Page 72 of To Steal a Duchess

“It took some time, believe me.” Eloise hugged her before turning to Gideon, whose congratulations had been delivered by Dorian.

He embraced Eloise first. “Thank you for celebrating with us, Eloise; it means the world.”

“I would not have missed it for anything,” she promised, pulling back. “But if you hurt my friend, if even one piece of her heart bruises⁠—”

“You will have Dorian come after me, I know.”

“Oh, no,” Eloise giggled. “I will come after you myself.”

Gideon looked mildly threatened, but they all took their seats, smiling, and Dorian seemed to relax when he was not focused on just being around her. That stung a little, but she knew something was going on and she had to give him time to speak about it.

After the wedding breakfast, Gideon pulled Dorian away, teasingly urging Nancy into his place to ‘keep the wives company,’ while he took Dorian over to speak with a group of gentlemen.

“The thing about Gideon and I,” Nancy said, nodding at where her husband was mingling, “is that we are both popular in our respective societal ways. So, we have many guests to get through, and he will be quite the man of the hour with lords to congratulate him.” She blushed a little. “I know of Gideon’s reputation before he proposed to me, so people will ask questions.”

Eloise thought of the questions people asked about her own marriage. “And that does not worry you?”

“I have nothing to be worried about,” Nancy told her. “In a sea of other beautiful ladies, he chose me to spend his life with. He chose to walk away from that lifestyle, and I never once asked him to. He made the decision alone.”

“Do you ever wonder why you?” Eloise asked.

“I do not have to.” Nancy’s eyes were soft. “I see how he looks at me, and I do not have to question.”

At that, Eloise pulled her friend into an embrace, almost welling up. She wished she had such assurance, such affection, in her own marriage. She had thought they were getting closer to that, but now Dorian had pushed her away a little again.

As she pulled back, she noticed, across the room, Dorian’s shoulder being tapped by a red-haired woman.

“Who is that?” Eloise asked, her voice sharp before she could compose herself.

“That is Lady Olivia.” Nancy followed her gaze. Together, they frowned when Lady Olivia leaned in close. “Her mother and my mother are friends, so I was asked to invite the family.”

“Is she being courted by anyone?” Eloise hated how envy slipped into her voice.

“Not that I am aware of. Enough men see her pretty face, but apparently she is rather demanding. Her mother’s influence, of course.”

Lady Olivia sidled closer, fanning herself as she fluttered her lashes at Dorian, and Eloise bristled. But Dorian wasn’t actually answering her advances. Nor, though, did he look to Eloise or even Gideon to make an escape.

“Does she know my husband?” Eloise asked quietly, hating how weak she sounded.

“I am uncertain,” Nancy told her, her voice filled with regret. “But come. Please, do not worry. Dorian is loyal, and see? He is not reciprocating. Have faith, Eloise.”

She could only be jealous, though, especially when Dorian had seemingly been putting up a wall between himself and Eloise, even after promising not to.

For the remainder of the celebration, Dorian barely spoke to her, too busy being pulled into conversations, so Eloise let herself do the same, embracing her role as the Duchess of Oldcliff.

Upon returning to their townhouse, Eloise immediately went up to her room, where a footman was standing guard outside.

Dorian was following behind at a slower pace, so she took the brief moment to sit next to her puppy and bury her face in his fur, trying to unwind herself from the hurt of the day.

“Mr. Forster says he has been doing well today.” Dorian’s voice came from her doorway, but she didn’t look back at him.

“Of course he has,” she said. “He is a quick learner and healed well. As you said, he is strong.”

Pickle didn’t even stir as she pulled back, finally letting herself look back at Dorian.

He stared back at her as if he knew he had delayed enough. “Come with me to my room, Eloise.”

She followed him without hesitation. As soon as she closed the door behind her, he exhaled, leaning back on his desk.