Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Cordelia stepped out of the carriage, her emerald gown rustling softly in the evening air. The Wexhall estate loomed before them, a beacon of light and opulence. She could feel Julian's tension beside her, palpable and heavy, like a coiled spring ready to snap. She held his hand gently, hoping to infuse him with some of her own calm.

As they crossed the threshold into the grand foyer, the dazzling spectacle of chandeliers and elegantly dressed guests greeted them. Cordelia's senses were assaulted by the hum of conversation, the clink of crystal glasses, and the distant strains of a piano. She could almost feel the eyes turning towards them, the whispers starting to ripple through the crowd.

She held onto Julian, her fingers interlaced with his, anchoring him. Matthew, ever the social butterfly, quickly spotted friends across the room and, with a reassuring smile to them both, excused himself to join them. Cordelia was left alone with Julian, who looked as though he might bolt at any moment.

"Julian," she whispered, leaning closer to him, "it is just a room full of people. We shall take it one step at a time."

His eyes met hers, and she saw the turmoil swirling within them.

"I know," he said, his voice low and strained. "I just ... I feel like they are all staring at me."

"They might be," Cordelia admitted softly, "but it does not matter. Let them look. You are here with me, and that is all that counts. I am here for you."

She led him further into the room, navigating through clusters of guests who were too engrossed in their own conversations to pay much attention to them. Yet, every so often, Cordelia caught a glance, a whisper she knew was about Julian. It made her chest tighten with protective anger, but she kept her composure, focusing on keeping Julian calm.

She hated how people could be so cruel with their whispers but was happy to hold her head high and rise above all the noise.

She had the man she loved by her side, which was all that mattered.

As they moved deeper into the ballroom, Cordelia spotted a familiar face. Her heart lifted when she saw her sister, Felicity, standing near the grand staircase with the baron. Felicity's eyes sparkled as she noticed Cordelia and Julian approaching, and she waved enthusiastically.

"Cordelia! Julian!" Felicity called out, her voice full of excitement. The baron, standing beside her, offered a polite nod, his demeanour reserved yet welcoming.

"Felicity," Cordelia replied, her smile brightening. "Good evening."

She felt Julian's hand tighten around hers, but when she glanced at him, she saw a hint of a smile on his lips. It was small, but it was there.

They reached Felicity and the baron, and Cordelia was pleased to see Julian trying to engage.

"Good evening, Felicity," he said, his voice steady. "Baron."

"Julian, it is wonderful to see you," Felicity responded warmly. "You look very well."

"Thank you," Julian replied, a bit more at ease. "It is good to be out tonight."

Cordelia's heart swelled with pride and happiness. She knew how difficult this was for Julian and seeing him interact more openly with her sister brought her immense joy. Especially considering the way things had gone before.

This was a huge and wonderful change.

As the baron continued to talk to Julian, Felicity noticed and took the opportunity to pull her aside gently.

"Cordelia, would you accompany me for a moment?" she asked with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Of course," Cordelia replied, squeezing Julian's hand before following her sister.

Once they were a bit away from the men, Felicity turned to Cordelia with a severe expression. "Cordelia, I must ask, how are things with Julian? Have they improved? I have not received a letter from you in a while."

Cordelia took a deep breath, her gaze drifting back to Julian, now engaged in a relaxed conversation with the baron.

"Yes, Felicity, they have. It has been a long journey, but Julian has made such progress. He has been more open and willing to step outside his comfort zone. Tonight is a significant step for him."

Felicity's eyes softened with concern and affection. "I am so glad to hear that. I have been worried about you both. It is clear how much you care for each other, and I have hoped that love would help you through these difficult times. I know you have truly struggled, especially with Matthew in your home. So it is nice to see that you have gotten past all that."

Cordelia nodded, her eyes shining with emotion as she recalled the tumultuous time when Matthew's confession had turned her world upside down. "

Yes, it was a difficult period, Felicity. Especially when I overheard Matthew and Julian talking. Matthew confessed to Julian that he had fallen in love with me, as I told you in my letter. It was devastating to hear."

Felicity's expression turned sombre. "Oh, Cordelia. I cannot even begin to imagine how hard that was for you."

Cordelia glanced over at Julian, who now appeared genuinely engrossed in his conversation.

"At first, I felt an overwhelming sense of betrayal and confusion. Matthew had been like a brother to me, and to hear that he had those feelings was almost too much to bear. But strangely, it was what finally forced Julian to confront his own feelings for me."

She paused, remembering the intense conversations and the emotional upheaval that followed.

"Julian was furious with Matthew, not just for his feelings but for confessing them to him. It brought all his insecurities to the surface. But it also made him realize how much he cared for me and did not want to lose me. It was as if a barrier had been broken."

"I suppose you getting ill from your fall on the moors also gave him time to think."

"When I fell ill, it was a dark time for both of us. I was weak, and at times, I felt like giving up. But Julian ... he never wavered. He was there for me every step of the way."

Felicity listened intently, her expression softening with empathy.

"He would sit by my bedside with me," Cordelia continued, her voice filled with emotion, "playing the piano or reading to me. His music was like a balm for my soul, helping me find strength when I thought I had none left. He poured his heart into caring for me, and it gave me hope."

Felicity reached out and took Cordelia's hand, her eyes brimming with tears. "Cordelia, I had no idea. Julian has always seemed so strong, but to hear how he cared for you ... it is truly heartwarming."

Cordelia squeezed her sister's hand, feeling the bond between them strengthen. "Yes, Felicity. Julian has been my rock. He never let me feel alone or afraid. His love and dedication constantly reminded me that I had something worth fighting for."

Felicity blinked away her tears and drew Cordelia into a tight embrace. "You both deserve so much happiness," she whispered. "I am glad to see you here tonight, looking radiant and strong."

Cordelia smiled against her sister's shoulder, feeling the warmth of her affection. "Thank you, Felicity. Your support means the world to us."

Cordelia pulled back from the embrace, her thoughts drifting to the circumstances that had led to her marriage to Julian. She had not always felt this strong connection with him. In fact, she had only agreed to marry Julian so that Felicity could marry the baron. It had been a pragmatic decision born out of necessity rather than love.

But it had all worked out so well for everyone involved.

Cordelia could not have been happier.

The strains of a waltz filled the air, the gentle melody flowing through the ballroom. Felicity glanced towards the musicians and then back at Cordelia, a knowing smile on her lips. "It seems the perfect moment for a dance, do you not think?"

Cordelia's heart fluttered. She nodded, and they made their way back to Julian and the baron. As they approached, the baron offered a polite bow and excused himself, leaving Julian and Cordelia standing together.

Julian turned to Cordelia, determination and vulnerability in his eyes. "Cordelia," he began, his voice soft yet steady, "may I have this dance?"

Cordelia's smile widened. "I would be honoured."

Julian led Cordelia to the centre of the ballroom, the eyes of the guests following their every move.

The music swelled around them as Julian took her hand and placed his other hand gently on her waist. As they began to dance, Cordelia could feel the tension in Julian's body, a reflection of her own anxiety. They were acutely aware of the onlookers, the murmured conversations, and the appraising glances.

But Cordelia was determined to remain strong.

They moved cautiously at first, their steps measured and deliberate. Julian's grip on her hand was firm, his eyes flicking nervously around the room. Cordelia squeezed his hand gently, trying to convey her reassurance. "Just focus on me," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the music. "It is just you and me. No one else matters at all. Only me and you. Only us."

Julian nodded, his eyes meeting hers. The world around them slowly began to fade, the whispers and stares dissolving into the background. The music seemed to cocoon them, wrapping them in its tender embrace.

With each step, they grew more confident. Julian's movements became fluid, and his grip on Cordelia's hand relaxed. Cordelia felt herself sinking into the rhythm of the waltz, the elegance of their dance creating a magical bubble around them. She let herself be carried by the music and the warmth of Julian's presence.

As they twirled gracefully across the floor, Cordelia noticed a transformation in Julian. His face, once tight with tension, softened into a genuine smile. His eyes, previously clouded with uncertainty, now shone with a newfound confidence. It was as if the music had unlocked something within him, allowing him to let go of his fears and embrace the moment.

Cordelia felt a surge of joy and pride. She tightened her grip on Julian's hand and let her head rest briefly against his shoulder, feeling his heartbeat sync with the rhythm of the waltz. They moved as one, their steps perfectly in sync, lost in their own world.

The other guests seemed to fade away entirely, their presence no longer a source of anxiety but a distant hum. Cordelia and Julian danced with abandon, their movements a testament to their love and resilience. With its grandeur and opulence, the ballroom became merely a backdrop to their private celebration.

When the final notes of the waltz drifted away, they came to a gentle stop, breathing heavily but smiling broadly. The applause that followed seemed almost distant, an acknowledgment of their dance but not the core of their experience. Julian leaned in close, his forehead resting against Cordelia's.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "For everything."

Cordelia's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Always, Julian. Always. I thoroughly enjoyed that dance with you, and I am grateful that I get to share all my dances with you from here on out."

As the applause faded, Cordelia and Julian remained in their intimate embrace, the world around them seemingly suspended. Their connection felt stronger than ever, a bond forged through trials and triumphs. Cordelia's heart swelled with a love deeper than she had ever imagined possible.

Her life really did feel perfect now in a way that she was not expecting, and she could not imagine anyone or anything getting in their way.

That was until she sensed a presence heading towards them.

The one person who could still unnerve her.

Lady Aurelia.