Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Julian stood in the parlour doorway, his eyes darting between Cordelia and Aurelia. The air was thick with tension, an unspoken battle of wits unfolding before him. Cordelia sat poised, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, while Aurelia lounged with an almost feline grace, her piercing blue eyes fixed on his wife.

"Julian," Aurelia purred, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. "What a surprise to see you. I was just telling Cordelia how beautiful Whitestone Manor is. Truly a testament to your family's legacy."

Cordelia's smile was tight, her eyes reflecting the struggle to maintain composure. "Yes, Julian has worked very hard to maintain the estate. We are quite proud of it."

Aurelia's gaze flicked to Cordelia, a predatory gleam in her eyes. "I'm sure you are. Though, I was quite surprised to hear about your marriage. It seemed so ... sudden."

Julian's muscles tensed, sensing the undercurrent of hostility. "Aurelia, what brings you here today?" he asked, striving to keep his tone neutral.

Aurelia's smile widened. "Oh, just passing through and thought I would pay a visit. Old friends should keep in touch, do not you think?"

Cordelia's eyes narrowed slightly. "Indeed. Though Julian hasn't mentioned you before."

Aurelia's gaze sharpened, her smile never wavering. "Is that so? How curious. Julian and I were once quite close. Perhaps he simply forgot."

Cordelia's knuckles whitened as she clenched her hands in her lap. "Or perhaps it was not worth mentioning."

Julian stepped forward, trying to defuse the situation. "Aurelia, it's good to see you, but I'm sure you understand how unexpected this visit is. Is there something specific you wanted to discuss?"

Aurelia's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, Julian, always so direct. Yes, there is something I wish to discuss with you, but it's a matter I would prefer to address in private."

Julian could feel the heat rising in his cheeks. He needed to defuse this situation before it escalated further. "Aurelia, why don't we step into the library? We can catch up there."

Aurelia's smile was triumphant as she stood. "Of course, Julian. Lead the way."

Julian glanced at Cordelia, whose eyes were a storm of emotions. "I shall be back shortly," he promised, hoping she understood the necessity of this conversation.

He led Aurelia down the hall, his mind racing. The library was quiet, a sanctuary of sorts amidst the turmoil. As soon as the door closed behind them, he turned to face Aurelia.

"What are you doing here, Aurelia?" he demanded, his voice low and tense.

Aurelia feigned innocence, her eyes wide. "Julian, I am hurt. Is that any way to greet an old friend?"

"Cut the act," Julian snapped. "You know exactly why I am upset. You had no right to come here and start stirring up trouble."

Aurelia's expression shifted, the playful facade dropping. "I came to see how you were doing. And, to be honest, I was curious about your new wife."

Julian's patience was wearing thin. "My marriage is none of your business. Whatever we had is in the past."

Aurelia stepped closer, her voice softening. "Is it, Julian? You and I have a history. You cannot just erase that."

Julian's jaw tightened. "I have moved on, Aurelia. You need to do the same."

Aurelia's eyes flashed with anger. "Moved on? With her? She does not understand you like I do. She never will."

Aurelia stepped closer, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Julian, I made a mistake," she began, her voice trembling with what seemed like genuine emotion. "When I heard you had married, I realized how wrong I was to end our engagement. I thought I was doing the right thing then, but ... I have regretted it ever since."

Julian's anger and frustration softened slightly at the sight of Aurelia's tears, but he remained guarded. He had heard enough of her manipulations to know that her emotions could be as much a weapon as her words.

"Aurelia," he began, struggling to keep his voice calm, "our engagement ended long ago. We both moved on. Coming here now, disrupting my marriage, is not going to change what happened."

Aurelia's tears began to flow freely. "Julian, please listen to me. I was foolish and young. I thought I needed something more, something different. But I was wrong. I have never stopped thinking about you, about what we had. And when I heard you had married someone else, it was like a knife to my heart."

Julian took a deep breath, trying to process her words. He had loved Aurelia once, deeply, but that love had turned to bitterness after she ended their engagement. "Aurelia, you ended our engagement. You made that choice."

"I know," Aurelia whispered, stepping closer, her voice barely audible. "And I have regretted it every day since. I was a fool, Julian. I thought I wanted freedom and excitement, but all I found was loneliness. I came here to tell you that I still love you. I made a terrible mistake, and I need you to forgive me."

Julian felt a pang of sympathy, but his loyalty to Cordelia overshadowed it. He couldn't let Aurelia's lamentations affect his marriage. "Aurelia, I am sorry you feel this way, but I am married now. Cordelia is my wife, and I am committed to her."

Aurelia's expression shifted, a flicker of desperation crossing her face. "Julian, think about what we had. The memories, the connection. You cannot tell me that your feelings for her are stronger than what we shared."

Julian shook his head, his resolve firm. "What Cordelia and I have is none of your business."

Aurelia's face hardened, her tears drying up quickly. "So, that is it, then? You are just going to throw away everything we had for her?"

Julian felt a surge of anger. "I am not throwing anything away. You did that when you ended our engagement. Cordelia is my wife, and I will not let you or anyone else come between us."

Aurelia's eyes flashed with anger and desperation. She took a step back, composing herself. "Very well, Julian," she said, her voice now calm and measured. "I can see that you are determined. But before I go, there is one more thing I need to say."

Julian waited, his patience wearing thin. He wanted to get back to Cordelia and reassure her that their marriage was secure.

Aurelia continued, her tone turning suddenly businesslike. "My family and I are staying with Viscount Wexhall for a while. He is hosting an early summer ball in a few weeks, and I was hoping you and Cordelia would attend. It would be nice to have a friendly face there."

Julian raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden shift in her demeanour. "A summer ball?" he repeated, uncertain of her motives.

"Yes," Aurelia said with a faint smile. "It will be a grand affair. I believe it would be a good opportunity for you and Cordelia to meet some of the local gentry and make new connections. It might also show her that we have no hard feelings."

Julian was sceptical, but he nodded. "We will consider it. Thank you for the invitation."

Aurelia's smile widened, though it did not reach her eyes. "Wonderful. I shall see you there, then."

Aurelia turned to leave, her smile fading as soon as her back was to Julian. He watched her go, a gnawing feeling of unease settling in his chest. When the door clicked shut behind her, he took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts.

What just happened? Julian's mind raced, replaying the conversation. Aurelia's sudden appearance, her emotional plea, and now an invitation to a ball all felt orchestrated, like she was setting the stage for something he could not quite grasp.

He made his way back to the parlour, where Cordelia sat waiting. Her eyes met his, filled with questions and concern. "Julian, what did she want?"

Julian sat beside her, taking her hands in his. "Aurelia is staying with a viscount. She invited us to an event he's hosting in a few weeks."

Cordelia's brow furrowed. "An event? Why would she invite us?"

Julian shook his head, frustration bubbling up. "I do not know. She claimed it was to show there are no hard feelings, but it felt like there was more to it."

Cordelia's expression grew tense. "Julian, what exactly did she say to you?"

Julian hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "She ... apologized. Said she regretted ending our engagement and wanted to make amends."

Cordelia's eyes flashed with hurt and anger. "I see … and what do you believe?"

Julian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know what to believe. But I know that I am committed to you and us."

Cordelia pulled her hands away, standing up abruptly. "She comes here, stirs up old memories, and now she wants us to attend a ball together? This is most definitely odd."

Julian stood as well, reaching for her. "Cordelia, please. I promise you, whatever Aurelia's intentions, they do not matter. We are what matters."

Cordelia nodded, not turning to face him. "I am going to retire to my bedchambers. Goodnight, Julian."

"Goodnight, Cordelia," Julian replied softly, watching her leave the room. As the door closed behind her, he felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Was this what Aurelia wanted? And if so, how on earth was he supposed to make things right?