The Brooding Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (Regency Expedient Marriages Book 3) by Sheldon Dorothy

Author:Sheldon, Dorothy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

It felt as if the entire world around him had just grown darker. The colours that had once appeared vibrant were dull and lifeless, the voices of others nothing but a drone in Russell’s ears. He hardly existed in this moment, so out of it that Lucas had to question whether he was all right several times throughout the night.

The truth was obvious, even though Russell’s answer was always the same. When asked, he was perfectly fine, only feeling a bit tired. But deep down, it felt as if every nerve in his body was crying out in pain, as if his heart had been torn into a million pieces and now laid littered in the pit of his stomach. Had it not been for the fact that his mother was the hostess of this evening’s ball, Russell would have left a long time ago. But because he knew that his presence would be missed, he stayed—and suffered.

He supposed it would be foolish to hope that Caroline would leave instead. This party was for them both, after all. Her absence would be just as noticeable as his would be.

But Russell could not bear to watch her stand across the room from him any longer. She was always within sight, as if she wanted to taunt him by being so close yet forever out of reach. She remained glued to Miss Lydia’s side and engaged every person who approached them with a smile and her utmost attention. While he wallowed and sulked in the corner of the room, Caroline seemed utterly unbothered by the conversation they’d had in the garden.

Clearly, I am the only one affected by this, he thought glumly. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not take his eyes off her. For his own sake, he wanted to distract himself. Yet he remained in place and tortured himself with her presence instead.

He was such horrible company that, after a while, even Lucas no longer attempted to stay by his side. He left Russell to dance a few sets with Miss Lydia and a few other ladies and as the night began to come to an end, he came back to Russell to inquire about his well-being. Of course, Russell gave him the same answer he always did: he was fine. Of course, Lucas did not believe him.

But the night ended soon enough. Cora found him and dragged him to the entrance of the ballroom so that they could say their goodbyes to the departing guests. Russell left her to it, his heart thundering in his ears as Caroline and her father inevitably grew closer.

“A magnificent ball, Your Grace,” Lord Brading complimented. “Perhaps I should leave the task of planning these events between our families in your capable hands in the future.”

Cora laughed. “Oh, that would make me quite happy. I rarely have much to do these days, I fear. But I wouldn’t want to take the opportunity away from Lady Caroline.”

Russell’s eyes burned into Caroline. She ignored him, giving his mother a tight, polite smile.

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