FOR their lodgings that day, arrangements had been made in advance for Chris and Sonia to stay at Duke Dumas’ country house. Duke Dumas was a longtime associate of the Clares. Naturally, Sonia also knew him and his family personally.
After the carriage passed through an iron-railed gate that arched high over its roof, it followed a brick road that spanned through a yard of shortly cut grass that stretched for as far as the eye could see. Before long, the carriage pulled up to the white porte-cochere. Although the area grew dim in the evening light, Sonia felt like the flowers in the garden that displayed the livery of spring seemed to be welcoming them as they strived to open their fragrant petals.
Chris descended from the carriage first and offered his hand to Sonia. Mustering her courage, she placed her hand in his. The moment their fingers touched, it happened. Zap! An electric shock ran up her fingernails.
“Eep!” Sonia yelped at the sensation of getting struck by a small bolt of lightning and pulled back her hand. Also surprised by the electric shock, Chris found himself looking back and forth at his hand and Sonia’s.
Noticing Sonia’s uncertain gaze as he pumped his hand, Chris smiled to reassure her. “I didn’t expect static electricity to be a problem this time of year. You’ll have to forgive me. I’ll wash my hands—Avan!”
Chris called for his squire, who was waiting behind the carriage. Sonia heard the crisp response, “Yes, sir,” before the neatly dressed young man came forward.
“Tend to Her Grace. My hand seems to be charged with static electricity at the moment,” Chris ordered.
“Right away, sir,” the boy responded obediently. Although he was younger than Sonia, Avan showed the utmost respect as he guided her down from the carriage.
“Sonia!”
Sonia turned to face the country house at the sound of a familiar voice. It belonged to a man in his upper-middle years with dusty brown hair slicked clean back with gel into a single, low ponytail. Although he had deeply chiseled wrinkles now, he still looked as amiable as his younger self. The wrinkles only seemed to bring out his inner kindness for all to see.
“Duke Dumas! It’s great to see you again!” Sonia exclaimed. When Dumas held open his arms, she flung herself into his welcoming chest. Realizing she’d done it again, Sonia’s face turned bright red as she stepped back.
“Forgive me. It’s been so long, my emotions got the better of me,” Sonia apologized. Gathering her skirts in her fingers, Sonia bent at the knees in a graceful curtsy.
“It’s fine. You’ve truly grown beautiful during the short time I haven’t seen you! You’ve become quite the lady!” Duke Dumas effused.
“Thank you.”
Noticing how Chris seemed to stand watch behind Sonia as she expressed her gratitude, Dumas went to him for a handshake. “Thank you for coming, Sir Diamant Knight Crisford Cortot.”
“Although I’ve seen you at royal balls and soirées, I believe this is the first we’ve met personally,” Chris returned.
Sonia’s eyes bulged in surprise at the sight of the two exchanging a firm handshake. Nothing had happened. It was as if the yellow flash of sparks that shocked her mere moments ago weren’t real.
“I had no idea you were going to marry Sonia...! Honestly, His Majesty couldn’t have picked a better man! I can set my mind at ease entrusting her with you!” Dumas then turned from Chris to Sonia. “Isn’t that right?” he asked, seeking Sonia’s agreement.
“Oho! Ho! Ho!” she laughed to dodge the question. After all, Sonia wasn’t sure whether she liked or hated the man yet.
“But I hate his beard...” she mumbled quietly under her breath so no one could hear her.
✦ ✦ ✦
DUKE Dumas’ wife, Brigitte, joined them for supper. Much like in the past, she donned a dress that was dignified, if not splendid, as she welcomed Sonia and Chris with a gentle smile.
Am I just imagining things, or does she seem somewhat nervous? Though her quiet smile overflowed with benevolence, the way it seemed forced when she looked at Sonia was disconcerting. Then again, it had been ten years since they last met.
The Duchess wasn’t terribly outgoing, so she might be nervous seeing me after all this time. Sonia came to that conclusion on her own following her intrinsically bright nature and optimism.
“By the way, how is Sharon doing?” she inquired about her old friend and Brigitte’s daughter, eager to break the ice. Sharon was two years older than Sonia. She might already be married off by now.
Brigitte’s shoulders shook like a leaf in a windstorm for a moment before she answered, “F-Fine. She married Count Bourget’s oldest son last year.” She smiled.
However, Sonia suspected that was yet another one of her forced smiles. Brigitte had only managed to lift one corner of her mouth, making unnatural wrinkles crease her skin.
“She did? I must apologize. I didn’t realize... I’m sorry I haven’t sent a congratulatory letter, marriage gifts, or anything,” Sonia apologized.
Sonia had a chamberlain placed in charge of managing her family’s castle, who made certain to visit the abbey once a month to provide a management report and present any letters. He was a trustworthy man who had served their family since her father inherited the family name. Yet, he hadn’t so much as mentioned a word of their marriage or reported that he’d sent wedding gifts to the Duke’s daughter, whom she went way back with.
“D-Don’t worry about it. I mean, well, you know how shy she is. So we didn’t make a big deal out of it. Isn’t that right, Darling?”
“Y-Yes, that’s right. We had our personal reasons for keeping it quiet, so please don’t be insulted,” the Duke quickly agreed when his wife turned to him.
“I didn’t realize... If that’s the case, I’ll send the wedding gifts when I can in a few days.” Although the way the couple was behaving didn’t sit well with Sonia, she tried to end the topic on that note. However—
“Th-That isn’t necessary! We don’t need anything from you! What if we get caught in the curse—” Brigitte burst out screaming and flung herself out of the chair in a panic.
“That’s enough!” the Duke remonstrated his wife in a no-nonsense voice.
Brigitte swayed as she weakly sat back down and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“Your Grace, are you perhaps feeling unwell? Might I suggest you retire early tonight...” Chris gently urged the ghostly pale Duchess with downcast eyes, as the shock had left Sonia paralyzed.
“...I’m terribly sorry. I think you’re right... Darling, I’m sorry, but I’m heading up to our room.”
Brigitte looked as if she were about to burst into tears as she curtsied to her husband and Sonia before withdrawing from the dining room. The Duke grimly watched his wife leave before bowing his head to Sonia.
“I am sorry...Sonia. As of late, my wife has been emotionally unstable. Sometimes she’ll start yelling nonsense like that,” he apologized on behalf of his wife.
“...No, I’m the one who should apologize for staying the night when your wife isn’t feeling well...” Sonia apologized in turn.
Though Sonia was curious about this “curse” his wife mentioned, she couldn’t bring herself to ask once it became apparent he was casually trying to change the topic.
Sonia may have nodded while listening to the Duke’s humorous stories throughout the rest of supper, but everything he said went in one ear and out the other.