My Bratty Wife
Chapter 228 - Two Hundred And Twenty Eight

Chapter 228: Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Eight

The grand Assembly Rooms, generously loaned for the occasion by a city alderman, buzzed with an excited energy that belied the charitable nature of the event. Sunlight, somewhat muted by the tall, arched windows, illuminated a sea of elegantly dressed nobles, merchants, and their wives, all gathered for the much-anticipated charity auction in aid of the Carleton Duchy Orphanage. Well dressed staffs, taken from Chateau Valeré itself, moved discreetly through the aisles, directing latecomers to the few remaining velvet-cushioned chairs and offering programas detailing the lots up for bid.

In the front row, Suzy sat with a composed exterior that cleverly masked the flutters in her stomach. Noah stood dutifully beside her chair, a reassuringly solid presence. She fiddled nervously with the delicate ivory sticks of her folded fan, tapping it lightly against her gloved palm. So much depended on today’s success. Ryan was occupied with his ducal duties and the ongoing, grim investigation, leaving the smooth execution of this crucial fundraising event largely on her shoulders.

The chattering quieted as a distinguished gentleman with a neat grey beard and a resonant voice stepped onto the raised dais at the front of the room. This was Mr. Albright, a renowned auctioneer who had offered his services free of charge. He tapped his gavel — ( a small mallet which an auctioneer uses to call for attention) lightly. "My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen," he began, his voice filling the hall, "welcome! We are gathered today for a most noble cause – to support the wonderful children of the Carleton Duchy Orphanage. Generosity, I trust, will be the order of the day!"

A polite ripple of applause went through the room.

The auction began. The first few lots – a handsome silver tea service, a small landscape painting by a promising local artist, a bolt of exquisite French lace – went for respectable sums, the bidding active but not overly passionate. Suzy watched, her heart thumping.

Then, Mr. Albright announced, "Our next item, ladies and gentlemen, is a truly charming piece with a notable provenance. Lot number seven: a magnificent Louis Quinze style ormolu-mounted dressing table mirror, formerly the property of the late, much-esteemed Duchess Leah of Carleton." He gestured to a beautifully crafted mirror, its frame adorned with gilded cherubs and intricate scrollwork, held up by two assistants. "A piece of history, and a testament to impeccable taste. Shall we start the bidding at, say, five hundred gold coins?"

A murmur went through the crowd. Duchess Leah had been a well known noble, and her belongings were highly coveted.

"Five hundred I have!" Mr. Albright declared, spotting a raised hand. "Six hundred? Do I hear six hundred?"

"Six hundred !" called a stout lady in a formidable feathered hat.

"Seven hundred from the gentleman in the third row!"

"Eight hundred!"

Suzy saw an opportunity. The bidding was good, but she wanted to inject a little more excitement, to show her own commitment. When the bidding reached one thousand gold coins, she subtly raised her fan.

Mr. Albright’s keen eyes didn’t miss it. "One thousand and ten from Her Grace, the Duchess of Carleton!" he announced, a pleased smile on his face.

A wave of renewed interest passed through the room. Another bidder offered one thousand and twenty.

Suzy, with a calm smile, bid one thousand and thirty.

The stout lady in the feathered hat huffed but shook her head. The gentleman in the third row hesitated, then conceded.

" One thousand and fifty gold coins" a fine gentleman bellowed.

"One thousand and fifty crowns from the fine gentleman in the sixth row," Mr. Albright said, his voice building. "A fine bid for a fine piece, all for a finer cause! Going once... going twice... Sold! To the fine gentleman in the impeccable attire, for one thousand and fifty gold coins!"

Applause filled the room, warmer this time. Suzy inclined her head graciously, a genuine smile on her lips. Her participation had indeed lifted the spirits, and the subsequent items saw even more enthusiastic participation. A pearl necklace, a first edition volume of poetry, a set of intricately embroidered dining linens – all were keenly contested.

"Look at that, Martha," a lady whispered to her companion as a silver snuff box went for a surprising sum. "It seems generosity is indeed infectious today!"

"The Duchess set a fine example," her friend whispered back. "And it’s for the children, after all."

Suzy felt a wave of relief and happiness wash over her as she watched item after item being successfully auctioned. The orphanage would have more than enough funds to see it through the entire year, perhaps even with a little extra for much-needed repairs to the schoolroom roof.

Finally, after the last item – a promise of a portrait sitting with a fashionable artist – was sold for an impressive amount, Mr. Albright beamed at the assembly. "And that, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, concludes a most successful auction! Our heartfelt thanks for your incredible generosity." He then turned towards Suzy. "And now, it is my distinct honor to invite Her Grace, the Duchess of Carleton, to offer a few closing remarks."

Suzy took a steadying breath as polite applause sounded. Noah offered her his hand, and she rose, smoothing down the skirts of her elegant pastel colored gown – a subtle nod to the hopeful nature of the charity, though she still wore black gloves as a sign of continued mourning in the duchy to avoid unnecessary gossips. She ascended the few steps to the dais, her heart fluttering again, this time with the prospect of public speaking.

"My dear esteemed guests," she began, her voice clear and carrying well despite her nerves. "I stand before you today with a heart overflowing with gratitude. Your generosity has been truly remarkable, and on behalf of the children of the Carleton Duchy Orphanage, I offer you my deepest, most sincere thanks."

She spoke of the children, their hopes, their needs, and how the funds raised today would transform their lives.

As her gaze swept across the sea of faces, she suddenly spotted him. Lord Byron. He was sitting near the back of the hall, partially obscured by a pillar, watching her intently. An involuntary shiver, a cold little flicker of unease, went through her. She faltered for a mere fraction of a second, her breath catching, before her resolve took over. She forced her attention back to her speech, her voice regaining its steady cadence, though the image of his piercing gaze remained imprinted on her mind.

She concluded her remarks with a heartfelt plea for continued support and kindness towards the less fortunate, earning another warm round of applause. The auction was officially over.

As Suzy came down from the dais, her legs feeling a little shaky, she saw Lord Byron making his way towards her through the dispersing crowd. He moved with his usual confidence, his dark attire impeccable. He reached her just as she stepped onto the main floor.

"Your Grace," Byron greeted smoothly, taking her offered hand. He bowed low, his lips brushing the back of her black glove in a gesture of profound respect.

"Lord Byron," Suzy returned the greeting, managing a small curtsy despite her lingering unease. His presence at the auction gave her quite a shock because invitations wasn’t handed out to him.

"A most inspiring speech, Duchess," he said, his eyes meeting hers. "And a wonderfully successful auction."

"Thank you, Lord Byron," Suzy replied politely. "I must confess, I didn’t realize you would be able to make it today. I rather thought you would be... otherwise occupied, perhaps with Ryan and his duties."

A faint, almost sad smile touched Byron’s lips. "Ah, yes. Ryan is indeed consumed by his responsibilities, as he should be." He then gestured subtly towards the portrait of Duchess Leah that had been displayed earlier when her mirror was auctioned.

"But the late Duchess Leah... may her soul rest in peace, was also a cherished figure in the Blackwood family. She was also my mother, you understand. It felt only right to attend an event that honored her memory, even in a small way through the auction of her effects. And," his expression softened further, becoming almost paternal, "it is the first major Jubilee you have planned since becoming Duchess. I came primarily to show my support for you, and for my brother’s endeavors through you. It is important for the family to present a united front, especially in such worthy causes."

He then held up a small, elegantly wrapped package – a beautifully bound book of poetry she recognized as one of the auctioned lots. "A small token of my support," he said, his smile disarmingly charming. "What do you think? I made the right choice, didn’t I?"

"It’s befitting your personality of being a man of poetry." Suzy let out a small, surprised laugh, the sound soft and genuine. His explanation, his gesture, seemed so sincere. Perhaps she had been overthinking about things.

Byron lowered his hand bringing the item down. " Wanted to support in any little way possible." He said with a smile plastering his face.

Suzy comported herself,clearing her throat. "Why, thank you very much, Byron. That is... truly thoughtful of you." She offered him another, warmer curtsy. "The children will benefit greatly from everyone’s kindness today."

She glanced towards the main entrance, a sense of urgency returning. "I am so sorry, Byron, but I truly must cut our conversation short. I have to hurry to the orphanage now. The children will be eagerly awaiting the news, and the arrival of all the jubilee supplies."

"Of course, Your Grace," Byron bowed again, stepping back smoothly. "Do not let me detain you from such important work. Your dedication is admirable."

With a final polite nod, Suzy gathered her skirts and hurried towards the exit, Noah falling into step just behind her. She felt a little lighter, Byron’s apparent support having eased some of her earlier apprehension about him.

Reaching her carriage, which was waiting at the front of the Assembly Rooms, the footman sprang to open the door.

Suzy gathered her skirts to step inside. "Noah, quickly now," she said over her shoulder, "we mustn’t keep the children waiting."

She settled onto the seat, expecting Noah to follow her in as he always did. But to her utter surprise and dawning alarm, before Noah could even reach for the handle, the carriage door was slammed shut from the outside. With a sharp command from the driver’s seat – a voice she didn’t recognize – and a sudden crack of the whip, the carriage lurched violently forward, throwing her back against the cushions. It was moving, accelerating rapidly, and Noah was not inside.