Page 27 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

She and Jeremy nodded as she hurried from the room. Cora sat in one of the wingback chairs across from Jeremy’s seat. “We are both failures. Mother hoped for one marriage this year.”

Jeremy shrugged. “She wants our happiness more. We will find someone in our own time.”

What if Cora had already found the person her heart desired, but he decided to close himself off to love? She sighed, and Jeremy asked, “Is there someone else?”

Her eyes flew to her brother’s face. He studied her intently.

“Why would you ask that?”

“You seem sad, and I sense it has nothing to do with Bellamy.”

She wanted to confess that she’d fallen for his friend; someone who was older, more jaded, and not at all interested in her. Yet, Cora knew Jeremy would demand that Damion do the right thing by her. Cora didn’t want that.

Even if it wasn’t her, she hoped Damion would marry for love. All of society thought he was nursing a broken heart for his wife, but in truth he’d sealed his heart up so he wouldn’t be hurt again.

“Cora?” Jeremy prompted.

She forced herself to smile. “Not sad, but a little unsure what it means if I don’t wed Christopher. I’ve pretty much ignored any potential suitors the last three Seasons.”

Her reasoning for being unhappy wasn’t true, but it was better than confessing that her sadness had nothing to do with Christopher and everything to do with Damion, the Duke of Blythe.

“The right man will come along,” Jeremy reiterated confidently.

“How are you so sure? Plenty of our associates marry without love. Am I making the wrong decision?”

Her brother sighed. “I don’t know. It just seems like a bloody waste to tie yourself to someone without it. Maybe I’m a romantic because of Mother and Father. Bellamy is a good man, and I will happily support your choice of him if that is what you want. Still, there is no rush. You will always have a home with me.”

She reached over and squeezed his hand. “You are a good brother.”

Their mother burst back into the room. “Christopher has arrived. He will enter momentarily.”

Gone was the sadness that had emanated from their mother only moments ago. Her mother cherished their father dearly, and her grief came and went. Cora wanted to love someone that deeply and also be loved like that. The strongest realization that she couldn’t marry Christopher filled her. It wasn’t fair to her or him.

Cora wouldn’t tell him tonight but request he call on her during the day. They both deserved something more. Christoper entered the room beaming and greeted everyone. He made a grand show of bowing in front of her and placing a chaste kiss on her hand.

This evening, she would enjoy the opera and figure out the future tomorrow. Damion may not be an option, but there were plenty of lords she should be more open-minded about. They walked to the carriage, and she refused to acknowledge the pessimistic thought that none might ever compare to the Duke of Blythe.

She would forget him. Cora had to. She allowed Christopher to assist her into the carriage. Once she, Jeremy, and Christoper were settled, the vehicle headed towards the English Opera House. Her oldest friend launched into an explanation of his travels somewhere in France. Jeremy looked entirely too bored, but Cora forced herself to smile.

Ending things with Christopher was best for both of them. Cora wanted her friend to be with someone who was enthralled by him. She hoped a lady would look at him the way she stared at Damion. The thought made her slightly sad, but for once, in the last few days, optimism filled her. She was making the right choice for her and Christopher by declining his proposal.

***

Damion settled in his seat at the theater. He was in Harrington’s festive, packed box. The crowd around him laughed and drank champagne. He felt like an oddity among them and regretted agreeing to come.

Meredith stepped into the box dressed in a sparkling blue confection of a gown. She took a glass of champagne from Harrington and headed his way. “May I join you?”

“Of course.”

“I’m surprised to find you sitting here looking so sour,” she stated.

“I should have refused Harrington's invitation. I’m not enjoying any of this revelry tonight.”

His friend chuckled. “I’m sure. I expected to see a betrothal announcement based on how quickly you chased after Lady Cora at the Stanton Country Estate.”

Damion tugged at his cravat. “You misunderstood the situation.”

Meredith leaned closer to him. “You are being foolish, Damion. The two of you seem to share something special, even if you are both in denial.”