Fated Eclipse: The Illegitimate Princess And Her Alpha Suitors

Chapter 67: Sisters, Trinkets, and Questionable Propriety

The courtyard, which had only moments ago been held in a rigid hush beneath the weight of scrutiny and judgment, now stirred with renewed life. Conversations rose in gentle waves, polite laughter threaded through the air, and the quiet clink of porcelain accompanied the movement of servants who glided effortlessly among the assembled nobles.

At the far end, the refreshment tables stood in elegant arrangement, laden with delicacies both sweet and savory—miniature tarts filled with fruit preserves, sugared confections shaped like blossoms, and neatly arranged finger sandwiches that spoke of refinement in both preparation and presentation.

It was toward these tables that Duke Evander Valenridge of Blackmere made his way.

He selected a small pastry with the same air one might employ when retrieving a misplaced glove, unconcerned if anyone observed him.

Which, of course, they did.

Several pairs of eyes followed him, some curious, others cautious.

The Duke, however, appeared wholly indifferent.

He bit into the pastry, chewing thoughtfully, when a figure approached him with measured steps.

”Your Grace.”

The Duke did not turn immediately.

Instead, he finished his bite, swallowed, and then glanced sideways at the speaker.

”Earl Hawthorne,” he said.

The Earl blinked in shock.

”I—yes, Your Grace. I had hoped to introduce myself, but—”

The Duke waved a hand lightly, dismissing the effort with casual ease.

”I know who you are.”

”I am not particularly fond of formalities,” the Duke added, selecting another pastry. ”You may speak freely.”

Earl Hawthorne hesitated.

It was not often that one was granted such liberties so abruptly—particularly by a man of the Duke’s standing.

”Are you quite certain, Your Grace?” he asked cautiously.

He had observed the Duke earlier.

He had listened to the manner in which he addressed the King and Queen. It had given the impression of a man who understood propriety intimately and one who did not take it lightly.

And yet... he was insisting he did not care for formalities.

”I am,” the Duke replied simply.

He glanced at the Earl then, one brow lifting faintly.

”Is there something you wished to say, or did you approach me merely to confirm that I am indeed capable of forming sentences?”

The Earl flushed faintly.

”No, Your Grace—I mean—yes. I wished to speak with you.”

The Duke nodded once.

”Then do so.”

The Earl took a small breath, steadying himself.

”I only thought... that we might have something in common.”

The Duke tilted his head.

”Oh?”

”We both have sisters,” the Earl said.

The Duke regarded him for a moment, then shrugged lightly.

”That is hardly a rare condition.”

The Earl gave a small, somewhat awkward smile.

”Yes, of course. It is only that... very little is known about you, Your Grace. I did not realize you had a sister.”

The Duke’s expression shifted—just slightly.

”It is not a secret,” he said.

He took another bite of his pastry, chewing before continuing.

”My sister’s wedding was rather well attended.”

Then, as if something had just occurred to him, his eyes widened a fraction.

”Ah.” He swallowed. ”You were away at war.”

The Earl nodded.

”I was.”

The Duke inclined his head.

”My apologies,” he said. ”I assumed you would have known.”

”It is quite all right.”

A brief silence followed.

Then the Duke spoke again.

”Though I suppose,” he added thoughtfully, ”you have considerably more experience in the matter.”

The Earl blinked.

”I beg your pardon?”

”You have sisters,” the Duke said. ”Plural.”

The Earl hesitated only briefly before answering.

”Six.”

”How,” the Duke asked slowly, ”are you still alive?”

The Earl laughed softly, the sound genuine.

”They are not so terrible, Your Grace.”

”Not so—” The Duke exhaled sharply. ”I have one, and she is a menace to society and me.”

The Earl’s amusement deepened.

”I am quite fond of mine,” he said. ”They can be... spirited, certainly, and occasionally troublesome. But they are kind-hearted.”

He smiled faintly.

”And rather endearing.”

The Duke looked at him as though he had just confessed to enjoying walking barefoot across broken glass.

”They make things,” the Earl continued, clearly warming to the topic. ”Little trinkets, embroidered handkerchiefs, painted charms—small tokens of affection.”

The Duke’s mouth fell open in shock.

”They... make you gifts?”

”They do.”

The Duke stared at him for another moment.

”Is your household accepting visitors?” he asked finally.

The Earl blinked.

”I—what?”

”I am considering sending my sister to you,” the Duke said, entirely serious. ”Perhaps she may observe what other sisters are doing and attempt to replicate it.”

The Earl laughed.

”I fear she may not take kindly to such an arrangement.”

”She does not take kindly to anything,” the Duke replied. ”Including, but not limited to, my continued existence.”

”Is she younger than you?” the Earl asked.

The Duke shook his head.

”No,” he said. ”She is older.”

”How much older?”

”Ten years,” the Duke said. ”She likes to say it is ten years and four months, so there is that.”

The Earl’s brows rose.

”That is quite a distance.”

”A vast and unfortunate one,” the Duke agreed.

A low whistle sounded from behind them.

”Well,” came a familiar voice, ”that explains a great deal.”

Both men turned.

Duke Alistair Thorncrest approached with an easy stride, amusement evident in his expression.

”Ten years?” he repeated. ”That is less a sibling and more an entire generation.”

The Duke of Blackmere nodded solemnly.

”My parents were led to believe they would not have another child,” he said. ”Physicians assured them of it.”

Thorncrest smirked faintly.

”And yet here you stand.”

”And yet here I stand,” the Duke echoed. ”The result of a... reconsideration of that medical opinion.”

The Earl coughed.

Thorncrest, however, only chuckled.

”So they simply—what? Decided to try their luck?”

”They were not even trying. They just decided that since they could not have more, there was no use preventing it, and it worked for ten years until I arrived,” the Duke told them.

Thorncrest laughed outright at that.

”I cannot decide if that is unfortunate or impressive.”

”I assure you,” the Duke said dryly, ”it is inconvenient.”

The Earl pressed his lips together, clearly attempting to maintain composure.

Thorncrest leaned casually against the edge of the table.

”And your sister?” he asked. ”You say she is married?”

”Yes, but being married does not stop her from assaulting me regularly.”

Thorncrest shook his head.

”She sounds terrifying.”

”You have no idea.”

The three men stood in brief, companionable silence.

It was, perhaps, the most unexpected gathering in the courtyard—an Earl with too many sisters, a Duke with far too few, and another who seemed to find amusement in both.

But then a voice spoke up, one filled with displeasure.

”Must you speak openly without regard to propriety?”