Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

“ H onestly, sister, if you carry on scowling like that, you’ll manage to finally scare off all potential suitors.”

Cecilia Everton shot her eldest brother, Tristan, a glare as he leaned in to whisper with a mischievous glint in his eyes, careful not to draw attention from the elegantly dressed guests swaying to the music.

Her cheeks flushed from both the warmth of the ballroom and her frustration. “I’m not scowling! I’m just… contemplating the intensity of this whole event. It’s freezing outside, yet one can’t even tell with all the hustle and bustle.”

“Ah, but that’s what makes it a proper ball,” Nathaniel, the middle sibling, chimed in, his voice smooth and teasing. “The chill in the air only makes the warmth of the ballroom feel more inviting.”

Tristan shook his head, “Still, it’s just like our sister to scowl at such a sight,” he turned to her with a smile, “It matters little anyway. It has always been nothing short of enjoyable watching you squirm under the pressure of many eyes.”

“Very funny,” Cecilia retorted, rolling her eyes. “As though you two don’t avoid the attention just as much. At least I don’t complain about marriage-minded mamas, yet parade around like a peacock, eager to impress all the same.”

Tristan laughed softly, glancing around at the swirling gowns and dapper suits before them. “Being unladylike truly makes you unique, dear sister. What other lady would dare to voice their disdain for a ball? It’s refreshing, really. You should embrace it!”

“Is it truly so unique that I do not act as though I am a delicate flower, waiting for someone to pluck me from a garden?” Cecilia clucked her tongue lightly.

“Indeed, you’re more like a wild rose, with thorns in plenty . Very much a challenge for any suitor. They’d have to be brave to approach you.” Tristan winked, his eyes darting from her and back to the floor.

“Or foolish. But I suppose that’s part of the charm, isn’t it? The thrill of the chase?” Nathaniel leaned in, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “Just think, when winter finally melts into spring, you might just find someone who appreciates your… uniqueness, sister.”

Cecilia huffed, crossing her arms defiantly. “I’d rather not wait for spring, thank you very much. As has been established, if I were to find someone, I’d rather be appreciated for who I am, not for whatever challenge I pose.”

She glanced at the twinkling lights strung across the ballroom. “Or I shall remain in quiet spinsterhood. I could have been home today, feeling the snow beneath my feet.”

“Someone has to be the black sheep, I suppose.” Tristan chuckled and snorted.

"Oh, let her be one of these days, dear brother,” Nathaniel laughed, crossing his arms as he rocked lightly on his feet.

Tristan shook his head. “Nathaniel, she can handle herself. You’re not her paid knight in shining armor, are you? What would the ton think?"

“Indeed,” Cecilia rolled her eyes, her hands on her hips. "I don’t need you to defend me, brother. I’m perfectly capable of standing up for myself. Don’t think I can’t tell you’re trying to garner points, parading around in public as the perfect gentleman."

Her immediate brother raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye. "Perfect gentleman? I’m just trying to keep the peace in the family. Someone has to care about our reputation, given with the way the sole lady of the house and the Earl of Silvermere himself bicker."

Tristan leaned back, feigning innocence. "Oh, I’m sure the ton is just trembling in their boots at the thought of S ister’s witty comebacks. Yet, they must be far more concerned about your impeccable manners, Nate."

“Do you truly wish to start with me, brother?” Nathaniel’s brow rose dangerously high.

Cecilia pouted, interjecting, "Excuse me! It seems you both have forgotten I’m right here. I shall not let your dramatics ruin the night for me."

Nathaniel chuckled, shaking his head. "You’re right, dear Cece. Let us grace you with the attention you deserve.”

“Heavens know, no other man would once she starts babbling on about her plants and books,” Tristan snickered.

“Goodness gracious, Tristan!” Nathaniel’s yelp of laughter drew a couple eyes in their direction, causing him to feign a cough and pick a glass off the nearest table.

Tristan seemed amused at the sight. “Oh loosen up, don’t you ever get tired of being the responsible one? It must be exhausting keeping up that flawless facade."

Nathaniel shrugged, “Oh, do not act as though you are any bit more carefree, brother. We both know you’re the man behind us all, our lord.”

Tristan waved a dismissive hand, a playful smirk still on his lips. "Ah, but isn’t it more fun to let you take the spotlight? I prefer to let you handle the serious matters while I enjoy life. Besides, it’s not like anyone notices when I’m busy saving our title from the brink of disaster."

Cecilia chuckled, shaking her head at her brothers. "You two are impossible.”

"I would respond in favor of your statement, however, I am not your knight, am I?" Nathaniel teased, leaning closer with a dramatic flair.

Tristan chuckled, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "'The Tragedy of Cecilia, the Overly Dramatic Sibling’!"

Cecilia rolled her eyes, struggling to suppress a smile. "Ah, please. If I wanted to be dramatic, I’d form my attack by recounting all the times you’ve embarrassed yourselves in front of the ton."

Tristan piped up again with a smirk. "Yes, and it’s not like you yourself have any embarrassing stories we could tell? You’ve always been the perfect little lady, haven’t you?"

Just as the banter reached its peak, a tall figure approached, cutting through their playful exchange.

"Good evening, my lords! And Lady Cecilia, what a lovely sight you are today," The Earl of Alexandria, Andrew Hugh spoke, flashing a charming smile.

Tristan was the first to speak, and after exchanging pleasantries, his demeanor shifted slightly, a protective glint in his eye. "What brings you to our side here, Hugh? Surely you have better company to keep at such a fine ball."

“Am I not allowed to stop by to exchange pleasantries with friends?” Hugh waved his hand with a laugh. "In truth,” he began, his eyes lingering over Cecilia a moment too long. “I watched you three across the room and was hoping to engage in some delightful conversation with Lady Cecilia. Surely, she would enjoy other company beyond her two overbearing brothers?"

Cecilia felt a sense of unease, unsure how to respond as her brothers exchanged quick glances.

Nathaniel stepped forward, his voice firm. "Actually, I believe our sister is quite busy at the moment. Isn’t that right, Cecilia dear?"

Caught off guard, Cecilia nodded silently, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“Indeed,” Tristan’s tone was almost frighteningly firm. “This is an important ball. We plan on making important steps and discussions toward her future. Those are far more pressing than whatever you had in mind."

Hugh opened his mouth to protest, but the men fell in step in front of Cecilia, their expressions leaving no room for argument.

"Come now, you can’t just shoo me away like that," the earl let out an awkward laugh, trying to maintain his composure.

Tristan glared him down, his tone unwavering. "Shooing only happens as a last resort to chase off determined yet unwanted persons. If you’ll excuse us, we have matters to attend to."

As the trio walked away, Cecilia felt a wave of relief wash over her. She glanced at her brothers, trotting protectively by her side.

"I suppose I should give thanks to you two?" She laughed softly, appreciating their fierce loyalty.

Nathaniel smirked, "Just doing our job, dear sister. No one gets to bother you without going through us first."

Tristan nodded, a playful grin on his face. "Besides, we can’t have anyone thinking they can sweep you off your feet without our permission!"

Cecilia laughed, feeling grateful for their support, even amid their teasing. “S till, what was that all about?" Her curiosity piqued, she made a final glance back at the earl.

Tristan sighed, crossing his arms defensively. "You need not know, sister."

Nathaniel leaned close with a smirk. "Oh, come now! The earl is just a friend of Tristan. That should be enough for you to understand why we don’t want him noticing you."

Cecilia raised an eyebrow, her interest only growing. The pieces of the puzzle were there, yet she wanted to hear it in words to fully confirm. “What kind of a man is he exactly?”

Tristan's expression darkened slightly as he answered gruffly, "The kind that’s a rake, Cecilia. Now, enough about him."

Cecilia narrowed her eyes, a playful challenge in her voice. "And what makes you think I haven’t grown used to the rakish behavior by now?”

Nathaniel cackled, clearly enjoying the banter. "Oh, I believe she’s referring to having experience with you, big brother.”

Tristan shot him a glare. "This isn’t a joke, Nate. I’m serious. The earl has a reputation. He’s not the sort of man you want to attract, sister."

Cecilia leaned in closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And what if I do want to attract him? Maybe I’d like to see what all the fuss is about."

Tristan growled, his voice low and firm. "Maintain your manners in public, Cecilia. You don’t toy with men like him. They’re dangerous. Not every man can handle your oddities with grace as your brothers do."

"What’s to say those oddities don’t make me equally as dangerous?" she countered again, a teasing smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Nathaniel’s laughter rang out again, “Cecilia, the intriguing! No worries, if you end up in trouble, Tristan and I will be right there to rescue you, as always."

“Don’t encourage her,” Tristan rolled his eyes grumpily.

The night went on with many more exchanges of pleasantries and continuous banter between the siblings, and Cecilia felt bored out of her mind. However, as she walked around with her brothers, she began to notice a pattern of behavior that drew her attention.

“Are you going to keep scanning the room like that, or do you plan to actually enjoy the ball?” Cecilia teased, nudging Nathaniel with her elbow.

“Oh, but I am,” Nathaniel jumped slightly then straightened, feigning innocence. “I’m but admiring the décor, sister. Have you seen the chandeliers? Quite exquisite, aren’t they?”

Cecilia rolled her eyes, a playful smirk on her lips. “Oh, please! You could admire the chandeliers from anywhere. You seem to be looking for someone, are you not?”

Nathaniel chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “You’re imagining things.”

“You’ve been glancing around like a hawk since we stepped in here. Who are you really looking for?” she shot, crossing her arms.

“Cece, you’re reading too much into this,” Nathaniel replied, his tone light but his eyes betraying a slight guilt. “What if I’m looking for the perfect dance partner? You never know when an opportunity might arise.”

She raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “A dance partner? Perhaps one in particular? Come now, brother.”

He sighed dramatically, glancing around as if searching for an escape. “If I tell you, you’ll only pester me more. Can’t a brother have a moment of privacy?”

“Not when you’re acting so suspiciously!” Cecilia laughed, leaning closer. “Come on, who is it? What’s got you so anxious and excited?”

Nathaniel shook his head, a grin creeping onto his face. “You really have a flair for the dramatic, don’t you? What’s next? Are you going to start spinning tales about secret romances?”

“Maybe I will!” she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I won’t rest until I know. You can’t just keep looking around like that and expect me to stay quiet.”

“Fine, fine!” he relented, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. He chuckled, shaking his head. “If you must know, I…”

Cecilia craned her neck as his tone lowered to a whisper.

“I might just have fallen completely in love.”

What?

Her eyes were wide with disbelief as she raised them back to her brother.

“What did you just say?”

“I said I might be in love,” he repeated, his voice steady despite the light red on his cheeks.

“Are you serious right now?” She leaned in closer, her curiosity piqued. “Who is it? You can’t just drop a bomb like that and expect me to stay calm!”

Nathaniel ran a hand through his hair, glancing around the room once again. “It’s a bit… complicated, Cece.”

“Try me! I’m all ears,” she insisted, her excitement bubbling over. “Is it someone I know?”

He hesitated, his gaze darting to the entrance where a familiar figure had just appeared. “I… I don’t think I can talk about it right now. It’s not the right moment.”

Cecilia crossed her arms, a playful pout forming on her lips. “Nate-”

“I’ll tell you later, I promise.” Nathaniel chuckled, but his eyes were serious. “Just… give me a bit of time.”

Before she could respond, he turned abruptly, his expression to the same spot across the room.

“Wait, Nate-” Cecilia called, but he was already weaving through the crowd, leaving her stunned and full of questions.

Wait…

It couldn’t be her… Could it?

Her heart thumped as she watched Nathaniel stride in the same direction as Evangeline Wexford. Her jaw tightened, and a knot formed in her stomach.

She had heard whispers about Lady Evangeline, the epitome of elegance and kindness, but those tales were often accompanied by hushed warnings about her brother, the infamous Hollow Duke.

“Is he really going after her?” Cecilia muttered under her breath, her worry escalating.

From what she’d gathered, Evangeline was everything a gentleman could desire. Yet, the shadow of her brother loomed large, casting doubt over any potential romance. The Hollow Duke was a figure of dread, known for his fierce protectiveness over the lady.

Rumors swirled about how he’d scared off countless suitors with just a glare, leaving them trembling in his wake. Cecilia had never encountered him, but the tales of his wrath were enough to send chills down her spine.

A gasp left her lips as she watched her brother fall in step with Evangeline easily and her thoughts were confirmed.

It’s her! It truly is her!

As she watched the two exchange bashful glances, a mix of admiration and dread washed over her.

Despite the happiness she felt at the joyful look on her brother’s face, she felt uncomfortable knowing he was walking into a situation that could lead to severe heartbreak or worse.

Quickly, she shifted her attention to the head of their household. She tapped Tristan from where she stood behind him, almost enveloped by the tall gentlemen in his company.

“Brother, may I speak with you a moment?”

Tristan swiveled around. T ipsy as he was, he seemed to struggle with finding her for a moment, “What about, dearest little sister?”

Cecilia flushed lightly as the eyes on him turned to her as well. “It’s… may we speak in private brother?”

The Earl’s eyes narrowed for a moment, then he shook his head with a chuckle and returned his attention to the ballroom. “We can do so later, sister.”

“Tristan, can you please focus for a moment ?” Cecilia pleaded, her eyes darting back to Nathaniel and Evangeline. She tugged at his sleeve, trying to pull him away from the group of gentlemen laughing boisterously around him.

“Just a moment, Cece! You won’t believe what Lord Pembroke just wagered,” Tristan replied, leaning in closer to his friend, a smirk playing on his lips. “He thinks he can charm Lady Marigold by reciting poetry. I told him he’d be better off with a bottle of wine and a good song!”

Cecilia’s heart raced as she glanced back at Nathaniel, who was now cornering Evangeline. “Tristan!” she whispered urgently, her voice barely above a breath.

Tristan finally turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “Sister, this is a ball. We can have serious discussions later.” He clucked his tongue, “Besides, there are lovely ladies everywhere,” he said, gesturing toward a striking woman who had just joined their circle. “What sort of sister would you be, preventing me from finding a match?”

As she opened her mouth once again, he gave her a dismissive pat on the head, chuckling. “You need to know there’s a time for everything, little sister. I’ll be back in a moment.”

And with that, he turned away, leaving her fuming as she watched him saunter off in the direction of some ladies, completely absorbed in his amorous antics. Cecilia let out an anxious sigh, wondering what to do next.

But then, her heart began to race as she turned to the sight of Nathaniel following Evangeline out of the ballroom.

Oh no.

What are you doing, Nate?

The glittering chandeliers overhead felt like a mockery of the gathering chaos . She wondered what on earth he was thinking. It was as though she could physically smell a scandal brewing.

With a surge of determination, she slipped through the crowded room, her pulse quickening as she navigated past elegantly dressed couples lost in their own worlds. The whispers of the ballroom faded, replaced by the frantic thump of her heart.

As she reached the grand entrance, Cecilia hesitated for just a moment, the weight of propriety pressing down on her. But the thought of the family’s reputation, as well as her brother’s own safety hanging in the balance propelled her forward.

So, with a deep breath, Cecilia stepped outside, the cool air hitting her like a splash of cold water, ready to confront whatever scandal awaited her.