She spun about and watched as the Duke sauntered inside.
He did not look back. He did not say anything else. But Celestine knew as she knew anything that he was thinking of her, just as she knew that he wasn’t about to forget her anytime soon.
That was the problem with being so well known, always making a scene so that she was on the lips of more people than what was reasonable. Every now and then, one found themselves inthe sights of the worst of people. In this case, the Duke of Blackthorne.
What have I done…
Chapter Two
“You’re up early.” Miss Millicent Witcher waltzed into the breakfast room. As was typical of the eighteen-year-old girl, she wore a bright smile on her face, and there was a skip to her step that matched her always pleasant mood.
“Ought I not to be?” Edward Witcher, the Duke of Blackthorne said. He smiled when he saw his niece, not forced, but as natural as breathing.
“I don’t know,” she shrugged as she made her way to the seat one place down from him. “I thought you might have been tired after last night.”
“I was not home late.”
“So, it was boring then?” She fell into the chair. “Or maybe you are the one who is boring?”
He laughed. “Let us go with the second option. You know how much I detest balls and societal functions. The sooner I can stop going to them, the better.”
“Not too soon though.” She looked at him pointedly. “You promised, Edward. You better not go back on your promise.”
“A promise…” He frowned as if he did not know what she was speaking about. “I don’t remember making any promises.”
“What? No!” She sat up and looked pleadingly at him. “You… you said… you swore!”
“Oh, yes…” He exhaled as if only just remembering. “That’s right. Something about escorting you to functions and galas when you come of age.” He rubbed his chin. “To be honest, after how dull last evening was, I might have to reconsider – I am joking, Millicent,” he hurried when he saw the look of abject misery on her face. “Just a joke.”
“You better be.” A warning glare. “One more month, Edward. One more month and you and I will be attending every single event possible!” She started to shake with excitement. “Oh, I cannot wait! I already have my first gown selected. And my second one! And I have been practicing my dancing, too! It is going to be so…” Her eyes turned wistful. “So romantic. It will be like a dream!”
“Let us hope you never wake up.”
Only Millicent could make Edward act so kindly and optimistic when it came to discussing societal functions. And only Millicent could make him smile at the notion of having to drag himself to what would likely be dozens of such events before the Season was through.
As only she knows the real me, the one that doesn’t make men shiver and women weep when I walk into a room.
Millicent was Edward’s seventeen-year-old niece, soon to be eighteen, which meant that she would soon be a lady ready to make her debut in the ton. And, as the previous conversation might have implied, she looked forward to it like nothing else.
Oddly enough, Edward looked forward to it just as much.
Millicent was his entire world, and there was little he would not do to please her. He wanted everything for the young woman, just as he was prepared to do whatever he must to see that she got it.
And if she needs proof of this, what I mean to do once I break my fast should put such conversations to bed.
“Seeing as you are here,” he started as he put down his knife and fork and pushed his plate away. “You should know that I will be spending the morning out. I am sure you are capable of entertaining yourself.”
Millicent stopped her daydreaming and looked at him. “Where are you going?”
Edward was supposed to keep it a secret, just in case it did not work out. But he loved so much seeing his niece excited and happy that Edward found himself speaking before he was able to stop.
“If you must know, I met a young lady last evening.”
Her eyes widened. “No?”
“I did,” he said. “And I intend to call on her this morning to follow up what was a rather pleasant moment shared.” Despite himself Edward smirked, as ‘pleasant’ was not the word he would use to describe that particular exchange.
“Who is she?” Millicent asked eagerly. “She must be special if you are going to see her.” She was up on her feet, shaking from head to toe. “Oh, can I come? Can I meet her?”
