Page 59 of Aurelia

Aurelia tore open the envelope.

Dear Lia,

You are wondering why I have not written in so long. Well… I guess there is nothing for it but to say it plainly: I have married the Duke of Chatham.

A choked laugh slipped out of her.

“What was that?” Arthur asked.

Aurelia’s head whipped up. “Just a bit of pepper in my throat.” She coughed delicately to illustrate.

He turned back to his letter and she hastily returned to hers.

You cannot be more surprised than I am, dear sister. I am sorry you were not there, but it was a small affair—necessarily hasty because of… well, that is a long story and right now I am in the process of leaving London and heading to Chatham’s estate, so I do not have time to chronicle the last few months, which deserve the title of epic.

I will write more once I am settled, but I just wanted to let you know you have a home with us, should you need one. Unlike Selina, who thinks that you have sold yourself into wage slavery, I suspect you are as happy as a lark working at what you love best. If I am wrong, you must let me know immediately and Chatham and I will come fetch you.

Being a duchess is a bit of a bore, and it will likely get worse next year as I’ve been threatened with a Season—a real one, this time—and cannot avoid it by sneaking into the card rooms at balls.

Don’t worry that I married Chatham against my will, Lia. I am happy with him—almost worryingly happy—and he is an excellent card player.

More soon, dearest sister.

Yours,

The Duchess of Chatham

P.S. I thought you would find my new, august, signature amusing.

Aurelia stared blankly at the single, mostly blank sheet of paper. Hy always had been a woman of few words. It seemed becoming a peeress had not changed her.

She was not sure she believed what she’d just read but knew it must be true. Hy was a duchess. Inconceivable.

The urge to laugh hysterically was strong.

Aurelia made haste to get up to her chambers. She desperately needed a few minutes alone to ponder the news she had just heard. Not just Hy’s startling announcement, but also the more immediate fact that the earl was coming home today.

The mere thought left her breathless.

She scowled, annoyed with her body’s reaction. The man hadn’t even stepped foot on the island and already her pulse was pounding!

Aurelia had hoped that by the time he returned—if he returned—she would have exorcised Lord Crewe from her system. His behavior that day on the beach might have hurt her feelings, but stepping away had been the best thing he could have done. She should be thanking him for his responsible behavior and banishing her memories of those painfully erotic few minutes from her thoughts.

Instead, there was a distinct knot of anticipation in her belly at the thought of his return.

Rather than diminish, her excitement only became more pronounced as the day wore on. Indeed, she was so agitated that she’d decided to put aside her paints earlier than usual, worried she would ruin the painting she was working on because her entire body felt as if it were vibrating.

One positive effect of Lord Crewe’s long absence had been his daughter’s improved behavior while he was away. Celsa had not played cruel tricks or sneered and sniped at Aurelia for weeks.

Until today.

***

Aurelia slid a surreptitious gaze toward the girl who rode beside her. Celsa’s face was twisted into a scowl and her mind was clearly elsewhere. Indeed, she’d been in a foul mood since they’d met at the stables. It was unusual for the younger woman not to enjoy every single minute riding and Aurelia did not think it was a coincidence that Celsa’s mood had taken such a grim turn on the very day that his lordship was to return to Crewe.

As they rode through the village of Crewe, Aurelia silently prayed that Mary Neel did not come out to talk to them today.

They were almost past the inn, and Celsa was railing about something the Hatchet had said or done, when Mrs. Neel all but sprinted from the Sea Hag to greet them.