Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

“ I f you must know in all honesty, I’m pouting because I’d rather be home communing with my bushes than spending the day with the man known as the Hollow Duke,” Cecilia huffed, crossing her arms defiantly as the carriage rattled along the uneven road.

Tristan chuckled from the opposite bench. “Oh come now, Cece. You’d choose communing with your bushes under any circumstance.” He drawled teasingly, “You know you’d miss all the excitement. Think of the magnitude of aristocratic charm compared to your precious bushes.”

“Excitement? You mean the thrill of watching Evangeline fawn over our brother while I’m stuck in a corner with the duke’s likely hollow relatives as he is?” she retorted, rolling her eyes dramatically.

“It is just but the two of them, sister,” Nathaniel chimed in at last with a chuckle, “I made this clear. The dowager duchess unfortunately wouldn’t be able to make it as she’s out of town as well. Also, do refrain from judging the man considering you are yet to meet him.”

“Oh, but we have all heard the rumors, Nathaniel dearest, your sister’s biases are not merely based on a gentle breeze of murmurs. ” T heir grandmother, Louisa Everton, the Dowager Countess of Silvermere sat clutching Tristan’s hand across the carriage floor, as she wagged a light finger at Nate.

“Oh, but grandmother, she truly has not even met him yet!” Tristan teased, leaning closer with a conspiratorial grin. “The man might be delightful! Or at least, he might have some entertainingly eccentric habits. She could take notes for her next garden essay.”

“Or I could write a story about the family dinner,” Cecilia shot back, trying to suppress a smile. “His manners could be the stuff of nightmares. If Miss Shelley can publish such spine-chilling tales, perhaps I can do the same.”

Their grandmother, seated beside her, chuckled softly. “You’re far too dramatic, my dear. I remember when I was your age, we had to endure the most dreadful soirées. But you might be surprised; sometimes, it’s the unexpected moments that bring the most joy.”

“Joy? In a house of nobles?” Cecilia sighed, but a flicker of mischief danced in her eyes. “Would you say our house is full of joy, brother?”

“I am glad you know you pester too much for us to have a joyous home, sister,” he squinted his eyes at her, causing Cecilia to laugh.

“There is a bright side to this situation, we can rest assured you would be able to dazzle the Holloway home with your wit, sister,” Tristan replied, his voice dripping with mock seriousness. “However, you must remember to keep your tales of herbs and bushes stories to a minimum. We wouldn’t want them to think you’re a complete savage.”

“Savage? I’ll have you know that I’m an esteemed scholar of botany,” she protested, her indignation fading into laughter once more. “I could teach them a thing or two about the virtues of wildflowers. It’d be nice to have someone listen for once.”

“Ah yes, the virtues of wildflowers,” Tristan said, feigning a yawn. “I’m sure that’ll win their hearts. Just don’t let them catch you talking to the bushes, or they might think you’ve lost your mind. The animals in the bushes are not exempted from this either.”

He laughed, leaning back against the carriage seat with an exaggerated smirk, “Honestly, sister, if you spent half as much time studying actual plants instead of chasing rabbits, you might learn something useful.”

“You saw me one time with them, brother,” Cecilia shot him a glare, her cheeks flushing. “You think it’s easy? Those rabbits are elusive! They’re practically knights in the garden.”

“Enough, you two,” Nathaniel shook his head as he interjected, looking desperate to maintain some semblance of peace. “Cece’s research is important. It is the work our parents’ left behind after all. Brother, you might learn something if you paid attention instead of trying to provoke her.”

“Right, because you certainly find them so riveting whenever she begins her explanations,” Tristan shot back, rolling his eyes. “You’d rather listen to a rabbit’s opinion on the weather.”

Louisa, who had been quietly observing the exchange, suddenly perked up. “Where are we going again? I seem to have misplaced my memory along the way,” she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“We’re off to the Hollow Duke’s estate, Grandmother,” Nathaniel replied patiently, suppressing a smile. “You’ve reminded us about ten times already.”

Cecilia smiled. With age, came a slight forgetfulness in the Countess, yet she remained a joy to be around, always giving out the best advice.

“Ah, yes! The Hollow Duke,” Louisa mused, squinting out the window. “Is he the one with the peculiar hat or the one who collects spoons?”

“Both, actually,” Tristan chimed in, seemingly unable to resist. He patted his grandmother’s arm affectionately. “But don’t worry, I’m sure one of them will have a rabbit for Cecilia to chase, she would not lack in what to keep her entertained.”

“Tristan!” Cecilia exclaimed, her voice a mix of exasperation and amusement. “Drop the topic for once, brother. You’re making it sound like I’m some sort of lunatic.”

“Perhaps not a lunatic, but definitely a rabbit enthusiast,” he teased, grinning widely.

“Enthusiast? More like a rabbit whisperer, wasn’t she singing songs to lure that one in?” Nathaniel added, shaking his head with a chuckle.

Louisa looked at them both, clearly lost. “So, we are going to see the Duke, correct ? Or are we simply going to chase rabbits?”

“Both, grandmother,” Tristan declared dramatically. “We’ll charm the Duke with our wit and then chase rabbits for sport!”

Cecilia couldn’t help but laugh, tossing her fan in her brother’s direction. He snatched it from the air before it could reach him.

As the carriage rolled on, the banter continued and lightheartedness filled the air. Despite her discomfort about the situation, Cecilia laughed and shook her head at her brother s’ endless jabs .

With a sigh, she leaned back, allowing a small smile to break through her earlier trepidation. Her worries were mostly placed on ensuring no untowardness would be discovered between Nathaniel and his bethroted as had nearly happened about a week ago.

A flush filled her cheeks as the memory of that night returned. Till that moment, she had not found out who the man she’d ended up entangled with had been. And somehow, she hoped to never have to.

Though the grounds were still full of snow and the festive season was far from coming to an end, it was her hope that the stranger she had kissed was not from around here. It would be wonderful if he’d only come visiting family. Perhaps with time, the memory would fade if that was the case.

The soft feel of his lips, the tone of his voice, his warm, strong arms and perfect face…

A blush filled her cheeks again. It had been torture constantly thinking about the incident the whole week. But she knew with time and hope, it’d fade eventually.

“Are you sure this is the right place? The duke is wealthier than I imagined!” The countess was the first to speak as they rolled into the grand grounds of the Holloway estate soon after.

Tristan leaned forward with obvious interest, his surprise mirroring Cecilia’s. It was an interesting sight to find her elder brother looking so impressed.

“Wow indeed,” Nathaniel chuckled, albeit adjusting his collar nervously. “Remember to be on your best behavior, everyone.”

Cecilia felt a mix of excitement and anxiety flutter in her stomach, and she could hardly imagine what her brother felt, putting herself in his shoes. She glanced around at the sprawling gardens and majestic architecture, trying to calm her racing heart.

Stepping into the home itself was not any less impressively intimidating. Cecilia had to keep her jaw from slacking at the majestic sights. It was not that the Windgrave estate was lacking, however in comparison, the Holloway home showed clearly the distinction between titles.

Everyone’s sights were quickly redirected however, as standing a few feet away from the doorway was the lady Evangeline, Nathaniel’s betrothed, her presence radiating elegance and charm.

Dressed in a flowing gown that accentuated her graceful figure, she greeted the arriving family with a bright smile that lit up the room, “Welcome! I’m so glad you could all make it,” she spoke, her voice melodic and inviting.

Stepping forward, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, she approached Tristan first, “The Earl of Silvermere, it is a pleasure to formally meet you, my lord. I’ve heard so much about you.”

He chuckled, “All good things, I hope. My brother tends to embellish our adventures.”

“Oh, I can only imagine!” Evangeline replied, her laughter infectious as she glanced shyly at her betrothed. “I am actually yet to hear all the stories.”

Cecilia watched in awe as the young lady skillfully greeted the Dowager Countess, bringing her grandmother to smiles and laughter in just seconds.

“And you must be Lady Cecilia,” Evangeline continued, turning her attention to Cecilia at last, whose cheeks flushed slightly under the kind gaze.

Cecilia nodded, a genuine smile spreading across her face. “Indeed, it is I! It’s wonderful to finally meet you, lady Evangeline. I believe we’re going to get along famously.”

“I feel the same way!” Evangeline exclaimed, her excitement palpable. Her cheeks flushed suddenly, a shy expression overtaking her face, “And do please call me Evie, I’ve always wanted a sisterly bond, I’d like us to build a close relationship.”

Cecilia’s face could hardly contain her smile ace. “Only if you referred to me as ‘Cece’ as well.”

“Then, we have a deal, Cece.” The enthusiastic grin on Evangeline’s face was all Cecilia need to finalize the thought her brother had made the best decision possible in choosing a wife.

Walking alongside Evie, the Everton family were ushered into the drawing room, the air filled with laughter and lighthearted teasing, mostly directed in the constant exchange of glances between the lovebirds. Their connection was undeniable and it was a pleasant sight to witness.

After a few minutes of stepping into the drawing room, the doors swung open, and a butler announced, “The Duke of Holloway!”

All eyes turned toward the entrance, anticipation buzzing in the air. As the man stepped in, he paused to speak with his butler, blocking Cecilia’s view. She leaned to the side, trying to catch a glimpse, but Nathaniel slightly shifted in front of her, inadvertently shielding her from seeing the man’s face as well.

“Brother, you’re blocking my view, could you please-,” Cecilia whispered, her frustration mingling with curiosity.

“Now is not the time, Cece! As I have said, it is important we make a good impression,” he whispered back, clearly oblivious to her struggle.

“But-” She paused and sighed. He certainly could not be reasoned with at such a moment, so she settled on craning her neck. Memories of her mother correcting her posture filled her mind, but surely Mother would have understood that answers were more important.

“Good evening, everyone, I do apologize for keeping you waiting. There were a few circumstances out of my control which needed attention.”

Cecilia froze slightly as she heard the Duke’s voice loud and clear, echoing through the hall. There was something oddly familiar about it, a resonance that made her heart race.

“It is nothing, we were but standing for only a couple of minutes, it is good to finally meet your acquaintance, Your Grace,” Tristan’s voice carried a smile as he, from the corner of Cecilia’s eye she caught, stretched out a hand.

“Indeed, it’s a pleasure to meet you all as well,” the Duke replied, his voice smooth and confident.

Cecilia couldn’t bring herself to look up any further, her gaze fixed on the intricate patterns of the carpet beneath her feet. She felt a chill creep up her spine, an unsettling sense of dread that she couldn’t shake off.

It can’t be.

No, it’s not possible.

She recognized that voice, deep and familiar, but was desperate to deny the reality of the situation. It felt as though the walls were closing in around her, suffocating her with the weight of her own dread.

“Cecilia, dear? Are you alright?” Her grandmother’s concerned whisper did little to shake Cecilia from her thoughts.

“Quite all right, grandmother,” she nodded, however, unable to move an inch still. She listened to the man greet Nathaniel and then her grandmother as well, yet, she could not lift her head.

No, no, no.

Please, no. Let this not be what I think this is.

“Cecilia, dear, could you lift your head to say hello to His Grace?” her grandmother suggested, her tone light and encouraging.

It was finally her turn, however Cecilia remained frozen, her heart racing.

Please, let this be only in my imagination…

At last, against her will, she lifted her eyes, and in that moment, the world around her seemed to come to a halt. The Duke’s gaze locked onto hers, and for a brief second, shock flickered across his features.

It was a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability that vanished almost instantly, replaced by a mask of composure. But his eyes, wide and searching, betrayed him.

“Lady Cecilia?” he spoke, almost in question, his voice low and edged with something she couldn’t quite place.

I’m cursed. I have to have been cursed.

What have I done to deserve this?!

Panic surged within Cecilia as she realized the truth she desperately wished to deny—this was the man she had kissed just a week ago, the stranger whose lips had ignited a chaos and confusion within her that she had tried to ignore.

The room felt deathly silent as she stared at the handsome face before, wishing with all her might it would morph into one she did not recognize.

“Sister, are you all right?” Tristan’s raised brow could almost be heard in his tone as he spoke, his words echoing the quiet room.

“Your Grace,” Cecilia managed to mumble at last, her voice barely audible as she dropped into a curtsey. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“Do you know each other?” Nathaniel asked suddenly, glancing between them.

Cecilia’s eyes shifted to the Duke in slight panic.

He wouldn’t, would he?

The man’s lips curled into an almost unnoticeable smirk, but his eyes remained intense. “We’ve… crossed paths once before, I believe,” he replied, his gaze never wavering from Cecilia, a challenge lurking beneath his calm exterior.

Her heart raced, embarrassment and fear flooding her senses. She felt exposed, like a secret had been laid bare in front of everyone. “I—” she stammered, her mind racing for an explanation, but the words wouldn’t come.

Nathaniel, seeming to sense the tension, tried to lighten the mood. “Well, uh, shall we all sit, and converse before dinner?” he said with a chuckle, but the laughter felt hollow.

Cecilia’s breath hitched in her throat, the weight of the duke’s gaze sending shivers down her spine as he nodded slowly.

The reality of the situation settled like a heavy fog. She was doomed, caught in a web of her own making, there was no point in blaming Nathaniel anymore. O f all the people she could have forcefully kissed, it had to be the Duke of Holloway, and there was no way to escape the consequences.