fiance chapter 13

He regarded her for a moment before finally recounting the events of that night, his demeanor suggesting he was bestowing a great favor. His tone shifted back to its previous imperiousness. “I had an appointment. I was waiting for someone in the small drawing-room on the third floor when you suddenly burst in. You seemed quite startled to see me, and I assumed you would simply close the door and leave. Yet, even after realizing I was alone in the room, you came in.”

Sophia blushed. She could vividly picture herself stumbling drunkenly into the room, and the duke’s bewildered expression as he watched her.

Unfazed by her embarrassment, the duke continued. “As I said, I had an appointment, so I politely asked you to leave, offering to escort you to your destination if you wished. However, you lost your balance, collapsed into my arms, and remained motionless for a long while before finally uttering one phrase.”

“….”

“‘You smell nice.’” The duke chuckled, making Sophia want to close her eyes and disappear.

“And then you simply wouldn’t let go. You clung tightly to my arm and asked what cologne I was wearing. When I said I wasn’t wearing any, you begged me to tell you, promising not to tell a soul. Even when I offered the name of a random cologne, you still wouldn’t release me. You insisted you knew that scent and it wasn’t anything like what I’d suggested. Then, you suddenly teared up, demanding to know if I was ignoring you. ‘Why are you treating me like a child who doesn’t know anything about cologne?’ you cried. Then you declared, ‘Just because I’m not married doesn’t mean I’m a child.’ ‘I could have gotten married anytime I wanted.’ ‘Not marrying Samuel was my choice. I didn’t foolishly let him slip away.’”

The duke recounted everything in a soft, conversational tone, as if revealing a delightful anecdote. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Sophia covered her face with her hands and cried out, “Alright, please stop!” Mortification washed over her.

Good heavens. She was insane. Utterly insane. How could she have said such things, even while drunk?

She could no longer accuse the duke of lying. He had mentioned Sophia’s refusal of Samuel, the eldest son of Marquis Sandel’s, marriage proposal—something only her mother, Samuel, and she knew. Even Solid, her closest friend and now Samuel’s fiancée, was unaware of this. How could the duke possibly know?

Sophia recalled her mother, the Countess, nagging her that very morning of the ball. “Please, stop being so indecisive and give your suitors a chance. Unless you want to lose Sandel like you’ve lost others! I know you want to enjoy your youth, but it’s time to grow up!”

Two years into her social debut, her mother was growing impatient. But Sophia was confident. She always had a string of suitors, and she craved adventure, not settling down. It wasn’t a burning love she longed for, but rather freedom from the constraints of marriage. She reveled in the social whirl, captivated by the art of conversation and the thrill of witty banter. Of course, no one had yet captivated her enough to abandon these pleasures.

The conflict between a young lady wanting to postpone marriage and her anxious mother was common enough, and wouldn’t have been so embarrassing if revealed. The real issue was the lingering feelings she’d harbored for Marquis Sandel. She’d convinced herself she’d moved on, telling herself it was unthinkable to have such feelings for her best friend’s fiancé. Clearly, some small ember had remained.

Sophia rubbed her flushed face and, with an effort, lifted her chin, regaining her composure. “Thank you for the…thorough explanation. I think I understand what happened.” She must have poured out her confused feelings about Solid’s engagement to this devastatingly handsome man. “I apologize for my dreadful behavior.”

“Apology accepted, my lady.” The duke bowed theatrically, every movement imbued with effortless grace. Sophia struggled to maintain her dignity amidst the overwhelming embarrassment.

“I didn’t have feelings for Samuel Sandel. I was simply spouting nonsense because of an argument with my mother that morning. And to be honest, the confession I made that night…wasn’t genuine. It was just a mix of feminine confusion and intoxication…”

“Sophie. Do you believe in love?”