Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

“ C an you believe it’s only three weeks until the wedding?” Evie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she flopped onto her bed, the soft fabric of her dress billowing around her. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a delicate silver earring that caught the light.

Cecilia leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a warm smile spreading across her face. “It feels like just yesterday we were planning everything at the start. You must be feeling a mix of nerves and excitement.”

Evie sat up, her expression shifting to one of mock seriousness. “Nerves? Me? Never!” She laughed, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her. “Okay, maybe just a little. What if I trip down the aisle?”

Cecilia stepped towards the windows with a laugh. “You won’t. You’ll look stunning, and everyone will be too busy staring at you to notice anything else.” She walked over to Evie’s vanity, brushing her fingers over the array of cosmetics and hair accessories scattered across the surface.

Evie’s cheeks flushed at the compliment, and she joined Cecilia at the vanity, peering into the mirror. “Do you really think I’ll look beautiful? I just want everything to be perfect.” Her voice softened, revealing a vulnerability that made Cecilia’s heart swell with affection.

“Of course! You’re radiant, and your happiness will shine through. That’s what matters most,” Cecilia reassured her, placing a hand on Evie’s shoulder. They shared a moment of silence, their reflections merging in the mirror.

Evie turned to face her, a playful glint in her eyes. “And what about you? You’re going to be my maid of honor, but you can’t just hide behind me. You need to find your own happiness, too.”

Cecilia rolled her eyes, a laugh escaping her lips. “I’m happy supporting you, Evie. Besides, I have my studies to keep me busy.” She picked up a delicate hairpin, twirling it between her fingers.

Evie nudged her playfully. “Indeed. You have so much talent; it would be a shame to waste it.”

Cecilia smiled, “I wouldn’t say I’m talented to that extent.”

“Oh, please, one could practically smell natural aptitude off of you,” Evie grinned mischievously. “It’s no wonder men like Lord Harrington can’t take his eyes off you!”

Cecilia let out a loud laugh, “Oh spare me, Evangeline.”

“Come on, Cece! We all see how he looks at you,” Evie teased, her eyes sparkling with further mischief. She leaned forward, her curls falling over her shoulder as she nudged her friend playfully. “He practically lights up every time you enter the room!”

Cecilia rolled her eyes, her cheeks flushing a soft pink. “It’s nothing, really. He’s just being polite. I don’t think there’s anything there.” She tucked a loose curl behind her ear, her fingers trembling slightly as she tried to maintain her composure.

Evie’s laughter rang out, bright and infectious. “Nothing? Cecilia, please! You two would make the perfect couple! Just imagine the ballrooms, the gossip, the?—”

“Evie!” Cecilia interrupted, her voice a mix of embarrassment and urgency. She leaned back against the headstagd, crossing her arms defensively. “I can’t marry Lord Harrington.”

“What?” Evangeline’s eyes widened with question. “You seem so certain. Whatever could be the reason?”

Cecilia fell silent, a single answer ringing in her mind. “I can’t marry Lord Harrington because I’m in love with Alistair.”

Silence enveloped the room for a moment, only the echo of Evie’s soft gasp lingering.

Did I just say that out loud?

Cecilia’s heart raced, and she felt a rush of panic wash over her. Her gaze snapped up to meet Evie’s, who stared back with wide eyes, a look of surprised pleasure dancing across her features.

“You’re in love with Alistair?” Evie’s voice was barely above a whisper, her expression shifting from playful to genuinely intrigued.

The question alone received an immediate answer in her head and in this moment, Cecilia knew the truth more than ever.

Nevertheless, her breath caught in her throat, the reality of the words she’d admitted out loud crashing over her like a wave. She stammered, “I… I don’t even know when I said that! I didn’t mean to?—”

Evie leaned closer, her excitement palpable. “But you said it. That means something, doesn’t it? You feel it deep down, don’t you?”

“Oh, my goodness…” Cecilia pressed her palms against her cheeks, feeling the heat rising as her thoughts spiraled. “I don’t… I didn’t mean…”

“But it’s all right,” She looked up to find a knowing smile spread across Evie’s face. “Oh, Cece, I’m not surprised at all.”

Cecilia’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. “Wait, you knew? How long have you known?” She felt a mix of embarrassment and relief wash over her, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her dress.

“Honestly? For a while now. It was so obvious,” Evie replied, her laughter light and infectious. She sat up, leaning closer, her excitement overflowing. “The way your behavior changes when he walks into the room? It’s like you’re a different person!”

Cecilia groaned, burying her face in her hands. “I can’t believe I’ve been so obvious! What if he knows? What if he thinks I’m just some lovesick fool?”

Evie chuckled, pulling Cecilia’s hands away from her face. “You’re not a fool! You’re just in love. And it’s beautiful.” Her tone shifted to one of encouragement.

Cecilia shook her head, her expression turning serious again. “I can’t, Evie. We’re… He’s your brother. I don’t…” she bit her lip, fear taking over, “what if this ruins everything? I don’t want to complicate things for the family. I should have been more cautious with my feelings.”

“Love is not something one can control, dear Cece,” Evie reached out, squeezing Cecilia’s hand. “You won’t ruin anything. You deserve to be happy, too. Just think about it. What if he feels the same way?”

Cecilia’s mind returned to their kiss at the park, to the elongated stares and his fierceness and possessive behavior. Her cheeks flushed and she shook her head.

It couldn’t be possible.

He wants a duchess like Miss Kingman.

Cecilia looked down, her heart pounding. “It matters not, I shall be leaving anyway.”

Evie paused, staring at her in confusion. “But our estates are hardly that far apart. And with you being family, you’re bound to see each other more and-”

“No, Evie.” Cecilia drew in a sharp breath. “I’m leaving, permanently. I’m relocating to Scotland after your wedding.”

The room fell silent and Cecilia watched a myriad of expressions whiz by her friend’s face. Finally, her eyes settled on a pained horror.

“Cecilia, you can’t just leave like this!” Evie exclaimed, her voice a mixture of disbelief and desperation. She sprang up, shifting away as though trying to avoid the information.

Cecilia looked down at the floor, her heart heavy. “I have to, Evie. I can’t keep pretending that everything is fine when it’s not.”

Evie took a step closer, her blue eyes wide with concern. “But Scotland? After the wedding? Why are you in such a hurry to leave?” The panic in her voice rose like a tide, threatening to overwhelm her.

Cecilia inhaled deeply, her chest tightening. It had taken some days to settle on the decision. But now that she had, it was all she wanted to do.

“I can’t stand seeing Alistair with Diana. Every time I see them together, it feels like a knife in my heart.” She glanced out the window as she admitted this, where the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the room, as if mirroring the darkness that had settled within her. “It’s suffocating.”

“Cece…” Evie’s voice softened, and she shifted close once more, reaching out and placing a hand on Cecilia’s arm. “You know you’re stronger than this. You can’t just run away from your feelings. What about your writing? Your dreams?”

“I need to find myself again,” Cecilia replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “I need to focus on my writing, to find some clarity in the solitude of Scotland.” She looked back at Evie, letting out a gasp to find her friend’s blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“Oh Evie…”

Evie shook her head, sniffling as though to fight back the tears, “But what if you regret it? What if you miss everything here?”

“I already miss it,” Cecilia admitted, her voice breaking. “But I can’t let that hold me back. I have to do this for myself .” She wiped a tear that had escaped down her own cheek, her resolve wavering.

She watched Evie step back, feeling the weight of the moment. “I just wish things were different,” she spoke softly, her heart aching for the friendship that felt like it was slipping away.

Cecilia nodded, her expression a mix of longing and sadness. “So do I, but this is necessary.”