[Celia's POV]
The duke came to stand in front of her. She clenched her free hand, which now felt clammy while her other hand clutched onto Lucian's elbow tightly.
"I am glad that you came, Miss Heart," he murmured. His gaze flickered to her neck, and Celia felt something clench in her gut. She lowered her gaze.
"Your Highness, thank you for inviting us today," Lucian replied, saving Celia from blabbering out. She glanced at her companion, who was shooting daggers at the duke and if Celia hadn't known, she would be scandalised.
"It's my pleasure. Please come," the duke said, gesturing in the direction of the grand hall. Celia glanced at Lucian before her gaze flickered back to the duke. It looked like Lucian was about to say more but there was another presence.
"Ah there you are, Your Highness," the sultry tone of the woman came from behind the duke.
Celia's gaze darted towards the newcomer, and she could only watch her in awe as she approached them. Once she had joined them, she wrapped a possessive arm around the duke. Celia managed to tear her gaze away and look at the duke.
"Won't you introduce me, my lord?" She asked, making the question lighter with a sensual smile. The woman was dressed in a provocative red dress, but somehow it did not make her look vulgar but sensual, accentuating her curves. Her hair was tastefully arranged at the nape, a few ringlets caressing her shoulder. Unlike Celia, she wore ruby earrings and had painted her lips in red. Her pale complexion looked striking against her attire, and looking at her made Celia want to return to Lucian's house.
"This is lady Kayla Burton, my betrothed." The duke's voice sounded lackluster instead of enthusiastic. One glance at Lucian told Celia that he was not unaware. However, Celia remembered her manners and curtsied.
"Pleased to meet you, lady Burton," she said.
"Oh, nice to meet you, Miss-" Lady Burton said lacking any politeness.
"Heart."
"Wilson"
Celia's eyes widened when both the brothers answered in unison but gave out different surnames. Her gaze flickered to Lady Burton's who now seemed both intrigued and a tad bit annoyed.
"You seem to be familiar with both of them, I see," Lady Burton said, not hiding her contempt. Celia felt herself blush.
However, she was saved from answering as Lucian said, "Can we go inside? I don't think my companion likes being outside as the wind is picking up."
"Certainly," Lady Burton said with a defiant jerk of her chin.
The duke, who had been quiet until now seemed to be spurred by this and finally led them inside. He was swept in by other guests as soon as he re-entered the hall, and with him went Lady Burton.
Celia sighed in relief but then she gasped when she heard a chuckle. She looked up at Lucian, who was already looking back at her in amusement. "They are a bit too much to tolerate, aren't they?"
Celia shook her head. "No… they are alright… I am just overwhelmed." She gave a weak smile when he did not look convinced at all. She decided to concentrate on the grandeur inside. Everyone was so finely dressed, and the decoration was so rich and beautifully done, and there was so much light and brightness inside that Celia was having a hard time imagining that she had visited this place when it was drowned in semi-darkness.
That reminded her…
Were the duke's wounds okay? But then again, he must be okay otherwise why would he visit her the other day or hold a Ball this evening?
"My lord, a word," Celia's thoughts were interrupted by Artemis. She looked at Lucian and then at Artemis. The former looked miffed for being called away, but finally, when the butler did not budge, he nodded.
"Will you be okay?" Lucian asked before leaving.
"I will be fine, my lord," Celia replied with a small smile. He nodded, looking slightly worried before following Artemis.
Having been left to her own devices, Celia decided to walk around and take in this evening. She wanted to drink in every part of the evening because who knew if she would ever be invited to something like this again? She wanted to speak to the finely dressed women, to participate with them in their laughter but she knew she wouldn't be welcomed.
From afar, she watched as mothers of unmarried girls fluttered around to establish connections for their daughters and wondered if her mother would do the same if she was still with her.
Her thoughts were cut short again when the musicians began playing. Everyone vacated the middle of the ballroom and then the duke and his betrothed began the evening's first dance. They looked so ethereal together. Celia could see why she would be his betrothed because the two made for a beautiful and powerful pair.
She was enjoying the view as other couples also began joining, however, her gaze fell on a figure on the opposite end of the room.
'Mrs. Jonathan?' She thought and to her astonishment, the older woman was staring directly at her! Celia looked behind and around her to see if she was right and came to the conclusion that she was.
The older woman stood in the shadowy part but Celia could see her pale face and blank expression. Intrigued, she walked around the room, making sure to not disturb the dancers, but as she neared the spot where Mrs. Jonathan stood, she saw the older woman moving, walking further away from her.
She almost shouted the older woman's name but checked herself in time. However, she decided to follow her. The woman walked silently ahead of her, not too far away, but far enough that she could not touch her. Celia looked back at the well-lit hall and then at the dark hallway. She hesitantly followed the woman because she wanted to ask her questions and make sure that she wasn't the one who had issues with her memory.
However, she also realized that she was moving further away, and in the back of her mind, she knew that this was wrong. What if she got lost?
Her thoughts were brought to a screeching halt when she heard the duke's voice from behind. "Where do you think you are wandering, Miss Heart?"
Celia whirled around with a stuttering excuse at the tip of her tongue, but before she could utter anything, she was pushed back to the nearest wall and pinned against it by a heavyweight.
And it took her some time to process that it was the duke, Vladimir Mercei pinning her against the wall.