Her blue cold eyes lingered on him as Edward felt the tension hang heavy in the air. He pursed his lips as he watched his mother stand in front of him.
Mother was the first thing he said when he saw her and there was no mistaking that what Lexa must have feeling is shock. After all, he did tell her that his mother was dead.
Dread filled him when Charlotte came towards him. So much that he was unaware of the fact that he was clutching Lexa's hand too tight until he heard a whimpering sound of pain.
He felt stuck and unsure of what to do next. It was almost as if he was at an impasse. He released Lexa's hand and turned to her. "We best be off now."
Lexa said nothing but nodded. Edward decided that her shock had not worn off.
The silence followed them as they rode in the carriage on their way home. Lexa glanced out the window, watching pedestrians passing by. There was nothing she or Edward could say about the incident at Trafalgar Square.
Even though she was in shock, Lexa could not believe that the woman who approached them was Edward's mother.
Looking at her, Lexa noticed how much Edward's mother resembled the portrait of the marchioness. Lexa paused in her thoughts. Was she now the Duchess of Wellington?
The carriage stopped and the door opened as Lexa was assisted down the steps. Edward followed her into the manor.
Lexa was overwhelmed by the silence passing between her and husband. She mustered the courage to call out his name.
"Edward."
But her woes fell on deaf ears as Edward did not respond to her call. Instead he greeted the butler and then walked away.
Lexa was dumbfounded with the entire situation that she sighed to herself not expecting to find the duke coming down the hall.
The Duke of Wellington smiled at her as he offered his arm. Lexa smiled shyly at her father-in-law and took his offered arm. Together they made their way towards the library when His Grace spoke.
"Did you enjoy your visit, Lady Douro?"
Lexa smiled at the duke and said, "l did indeed, Your Grace."
"I'm please to hear that," replied His Grace. As they walked towards the library, His Grace turned to Lexa and questioned wondering, "My son seems to be in a mood. Has something happened?"
Lexa pauses. What was she to say? The idea of mentioning Edward's mother was shocking enough but Lexa was worried how the duke would take the news.
They entered the library when Lexa turned to His Grace and said, "Edward is upset because he ran into his mother."
The duke froze and Lexa wondered what happened. The warmth that was in the duke's face drains and was replaced with coldness. Something about Edward's mother seemed to turn people off and Lexa seriously wondered what happened.
"Your Graceâ," Lexa began
His Grace snapped, sharply, "What?"
Startled, Lexa released her hand from His Grace and back away.
Just like Edward, she thought frantically. There is something going on.
And what that something was, Lexa feared that it would explode.
Edward was in his study when he finally calmed his nerves down. The sight of his mother after two months was unnerving. What worse was Lexa's bewildered face purged him with guilt. He didn't want the feeling of guilt to eat him from the inside.
He should tell Lexa, he was unsure of how she would take rake the truth about his mother. It was bad enough that they had to meet that way. Edward exhaled and opened his eyes. His past was a complicated one filled with secrets, heartbreak, and betrayal.
With her blue parasol shielding her from the sun, Anna felt nothing but relief. It was good thing that she was given a break after so long.
Mrs. Lloyd, the housekeeper was high on her trail ever since her secret rendezvous with Lucian. Ever since then, Mrs. Lloyd watched her like a hawk, studying Anna's every move.
Montgomery House was a lonely place without Lexa. Ever since his daughter married the Marquess of Douro, Lord Pembroke decided that for a time, he would not return to Wilton.
From what Anna observed it maybe because he didn't want to be far from Lexa, even though, Lord Douro had an estate in Wiltshire also.
Her feet were aching from walking so much. Anna wished that Lexa didn't live so far. When she made it to Drumbroke Manor, she was surprised to see Miss Julie Kingsley approaching the manor as well.
Miss Kingsley was the first to spot her. She smiled at Anna and said, "Hello Miss Keane."
Anna acknowledged Julie and said, "It's a pleasure to see you, Miss Kingsley."
"Are you here to see Lexa, Miss Keane?"
"Yes," said Anna, "I wanted to see how she was doing."
"I'm wondering how she is as well," Miss Kingsley admitted.
The two decided to approached the front door together and rang the doorbell, immediately the butler opened the door and said, "May I help you?"
"We are here to see the Marchioness of Douro," said Miss Kingsley.
The butler allowed them entry and told them to wait in the drawing room until he he informed the marchioness that she had guests.
Lexa was glad to see them when she met them in the drawing room. Anna was glad to see her friend, as Lexa exclaimed joyfully, "Anna, Julie!"
After they greeted each other, Lexa escorted Anna and Julie inside and the three of them made their way towards the drawing room where Lexa rang for the maid to bring tea and biscuits.
"I'm pleased you have come to see me, Anna," Lexa said as she poured herself a cup of green tea. " I had planned to go and visit you since Father was still in London."
"Lord Pembroke wishes to spend the rest of the summer in London before heading London." Anna said.
"And we couldn't leave without wishing you happy birthday, Lexa."
Lexa's face warmed with joy. There was nothing more wonderful than having her dearest friend celebrating her twenty-second year. Anna was glad that she dressed for the occasion. Her ivory dress was nothing but beautiful. Anna only wondered if she would spend the rest of the day with Lord Douro."
"How are you and Lord Douro?" Julie inquired.
Lexa smiled at her cousin and said, "We are well."
Her tone told something else and Anna and Julie exchanged looks of worry without saying anything.
"How is Caroline?"Â Lexa said as took a sip of her tea.
"Not well, I'm afraid," said Julie. " she had been bedridden because of her condition."
"I hope she gets better," said Lexa.
"Of course she will," said Anna, "Soon she will be a mama and a proud mama too."
Even though they were talking joyfully about life, Anna looked at Lexa and realized that her friend's natural happy nature was not showing on her face. Lexa looked sad for some reason and Anna looked worried. Her eye caught Jules expression. She was worried as well.
"What is the matter, Lexa?" Julie asked, "You are not yourself."
"Huh?" Lexa blinked her grey eyes at Julie and then Anna. She smiled at the two of them and said, "Nothing is the matter."
Anna and Julie were not convinced.
Later that afternoon, Lexa was walking towards Hyde Park with her ladies-maid, Miss Lyons when she and Miss Lyons founds spot under an oak tree to sit under. It quite a relief to be free from the manor. Especially with the intense moods that Edward and his father were in.
With her ladies-maid, Miss Lyons, Lyons walked towards Hyde Park. It was a warm day out. Carrying her parasol, Lexa inhaled the fresh air that seemed to calm her nerves. She found a bench to sit, her book in hand. Miss Lyons excused herself as she went to the fountain to feed the ducks.
Peace and alone at last, Lexa put her glasses on and opened her book to read. However, she felt an omniscient presence which disturbed her and when she looked up, she saw Edward's mother approaching her.
She really is beautiful, Lexa thought and then she heard a gasp and turned to see Miss Lyons pale faced. Lexa wondered when she came. Miss Lyons looked as if she saw a ghost and was unsure of what she was to do.
Lexa focused her attention back at Edward's mother.
"Lady Douro. How pleased I am to see you."
Lexa narrowed her eyes. There was something... that she couldn't trust about this woman. Something that linked her to how Edward and his father reacted towards her.
"I haven't had the chance to speak to you. May I join you?"
Unable to say anything, Lexa nodded.