Chapter 27

Chapter 27

The two men rushed up the stairs, barging into Edward’s study. Just as they thought, Aurelia was already there, seated quietly, her expression tense but determined.

Her attire seemed carefully chosen to conceal her identity in public. She wore a modest, dark cloak that wrapped tightly around her, its hood drawn up to obscure her features. Beneath the cloak, her dress was plain and unassuming, in muted tones that would blend into the crowd. Her gloves, while practical, were slightly worn, adding to the overall impression of someone trying to remain inconspicuous.

Upon seeing them, she pulled down the hood of her cloak to reveal her face. Her strawberry-blonde hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, contrasting with the somber colors of her garments. Her expression, previously hidden, was now clear: a mix of worry and resolve.

“Aurelia.” Jonathon spoke her name softly, approaching and taking her by the hand. She allowed him, although she didn’t smile.

“I’m sorry for appearing like this,” she said softly, as if she hadn’t slept in a week and even speaking was a dire effort for her. “I had to come here without anyone knowing. A servant girl is left behind in the carriage, in case I am found out. But I needed to speak with you urgently.”

Edward’s worry remained. “What is it? Is there something you’ve learned about Vivianne? We’re grasping at every lead we can find.”

Aurelia's face showed a flicker of concern. “Vivianne was visibly upset at the ball last night. I noticed it when we were talking, but she didn’t confide in me about what was troubling her. I’m wondering if that could be connected to her disappearance. Did she mention anything to you or Jonathon that might shed light on why she was so distressed?”

Edward's shoulders slumped under his deep sense of guilt. He took a deep breath before speaking. “It’s my fault.”

Aurelia lifted her gaze to him, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she allowed him to continue at his own pace. Edward didn’t want to share with anyone else what a wretch he was to be caught alone with Catherine, but he couldn’t lie to Vivianne’s sister. After all, they all had a common goal, and that was to bring Vivianne home safe and sound.

“Last night, I… I was engaged in a conversation with Catherine, an old acquaintance of mine, only it’s not as simple as it sounds…” He explained everything as he had to Jonathon.

“And Vivianne caught you?” Aurelia gasped, her concern evidently deepening.

“Yes,” Edward confirmed with regret. “She saw us together, and I understand how it must have looked to her. It was a misunderstanding, but I realize that my actions—or rather, my failure to manage the situation properly—must have deeply hurt her.”

Jonathon, standing beside Edward, added, “It wasn’t your fault alone. Reginald’s manipulations and his presence certainly complicated things. But knowing that Vivianne was upset before she disappeared could be crucial. If she felt betrayed or threatened, it could explain why she was so vulnerable.”

Aurelia nodded, absorbing the information. “I see. It’s clear now that her distress was significant, and it may have played a role in her decision to leave or in how she was taken.”

“She believed in the note she received,” Edward said, his gaze pained as he met Aurelia’s eyes. “She believed that she was going to meet with me, but instead…” He couldn’t finish that statement.

Jonathon placed his hand tenderly on Edward’s shoulder. “This isn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known this would happen.”

“No, I should have been smarter, John.” Edward was adamant that he shared at least some of the blame. “I should have turned my back on Catherine. If I had, I would have spent the rest of the evening with Vivianne in my arms.”

“But that might not have changed anything,” Aurelia reminded him. “She disappeared during the night.”

“If I had not done what I did, she might not have gone down to meet Reginald,” Edward countered.

“I still can’t believe that he had anything to do with this.” Aurelia shook her head. “I mean, I know he broke Vivianne’s heart, but I certainly didn’t know that his wickedness reached these proportions.”

Edward felt a pang in his heart. He remembered Vivianne’s reaction at having stumbled onto Reginald. He also remembered the way she spoke about him, almost as if the very mention of that man still caused her pain. And when there was pain, there were emotions.

Edward's eyes searched Aurelia’s with desperation and hope. “Do you think Vivianne still has feelings for Reginald? Could that have played a part in all of this?”

Aurelia immediately shook her head, her expression firm and reassuring. “Absolutely not. We spoke of him many times, and the pain he had caused her was so great that she shut herself away from the rest of the world, and from love as well. Her feelings for that man have long since faded.” She paused.

“I do not know if it is my place to say, but she has confided in me about having feelings for you. That is why I can say, with certainty, that Reginald does not mean anything to her.”

Relief washed over Edward, though the weight of his guilt remained. “Thank you for clarifying. I was worried that her feelings might have been manipulated or that she might have felt conflicted about him.”

“There is no conflict for her about Reginald,” Aurelia repeated. “He had returned so suddenly and the sight of him caused her distress. But she has no lingering affection for that man. I would know.”

Edward nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “That means a lot to hear. I’m more determined than ever to find her and make things right. Thank you, Aurelia.”

“I’m very glad to hear that because…” She halted, looking at Edward with concern. “I’ve already started to hear rumors about her.”

“What rumors?” Edward asked, his eyebrows furrowing. He could imagine the ton having the time of their lives with something like that. They were like vultures, feeding off of other people’s misery and bad luck instead of helping out if they could.

“Well, that she has not really disappeared, but rather eloped,” she revealed. “And that our family is merely trying to save face by telling everyone she disappeared.”

Edward’s face paled, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. “Vivianne would never do such a thing. We need to focus on finding her, not on these false rumors.”

Jonathon, equally stunned, spoke up. “The rumors are dangerous. If they spread, they could ruin Vivianne’s reputation, and your family’s as well. We have to address them somehow.”

Aurelia nodded gravely. “Exactly. The rumors are already causing a stir. We need to counteract these rumors quickly and with solid evidence that Vivianne has been taken against her will.”

Edward clenched his fists, frustrated. “How did the rumors even start? We’re dealing with a real crisis here, and now we have to combat falsehoods as well?”

Aurelia’s gaze was resolute. “The rumors might have been started deliberately to throw us off or to make Vivianne appear as though she’s willingly vanished. It’s critical that we find her as soon as possible to put these rumors to rest and prove the truth.”

“But how?” Aurelia asked incredulously. “We have no idea where to start.”

“My cousin has revealed a plan he had with Reginald,” Edward divulged. “He has assured us that he had nothing to do with Vivianne’s disappearance, but I wouldn’t trust him to shine my shoes, let alone anything else. We will keep an eye on him and hopefully notice when he makes a mistake.”

Aurelia inhaled deeply. She didn’t seem all that convinced, and Edward had no idea how to offer her any consolation. Fortunately, Jonathon was there. He stepped closer to her and gently wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace.

“Everything will be all right, my dear,” he told her tenderly. “We are going to find Vivianne and set things straight. We just need to stay focused and support each other through this.”

She leaned into his embrace, allowing his words to wash over her as she kept her eyes closed. Edward had never seen his friend behave like that, so strong yet so vulnerable at the same time. He always believed that a man ought not to show his emotions. Yet Jonathon was doing so while providing Aurelia with the comfort she was desperate for. Edward doubted he would have been able to do something like that.

“Thank you, Jonathon. I hope you’re right. The rumors and uncertainty are overwhelming, but your support means a lot.”

Jonathon gave her a reassuring squeeze before stepping back, his gaze filled with determination. “We’re all in this together. We are here for whatever you need.”

She smiled weakly, but it was a smile nonetheless. She proceeded to adjust her cloak, pulling the hood over her head to shield herself, and gave them a nod before leaving the study and closing the door behind her. Edward sighed heavily, sinking into his chair.

Things were becoming more and more complicated. But even in the turmoil he felt, one thing was clear—one thing served as a guiding light in the darkness that surrounded him. He had to find Vivianne to tell her something he had never told anyone before. She had to know it. And if then, she chose to refuse him… at least he would know that he’d tried.