Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

" A lovely surprise to have you back in Town before the next social season," Colin teased as he strolled into Alexander's study, a grin lighting up his features.

"Ah, we got bored of the country," Alexander replied with a laugh, though the sound felt hollow even to his own ears.

"Unbelievable," Colin chortled, shaking his head. But then he caught the shift in Alexander's expression, the way the lightness faded, replaced by something heavier, more troubled. "If only it were that simple," Alexander sighed, his voice betraying the weight that had settled on his shoulders.

"This is about those rumors, is it not?" Colin's tone grew serious, matching the mood of the room as he took a seat opposite Alexander.

"We returned to see the extent of the damage. And, hopefully, to find a way to salvage the situation before it gets completely out of hand," Alexander admitted, running a hand through his hair in a gesture that betrayed his frustration.

Colin's face hardened with concern. "I will not make this falsely pretty for you, man," he began. "But I was at White's, and that is all they could talk about. The ‘Sterlin affair,' it's being called now."

Alexander's jaw clenched involuntarily. "Is it truly that bad?" he asked, needing to know the full scope of the storm that had been brewing in their absence.

"Suffice to say your wife is being bandied about as a sly woman, your brother as a coward and dishonorable man, and you as a pitiful victim of their selfishness," Colin said, his voice steady but laced with anger on his friend's behalf.

Alexander felt his fingers tighten around the tumbler on his desk, the glass cool against his palm as he struggled to contain the sudden surge of anger that roiled within him. He could almost feel the weight of the scandal pressing down on him, threatening to crush the fragile peace he and Elizabeth had barely begun to build. Liz had been right to insist they return to Town. God knew what further damage could have been done had they delayed any longer.

"Yes. It is that bad, man," Colin confirmed, his eyes narrowing as he took in Alexander's reaction.

"Elizabeth insisted on our return, as a matter of fact," Alexander said, his tone thoughtful as he looked away, his mind racing with the implications of their decision.

Colin quirked a curious brow. "She is of the opinion that showing ourselves and being active in society would douse the speculations and rumors," Alexander elaborated, his words measured, as though speaking them aloud would make them more real.

"I cannot agree more," Colin nodded, approval clear in his voice. "But if I'm not mistaken, you seem incredulous?"

"Not incredulous. Rather... disturbed," Alexander confessed, his voice dropping slightly. "What if nothing works?"

"Do not give room for pessimism," Colin softly admonished, his tone firm but kind.

Alexander exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of his responsibilities more acutely than ever. "It is my responsibility to protect her honor and dignity as I swore to. We haven't been married long, but look what's happening already," he said, the frustration bleeding into his voice, the words sharper than he intended.

"This is just a start, Alexander. You haven't failed. And you will not fail," Colin reassured him, his confidence unwavering. If only Alexander could share in that certainty. But doubt clung to him, a persistent shadow that refused to be banished.

"As a matter of fact, there's a second purpose to my visit today," Colin said, his tone suddenly brightening, as if eager to shift the conversation to lighter matters. "I acquired a pure Arabian and thought you'd like to sight her. She's a true beauty," he added, his excitement palpable.

Alexander couldn't help but smile at his friend's enthusiasm, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Why, where's the new lady then?" he asked, curious despite the heaviness still lingering in his thoughts.

"She's just outside," Colin replied with a grin, clearly pleased with his latest acquisition.

Alexander followed his friend out to the courtyard, and the sight that greeted him was nothing short of spectacular. The mare was as beautiful as Colin had described, her coat shimmering like polished gold under the sunlight. She stood tall and proud, her dark eyes intelligent and alert, every inch of her exuding the grace and power of her breed.

As they examined the mare, admiring the fine lines of her form, the sound of approaching hooves drew their attention. A carriage pulled up beside them, and the window was opened.

"Why, I didn't realize you were back in Town already, Your Grace," Georgianna's voice sliced through the air, drawing Alexander's attention. She leaned slightly out of her carriage window, a coy smile playing on her lips. "I am just returning myself," she added, her tone light and conversational.

Alexander stiffened, though he managed to keep his expression neutral. "We didn't want to miss out on too much of the Season," he responded curtly, his voice betraying none of the wariness that had crept into his thoughts.

He wanted to believe it was mere coincidence that Georgianna had chosen this exact moment to return to Town, but the cautious voice in the back of his mind whispered otherwise. It was difficult to trust anything about Georgianna—her timing, her intentions—especially given the undercurrent of manipulation that always seemed to accompany her actions.

"Why, the party lover in you still lives, I see," she chuckled lightly, the sound grating against Alexander's nerves. There was something far too casual, too calculated, about her words, and he couldn't help but tense.

"Did you think he was dead?" Colin quipped, chuckling as he joined the exchange, though Alexander noticed how his friend's gaze flicked to him with concern.

"Well, they do say that marriage often changes a man," Georgianna mused, her tone playful, though her gaze remained fixed on Alexander. There was a challenge in her eyes, a deliberate provocation that made his blood simmer with barely contained irritation. "But what would I know, right?" she added with that same irksome little chuckle, the sound like nails scraping against glass.

"Quite a lot, apparently," Alexander drawled, his voice laced with an edge as he met her gaze head-on, refusing to back down from whatever game she was playing. The silent challenge between them was palpable, a tension that crackled in the air like a brewing storm.

"Speaking of parties," she said, abruptly turning her attention to Colin. "I think the newlyweds deserve one in Town, don't you think?"

"I never turn down an excuse for some merriment, Lady Winston," Colin replied, playing along with a smile, though Alexander could see the wary look in his friend's eyes.

"Did you hear that, Your Grace?" Georgianna's gaze slid back to Alexander, her eyes glittering with something that made him uneasy.

Before he could respond, she continued, "I best get on my way then. I'm afraid the confinement of the carriage is beginning to make me quite weary." Her voice was sweet, almost mocking, as if she knew exactly how to twist the situation to her advantage.

Alexander watched her carriage pull away, his jaw clenched. He couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was more than just a chance meeting—that it was the first move in whatever game Georgianna was planning. She was not one to let an opportunity slip by, no matter how slight, and he had no doubt that she was already plotting her next move.

After seeing Colin off, Alexander returned to the house, his mind still churning with unease. He was just crossing the threshold when the butler approached him, a silver tray in hand, bearing several invitations.

He wasn't surprised that word of their return had already spread. London was a hive of gossip, and whispers traveled faster than the wind. As he stared at the invitations, a sudden thought occurred to him—Elizabeth would need a new dress for the upcoming events.

Fresh excitement bubbled within Alexander, a rare emotion that took him by surprise. The thought of presenting Elizabeth with another gift, especially after the way her eyes had lit up at the sight of the first dress, filled him with a sense of anticipation. He wanted to see that smile again, to know he had brought her a moment of genuine happiness in the midst of all the tension they faced.

The decision was made almost instinctively. He wanted something more than just a dress this time—something that would truly convey his intentions, perhaps even bridge the distance that still lingered between them.

He summoned the butler without delay.

"You called, Your Grace?" the man inquired as he entered the study, his demeanor as composed as ever.

"I need the keys to the old rooms," Alexander said.