Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Cordelia stood on the steps of Whitestone Manor, her heart heavy as she watched the Post coach carrying Felicity roll away down the long drive. The crisp morning air and the brilliant blue sky did little to lift her spirits. She felt sad and frustrated. Felicity's visit had been a brief respite, a balm to her troubled heart, but now she had to face the reality of her strained relationship with Julian again.

She turned to Julian, standing beside her, his expression unreadable. His silence and distance during Felicity's visit had been a source of constant tension, especially the previous night when everything exploded. Cordelia knew they needed to talk, but she dreaded the confrontation she felt brewing.

They walked back into the manor in silence, the tension between them growing. As soon as they were inside, Cordelia could no longer hold back her frustration.

"Julian, why did you have to be so distant with Felicity?" she demanded, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion. "She was just trying to get to know you, and you barely gave her a chance."

Julian's face hardened, his eyes narrowing. "Cordelia, I have told you before — I do not like people prying into my life. It is not personal against Felicity. It is just how I am."

"But she is my sister," Cordelia insisted, her voice rising. "She is important to me, and I wanted her to see how wonderful you are. But she only saw a man who would not even try to engage in conversation."

Julian clenched his jaw, his frustration evident. "I did try. But I am uncomfortable with people I do not know well, and I do not like having my private life under a microscope. You know this."

Cordelia's eyes filled with tears of frustration and hurt. "It is not about you, Julian. It is about us. It is about making an effort for the people we care about."

Julian's patience snapped. "And what about making an effort to understand me? You know how difficult it is for me to be around strangers. I will not change who I am just to please others."

Cordelia felt angry. "This is not about changing who you are. It is about compromise, about meeting halfway. But it seems like it is always me who has to compromise."

Julian's eyes flashed with guilt, quickly masked by defensiveness. "Maybe that is because you are the one who keeps pushing me into situations I am not comfortable with."

Cordelia stared at him, her heart breaking. Did he really want her to be isolated forever? Even unable to see her own family? "I am not trying to push you, Julian. I just want us to be fully part of each other's lives. Is that not what marriage is about?"

Julian turned away, clearly unable to meet her gaze.

Frustrated, Cordelia snapped, "If I am to be isolated forever, let it start now. I need some time alone. Something you should be very familiar with."

She wanted him to say something, anything, but he did not.

So Cordelia stormed off, feeling a profound sense of loneliness settle over her. She wanted to scream, to cry, to make him understand how much his distance hurt her, but she knew it would do no good. Julian was set in his ways and breaking through his walls felt impossible.

Cordelia wandered aimlessly through the halls of Whitestone Manor, her emotions swirling in a storm of anger and sadness. She eventually found herself in the quiet sanctuary of her bedchambers, where she sank on to the bed, feeling utterly defeated. The argument with Julian had left her feeling more isolated than ever. The manor walls, once a symbol of her new life, now seemed to close in on her, amplifying her sense of loneliness.

In an attempt to find some semblance of peace, Cordelia decided to write. She sat at her writing desk, pulling out a sheet of fine stationery and dipping her pen in ink. Her hand trembled slightly as she began writing a letter to Julian, pouring her heart onto the paper.

The words flowed easily at first, her feelings raw and unfiltered.

Julian, I am writing to you because I do not know how else to reach you. Our argument has left me feeling lost and alone. I need you to understand how much your distance hurts me. I feel like I am always the one making the compromises, always the one trying to bridge the gap between us …

She paused, rereading the lines, feeling the sting of her own words. They were too harsh, too accusatory. With a sigh, she crumpled the paper and started anew.

My dearest Julian, I want to apologize for our argument earlier. I did not mean to upset you. It is just that Felicity's visit was so important to me, and I had hoped that you would be able to connect with her. I understand that you find it difficult to open up to new people, but it would mean so much to me if you could try, just a little …

She hesitated, the words feeling inadequate, not fully capturing the depth of her feelings. She crumpled the second letter and began a third. This time, she decided to be more direct, hoping honesty would bridge the gap between them.

Julian, I want us to be partners in every sense of the word. I want to share my life with you, including the people who are important to me. I know you have reasons for being reserved, and I respect that, but I need you to meet me halfway. I cannot continue to feel like I am alone in this marriage …

She stared at the letter for a long time, the words blurring as tears filled her eyes. She hoped that expressing her feelings might bridge the growing chasm between them. But as she read the letter over again, doubts crept in. What if Julian saw it as another attempt to change him? What if it only made things worse?

In a moment of decision, Cordelia crumpled the final copy of the letter in her hand. She did not want to have to be the one to apologize. Not again. The frustration was too much. Instead, she walked over to the fireplace and threw the crumpled letter into the flames, watching as it curled and blackened, turning to ash. The sight was strangely cathartic, yet it left her feeling even more alone.

***

Cordelia wandered aimlessly through the halls of Whitestone Manor for the next several days, her mind constantly returning to the unresolved tension with Julian. She felt like she was living in limbo, unsure how to move forward and bridge the gap that seemed to widen with each passing day. The memory of the crumpled, burnt letters haunted her, the words she had written and destroyed echoing in her mind.

A week later, as Cordelia descended the grand staircase to the foyer, she was startled by the sight of an unexpected guest. Dan, the butler, was in the process of accepting the visitor, and Cordelia's curiosity was piqued. The woman standing in the entrance hall possessed a striking beauty that commanded attention. Her porcelain skin, delicate features, and piercing blue eyes exuded an air of ethereal elegance.

Cordelia hurried down the remaining steps, her heart pounding. She quickly introduced herself, extending a hand in greeting. "Good morning. I am Cordelia Whitestone. Welcome to Whitestone Manor."

The woman offered a graceful smile, her voice melodic and refined. "Lady Aurelia Jennings. I apologize for arriving unannounced. I was passing through the area and thought I might pay a visit."

Cordelia nodded with curiosity and apprehension. She did not know what was happening but knew that she needed to behave politely. Her husband might not be a man who usually had visitors, but perhaps this lady was different …

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Aurelia. Please, make yourself comfortable." She turned to Dan. "Mr Andrews, would you please inform my husband that we have a visitor?"

Dan nodded and departed to find Julian, leaving Cordelia and Lady Aurelia alone in the foyer. Cordelia gestured towards a sitting room, hoping to create a more relaxed atmosphere. "Shall we sit? Would you like some tea?"

Lady Aurelia's smile deepened as she followed Cordelia into the sitting room. "Tea would be lovely, thank you."

As Cordelia prepared the tea, she could not help stealing glances at Lady Aurelia. There was something almost otherworldly about her beauty, and it made Cordelia feel slightly self-conscious. She wondered what had brought Lady Aurelia to Whitestone Manor and what connection she might have to Julian.

When seated with their tea, Cordelia decided to broach the subject gently. "I hope your journey here was pleasant, Lady Aurelia."

Aurelia scanned the room before settling her gaze on Cordelia. "It was tolerable," she replied, her tone laced with an edge. "I must say, Cordelia, I was quite surprised to learn that you are the new duchess. Whitestone Manor is indeed a grand estate."

Cordelia's smile faltered slightly, sensing the underlying jab. "Yes, Julian has done a wonderful job maintaining it. It is a privilege to be here."

Aurelia leaned back, her fingers lightly tapping the arm of her chair. "Indeed. Though, I must admit, I was even more surprised when I heard about Julian's choice of wife." She let the words hang in the air, her gaze flicking over Cordelia's simple dress. "One would have expected a match more ... befitting his station."

Cordelia felt a flash of irritation but maintained her composure.

She had been nothing but polite, but it seemed like this stranger did not feel the same way.

She had to defend herself in whatever way she could. "Julian and I share a deep connection. Titles and appearances are not what bind us."

Aurelia's smile widened, though it did not reach her eyes. "How very noble of you. It must be quite a challenge to keep up with all the duties of a duchess, given your ... limited experience."

Cordelia's cheeks flushed, but she kept her tone steady. "I am learning quickly, and Julian has been very supportive."

"Supportive," Aurelia echoed, raising an eyebrow. "How fortunate. Though I suppose he would have to be, considering how little he shared with you about his past."

Cordelia's heart skipped a beat. She hated this; she did not like feeling so off balance all the time. "What do you mean?"

Aurelia's expression was one of feigned innocence. "Oh, dear, did he not tell you? Julian and I were once engaged. It was a rather public affair. I am surprised he did not mention it."

The shock must have been evident on Cordelia's face as Aurelia's smile turned almost predatory. "It appears he does not share everything with his new wife. Perhaps he prefers to keep certain aspects of his life ... compartmentalized."

Cordelia's mind reeled as she struggled to process Lady Aurelia's revelation. She tried to maintain her composure, but the news hit her like a physical blow. Julian had never mentioned an engagement, let alone one that was so significant. Why had he kept such a pivotal part of his past from her?

Before she could gather her thoughts to respond, the door to the sitting room opened, and there he was, the man at the centre of all this.

The man who had just become a stranger to her.

Julian.