out there. Alistair’s keen intellect began to weave the fragments of information together, creating a tapestry of intrigue. The River Lox, a place well known but seldom discussed in such clandestine tones, was either holding a treasure or a clue towards it.
It was only when Lord Harry Ellsworth stepped out onto the terrace that the conversation halted, disappointing Alistair. He ducked and hid while everyone else slipped inside the building, barely letting out a breath until he was completely alone.
My goodness,Alistair thought once he was confident enough to stand once more. But as he allowed his eyes to shut, he found himself ensnared in the tendrils of his own memories. The memory of the biggest tragedy of his life, which meant he definitely deserved this treasure far more than Jonathan. That man was responsible for killing Trevor, among with a lot of other people. He did not deserve happiness with money as well. Nor did Genevieve. Her rejection still stung him when he really thought about it.
He let the rush of memories consume him for just a moment. The ship, proud and resolute, battling against the unforgiving sea, came vividly to mind. Alistair could almost taste the salt on the air and feel the deck beneath his feet as the ship sailed towards an inevitable fate. The end of his best friend’s life.
