They were outside the Duke’s box, but they lingered there. Or rather, Cedric and Lucy lingered. Grace waited silently, her eyes and ears missing nothing, but she didn’t interfere in their conversation.
‘I found my future brother-in-law some work. He’s an engineer who understands canals, and I know plenty of people whose canals need repair.’ He rubbed a hand over his face. ‘I leave in two days for their wedding. That’s why I had to find Lord Deforte tonight.’
‘Yes, I understand. You could not give them dowries, but you found a way for them to have income. Income is better, I think.’
‘It’s slow money, but yes. They will survive. Indeed, I think Eric’s money will outpace mine. At least until the repairs are finished.’
‘You are finding your way,’ she said. ‘I am happy for you.’
‘As are you,’ he said. ‘You’re quite the sensation this Season.’ He glanced at Grace. ‘You both are. But now that you are engaged, every good man I know has asked about you. And many of the bad ones, as well.’ His voice darkened at that, but he needn’t have bothered warning her. It was that moment Declan stepped out of the box, likely looking for them.
‘I am taking care of them,’ the Duke said, his tone equally dark.
Cedric straightened. ‘Yes, I know. But I’ve warned several others off, just in case.’
The two men held gazes for a long moment. Lucy didn’t understand what passed between them, but it was significant. And in the end, Declan gave his cousin a slow nod.
‘Come see me after you return from the wedding.’
Cedric stiffened. ‘You… How—’
Declan lifted his hand. ‘I know about the wedding and the reason for it. I didn’t beforehand, but—’
‘You cannot tell my parents. Cora doesn’t want them there and I agree—’
Declan held up his hand. ‘I won’t tell anyone. But I am sending a wedding gift,’ he said. ‘It should be enough to finish any repairs and properly furnish their home.’
Cedric’s eyes widened for a moment. And then his breath left him in a long, slow exhale. ‘Thank you, Declan. That is very generous—’
‘It’s for Cora. It’s for them all, really. I should have been watching them closer. And for that, you have my apology.’
Cedric nodded, clearly overcome. Declan’s lips curved. Not quite a smile, but there was warmth there nonetheless. ‘You’re family, Cedric. I can be furious and still not abandon you.’
‘I am sorry,’ Cedric said as his gaze took in all three of them. ‘It will not happen again.’
‘I know,’ Declan said. ‘I hope you make a go of the shipping venture,’ Declan added. ‘The last thing you want to do is take Prinny’s money and fail.’
‘I have no intention of failing,’ he said, resolve in his tone. ‘But it is a risk.’
Lucy spoke up, not wanting to see him waver. ‘Every venture is, but if we never tried anything, Grace and I would still be in China.’
‘And for that,’ Declan said as he pressed a kiss to Grace’s hand, ‘I am truly grateful.’
As was Lucy. For all that she had lost her dream of marrying Cedric, she would not change anything in her life. Leaving China had been a gamble well worth taking.
And perhaps, she thought, it was time she took another one. Cedric was not the man for her, but she would earnestly open her heart to the other men courting her. She would stop comparing them to Cedric, she would stop thinking of eradicating him from her heart and honestly spend time with her suitors.
She would stop hating men for abandoning or betraying her and allow herself to truly search for a husband.