The wrong Valemont brother

CHAPTER 2

CRESSIDA’S POV

I turned towards the entrance and watched as a man stepped inside.

He was tall and bore a striking resemblance to Lord Sebastian, though he was clearly the older of the two.

Lord Lucien walked across the room to where we stood.

He was impeccably dressed and carried himself with confidence. One would think he had never been away at all.

“Father.” He greeted Duke Valemont with a small nod, but the latter’s reply was rather cold.

The expressions around me were unusual, and I couldn't help but grow curious.

Lord Lucien had been away for a very long time, yet his return did not seem to excite anyone.

“You might have informed us of your arrival.” Duke Valemont finally said.

“Would you have welcomed me differently?”

I watched the two men with my brows furrowed.

There was clearly conflict between them, but I couldn’t make any sense out of it, and that bothered me.

“Brother!” Lord Sebastian approached Lord Lucien with a smile.

Well, at least someone was pleased to see him.

“I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Hmm.” Lord Lucien murmured, just before his gaze landed on me.

I quickly looked away, pretending to fix a loose button on my dress.

A few seconds later, they were both walking towards me.

“Cressida, this is my brother.”

“Lord Lucien.” I curtsied.

He inclined his head. “Lady Cressida.”

There was a pause after this.

I waited for him to congratulate me on my engagement, or perhaps say something that would at least ease this awkwardness between us, but he did neither.

His gaze remained on me, like he was trying to pry into my soul.

“So you’re the one.”

“The one?” I looked confused.

He didn’t say anything to this, just the stare that was starting to feel rude.

“Don’t pay attention to him.” Lord Sebastian laughed it off. “He has forgotten how to speak to people.”

“Have I?” Lord Lucien turned and walked away without another word.

Did he just…

Wow. This guy must think the whole world revolves around him, who does he think he is?

I exhaled deeply, trying to calm the irritation threatening to boil over.

“What does he mean?” I turned to Lord Sebastian.

His answer was vague. “Lucien rarely means what he says.”

“Then why say anything at all?” I frowned.

“I have been asking him that since I was ten.” He smiled.

I could not help but chuckle. Lord Sebastian surely knew how to lighten the mood

“Sebastian.” A voice rang sweetly.

Sebastian? My eyes almost popped out as I quickly turned to see who had called.

A beautifully dressed young lady approached us with a broad smile.

“Rosalind.”

“It’s good to see you.” Her smile didn’t falter.

“Yes, you too.” Lord Sebastian smiled back.

I watched as they exchanged pleasantries.

They seemed really close, she even addressed him with just his name.

“I’d like you to meet someone.” Lord Sebastian pulled me forward. “This is Cressida, my fiancée.”

“Oh.” Rosalind smiled, pulling me into an embrace. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“Same here.” I forced a smile as we broke from the hug.

I didn't know Rosalind, yet she stood beside Sebastian with a familiarity that made me feel strangely out of place and uneasy.

They easily fell into conversation, casually bringing up memories from their past.

I wasn’t sure if I was being paranoid or Rosalind was doing it deliberately to make me feel out of place. Either way, it was working.

I left them to get a drink. My eyes locked with Lord Lucien’s as soon as I turned.

I blinked to be sure I wasn’t imagining things, but his gaze was still fixed on me.

He should have looked away when our eyes met, but he didn’t.

I was the first to look away, suddenly feeling flustered and more uncomfortable than I cared to admit.

Well, no one would be comfortable with their soon-to-be brother-in-law giving them such deeply unsettling looks.

I walked over to where Violetta stood, nodding her head to the violins.

“Why aren’t you dancing?” I asked. Her entire body was itching for it.

“Hey.” She pouted. “Are you making fun of me?”

“Sorry.” I chuckled. “I forgot you’re a terrible dancer.”

“I’m not terrible,” she argued. “Just not very talented in that aspect.”

“Agreed.” I laughed, and somehow my eyes met with Lord Lucien’s again.

“Your Lord Lucien is a strange man.” I said.

Violetta glanced across the room to where Lord Lucien was.

“He’s not my Lord Lucien,” she corrected.

“No?” I raised a brow. “You were literally drooling when he came in.”

“Please.” She waved me off. “I have no intention of claiming him.”

“Hmm.”

“And neither should you,” she added in a serious tone.

I laughed at this, because I found it genuinely amusing. “He’s my fiancé’s brother.”

“Precisely.”

“Hey.” I pulled her closer. “You know you shouldn’t joke about things like that, right? Someone might hear you.”

“I wasn’t joking. I just want you to be careful,” she explained.

“Getting married can be complicated sometimes.”

“Is that why you’ve sworn yourself to be single forever?” I whispered.

“Hey!” Her eyes shot open. “Don’t say such things in public.”

“But it’s no secret.” I pointed out. “You’ve managed to keep all eligible suitors away, and your parents are on the verge of selling you off.”

“That’s not true,” she argued. “And why are you even making this about me?”

“You started it.” I shrugged.

“Wait here. I'll find us somewhere to hide until it's all over.”

“What?” I laughed. “You do realise that this is my ball right?”

“I don't care.” She lifted her dress. “Let's just get away from all the noise.”

“Okay.” I nodded and watched as she made her way out.

I let out a sigh, looking in Lord Sebastian's direction. He was still deeply immersed in his conversation with Rosalind.

I sighed again, just as a servant approached me.

“My lady,” she bowed. “Lord Lucien wishes to speak to you.”

“What?” my eyes narrowed.

I scanned the room and noticed he wasn't anywhere around.

Why did he suddenly want to speak to me after being all snobbish from the second he arrived?

I was confused, and a lot of possibilities raced through my mind. Perhaps this was a setup.

But then again, I was curious to know what he wanted to say to me that required us being by ourselves.

“Where?” I asked.