Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

A lexander found himself increasingly drawn to any excuse that allowed him to spend time with Elizabeth. Whenever they were together, it felt as though he had found a missing piece of himself, one he had unconsciously searched for his entire life. As he stood across the garden, watching her engage in animated conversation with her friends, a small, contented smile tugged at the corners of his lips. She was the picture of elegance and vitality, the perfect Duchess— his perfect Duchess, he thought with a warmth that spread through his chest.

He had reluctantly agreed to attend Georgianna's garden party. When Elizabeth mentioned the invitation, he had braced himself for a disagreement, half-expecting her to question his relationship with the Countess. But she had surprised him by suggesting they attend, reasoning, "The party is in your honor, after all. We wouldn't want the Countess to waste her efforts, now would we?"

As they arrived, Alexander couldn't shake the feeling that Georgianna was up to something. He recalled their encounter shortly after her return to Town, the way she had maneuvered the conversation, and he wondered what exactly she hoped to achieve by hosting a party in his honor.

"The Marchioness of Delle was just telling me about the French version of the performance," Elizabeth's voice interrupted his thoughts as she returned to his side, her enthusiasm evident. "She's watched it too and thinks very highly of it."

"I am yet to meet anyone who doesn't," Alexander replied, the corners of his mouth lifting in response to her excitement. "Perhaps we can watch it as well, if you'd like," he proposed, wanting to share in the experience with her.

Her eyes widened with delight. "You mean we travel to France?" she asked.

"Unless you know of some other magical way to watch it from afar," he chuckled, enjoying the way her excitement seemed to light up her entire face.

"Oh, that sounds marvelous, Alexander," she exclaimed, and her radiant smile squeezed tenderly at his heart.

Just then, her family arrived, and Elizabeth excused herself to greet them. Alexander watched her go, feeling a sense of satisfaction that her family had not been entirely ostracized from society. He was glad to see that they were managing to find their place once more.

"The man of the hour standing all alone?" A voice drew him from his thoughts. He turned to see Georgianna approaching, her expression as self-assured as ever.

"There is no company greater than one's own, they say," Alexander replied, his tone polite but guarded.

"Is that why you're always abandoning your wife all alone?" Georgianna teased, but there was a sharpness in her words that set him on edge.

He felt his brow furrow in confusion. "One would begin to question your marriage, you see," she added, her tone dripping with insinuation.

"Thank you for the concern, but my wife is hardly abandoned, Lady Winston," he returned tersely, his patience wearing thin.

"Lady Winston?" she echoed in exaggerated surprise. "Why so formal, Alexander?" She quirked her lips into a mocking smile.

"I know my place. And you would do well to remember the same," he said, his tone leaving no room for misunderstanding.

"My place is as your friend , Alexander. As it has always been," she replied, the smile on her lips sharpening.

"You seem to have quite the deluded conception of this friendship you speak of, my lady," he countered, his voice edged with irritation.

"Never say I'm the only one who remembers all the good times we shared?" she asked, placing a hand provocatively on her décolletage in a show of feigned innocence.

Alexander remained silent, his expression hardening as he resisted the urge to respond.

"Well, in that case, I must make more of an effort to win you back, it seems," she added at his silence, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous determination.

"You seem to forget that I am married now, Georgianna," he ground out, his tone icy.

"Ah, but it seems you just remembered my name now," she pointed out with a smug smile, clearly pleased to have elicited a reaction from him. "I think my lack of manners is worth it if it gets you to drop the formality," she chuckled.

Inwardly, Alexander chastised himself for letting his guard slip. Georgianna had a way of bringing out the worst in him, stirring up irritation he normally kept tightly controlled.

"Listen, Lady Winston," Alexander began, his voice measured as he cast a glance at the distracted guests, his gaze lingering on Elizabeth, who was engrossed in conversation with her family. He felt a pang of guilt at the thought of her overhearing this exchange. "This is the last time I will tolerate such reckless behavior from you," he continued, his voice low and firm as he turned back to the Countess.

A slight scowl flickered across Georgianna's features before she masked it with her usual placid expression. "Does that mean I should exercise more caution in approaching you?" she asked, her tone feigning nonchalance. "We can always arrange a more private meeting, perhaps later tonight? If His Grace wishes?"

"It means that I do not have an ounce of interest, and you should refrain from approaching me so carelessly in the future," he said, his voice steely.

"Why, that is no way to thank a friend for hosting a party in your honor, Alexander," she replied, and he could detect the irritation seeping through her calm facade.

"That friend neither asked for nor wanted this," he bit out, his patience nearly exhausted.

"Oh come now, Alexander," she said, her voice betraying a hint of desperation. "You know giving up has never been in my vocabulary."

As she reached out to touch him, another hand slid into his arm, the touch familiar and grounding. "Has my husband been keeping you from entertaining your guests, Countess Winston?" Elizabeth's voice was pleasant, her expression the picture of cordiality. But there was a subtle firmness in her words that made it clear she was not to be dismissed.

Alexander felt an immense wave of relief as she stood by his side, her presence immediately shifting the dynamic. "I'm afraid he can be a little too talkative when he wants to be," Elizabeth continued, giving his arm a light pat. Alexander reached over with his free hand, giving her hand a gentle squeeze in return, grateful for her intervention.

Georgianna's gaze flicked to their joined hands, and he could see the venom simmering just beneath the surface of her placid mask. Alexander met her gaze with a look of satisfaction, feeling vindicated in a way he hadn't expected.

"Shall we now, darling?" Elizabeth asked, looking up at him with a loving expression that made his heart swell.

"Of course, dear," he replied, his voice warm with affection.

"Now, if you'll excuse us, Countess Winston. We will let you return to your guests," Elizabeth said, her tone polite but final as she steered them away, leaving Georgianna standing there, fuming in silence.

As they walked away, Alexander couldn't resist teasing, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were jealous back there, Liz."

Elizabeth shot him a sidelong glance, her lips curling into a playful smile. "Why, you looked positively mortified back there, Alexander. I felt generous enough to step in and save you."

"Save me?" he echoed, a laugh bubbling up from his chest.

"Most definitely," she nodded, her tone light and teasing. "You looked like a cornered mouse."

"Well, thank God for a magnanimous wife then," he said, laughing again, the tension from earlier melting away.

"Indeed," she agreed with a smug smile.

"Although not the most humble, I'm afraid," he added with a mischievous glint in his eye.

The look she gave him in response was so endearing, so full of life, that it tore forth another burst of laughter from him. In that moment, he realized something profound—he never wanted this to end.

Elizabeth halted abruptly in the threshold of the breakfast room, her eyes widening ever so slightly at the unexpected sight before her. Alexander was seated comfortably at the table, nursing a mug of coffee while he scanned the morning paper. He had never joined her for breakfast before. What was the occasion?

"What are you doing here?" she asked, blinking at him.

Alexander looked up from the paper, a faint smile playing on his lips. "What a question to ask me in my own house," he chuckled, setting the paper aside.

"I meant, you're in here. Having breakfast ," she clarified, still trying to process the unusual sight.

"I'm a man. I have an appetite too, Liz," he replied with a laugh. "And besides, is it so improbable to see me having breakfast at my own home?" His tone was teasing, but there was something sincere beneath it that warmed her heart.

"Oh, you know what I mean, Alex," she dismissed his teasing as she moved toward the sideboard to serve herself.

"Alex?" He raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.

"You call me Liz, do you not?" she countered with a mischievous smile. "I think it's only fair."

"Perhaps," he conceded, his smile widening, and Elizabeth felt a blush rise to her cheeks. Good heavens, but it seemed he grew more handsome by the day.

She joined him at the table, feeling uncharacteristically flustered, like a schoolgirl in the presence of her first crush. His gaze held a subtle amusement, and the expression only deepened the warmth in her cheeks.

"I felt it only fair to share in a hearty breakfast with my savior this morning. Don't you think?" he said as she reached for the cheese platter, his voice laced with that familiar mix of affection and humor.

"Oh, so you do acknowledge that I saved you from the Countess yesterday?" Elizabeth beamed, her earlier surprise giving way to a surge of satisfaction as she recalled the moment she had intervened on his behalf.

"I never denied it," he replied, his tone still light. Then, glancing at her plate, he added with a playful glint in his eye, "That is some copious amount of cheese you're having, Your Grace."

Elizabeth followed his gaze to her plate, noting the generous serving of cheese she had taken, along with the piece of bread she was happily spreading with more. She met his gaze with a grin, entirely unrepentant. "Oh, there's never too much cheese, Alex," she responded before taking a creamy bite of her bread, savoring the rich flavor.

Alexander's laugh was warm and genuine, filling the room with a pleasant sound that seemed to make the morning even brighter.

"What say you we get some air in town later?" he suddenly suggested, his tone casual, but the offer itself was anything but ordinary.

Elizabeth's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Was he truly asking to spend more time with her?

"You do not have business to tend to? Or an urgent call at the House of Lords?" Elizabeth asked, her tone lightly teasing, though there was an undercurrent of genuine curiosity. Those were his usual excuses whenever he disappeared, leaving her to navigate the vastness of Sterlin House alone.

"Oh, there's always work to do, Liz," Alexander replied with a smile that seemed to soften the distance she often felt between them. "But what manner of husband would I be if I couldn't even take out a little time for my wife? Besides, I think my savior deserves a treat. Or two, don't you think?" he added, his eyes glinting with a warmth that made her heart skip a beat.

"I do think," she responded, a wave of giddiness washing over her. The anticipation of spending the day with him, of having him all to herself, was almost too good to be true.

That afternoon saw Elizabeth and Alexander exploring the shops on Bond Street, strolling arm in arm like any other couple in love. The novelty of this unhurried time together, without the pressures of their usual obligations, felt like a rare and precious gift.

"Oh, I think that is enough for now, Alexander," Elizabeth chuckled as he purchased an ornate Asian jewelry box she had admired in an antiques shop. Her protests had been frequent, but he seemed determined to spoil her, buying nearly everything she had so much as glanced at in the earlier shops.

"In that case, let us stretch our feet some more at the park," he suggested, the twinkle in his eyes making it clear he wasn't ready for their day together to end.

As they walked through Hyde Park, Elizabeth couldn't help but notice the curious glances they received. The ton was taking note of their public display, no doubt marveling at the sight of the Duke and Duchess of Sterlin strolling so companionably. But Elizabeth found she didn't care. In fact, she reveled in it.

"It's been a lovely afternoon, Alex. Thank you," she said, her voice soft with gratitude as they paused by the Serpentine.

"No, thank you . For giving me your day," he replied, dropping a tender kiss on her hand before tucking it back possessively into the crook of his arm.

A warmth bloomed in Elizabeth's chest, spreading through her like a comforting embrace. She realized, with startling clarity, that she loved this man. She had tried so hard to protect her heart, to keep herself guarded against the complexities and uncertainties of their marriage, but she had failed—woefully so. The truth was undeniable now: she had fallen in love with her husband.

For a brief, blissful moment, she allowed herself to bask in that feeling, pushing aside the fears and doubts that usually plagued her. She knew that loving him might come with a price, but that was a worry for another time. Right now, she wanted nothing more than to revel in the joy of this afternoon, to cherish the tenderness he was showing her.

"I do have a favor to ask, though," Alexander said, pulling her from her thoughts.

She looked up at him, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

"The new powder blue dress we bought earlier—I want you to wear it to dinner tonight," he requested, his tone warm but with an intensity in his gaze that she couldn't quite decipher. There was something about the way he looked at her in that moment, something that made her heart leap with hope.

"Oh," Elizabeth was momentarily surprised by the request. "You're joining me for dinner too?" she asked, feeling her eyes widen.

"May I?" he asked, his expression softening in a way that made her chest tighten.

"You may, Your Grace," she replied, unable to hide the smile that tugged at her lips. The warmth in his gaze deepened, and he beamed back at her, a sight that made her heart flutter.

"Oh, I am beginning to lose count of the number and shades of blue I have in my wardrobe now," she chuckled, realizing how many of her recent acquisitions were in that particular hue.

"I could have you wearing the color all day, every day if I could," he said, his voice earnest. "It brings out the brilliance in the rivaling blue of your eyes."

Elizabeth felt the familiar heat rise to her cheeks, her blush betraying how deeply his words affected her. He had a way of making her feel cherished, as though he truly saw her.

"They're like the glistening surface of the ocean on a beautiful summer afternoon," Alexander said later that evening, as he kissed Elizabeth's knuckles and led her into the dining room. She was wearing the powder blue dress, and the way he looked at her made her feel like royalty.

She couldn't help but smile at his poetic compliment. "You know what I could get jealous of?" she said as he pulled out her chair for her.

He quirked an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what might that be?"

"My eyes. For the amount of compliments they get from you," she teased, her eyes sparkling with humor.

"Oh, whoever heard of a woman jealous of her own eyes," he laughed, the sound rich and full, filling the room with warmth.

"You really are full of wonders, aren't you, Liz?" he added, his voice filled with affection.

They had only just begun to enjoy their meal when the butler appeared, his expression curiously disturbed. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a word, Elizabeth's attention was drawn to the figure standing just behind him. Her breath caught in her throat as a gasp escaped her lips.

"Brother," Lord Percy said, addressing Alexander as he stepped forward.

Elizabeth's heart pounded. Was she seeing things? Or was Percy Hunton truly back in England and standing right here in their dining room?