Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

T he soft light of morning filtered through the curtains as Elizabeth stirred beneath the covers. She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the light, still heavy with sleep. A soft knock sounded at the door, and moments later, Lydia entered, carrying a small folded note in her hand.

"Good morning, Your Grace," Lydia said softly, offering a curtsy before approaching the bed. "A message for you."

Elizabeth sat up, her curiosity piqued, as she took the note from her lady's maid. Her fingers worked quickly to unfold it, her heart beginning to race even before she read the words inside.

Elizabeth,

I would be most pleased if you would accompany me for a ride this morning. I would like to show you more of the estate.

Alexander

Elizabeth's breath hitched. Her heart fluttered at the unexpected invitation, her excitement rising despite her attempts to remain composed. A ride, she thought. With him.

"Shall I help you dress, Your Grace?" Lydia asked, noting the soft flush creeping into Elizabeth's cheeks.

"Yes, please, Lydia. My riding habit," Elizabeth replied, trying to maintain her composure. As Lydia began to prepare her attire, Elizabeth's thoughts swirled. A ride with Alexander? The notion filled her with a kind of nervous energy she hadn't felt in quite some time.

Once dressed in her deep green riding habit, which fit her slender figure perfectly, Elizabeth glanced at herself in the mirror. The color made her eyes stand out, and for the first time in days, she felt a surge of confidence. Lydia smiled approvingly, her expression pleased.

"Lovely as always, Your Grace."

Elizabeth returned the smile and made her way downstairs, her heart pounding a little faster with each step. As she descended, Mr. Ryton, the butler, appeared at the foot of the stairs.

"The Duke is waiting for you in the drawing room, Your Grace," he said, bowing slightly.

Elizabeth's pulse quickened again. She thanked him quietly and walked toward the drawing room, pausing just outside the door to collect herself. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.

Alexander stood before the grand portrait of the late Duke, his posture tall and dignified, the light from the nearby window casting a soft glow over him. Elizabeth stilled for a moment, watching him, her gaze tracing the lines of the portrait and comparing them to the man who stood in front of her. He had the same upright, commanding stance as his father, the same quiet strength that radiated from the painting.

"Alexander," she said softly, her voice pulling him from his thoughts.

He turned to face her, a faint but unmistakable smile touching his lips. His gaze swept over her, lingering for a moment on her riding habit, and his expression warmed.

"Good morning, Elizabeth," he said, his tone gentle, though there was a hint of something more in his eyes. "You look... prepared."

She smiled, her heart leaping at the subtle compliment. "Good morning. I wasn't expecting an invitation to ride, but I'm quite ready."

"I thought it only fair to show you the estate," he replied, offering his arm. "Shall we?"

Elizabeth hesitated only briefly before taking his arm, the warmth of his touch sending a slight shiver through her. Together, they made their way outside, where two horses were already waiting for them in the courtyard.

Alexander helped her mount, his hand steady at her waist. The brief touch lingered, and Elizabeth couldn't help but feel the connection between them growing stronger with each passing moment. Once seated, she looked down at him, their eyes meeting for a heartbeat longer than necessary before he mounted his own horse.

"Shall we begin?" he asked, his voice carrying the faintest hint of amusement.

She nodded, and together they rode across the estate, the vast fields stretching out before them like a painting come to life. As they moved at a steady pace, Elizabeth found herself stealing glances at Alexander, intrigued by the way he seemed so at ease on horseback, so connected to the land around him.

"How long has the estate been in your family?" she asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

Alexander glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. "Since the time of the Tudors," he replied. "It has passed from generation to generation, each one adding to it in some way. My family has always taken great pride in maintaining its legacy."

Elizabeth could hear the pride in his voice, and she found herself drawn to this side of him—a man who cared deeply for his heritage, for the land he was entrusted with. "It must feel... daunting, sometimes," she said softly. "To carry on such a legacy."

He nodded, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. "It is. But it is also a privilege. I take great care to ensure the estate thrives."

As they continued to ride, Alexander spoke of the estate's history, of how it had evolved over the centuries. But when he mentioned his mother, Elizabeth noticed a slight change in his tone.

"My mother loved riding," he said quietly. "She had a mare named Marietta and later, a stallion named Caesar. She often rode across these fields."

Elizabeth smiled softly, but the absence of any mention of his father did not go unnoticed. She was tempted to ask, to delve into the unspoken history that lingered between them, but something held her back. She knew better than to push.

They approached the edge of the woods when Alexander pointed to their left, gesturing toward the barley fields. "Those fields produce some of the finest barley in England," he remarked, pride lacing his words.

Elizabeth chuckled, glancing toward the fields. "Perhaps I should walk through them someday. It sounds like quite the adventure."

Alexander raised a brow, his lips twitching into a smirk. "Seeking adventure, are you?"

She laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Hardly. A walk through the fields is less of an adventure than..." She paused, meeting his gaze with a playful glint. "...racing you."

His eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Racing me? Are you certain you're capable?"

Elizabeth feigned offense, sitting up straighter in her saddle. "Would you like to find out?"

A flicker of challenge sparked in his eyes, and with a brief nod, he turned his horse away from the woods and toward the open field opposite the barley. "Very well, then. The field is ours. Shall we?"

Elizabeth's heart raced with excitement. She gave him a determined smile. "Let's."

With a flick of the reins, they were off. The race was exhilarating, the wind whipping through Elizabeth's hair as her horse galloped across the field. Alexander was ahead at first, his pace swift and sure, but Elizabeth urged her horse on, feeling the thrill of the competition as she gained on him. For a brief moment, she was ahead, her laughter ringing out across the open space.

But then, Alexander caught up, and they drew even, neck and neck as they sped toward the end of the field. They came to a halt, breathless and laughing, the exhilaration of the race still coursing through their veins.

"You ride remarkably well," Alexander said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "I am... impressed."

Elizabeth beamed, her cheeks flushed from the ride. "Thank you. My uncle Sebastian is an excellent rider. He taught me well."

Alexander's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Then I suppose we'll have to do this again sometime."

"I would enjoy that," Elizabeth replied, feeling a renewed sense of hope rising within her.

As they steered their horses back toward the woods at a slower pace, the tension between them had shifted into something far lighter—something that felt almost... promising.

Lady Winston

This correspondence comes as a matter of necessity. While I have previously shown a measure of leniency towards your actions, recent events compel me to be direct.

Your unannounced visit during what should be a private period for my wife and me was both ill-timed and inappropriate. I must ask, in no uncertain terms, that you cease any further attempts to insert yourself into our affairs, particularly those pertaining to matters that no longer concern you. I trust that you will understand the importance of this request and act accordingly.

Should you choose to disregard this warning, I will not hesitate to take steps to ensure that there are no further misunderstandings between us.

Regards,

Duke of Sterlin

Alexander let the ink dry before folding the letter and sealing it with his crest. His jaw tightened as he pressed the wax, his thoughts lingering on Georgianna's audacity.

He had warned her before, albeit indirectly, but this time the message would leave no room for doubt. She had meddled far too long, and now she was testing his patience. He stood from his desk, shaking off the tension as he reached for the bell to summon the butler.

Just as he pulled the cord, the door swung open.

"Sterlin!" Colin's jovial voice filled the room as he strode in, a grin plastered on his face. "I hope I'm not interrupting your musings."

"Not at all, Broughton," Alexander said with a dry smile, tossing the letter aside for the moment. "What brings you here this time?"

"I come bearing gifts, of course," Colin replied, producing a neatly wrapped parcel from behind his back. "A small token of my appreciation for the Duchess's hospitality. It's only right, seeing as I've been indulging in your fine dining and company."

Alexander's brow lifted in surprise as he took the parcel. "Gifts for my wife now, is it? I must say, I've never once received such finery from you, Colin. After all these years, I'm feeling rather neglected."

Colin laughed heartily. "Ah, you sound positively jealous, Sterlin! I suppose it's your wife who has earned my gratitude—seeing as she's the one who graced me with an invitation, unlike her stingy husband."

Alexander smirked, shaking his head. "Jealous? Of my own wife, no less? It seems your time in the country has softened your sense of judgment."

"Or perhaps your wife has simply charmed me," Colin shot back with a wink. "It's Spanish lace and silk from China. I daresay she'll appreciate it more than you ever would."

"Undoubtedly," Alexander chuckled, his mood lightened by the easy banter. "Let's see what she makes of your grand gesture, shall we?"

He rose from his seat and strode to the door, ringing the bell. When the butler, Alexander said, "Send for the Duchess, please."

Mr. Ryton bowed and responded, "Your Grace, the Duchess is not at home."

Alexander stilled, his brow furrowing slightly. "Not at home?" He hadn't known she had plans to leave the estate, and it wasn't like Elizabeth to go off without mentioning it. His thoughts briefly flickered to where she might have gone, but he dismissed them as quickly as they came. We've agreed to live our lives separately, after all, he reminded himself, though a nagging unease began to stir.

Colin did not appear to notice Alexander's change in demeanor. "No matter! She'll receive it when she returns. I'm sure the lace will be a pleasant surprise."

Alexander forced a smile, nodding. "Indeed. I'll make sure she does."

Colin gave him a knowing look. "Now, now, Sterlin. Try not to let the jealousy overcome you. You might actually end up competing with your wife for my affections."

Alexander snorted. "If she claims your affections, you're welcome to them," he retorted with a smirk. They laughed, the camaraderie between them easy and natural, but the unease in Alexander's chest hadn't disappeared.

Once Colin departed, leaving behind the delicate gift for Elizabeth, Alexander's thoughts returned to his wife. He couldn't shake the question of where she had gone—why she hadn't told him.

Summoning Mrs. Ryton, he folded his arms, his expression more serious now. "Where is the Duchess today, Mrs. Ryton?"

The housekeeper's lips pressed into a tight line before she responded. "Her Grace received an invitation to tea this morning from the Viscountess of Compton. She left after breakfast, quite pleased, I might add."

Alexander felt his frown deepen. "The Viscountess of Compton?"

"She did, Your Grace," Mrs. Ryton confirmed, her tone polite but pointed. "Had you joined Her Grace for breakfast, you would have known of her plans."

Her words stung, though she had said them carefully. There was a quiet reproach in her tone, one that he could hardly ignore. He had kept himself distant from Elizabeth, maintaining that their lives should remain separate. But in doing so, he realized, he was missing more than just the details of her day.

Silence hung between them for a moment before Alexander dismissed her with a nod, though the unease lingered long after she'd gone.