“Yes, yes…” Despite herself, Celestine turned to the mirror and checked her reflection a final time. Her gown was perfect for a promenade, elegant and stylish without being ‘too much.’ After all, it was not as if she cared how impressed the Duke was with her.
“Come on then…” Her mother took her hand. “Let us greet your betrothed.”
Celestine’s stomach fluttered as she was led from the room.
They found the Duke waiting in the foyer. While the two sisters stayed at the top of the staircase to watch on, Celestine walked down the length of steps with her mother’s hand wrapped firmly around her own.
Her knees wobbled with each step taken, and it did not help that the Duke looked at her with a sense that her beauty was more than he could bear.
“Miss Celestine…” He marveled at her. “Was I to die right now, I would do so gladly knowing that you were the last thing I saw.”
She rolled her eyes at the comment, even if her cheeks flushed pink.
She reached the foyer and crossed toward him. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. The kiss was soft and wet, and it sent a ripple up her arm that she felt in her chest.
It is all an act, Celestine. That is all. Do not get carried away!
These were easy words to say but harder words to believe. The Duke kept a hold of her hand, his eyes sparkled as he looked at her, and for the first time, Celestine wondered if this month might not be nearly so hard as she had imagined.
It was all an act… it was not real… and it was important to remember this, despite what appearances might have suggested. Too often, Celestine recalled these words, just as she forced them to the fore of her mind.
However, as the day progressed, as she and the Duke committed fully to their lie, such words of resounding truth became harder and harder to believe.
“You do not have to stand so close,” Celestine said as she and the Duke walked together.
“Excuse me?” he asked as if he had not heard her.
She looked at him flatly. “There is no need to be so obvious.” Their arms were linked and she tried to pull hers free, only for him to refuse.
“Is that what I am being?” he asked her. “Too obvious?”
“What do you think?”
“I think that I am taking a walk with the woman who I love. And anyone who sees us will surely think the same.”
She rolled her eyes. “Likely, they will think that you are trying too hard. I know that is what I would think.”
He eyed her curiously. “What happened to you, Celestine? To make you so bitter and broken?”
“Who said something had to happen?” she fired back. “Maybe this is just how I am.”
“No…” He frowned down at her. “You were not always like this. Yes, I did my research on you. The way you act is a new thing, which leads me to believe that there was an incident that changed you. I cannot help but wonder what it was.”
He was right about that, as loathe as Celestine was to admit it. In fact, it annoyed her a little, that he saw through her so easily.
Not that Celestine would tell him any of this. The last thing that she wanted was the Duke knowing more about her than what was required. Better that he knew nothing at all, so when this month was over, they could go on with their lives as if they had never met.
“Just focus on yourself.” She looked ahead. “And do not waste my time with personal questions.”
“We are engaged,” he said. “Ought I not know more about you?”
“You know enough,” she said sharply. “And be glad you know that much.”
He chuckled at her comment and shook his head. Where her goal was to push him away, it was almost as if the more she lashed out, the more he wanted to get to know her. As if he enjoyed it!
It had been this way all morning.
From the moment that they arrived at St. James Park, the Duke had been the very picture of decorum and romantic harmony. He had helped her from the carriage. He had remarked several times on her beauty. And once they started their walk through the park, he clung to her as if his life depended on it.
