The wrong Valemont brother

CHAPTER 5

CRESSIDA’S POV

A few days had passed since my coming-of-age ball. Now, I was getting ready for dinner at the Valemonts.

“You look like a goddess, my lady,” Margaret squealed as she did one final check on my fit.

A purple silk gown, pearl jewelry and white gloves. Perfect clothing for the evening if you asked me.

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“I cannot wait to see how breathtaking you will look in your wedding.” She continued.

“Me too.” I tried to sound excited even though I clearly was not. This whole wedding thing was slowly becoming tiring, everyone kept talking about it.

“My lady, have you considered how many children you want to have?”

“When you get married.” Margaret continued.

“I haven’t given that much thought.”

“You should.” She lowered her voice. “You must have many children.”

“Very well.” I nodded.

I understood her point. My parents had only me, and it was believed that it was because they didn’t have kids early.

“I’ll let your parents know you’re ready, lady Valemont.”

“Hey!” My face turned red. “Don’t call me that yet.”

“You are already lady Valemont,” she pointed out. “Everybody knows that.”

This was simply her trying to tease me, but it ended up as another bitter reminder that I was really getting married, in a month.

Luna was assigned to accompany me for the evening. She was Margaret’s daughter.

The ride to the Valemont estate was long and I was nervous. It wasn’t my first time visiting, but this time felt different. I was about to become a part of their family.

“It’s just dinner.” I mumbled to myself. “There is no reason to be nervous.”

I was able to remain calm, until I suddenly thought of Lord Lucien.

I wondered if he would be having dinner with us too.

“Stop it Cressida.” I snapped at myself, annoyed that I even entertained the thought of him for a second.

When we arrived, Lord Sebastian was waiting outside, to escort me in as it was required.

“Welcome my lady.” He offered me a hand.

“Hi.” I smiled.

“Did you have a nice ride?”

“I did.” I nodded.

“Then why do you look pale?” He stopped walking to have a closer look at me.

“I’m just a bit nervous.” I admitted.

“Nervous?” He chuckled. “It’s not your first time having dinner with us.”

“Yes. But it will be the last, before I officially join the family.” I explained.

“Oh.”

We stopped in front of the large wooden doors and Lord Sebastian turned to me.

“Alright my lady, breathe.” He took a deep breath.

I did the same, and it helped ease me a bit.

When we got inside, everyone else was seated for dinner. Duke and duchess Valemont, along with lady Katherine, Lord Sebastian’s cousin.

The first thing I noticed was Lord Lucien’s absence. To my surprise, it was my biggest relief of the evening.

“Your Grace.” I curtsied to his parents, and I could hear Katherine chuckle.

“No need to be so formal, Cressida.” Duchess Valemont chuckled.

“Oh.” I straightened myself. “My apologies, Duchess.”

“Please.” She waved me off. “Call me mother.”

“Yes, mother.” I smiled.

“Sit.” Lord Sebastian pulled out a dining chair for me.

We had small talks while eating, most of which concerned marriage preparations and all.

It wasn’t very boring with the duchess. Unlike my mother who just talked nonstop, she did more of the listening. It would have been tragic if they were both the same.

Lord Lucien suddenly walked inside, about thirty minutes into the dinner, and there I was thinking he was not going to show up.

Our eyes met as he walked towards us and neither of us looked away immediately.

Conversations resumed after Lord Lucien was seated. Again, all of it revolved around the fact that I was finally getting married.

It felt a bit strange though, having everyone else discuss my future while I felt lost in all of it.

They all had a contribution to make, except Lord Lucien who remained quiet.

“Lucien.” The duchess called.

He lifted his head to meet her gaze.

“When do you plan to settle down?”

“I don’t plan to.” He replied dryly.

She laughed at this comment, everyone else did, but not me.

I suddenly recalled Violetta’s warning at the ball.

*Getting married can be complicated sometimes*

I let out a sigh and reached out for the tomato sauce, but my hands ended up brushing against Lord Lucien’s. I quickly drew my hand back, not daring to look his direction.

I did my best to make sure our eyes never met, but that effort didn’t even last me two minutes. Our eyes accidentally met, I didn’t look away. I saw no reason to. It wasn’t like I did anything wrong.

His lips curved slightly and my eyes almost popped. Was that a smile?

I blinked but it was gone, replaced by his usual grim expression.

Did he really smile? Or was I just imagining it.

I excused myself to use the restroom. Katherine insisted on accompanying me even when I knew my way around the house, in her defense, she needed fresh air.

So while I made my way to the restroom, she went to the wine cellar.

I heard voices coming from the room by the corner when I was returning from the restroom.

I wanted to ignore and mind my business as a noble lady should not be known for gossips, but it was impossible to not get curious.

I walked over and tried to listen.

“You were told to never come back…”

That voice belonged to the Duke. What was going on?

I pressed my ears closer to the door.

“Yet, here I am.”

Was that…

“Lord Lucien?” I gasped.

“Your return will ruin everything.” Duke Valemont continued. “You are well aware of that.”

What was going on? Did Lord Lucien have a reason to return?

What had happened between Lord Lucien and his father to make his return such a threat?

I had a million questions that were left unanswered, but they all came down to one thing.

The Valemonts were hiding something.

Something big.