Chapter 1
“I cannot believe I am looking at you,” Jane said, her voice slightly breathless. “It still feels like a dream.”
Alistair pulled her closer, his hand firm against the whıte silk of her gown. “If it be a dream, Jane, then I pray I never wake. I have found my soul; I shall not permit the world to steal you from me.”
They were like a beautiful portrait, moving in perfect harmony.Every step they took under the light of a thousand crystals made them look less like reality and more likea shared dream.It feels like fairytale couple come to life. Every eye in the ballroom was filled with envy at the love so clearly visible between them. They memorized each other’s faces, tracing every line as if they feared the music would stop and they would vanish into nothingness.
“This ballroom is quite magnificent, Aunt,” a deep voice murmured unexpectedly.
“Oh, my dearest Caspian! I am finally at peace now that you are here,” the Duchess replied, pulling her nephew into a brief hug.
“My dear Aunt, how could I have missed my dear cousin engagement? They appear... remarkably well-suited,” Caspian said, grabbing a glass from a passing servant.
“So when did you arrive? Did you not say you would be here from the start?” she scolded.
Caspian smiled mischievously. ” I was not present at the commencement, you understand. I was looking for a certain lady, you see, I was unable to find her. Instead, a unknown lady who stopped me, and we engaged in conversation until I could finally make my way here.”
“Tell me, who might that lady be?” she asked him, her eyes narrowing with an curıous intent.
“I am at a loss “ he replied with a modest smıle.
“You should have come straight to me first to congratulate Jane,” she scolded.
“Of course, you are entirely right. What a rascal I have become,” Caspian said, while looking them “But they are dancing and dancing, and they simply could not be stopped.”
“So tell me, who was the woman?” she asked again.
“I really do not know. I am a charming young bachelor, as you can see. They are simply fond of talking to me,” he said, taking a sip of his drink.
“Not that certain woman, you mean?” she countered.
" Ah, her indeed. I am still looking for her,” he said, completely evading her question.
The Duchess caught her breath and shook her head. “And how is your father?”
" He is quite well,” he said.
“İs he?”
“He is in excellent spirits, indeed.“he corrected.
“And when exactly was he in this excellent spirits?” she asked skeptically.
Caspian took another sip. “Hmm, I cannot say with any certainty. Two months ago, I suppose—when he was yelling and throwing my things directly at my face, just as he pleases,” he said, smiling.
“What?” she gasped.
“Maybe three months? I am at a total loss. He keeps sending me letters about finding my soulmate, or something of the sort. He is getting old and poetic,” he added.
The Duchess sighed. “Ah, Caspian... two months? You cannot run from your father forever.”
“But I may certainly try,” Caspian replied with a reckless smile.
The Duchess sighed, her fan fluttering with annoyance. “Your father has sent me dozens of letters. He insists you remain under my roof until you have settled upon a suitable partner. And frankly, he is right.”
Caspian felt the familiar urge to run. This was a shadow he couldn’t escape. “This tiresome subject again, Aunt?”
“Do not ‘Aunt’ me, you rogue. You need to be married. Look at Jane; even she has secured her future. I confess, I feared the day might never come.” She took a slow sip of her wine, watching the crowd.
“Well, I believe most people are surprised,” Caspian said mischievously. “But you forget. I am still in the bloom of my youth and quite happy with my freedom.”
“Dear Lord... well, you will stay here until the marriage of your cousin is complete. I promised my brother you would find someone untıl that day.”
“If my aunt wants it, I shall find someone,” he said, his tone mocking but polite.
“You rascal! Away with you. You ought to be dancing. There are so many beautiful, marriageable girls,” she said, gesturing to the room.
Caspian smiled, preparing to refuse. He had no interest in the giggling debutantes. But then, his eyes caught of an emerald drees in the corner of the room.
Lady Amilia.
She was standing with a small group of girls, looking at nothing at all. As soon as he saw her, a cold flare of anger hit him. For two years, he had sent letters. For two years, she had given him nothing but silence. She had avoided him to the end, but here, she was trapped.
“Yes,” Caspian said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, dark tone. “I believe I shall.”
He walked toward her. He didn’t care about the couples dancing; he moved straight through them. Amilia didn’t even look up; she was staring at the floor, her desire to leave the party written in the stiff line of her shoulders.
Every girl in the room watched him. The Duke of Huntington was handsome, rich, and powerful, the ultimate prize. Even Amilia had been obsessed with him for seven years, a girl who had once followed him with her eyes. But he had never seen her with enthusiasm back then. They had shared wonderful, sharp conversations; she was smart and realistic, a woman who never compromised her virtues. He missed those discussions, even his male friends didn’t have her intelligence.
But he was a Duke, and in his arrogance, he had always seen himself as higher than her.
As he reached the group, the girls held their breath, waiting for his hand. But his hand went straight to Amilia. She didn’t understand who it was at first, but when she looked up and saw those eyes, her body froze.
She could not refuse. Not here. Not in front of the Ton. Without a word, she placed her hand in his, and he led her toward the center of the floor.
