Huh? Love? From where did this come? The Duke of Wytchwood was really out here talking to his fiancee about love.
“What the…?”
“I mean, we were engaged before we even entered school, it’s not strange to have people assume I love you. They must assume there is affection between us. Why not let them suspect its love?”
All the fervent joy that built up inside her disappeared with his flippant words. The Duke was a diplomat above all else. It would do well for the Elite to think them a love match although they were little more than friends.
Giuliana pulled her hands away from him and smoothed out the errant ruffles of her skirt. “I’ll remember that,” she answered.
Alastair’s brows drew together, “Did I misspeak?”
“No. What you said makes sense with a potential madwoman running around.” She wanted to say more, but the words wouldn’t come out. She died without him knowing her feelings and still lacked the courage to make it known. A one-sided loved used to satisfy her.
“I see.” But he didn’t. And she didn’t know how to explain it.
“There you are!” Lecia cried out, rushing onto the balcony. She skidded to a halt behind Giuliana. “We have a problem.”
“I know,” returned Giuliana. “Her name is Adella Dunstan.”
“Somehow, she has turned the night on Giuliana.”
The Duke’s tone was icy. “What do you mean?”
“Though the people seemed to be on Giuliana’s side at first, they have started to support Ms. Dunstan instead.”
Giuliana lifted a shoulder. “It’s as expected.” Her life had just restarted, and the brat was already a star.
“It is not. What does she have that you do not?” Lecia bit back, fair brows twisted into a scowl. “You are the rightful daughter of an earl and the future bride of the Duke. She is nothing but a cute face.” She tapped Alastair’s arm with her fan. “What is your opinion?”
“It’s too early to tell.”
“He’s right. It’s been hours.” Giuliana turned away from them. “There’s nothing to do yet. If we react it makes it the gossip look like truth. If she wants to paint me a villainess, let her. It will not change anything.”
Giuliana accepted, without a shred of doubt, that innocent Adella was responsible for her death. The last memory she had was of the sweet-faced girl bent over her prostrate form. ‘This is what you deserve. I’ll take care of the Duke.’
All of that for a man? Even though Giuliana loved him with all her heart, would she kill to get his love? No, probably not. If he had ever broken the engagement, she would have just gone to the country. What was the use of pining over a man who didn’t want you? Or even murdering for him.
Even recalling Adella’s last words to her, she didn’t think the girl poisoned her just for the Duke. Perhaps there was more to it? Before, her social circle extended to a few. Mainly the ones standing before her. If she wanted to know what happened around the Capital, she’d need more friends. She might have to do things she considered despicable.
“Lecia, send me an invitation to your next tea party.”
“Really? Are you certain? You hate my friends.”
“Because they are asinine. I distrust Ms. Dunstan, so I should make myself more present in society.”
“Yes, that might be beneficial. And let the Elite see us together more often.” Alastair decided, hand reaching out to push a stray curl off her neck. His fiancee leaned away from him.
“I don’t find that necessary.”
Lecia looked between them. Something or someone dampened their companionable mood from earlier. Knowing them as she did, she surmised the Duke said something foolish.
“Not necessary?”
“It will only fuel her madness. We should act as we always do and keep a distance between us.”
“No.”
Giuliana blinked her eyes at him. “Excuse me? That is not something you can refuse.”
“I told you earlier that I will spoil you more. I think seeing us show a friendly relationship will dampen her madness.”
“How?”
“She is under the impression our engagement is political.”
“It is.”
Lecia felt keenly as if she was intruding. But did not leave. Just how was Alastair going to explain this. “Ah!” She said with a cheerful tone. “She doesn’t know.”
The Duke shot her a warning look. “Do not say another word, Lecia.”
“Honestly, Alastair, it’s been years!”
Giuliana glanced between them. She didn’t know what she was supposed to know. To be frank, the night tore her nevres to shreds. She couldn’t stop reflecting about the villainess and the heroine. Did Adella really feel the Duke was for her? A man she had never met? Prophecies were not the thing in Etria. So, where did this woman get this strange idea?
A villainess wouldn’t have distance with a wealthy fiance. She’d be at his side at every jointure, making each and every attempt to belittle the heroine and keep the hero from her clutches. Hmm. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to keep him close and look down her nose at those who hated their engagement.
She had promised to be more selfish and her annoyance at her cowardice and his flippancy had steered her from that path.
The pair had devolved into grunts, and unintelligible muttering while she stayed lost in reflection. Giuliana cleared her throat. “I was hasty in my words, Your Grace.” She fiddled with a brooch on her bodice. “We should be more like a couple instead of strangers. We are engaged.”
The tips of the Duke’s ears reddened, and he sputtered out a reply she did not register. Perhaps later on she’d be able to tell him she loved him. “We’re unused to each other’s touch, so we must fix that somehow.”
“Oh, that’s easy,” interjected Lecia. “Just go for it! Sometimes the Duke looks at you and he looks as if he wants to gobble you up.”
Shaking her head, Giuliana rolled her eyes. “That’s absurd of you to say. You dishonour the Duke to make such claims.” She glanced up at Alastair as the stirrings of strings filtered from the ballroom. “The dancing has started.”
He nodded once and held out a hand to her. “May I have this dance, Liana?”
She accepted his escort, and they left Lecia on the balcony. She huffed at the Duke’s retreating back. It was similar to pulling teeth to get these dense fools to realize their feelings. Though, perhaps, she could help matters move along with the arrival of the blasted child. Adella Dunstan might be of help to us after all.
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