She supposes she will just have to be late to the fitting today. 

Entering the gardens with the duke walking at her side, the two of them come to rest on a nearby wooden bench. She couldn’t speak for her guest, but she personally didn’t have the mind to enjoy the sights or the scents of the blooming flowers around them. In fact, she is not prepared to be in a private space with him today at all.

Celeste decides this is all Marquess Fox’s fault.

It is easy to see the similarities between the marquess and his daughter, Isabel. They couldn’t have shared a more fitting name now that she is thinking of it. It took him this many weeks after the attack to come by to send his regards? Anyone can recognize that it is just an excuse. But what is he so interested to know?

Did he come to see how the Lane family is faring?

Or to judge for himself the person who will become the duke’s wife?

“What kind of person is Marquess Fox?” Celeste wonders aloud.

"I do not care for him."

Vague. 

"Then what is his relationship like with my father?" That seems to be a better question to satisfy her curiosity. 

“From what I can see, they do not get along that well.”

She gives him some time to further add to his words, but he doesn’t. Is that all he will share? Or is that all he is willing to share? Celeste ponders if men ever gossip. She couldn’t imagine her own father doing so, but she’s faintly disappointed to find the duke having the same tendencies as him. She already has a sense of what their marriage would be like. 

“The preparations must be quite difficult,” he says, successfully changing the topic.

She’s stiff beside him, back straight with her hands sitting on her lap. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve stopped by three times and all three times, you weren’t present.”

That is news to her. “No one notified me.”

“I instructed my knights not to.”

To be candid, there are many reasons why Celeste has qualms about the duke participating in the wedding planning. She did not want to be reminded of her own selfish request and she is also afraid he may change his mind. Simply being here now with him is enough to elicit the same emotions and doubts.

“Why have you been looking for me?” she asks.

“To see how you are managing.”

“That is kind of you.”

Silence settles between them again.

She is reluctant, but she forces herself to ask, “Have you had a change of heart, Your Grace?” 

“You can be rest assured. I truly did not come today because I have had second thoughts.”

Yet, why does his words do so little to comfort her? Celeste realizes there is still a great deal of time for that statement to change. She thought she would feel better with invitations sent out and with the preparations still ongoing, but she is still uneasy. Will she only be content after the ceremony takes place and their union becomes legally binding?

"I have to take my leave now if we wish to meet the deadline," she says. 

"I have more I want to say."

Celeste looks over to the duke, anxious to hear what it is. "Well?"

"Do you need to enter the town so often?"

“I do. I need to choose a gown and accessories, do fittings, think about decorations–,”

“Since His Majesty offered a hall in the palace for the wedding ceremony, he can attend to the decorations.”

“His Majesty?” That doesn’t sound likely at all.

Why would the kingdom's most important man do something like pick out decorations for a wedding that isn't even his?

"This all sounds too difficult. It will be one less matter for you to worry about.” He seemingly answers his initial question.

“But to rely on His Majesty, that’s a bit…,”

“I will tell him know myself.”

“And what about the refreshments?”

“His Majesty.”

Celeste is unable to tear her eyes off of the man next to her and she is now more certain. “I do not think you know much about wedding planning.”

“What is there to know?”

“Well, good question,” she chuckles. “I have never given marriage much thought and I regret not listening to the other noble ladies when it was a topic,” she says with a frown before recovering her smile for her next words, “but my mother is a great help and so are the people your wealth is paying.” 

He doesn’t laugh, but she knows he’s amused.

As if to share a secret, he leans closer. “We do not have to pay His Majesty.”

*** 

Watching Theo, she is reminded that he is quite easy to please.

After some reflection, she realizes she has either been surrounded by tightlipped men, like her father and the duke, or she has to deal with… someone like Gregory Smith.

Therefore, Theo is certainly a breath of fresh air. 

They arrived in town much later than expected, but her brother remains happy and a chatterbox. Quite different from how he has presented himself the last couple of days. He further surprised her when he shared some of his inputs during the fitting. And since he had been so patient, she will give him the freedom to choose as many desserts as his little heart desires at their next stop. 

Despite being greeted with a long line, the siblings are given a seat straightaway. While waiting for their orders, she ignores the looks from people who recognizes her and listens to Theo talk about how he has been spending his days and about his new hobby. One of ducal knights has been gracious enough to show him some sword training. She wouldn't have known at all with all of her focus being elsewhere.

“Did father and mother prepare you a sword, Theo?”

“No, the knight lent me his.”

“It must have been quite heavy for you.”

“It is amazing how large the swords are,” Theo answers with a grin. “We haven’t gotten to the point of sparring yet, but that will be a problem later on.”

In the middle of their conversation, the server sets the plates of desserts down in front of them. Before digging into his, Theo grows curious after one look at Celeste’s dessert.

“Sister, can I have yours instead?”

Her pink dessert covered in strawberries is apparently looking more appetizing than his chocolate one now that it is in front of him. Without a word, she replaces his plate with hers. His request is easy enough to fulfill. With delight, he picks up his fork and takes in a sizable bite.

“Are you not going to savor it, Theo?”

He shows a large smile before he even swallows. Two more bites follow before there is a quick change of expression flashing across his face. 

“It tastes a little strange…,” 

She enjoys her new chocolate dessert little by little. “You were fooled by how pretty it is–,”

“Ugh– it burns.” His face contorts and he clutches his stomach.

“Theo?”

Falling out of his seat and onto the floor, he painfully lands on all fours. Rushing to the ground in confusion, she reaches out for him. Taking hold of his face in her hands, she sees it covered in sweat and tears. The people around them also notice the ruckus and they get up from their chairs in concern. Yet, no one moves to do anything.  

“Theodore!"

“Sister, it hurts–,” a cough rips from his mouth and something thick splatters across the floor and onto her dress. The bright color red enters her vision and fear ripples viciously throughout her body.

All she can do is cradle him against her. “Oh God, Anne!”

What does she do? What should she do? He continues to mutter how painful it is and she can only hear her own voice shrieking the name of her maid over and over again. Anne enters first and with the knights following in from the outside.

Sliding to a stop, Anne freezes at the sight laying before her. What kind of mess did she walk into? 

“The carriage! Get the carriage!” Celeste shakily orders.

She rocks him, holding onto him tightly. “Theo, it is going to be okay. Help me get him outside." She couldn't fathom the amount of pain he is experiencing. 

The knights move quickly, one of them lifts Theo’s weakened body up into his arms. With Celeste sticking close by his side, they jump into the carriage. The young boy had stopped moaning by this point and had his eyes closed. She feels his hot cheeks beneath her hands and it only worsens her panic. 

“He is still breathing,” the knight reassures her. “We will make haste back to the manor.”

“No,” she holds onto Theo’s hand. “We must do something now."