Lavinia straightened her back, taking one last glance at her reflection before turning away from the mirror. Her heart fluttered nervously in her chest as she made her way down the stairs with the gown flowing freely behind her. The thought of Andrew waiting downstairs for her sent mixed feelings down her spine.
It had been a week since their last conversation, that night in his study when everything seemed to shift. Lavinia was still unable to put a name to the tension that had happened that night.
We are not exactly a typical married couple...
Lavinia had thought about those words every single night since then. She knew that it was true, that their marriage had beenon questionable terms. But hearing Andrew say it had disturbed her. It stung more than she cared to admit.
She had been angry with him ever since, unable to shake the sense of betrayal that lingered in her chest. Yet, there was something else, something more complicated...a part of her that couldn't ignore the way he had made her feel that night, the way he had looked at her. A part of her that still ached to understand why he said what he said, and did what he did. Why he pushed her away when he was the one who had been so close.
But none of that changed the fact that she was still angry. Furious, even.
As she reached the bottom of the staircase, her gaze sought him out. He stood by the entrance, adjusting his cufflinks. The sight of him, so effortlessly handsome, brought a rush of conflicting emotions. It was difficult to stay angry at a man that made her heart dance whenever she set her eyes on him.
When he finally looked up, his eyes widened for a moment as they fell on her. A fleeting look of admiration crossed his features as he assessed her from head to toe. But then he looked away sharply, as if he was suddenly reminded of something.
"The gown suits you well," he said. He made no move to approach her, instead keeping a careful distance, as though afraid to say more.
Lavinia felt an unexpected pang of disappointment. Something had changed. That warmth that had once flickered betweenthem seemed to have vanished. In its place, an unspoken chill had settled in. He was starting to get cold toward her again, as though the distance between them had never shrunk.
"We should be on our way," he added.
Andrew walked over to the carriage, holding the door open with one hand, the other extended to help her inside. Lavinia hesitated, a moment of uncertainty lingering between them. After a brief pause, she inhaled sharply and stepped forward, choosing to help herself into the carriage without taking his offered hand.
She barely had time to adjust before Andrew followed her in and sat opposite her, clearing his throat. He immediately picked up a book and buried his head in it, reading something that she could only assume was important from the way he was intently concentrated on it.
Lavinia turned her gaze to the window, watching the passing scenery blur as the carriage rumbled along. The silence was almost suffocating, so she tried to concentrate on her own thoughts, to distract herself from the heavy tension between them.
She wondered if the tension she felt was only in her own head or if he truly had become distant since their last conversation. Had it been what she’d said to him that night? Lavinia recalled how reclusive he’d gotten when she had blurted that she wanted to like what he liked. It had been entirely true, but she’d had no idea that he was going to react like that.
Had it been the whiskey? Perhaps he thought it was unladylike of her to down such a strong drink. Or had it been that moment right before the end when he’d almost kissed her?Hehad almost kissed her. Lavinia's chest tightened with a mixture of fury and confusion. He had been the one to step so close, to make her feel as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them. He had been the one who made her feel vulnerable, and yet now, he acted as if nothing had happened.
It was him!
She exhaled slowly, pressing her fingers to the window, feeling the coolness of the glass against her skin. The carriage jolted slightly as they pulled into the Grandbury residence. She figured the ball would be a welcome distraction. Thankfully, Emma would be there and she would finally have someone to talk to about the chaos in her mind.
The moment the door to the carriage swung open, Lavinia's senses were assaulted with the scent of fresh flowers, the murmurs of conversation and the crowd of people scattered around. Andrew stepped out first and again, stretched his hand to help her out of the carriage.
Lavinia hesitated for a heartbeat, the same conflict stirring within her, but she knew better than to create a scene. With a quiet, inward sigh, she placed her hand in his, her fingers brushing his cool palm. The contact, so familiar yet charged with that same tension, sent a flutter through her chest. She took her hand away as quickly as she placed it in his grasp and inhaled sharply as they made their way to the ballroom.
As Lavinia stepped into the grand hall, she couldn't help but notice how somehow, it felt different. The gleaming chandeliers above, the soft music playing in the background, and the chatter from the crowd felt the same as the countless balls she had attended before. But there was something about tonight that felt unlike any other.
The realization hit her as she walked through the hall, her arm lightly brushing against Andrew's. She was no longer the shy debutante that hid in the corners, hoping that no one noticed her presence. She was a wife now. A duchess. For the first time, the reality of that felt like an undeniable presence, something that wrapped itself around her like the silk of her gown.
She had imagined this moment before, dreamed of it, even, but never once had she considered how different it would feel to be married. It was not as she had hoped or imagined married life would be, yet at the same time, she was thankful for it. Thankful that Andrew had given her a place in society.
As they crossed the threshold into the hall, Lavinia sought Emma out in the crowd, and the moment they spotted each other, her spirits lifted. Emma's eyes in response widened as she rushed toward Lavinia with a bright, excited smile, her arms outstretched as she practically floated over to her side.
"My goodness. I almost did not recognize you, my dear friend," Emma said breathlessly. "You look absolutely radiant, Lavinia. The color...the gems...the gown. The face. Perfection!"
Lavinia felt her cheeks warm at the compliment. "Thank you, Lady Emma," she said with a coy smile. "You also look ravishing tonight."
Emma giggled in response and gasped, noting Andrew's presence. She stepped back and curtsied. "Your Grace."
"Lady Emma," he responded with a tilt of his head.
"Can I comment on how gorgeous the duchess looks tonight?" Emma added. "You are a lucky man, dare I say."
Lavinia gasped. "Emma!" she whispered, hushing Emma.
