Page 50 of Two Blessings For His Duchess
Nathaniel’s expression instantly shifted from confusion to seriousness. He took a half-step closer, his eyes scanning her face. “Did I do something inappropriate to you? Did I say something unseemly? If I did, I offer you my most sincere apologies. I was completely out of my senses with the fever. I swear to you, I remember absolutely nothing concrete. I know we talked, but I don’t recall what we talked about.”
He sighed. “Also, I must thank you. For taking care of me. You did not need to, but... it is appreciated.”
Euphemia’s eyes went incredibly wide. A violent rush of heat flooded her face, scorching her skin from her neck to her hairline. She was embarrassed to the very core of her being.
He did not remember. He truly, honestly had no recollection of the kiss that had kept her awake for the remaining hours of the night.
“Have a nice day, Your Grace,” she choked out before he could utter another agonizing apology.
She turned violently away from him, her hands clenching into tight fists by her sides as she stormed down the corridor. Her shoes clicked sharply against the floor, each step a blur of mortification. It was, without a doubt, the most humiliating thing that had ever happened to her in her entire life... and there were quite a number of humiliating things that had happened.
For him to completely forget an embrace that she had been holding so highly in her mind... an event she had spent the wholemorning agonizing over was a disaster. There was absolutely no coming back from this.
She couldn’t bear the thought of ever looking him in the face again. The moment she rounded the corner and escaped his line of sight, her composure shattered. Euphemia brought both of her hands up, entirely covering her burning face with her palms as she hurried toward the privacy of her own chambers.
“Why me?” she murmured frantically against her skin, her own voice sounding miserable to her ears. “Good heavens, why me? Why must I always be the one left entirely foolish?”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“You did not tell him about what happened with Lord Finch?” Seraphina whispered fiercely, leaning across the sofa.
“Effie, that is not something you can hide,” Leonora added immediately. “You should tell him. He is your husband.”
“Shh!” Euphemia hissed, frantically cutting them off with a sharp wave of her hand. She darted a panicked glance toward the far corner of the grand drawing room. “Now is not the time. Cordelia and Georgianna are right over there. They will hear you!”
“But what if he finds out from someone else?” Seraphina pushed on.
“Who would tell him?” Euphemia whispered. “We’re the only ones that know. I only told you both and Emily. It stays between is.”
Seraphina shook her head. “Well, don’t you think he should know what happened with Lord Finch —”
“Stop talking, Seraphina,” Euphemia snapped under her breath, her eyes widening in warning.
Her sisters had arrived earlier that morning, their carriage announcement throwing the household into a brief flurry of excitement. Euphemia had informed the twins of their arrival, and they had been excited all morning. They sat in the drawing room, the sunlight and the scent of fresh lilies filling the room.
The tension of the whispered conversation broke when Cordelia suddenly stood up from her small stool. The young girl walked straight over to Leonora, stopping right in front of her. She tilted her chin up, staring Leonora squarely in the face.
“Is it true that you used to be very quiet when you were a child, Lady Leonora?” Cordelia asked plainly.
Leonora’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Who exactly told you that?”
“Her Grace,” Cordelia replied with a proud nod, referencing Euphemia.
Leonora shot a quick look at Euphemia before offering the girl a wry, gentle smile. “Well, that was a very long time ago, my dear. I am not nearly as introverted now.”
Euphemia couldn’t help but let out a soft scoff, a playful smile breaking through her lingering anxiety. “You are still entirely an introvert, Leo. You shouldn’t try to deceive the poor child.”
“I am nothing of the sort anymore!” Leonora argued defensively, straightening her posture. “I have made a few friends in the Mayfair this past season, and I even attended two separate tea gatherings without hiding in the conservatory. I am practically a social butterfly.”
“Attending a gathering and actually speaking to the guests are two entirely different matters,” Euphemia teased.
“How would you know? You’ve been here,” Leonora retorted.
“I know you like the back of my hand,” she answered.
“Well, making one or two friends is a monumental achievement for me, I’ll have you know,” Leonora muttered, though a reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
“There is absolutely no harm in it,” Euphemia laughed softly, shaking her head. “But a butterfly you are not, dearest. You are still our quiet Leo.”
