Chapter 16

Chloe sat rigidly at the breakfast table, her hands clasped in her lap, as the palpable tension in the room tightened like a vice around her chest. There was a storm brewing, and she knew it would not be long before everything erupted and everything shifted and changed.

"Chloe," Lord Swift finally snapped, shattering the tension. His voice was cold and controlled, though the anger beneath the surface was evident. "You were remarkably inattentive to the Duke of Fladbury last evening. Do you have any idea how important it is that you secure his interest? Have I not been clear about that?"

Chloe swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on her plate. "I apologize, Father," she said quietly. "I was simply..."

"Simply what?" Lord Swift interrupted, his tone sharp. "Dancing with a mere baron will not provide you with the life of luxury and security that the Duke can offer. Lord Anthony James is not your concern."

"Anthony is an old friend," Lady Swift interjected gently, her voice a soothing contrast to her husband's. "There is no harm in maintaining those connections, surely."

Lord Swift's hand slammed down on the table with a force that made the china rattle. Chloe flinched at the suddenness of his outburst, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Anthony James is not suitable for our daughter," he declared, his voice icy. "He is a baron, nothing more. Chloe's future lies with the duke, and she must remember her place in society. I have seen how unhappy the duke was with the way that you treated him, Chloe, and it has me worried that you might lose him completely."

Chloe felt a lump form in her throat, the weight of her father's expectations bearing down on her. The thought of a life time spent in a loveless marriage with the Duke filled her with dread. She wanted to lose him completely, could her father not see that? She could feel her mother's concerned gaze upon her, but she could not bring herself to look up. Even for the much needed sympathy.

"Father," she began hesitantly, "I understand your concerns, but must I marry someone I do not care for? Must I sacrifice my happiness for...?"

"Happiness," Lord Swift scoffed, cutting her off. "Do you think happiness is more important than duty? Than the security and reputation of our family? You will do as you are told, Chloe, and that is final. Luckily for you, I have managed to placate the duke, but I can assure you that it will not last forever."

Tears pricked at Chloe's eyes, but she blinked them back, refusing to let them fall. She knew better than to defy her father openly, but the thought of giving up her heart to a man like the duke was unbearable. Lady Swift reached out and gently placed her hand over Chloe's, her touch a small comfort.

"Lord Swift, please," she said softly, "Chloe is still young. She needs time to..."

"She has had enough time," Lord Swift snapped. "This is her third Season, Lady Swift. It is high time she secured a suitable match."

Chloe's heart ached at her father's words. She had hoped that this Season would be different, that perhaps Anthony's return would bring some semblance of the happiness she had longed for. But now, it seemed that even that small hope was slipping through her fingers. She hated this intense sense of hopelessness that overcame her.

After breakfast, Chloe sought solace in the drawing room, her fingers gliding over the keys of the pianoforte as she lost herself in the melancholy strains of a familiar melody. The tension from the morning still clung to her, a suffocating weight pressing down on her chest. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of the fake courtship, and the fear that it might not succeed in the face of her father's out burst at breakfast. She wondered how long she could keep up the charade before the truth came to light and shattered the fragile hope she clung to.

Her father's voice still echoed in her ears, his harsh words leaving a raw wound in her heart. She had always known her duty, had always understood the expectations placed upon her, but hearing them spelled out so coldly made the future she dreaded seem all the more imminent. The idea of a loveless marriage with the Duke filled her with a deep, abiding dread. Especially when it seemed to be drawing closer to her by the minute.

As she played, Chloe tried to envision a different future, one where she could follow her heart rather than the dictates of duty. But no matter how hard she tried, the image of her father's stern face always intruded, reminding her of the reality she could not escape.

Suddenly, the butler's voice interrupted her reverie, announcing the arrival of a caller. Chloe's heart sank, assuming it to be Lord Frampton. She was about to inform the butler that she was indisposed when a familiar voice reached her ears.

"Chloe?" Anthony stepped in to the room, carrying a bouquet of her favorite flowers.

Chloe felt her heart skip a beat, a warmth spreading through her chest at the sight of him. Now this was a visit that she absolutely did want!

"Anthony," she said softly, her fingers stilling on the keys. She could not stop a bright smile from spreading across her face. Chloe rose from the pianoforte, her gaze fixed on Anthony as she moved.

"Thank you," she murmured.

Anthony stepped closer, his voice soft and filled with a tenderness that made Chloe's heart flutter. "I hope you still favor these flowers, just as you did when we were younger," he said, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

He remembers.

That thrilled her.

He might have abandoned her, but he had not forgotten her. That had to mean something, right?

As Chloe took the bouquet, their hands brushed, sending thrills of awareness down her spine. The simple touch felt like a lifeline, grounding her amidst the storm of emotions that had been swirling within her since breakfast. She looked up into Anthony's eyes, finding a comforting reassurance there that made her feel, for a moment, that everything might somehow be alright.

"They are beautiful," Chloe said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Anthony. They most certainly are my favorite flowers, even now."

Anthony's eyes softened at her words, a smile curving his lips. "I am glad to hear that," he replied. "I remember how much you used to love them. I hoped they might bring a bit of cheer to your day."

Chloe's smile widened, and she felt a glimmer of hope. "They have," she assured him. "More than you know."

Before she could say more, the door to the drawing room opened once again, and Lady Swift entered, with a maid behind her carrying a tray laden with tea. "Anthony, I heard that you were here. I thought that you might want tea."

"Good morning, Lady Swift," Anthony responded, bowing slightly. "It is always a pleasure."

Lady Swift's eyes flicked to the bouquet in Chloe's hands, and a knowing smile touched her lips. "Ah, I see you have brought flowers. How thoughtful of you, Anthony."

Anthony nodded, his gaze returning to Chloe. "I hoped they might brighten her day."

"Well, I have a lot to do so I will leave you two to talk."

Anthony took a seat beside Chloe as they sipped their tea, his eyes still filled with concern and longing. "I have missed hearing you play," he admitted softly, his gaze locked on the piano.

Chloe smiled, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "And I have missed having someone who truly appreciates my playing."

For the next half hour, they fell in to easy conversation, reminiscing about old times. For a while, it felt as though nothing had changed, the years melting away as they basked in each other's presence. Chloe's eyes sparkled with genuine joy, a stark contrast to the earlier tension that had gripped her. As the conversation continued, Chloe and Anthony shared memories of their childhood, laughter filling the room. Anthony's stories of their escapades brought a bright smile to Chloe's face, and she found herself relaxing more with each passing moment.

The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them, lost in their shared history.

Anthony's voice grew serious as he recounted a particularly memorable day at the lake, when they had spent hours trying to catch fish with nothing but a stick and some string. "You were so determined to catch something, even when the rest of us had given up. You never gave up, Chloe, and you still have not. That's what I admire most about you."

Chloe's eyes glistened with unshed tears, touched by his words. While Lord Frampton did not know a single thing about her, and did not seem to care to know, Anthony knew her inside and out. He recalled things about her that even she had forgotten. Talking with Anthony made her feel special. It was no wonder that Chloe could never meet anyone else…

Eventually, their wonderful time together had to come to an end.

Much as Chloe was not ready for it, she understood as Anthony rose to his feet when her mother came back into the room.

"Lady Swift, Lady Chloe," he said, turning to them with a smile, "it has been a delightful visit. But before I go, I wish to extend an invitation."

Chloe's heart skipped a beat. She tried to remain composed, but the idea of spending more time with Anthony filled her with a joy she could not quite conceal.

Anthony continued, "My family and I are planning a picnic tomorrow. We would be honored if you could join us."

Chloe saw her mother's eyes twinkle with delight. "What a wonderful idea!" she exclaimed before Chloe could even respond. "We would be delighted to join you, do you not agree, Chloe?"

Chloe's cheeks flushed, and she managed a smile. "Yes, that sounds lovely."

Anthony's gaze lingered on her for a moment, a hint of something unspoken in his eyes. It left her wondering if he thought it was false, or more, himself.

"Wonderful," he said softly. "We will expect you at noon, then."

As Anthony bid them farewell, Lady Swift turned to Chloe, a knowing smile on her face. "You know, Chloe," she began, her voice filled with warmth, "I have always been fond of Anthony. I once believed that he and you would marry."

Chloe stared at her mother, stunned by the revelation. Her heart raced as she asked, "What led you to believe such a thing, Mother?"

Lady Swift simply smiled, her voice gentle. "It is obvious from the way Anthony looks at you that he is in love with you. And your own feelings for him are just as apparent."

Chloe's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing. "Mother, do you truly believe that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lady Swift nodded, her eyes soft with affection. "Yes, my dear. I have seen the way he looks at you, the way he speaks to you. There is a tenderness there that can not be denied. And you, Chloe, you light up when he is near. It is as if you are both drawn to each other."

Chloe felt a rush of emotions–hope, fear, love, and confusion– all swirling within her.

"But what about Father?" she asked, her voice trembling. "He would never approve."

Lady Swift sighed, her expression growing serious. "Your father is a difficult man, set in his ways and driven by his ambitions. But, Chloe, you deserve happiness. You deserve to follow your heart. I believe that, in time, your father will see that as well."

Chloe nodded, her mother's words offering a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, Mother," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I do not know what the future holds, but I know that I want to be with Anthony."

Lady Swift hugged her daughter tightly. "And I will support you, no matter what. Remember, love is worth fighting for, my dear. Do not let anything or anyone deter you from your happiness. Even your father, which I know is easier said than done…"