Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The night of the dinner party was nothing short of a grand spectacle. The Chesterfield estate, with its opulent halls and exquisitely decorated rooms, glittered under the soft glow of chandeliers. The dining room, in particular, was a marvel of elegance and sophistication.

The long mahogany table was covered in a pristine white tablecloth, adorned with delicate lace trim. At its center, an array of fresh flowers in crystal vases added a touch of vibrant color. The table was set with the finest china, gleaming silverware, and sparkling glassware, each place setting meticulously arranged.

Edward and Vivianne were seated next to one another, and as they took their places, Edward couldn’t help but notice the approving look in his uncle’s eyes. The marquess was a man of imposing presence at the head of the table, presiding over the evening with an air of satisfaction.

The other guests included some of the most notable figures in the area. The Earl and Countess of Pembroke were present, their refined manners and sharp wit making them the center of many conversations.

Lady Beatrice Ashburn, a renowned philanthropist, sat across from Edward, her elegant demeanor matched only by her sparkling jewels. And, of course, Edward could see his cousin William there, seated further down the table, his eyes occasionally drifting toward Vivianne with an unreadable expression.

“I didn’t know that your uncle’s dinner party would be so… posh,” Vivianne said in a conspiratorial manner as she leaned closer to Edward, so she would not be overheard.

He turned, drinking in the sight of her. “Even if it were twice as posh, you still outshine everyone in presence.”

Her eyes widened at his comment, a subtle blush spilling over her cheeks. “Why, Edward… that is very nice of you to say.”

“I am merely stating a fact, my dear.” He grinned, unable to take his eyes off of her.

The gown she wore was a deep emerald, a color that perfectly complemented her fair complexion and brought out the fiery hue of her hair. Intricate embroidery shimmered subtly in the candlelight, catching his eyes with its exquisite detail.

But it was the way that the square neckline, edged with delicate lace, hinted at her decolletage without being overly revealing. Just one look at her porcelain flesh was enough to drive him mad with desire.

She smiled, lifting a slightly nervous hand to push a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She had adorned her coiffure with delicate pearl pins that added a touch of refinement and matched the pearl earrings she wore. Around her neck, she wore a simple yet stunning necklace with a single, perfect emerald that seemed to glow against her skin. Everything about her was pure and simple perfection.

“Are you hungry?” he asked softly, gesturing at the servants, who were slowly starting to serve only the first of the ten courses that the entire meal would offer.

“A little,” she admitted.

“Then you will be in for a treat.” He beamed at her.

The meal was a culinary masterpiece. It began with delicate hors d’oeuvres—tiny, flavorful bites of smoked salmon on crisp toast, and miniature pastries filled with rich, creamy cheeses. What followed was more delectable food, like soup, fish, and finally, a decadent dessert.

As the meal progressed, the conversation flowed easily. Edward found himself engaged in a lively discussion with the Countess of Pembroke about the latest trends in literature, while Vivianne was charmed by Lady Beatrice, who thrilled her with tales of her travels. Throughout the dinner, Edward was acutely aware of Vivianne’s presence beside him.

He noticed the way her eyes lit up when she laughed, the subtle grace with which she moved. He also saw the looks of approval from his uncle, who clearly saw Vivianne as a suitable match.

At one point, Edward noticed that out of all the voices in attendance, he could hear William’s the most. The man was obviously striving to charm everyone at the table, regaling the guests with humorous anecdotes and witty remarks.

His charisma drew laughter and admiration from all corners of the room. Edward watched with a mixture of irritation and grudging respect, knowing full well how adept his cousin was at playing to an audience.

“Ah, Edward, do you remember that summer at Aunt Clara’s estate? You were always so keen on staying indoors with your books while the rest of us enjoyed the countryside. Such dedication to intellectual pursuits back then, and just look at you now!”

There was laughter around them, with some aiming their gazes in Edward’s direction, waiting for a response. Edward refused to grace them with one. He simply smiled, nodding at his cousin, who continued to recount everything they had done at Aunt Clara’s that summer. Then, the topic of conversation moved to estate management, and even there, William found a way to draw Edward into it.

“I must say that Edward has done remarkably well for someone who didn’t quite take to the rigors of estate management in our youth. I had to explain everything to him, and look at him now. It’s admirable how he’s found his own path.”

Each subtle jab was a reminder of the tension that had always simmered between them. Edward felt his temper rising, the familiar anger threatening to cloud his judgment and ruin the evening.

Vivianne, ever perceptive, seemed to sense his growing frustration. She leaned close to him, her soft voice a soothing balm as she engaged him in light-hearted conversation. Her presence was a calming influence, a reminder of why he was here and what truly mattered.

As the dinner progressed, Vivianne reached under the table and took Edward's hand in hers. The simple, unexpected gesture sent a jolt of surprise through him, but also a wave of calm. Her touch was gentle but firm, a silent promise of support and solidarity.

His thumb instinctively brushed the back of her hand, his irritation ebbing away with each stroke. He turned to look at her, filled with gratitude and amazement. Her quiet strength and unwavering presence were more effective than any harsh words or retaliatory remarks he could have made.

Edward remained composed, his anger held in check by the simple comfort of Vivianne’s hand in his. William’s jibes lost their sting, overshadowed by the warmth and support he felt from the woman beside him.

“This tart with berries and custard is heavenly.” She smiled as she placed a spoonful into her mouth, shifting his focus onto her.

He watched her as she delicately ate the tart, unable to tear his eyes away. She was a vision of grace, but then he noticed a small bit of custard at the corner of her mouth. The sight was oddly mesmerizing, stirring a desire within him to lean over and lick it clean.

He clenched his fist under the table, willing himself to maintain his composure. Instead, he handed her a napkin with a soft smile.

“You have a little something right here,” he said, pointing to the corner of his own mouth to indicate the spot.

Vivianne’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she quickly dabbed at the corner of her lips, giving him an appreciative smile. His heart skipped a beat at her expression, but he forced himself to focus on his own meal, though the image of her and the unfulfilled urge lingered in his mind.

After dinner, the gentlemen were invited to the parlor, while the ladies remained in the dining hall. Still feeling overwhelmed by William’s comments and Vivianne’s playful glances, Edward excused himself for a moment, hoping for a brief respite from the crowd. He would be granted no such favors.

As he walked briskly down the corridor, heading for the terrace for some fresh air, he heard footsteps behind him. He disregarded them as perhaps being one of the servants, but the footsteps grew louder as well as closer, and he knew that whoever it was, they were heading in the same direction. He stopped and turned, only to come face to face with William.

“William,” he said through clenched teeth, refusing to believe that it was a coincidence.

“I hope you don’t hold my playful comments against me,” William said, his voice carrying a hint of sly amusement.

“Not really.” Edward decided to dismiss him. “I barely noticed them.”

“Of course.” William chuckled. “You seemed preoccupied with the lady seated next to you, which is understandable.”

“Of course,” Edward echoed William’s own words. “I barely paid any attention to what you were saying. I was being a gentleman and listened to Vivianne instead.”

“She doesn’t seem to be the talkative type, Vivianne DuPont,” William mused, taking a step closer to Edward, his closeness almost menacing.

“That depends on her company,” Edward defended her.

“Speaking of company…” William leaned in slightly, his tone low and laced with a subtle hint of mystery, “I couldn’t help but overhear some of the talk around the table. It seems there is quite a bit of speculation about certain families and their… circumstances.”

Edward’s eyes narrowed. “Speak plainly, William. What exactly are you hinting at?”

William’s grin widened, his expression smug. “Oh, nothing too specific. Just that there are certain ‘arrangements’ and ‘situations’ that might not be as they appear. For instance, your connection with Vivianne.”

Edward’s temper flared, his patience wearing thin. “Are you suggesting something, or are you simply here to stir trouble?”

William’s smile took on a colder edge. “I’m merely pointing out that, in light of all of this, I believe your little affair with Vivianne and her family is nothing more than a well-orchestrated charade. Quite the performance, wouldn’t you say?”

Edward’s fists clenched at his sides. His irritation bubbled to the surface, but before he could respond, William’s demeanor shifted back to his usual charm. “Well, do excuse me, Edward. I need to rejoin our guests, lest I am considered a rude host.”

“But you are not the host,” Edward snarled. “Uncle is.”

William smiled. “All in due time, Eddie. All in due time.”

He turned and walked away, seamlessly blending back into the drawing room, with the group of dinner guests who continued their conversations and laughter. Edward stood there, his mind racing with anger and confusion.

He took a deep breath, trying to control his rising fury. The implications of William’s words gnawed at him, raising questions about how much others knew and what they believed. His thoughts swirled with the possibility of confronting William directly or perhaps finding another way to address the situation without causing a scene.

Just as he was about to continue out to the terrace, the rustle of a silk gown caught his attention. Vivianne slipped out of the dining hall, most certainly unnoticed, because he could see her huddled form as if she endeavored to sneak away from the rest of the world and find a solitary place, just like he was trying to do.

When their eyes met, her brow furrowed. “What happened? You look as if you have seen a ghost.”

He wondered if he should even tell her. It would only agitate her more, knowing what William had said, and she had enough on her mind without him adding to it.

Then he remembered that she had opened up to him about Reginald. He owed her the same.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s William. He made some veiled comments about our relationship and his words were… infuriating.”

“What did he say?” she inquired cautiously.

He swallowed heavily before speaking. “He, um… said that our courtship is a charade and that your family is on the brink of ruin.”

Her lips parted, but she made no sound. She was obviously upset, and he didn’t want that.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “William has always been like that, selfish and provoking others.”

“Yes.” She nodded. “It is obvious that he is jealous of you. And a jealous man will refrain from nothing to get what he wants. He is just trying to get under your skin and stay there, irritating you for as long as possible.” She approached him, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Don’t let him.”

The touch was gentle, yet it sent a jolt of electricity through him. Edward’s breath caught in his throat as he felt the warmth of her hand through the fabric of his jacket. The simple gesture was charged with an intimacy that went beyond mere comfort. Her touch seemed to ease the storm inside him, but it also stirred an overwhelming surge of desire.

He looked at her, her eyes filled with genuine concern and softness. The sight of her so close, the way her fingers lingered on his shoulder, made his heart race. The temptation to lean in and capture her lips in a kiss was nearly unbearable. The thought of pressing her against him, feeling the softness of her body against his, was intoxicating.

Edward’s mind battled with his emotions. Acting on his desires would be reckless—such a move could jeopardize everything they had worked for, could stir scandal and gossip, and could place both their reputations and their feelings in peril. The risk was too great, the consequences too severe.

Vivianne’s eyes searched his face, seeming to sense the conflict within him. She pulled her hand away as her expression softened. “Let’s go back inside, shall we?”

They walked back to the dining hall together, the air between the filled with palpable tension. Edward’s mind was a tumult of desire and self-control, battling with the very real fear of what a lapse in judgment might bring. He regretted not kissing her again, but the risks were too great.

“Thank you,” he said softly before she slipped back into the dining hall, closing the door behind her, leaving him with his palpitating heart and a desire that refused to be extinguished.