Lexa was at a lost of what to do. She had just seen her husband with true sadness in his eyes. Was it the sight of his mother's portrait? Something about his mother made him both bitter and sad and Lexa wondered why.
There was a mystery looming over this family she married into. Something wasn't adding up. Even the question of Phoebe's resemblance to Edward did not make sense.
Lexa took a deep breath and decided as she walked towards the drawing room. No more hesitation. She would ask Edward all the questions she had. She had right to it as his wife and she had a feeling that he knew it too. She would not be intimidated by him or the duke. Whatever outburst he lashed at her she would bear.
Lexa entered the drawing room to find Edward sitting by the window in a lofty chair.
Before she could speak, Edward said, "I'm sorry, Lexa."
Lexa pursed her lips and sat beside him on the chair beside him. She took his hands from his face. It was easily done because Edward allowed it. Holding her husband's hands in hers, she looked at him and said, "What is going on, Edward."
He stared at her, his dark hazel eyes looked not only hesitant but guarded as well. Silence dragged on and Lexa feared that he would remain hesitant with her.
"It's all a confusing matter," Edward said, at last, "and do forgive me for having you hang in the dark not knowing."
He took a deep breath and continued on, "I had not counted on the fact you would meet my mother at Trafalgar."
"How so?" Lexa asked.
Edward swallowed, "Because I told you that she was dead."
"You did," Lexa replied, "But why? Why deceive me so?"
"I did not lie," Edward said, with finality. The strength in his voice his a lingering anger to it, "Metaphorically speaking. She is as good as dead. To me and my father."
Why? Lexa thought frantically to herself, why do you hate her so? Is she not your mother?
But Lexa held her tongue. She could say anything. No, she dared herself not to make any assumptions with knowing the truth.
Edward gaze softened and removing his hand from hers, he raised it to her cheeks. "I don't know where I should begin with my tale."
Lexa's heart fluttered. At last. He was going to tell her his story. She hoped this would mend the distance between them since the wedding.
"I do not mind where you begin," Lexa said.
And so, after a few minutes of calm and silence Edward began to tell her his story about his life and about why he and his father were currently estranged from his mother.
"I don't know," he said, when Lexa questioned Edward about Phoebe. "I don't believe we are in anyway related."
"But isn't strange how much she looks like you," Lexa asked.
Edward was silent for a moment. "It is strange. But that does not mean she is my sister. I told you I'm an only child."
Lexa nodded. She believed him. There was no doubt in that fact.
Edward took a deep breath and said, reassuringly. "I know it's all confusing, but one day, everything will make sense."
"I didn't realize," Lexa said, "how complicated your family history."
Edward smiled and said, in acknowledgment, "It is complicated."
The next day, the weather was fine one. Something about the conversation that Lexa had with Edward made the tension in the air dissipate. It also help her mood when she joined her husband and her father-in-law for breakfast.
Shortly after breakfast, Lexa decided that it was time that she would call and visit Caroline whom she had last heard was bedridden because of condition.
That afternoon, Lexa wore a chocolate brown silk polonaise dress with bodice draping at the sides. Her underskirt and lace cuff where a cream silk and the dress design was brown floral stitched on to the dress with a square bow tied at the bustle. Her hair was styled in a way that would support her hat.
The carriage made its way to the Earl of Hereford's London residence. It was a long distance from where Drumbroke Manor was located. The townhouse, Crawford Hall was smaller in comparison to Drumbroke but the interior was opulent and beautiful that reflected the tastes of the current earl and countess.
Once the carriage stopped, Lexa was aided down the steps. The carriage rolled away when she made her way towards the townhouse's front entrance. After knocking the door, it was opened and Lexa was greeted by the butler, Mr. Carlton.
Lexa was escorted inside, when she made her way towards the drawing room. There were Lively chatter when Lexa entered and she found Caroline, Dora, and Julie.
Caroline was sitting on an armed chair, wearing a simple dress with a shawl around her shoulders. Her curly red hair was bound in a simple bun. She looked a bit pale and Lexa confirmed her reports of Caroline's extreme morning sickness.
Caroline was overjoyed to see Lexa. She rose up from her seat and Lexa immediately went over. Taking her best friend's hand, Caroline gushed with joy, her green eyes shining.
"Oh Lexa!" she exclaimed, ""I've missed you. It felt like forever since you married Lord Douro."
Lexa smiled at her best friend and said, " I've missed you too, my dear Caro. How are you? Dora has told me of your condition."
Caroline removed her hands from Lexa's and gently patted her abdomen. Looking down at it, where a new life was growing, she said, "Rick and I cannot wait until we meet our baby, be it boy or girl."
"A heir perhaps," Dora said from across her.
Caroline frowned at Dora. " Rick does care about that."
"What about your mother-in-law?"Â Julie asked, who was sitting beside Dora.
"Lady Hereford has not received word of my condition," Caroline told her. " she went to visit Annabel and her husband in Gloucestershire a few weeks ago."
"I see," Julie said, "well, you ought to always rest until then."
Caroline smiled and then looked at Lexa. "How have you been, my dear? Is Lord Douro treating you well?"
Lexa smiled at Caroline and replied, "His Lordship has been most kind to me."
"That's good," Caroline said, in relief. "I feared that you poor thing haven't been doing well."
"And you say that because..?"
Caroline gave Lexa a knowing glance and Lexa immediately knew what her best friend was talking about.
"Do not worry," Lexa reassured. "Everything is alright between Edward and I."
Caroline nodded, at the time her worry was still evident on her face.
That instant, Lexa remembered, and asked, "Has Miss Abernathy left for the United States?"
Julie shook her head and said, "Miss Abernathy is holding a ball in Abernathy Hotel. After that, she'll be leaving for the United States."
"When is the ball?" Lexa asked.
"I don't know," Julie said.
And that was the end of that conversation.
The rest of the visit was lively as the four ladies had their teas and biscuits. The day was starting to darken when Lexa departed the Earl of Hereford's residence and made her return to Drumbroke.
The next morning, after Lexa had her breakfast, Miss Lyons entered and handed her an envelope addressed to her. Lexa opened the envelope and realized that it was an invitation to her and Edward. It read:
To Lord and Lady Douro,
We cordially invited you to the First Annual Ball hosted by Miss Phoebe Abernathy at Abernathy Hotel in Westminster, London
Lexa smiled to herself. She wanted to see Phoebe one more time before Phoebe returned to New York City. Edward entered the room with Lexa still reading the invitation and inquired, "What are you reading, my dear?"
Lexa looked up at Edward and said, "We have been invited by the Abernathy's to their first annual ball."
"In the new hotel?" Edward asked.
"Yes," was Lexa's reply.
"Interesting," was all Edward said. Then looking at his wife, he said, dark hazel eyes sparkling, "We shall go then. An invitation mustn't go to waste."
And there it was decided that the new Marquess and Marchioness of Douro agreed to prepare for the ball.
It would be a splendid ball of course new was buzzing about in London about the Abernathys. Even His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales who chatted to his valet inquired about it, while deciding on what morning suit he wished to wear.
As for Lexa, as she left the breakfast room, she eagerly thought about what she would say to Phoebe when she saw her.