Chapter 13

"You look beautiful, my lady," Rose declared as she stepped back from helping her dress for the evening. "I am sure you will have all eyes on you tonight at your mother's soiree."

Chloe's heart raced. "Thank you, Rose. You always know how to make me look my best."

She rose to her feet and stared at herself in the mirror. Chloe's reflection in the mirror stared back at her, eyes wide with a mixture of hope and fear. She turned to admire her golden curls which were secured with delicate pearl pins that glimmered in the light. But the nerves continued to dig in to her side. The thought of seeing Anthony again was truly nerve wracking. Tonight was the night that they truly began their fake courtship. But it was more than the lie that unnerved her. It was the knowledge that this might be her only chance to reconnect with Anthony and show him that what they shared was more than just a friendship. That really was what she wanted.

Do not forget the danger, she reminded the woman staring back at her in the mirror.

Chloe knew that she risked so much. Not just a broken heart, but her father's wrath and the potential ruin of her reputation. If this went wrong, she could lose it all. But if this went right…

Well, she knew that she needed to stop daydreaming about it all going right, just in case this did not happen. Just in case she could get a chance with Anthony. Her heart fluttered at the idea. It was something that was most certainly not promised, but there was a chance, right? This was the closest that she was ever going to get to him. Especially now that he was back from his travels.

Since he had taken over his father's estate, she could only assume that he was not going to leave again, but she could not be sure. The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she knew that tonight was her opportunity to make an impression, to show Anthony that their bond could be so much more if he gave her chance. Once upon a time, she thought that he might have seen her that way as well anyway. But now she was not so sure.

Now she did not know how he was feeling about anything…

Taking a deep breath, she smoothed down her gown one last time and turned to Rose with a determined nod.

"I do not want to keep everyone waiting," she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside her. "I think it is time to go."

Rose smiled softly at her, almost as if she could sense the inner turmoil in her heart.

With a deep breath, Chloe steeled herself and left her room, making her way down the grand staircase. The staircase seemed longer than usual as Chloe descended because her heart was absolutely racing. She had to focus on each step so she did not fall. That was not the way she wanted to start the evening. As she descended, she could hear the lively sounds of the soiree preparations in progress. The guests would be here soon, and of course her family wanted to make the best impression possible. All the most important members of the ton, under her roof.

As Chloe reached the bottom of the staircase, her mother turned and her eyes lit up.

"Chloe, you look absolutely radiant," she exclaimed, beaming with pride.

"Thank you, Mother," Chloe replied, offering a small smile. She turned to her father, Lord Swift, who gave her an approving nod.

"You look lovely, Chloe," he said, though his tone carried a hint of sternness. "Remember, tonight is an important night. Conduct yourself with the utmost decorum."

"Of course, Father," Chloe replied, her smile faltering slightly.

Did she always have to be reminded of that? She knew the expectations were high, and the pressure to meet them was always present. There was no mention of the duke though, which was a relief. Chloe was sick of discussing him. She hoped that was the way that it remained all evening long. That the Duke was no longer on her father's mind because he had other things to think about. Other people to be concerned with. Then once people thought that she was courting Anthony, it would all be over…

She hoped.

Chloe took her place beside her parents as the first guests began to arrive. She greeted them with the grace and poise expected of her, her practiced smile never faltering. However, her mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of Anthony and their impending performance. How on earth were they going to pull this off? Were they going to get through this?

The drawing room filled with the hum of conversation and laughter as more guests arrived, their elegant attire adding to the excitement of the evening. Chloe's heart pounded in her chest as she kept her eyes peeled for Anthony. She could not help but feel a pang of anxiety as each new face entered the room.

As the minutes ticked by, Chloe's anticipation only grew. The room was now abuzz with the chatter of the ton. Finally, the grand double doors at the entrance of the drawing room swung open, and Anthony stepped inside. Chloe's breath caught in her throat. He was as dashing as ever, his tall frame clad in a tailored navy blue coat, his dark hair impeccably styled. His eyes, deep and piercing, scanned the room until they found hers. For a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. The noise of the party, the watchful eyes of her parents, and the expectations of the evening… all of it melted into the background as Anthony made his way towards her.

Thank goodness he was here. The night could get started now. It was time to start their performance…

And to hopefully make Anthony see that it perhaps did not have to be a performance after all…

***

Tonight is the night.

The night that it all begins.

Anthony sat in the carriage beside his mother, the rhythmic clatter of hooves against cobble stones filling the air. The city's hustle and bustle played a distant symphony outside, but inside the carriage, a tense silence reigned. His mother amused herself with a novel, occasionally glancing at her son with concern. But these were not concerns that he could share with his mother, so he was grateful that she had not asked him anything. Anthony's thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions as he contemplated the evening ahead.

The memory of Chloe in his arms, the warmth of her smile, and the depth of her green eyes flooded his mind. He had agreed to this fake courtship to help her, but the feelings he had long tried to suppress were resurfacing with a vengeance. His love for her had never truly faded and that was impacting him now more than ever. How was he going to manage the two? The more that he tried to think about it, the more he did not think that he could do it. Trevor's warnings had worried him deeply, but he also knew that he could not back off now.

It was too late.

If he left Chloe to it, then she would be forced into marriage with the duke.

"Are you all right, Anthony?" his mother's voice finally broke through his reverie. It seemed like she could not hold back her worry any longer.

"Yes, Mother," he replied, managing a faint smile. "Just a bit anxious, I suppose. It is strange to come back into society like this after so much time away. I suppose I am still getting used to it."

His mother reached over and patted his hand gently. "You have always been resilient, my dear. You will manage splendidly, I am sure. Tonight will be a lot of fun."

The carriage came to a stop, and he took a deep breath, preparing himself for what was to come. As they stepped out, the grand entrance of Chloe's family estate loomed before them, a beacon of light and festivity against the night sky.

Anthony's mind drifted back to his childhood as they approached the grand entrance. Memories of running through these very gardens with Chloe, their laughter echoing through the air, filled his thoughts. He remembered the tree house they had built together, hidden among the ancient oaks, and the secret picnics they had shared by the pond. He recalled the summer evenings when they would sit on the porch, sharing dreams and secrets as the sun set. Chloe had always been there, a constant presence in his life, her companionship a source of comfort and strength.

As they grew older, those feelings had deepened, and he truly wished that there was some way he could get it back. As they approached the grand entrance of the ballroom, Anthony took a deep breath. He was a mess, not ready for this at all. Especially considering the atmosphere was utterly electric. It was too much for him. Yet, the sight of Chloe, standing gracefully by her mother's side, filled him with a renewed sense of purpose. This was all for her, after all.

Chloe turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting his across the room. Her face lit up with a warm, inviting smile, and Anthony felt his nerves begin to settle. That was until it was time to greet the hosts of the evening. As Anthony and his mother approached, Lady Swift stepped forward with an air of regal grace.

Her eyes sparkled with genuine warmth as she said hello. "Welcome."

"Thank you for having us," Anthony's mother replied with a smile.

However, Lord Swift's greeting was cold and perfunctory, his disdain barely concealed. Anthony was a little surprised that no one else reacted to his behavior. It was polite enough, sure, but the under tone could not have been more obvious as he spat every single word out.

"Lord Anthony, Lady Lenora," he said, inclining his head slightly. "Welcome."

"Thank you, Lord Swift," Anthony replied politely, refusing to sink to the man's level. "It is a pleasure to be here."

Chloe's eyes met his, and for a moment, the rest of the world faded away. Nothing else mattered, least of all her father's actions. His heart raced as he took her hand, their fingers brushing lightly. The simple touch sent a jolt of electricity through his body, and he struggled to maintain his composure. Chloe's hand was warm and soft, her touch both comforting and thrilling. He could feel his pulse quicken, his breath catching in his throat as he gazed into her eyes.

"Anthony," she said softly, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Chloe," he replied, his voice warm with affection. "You look stunning."

"Thank you," she murmured, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I am so glad you could make it."

As Anthony stood there, gazing in to Chloe's eyes, he felt a surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. Every fiber of his being longed to protect her, to keep her safe from the pressures and expectations that loomed over her like dark clouds. All the nerves that he had been feeling, all the doubts that Trevor had put in to his mind, faded away into absolute nothingness. And that was why he could not allow Lord Swift's disapproval of him get in the way. He had to protect her no matter the cost.

No matter what it did to him. Even if it absolutely shattered his heart in to a million pieces. Even if he did lose it all in an attempt to care for her.

Anthony straightened, determination firming his resolve. He had agreed to this fake courtship to protect Chloe from an unwanted marriage, and now more than ever, he knew he could not back down. His love for her was too strong to allow her to face this alone.