My Bratty Wife
Chapter 68 - Sixty Eight

Chapter 68: Chapter Sixty Eight

The setting sun cast a warm glow on the imposing facade of Carleton Castle as the first carriages rolled up, depositing their elegantly attired passengers for the highly anticipated ball. Outside, a liveried servant stood beside a gleaming gold plate, collecting the ornately inscribed invitations from each arrival.

A symphony of rustling silks and hushed whispers filled the air as guests disembarked. Ladies, adorned in gowns that rivaled the colors of a summer sunset, fluttered their fans with practiced grace. Their jewels sparkled in the fading light, catching the last rays of the day with an almost magical luminescence. Elaborate hairstyles, adorned with feathers and flowers, crowned their heads, while delicate fans fluttered gracefully in their gloved hands.

Gentlemen, impeccably dressed in tailored suits and polished boots, exchanged greetings and raised crystal flutes filled with amber liquid in a silent toast to the evening’s festivities.

The grand double doors of the castle swung open, revealing a scene that could have been lifted straight from the pages of a lavish romance novel. The ballroom, a magnificent space with soaring ceilings and walls adorned with gilded tapestries, had been transformed into a haven of opulence.

Crystal chandeliers, dripping with hundreds of flickering candles, cast a warm, golden light upon the polished oak dance floor. Lush garlands of roses and lilies, their fragrance filling the air with a lavender perfume, cascaded from the balconies overlooking the dance floor.

At the far end of the room, a raised platform served as a stage for a string quartet, their instruments gleaming under the flickering candlelight. The first strains of a waltz, a melody both elegant and captivating, filled the room, beckoning the guests to join the dance.

A young woman, barely out of her debut season, nervously adjusted her sapphire necklace, her eyes wide with excitement as she surveyed the opulent scene. "Isn’t it magnificent?" she whispered to her companion, a much older lady with a knowing smile.

"Indeed," the older woman replied, her voice laced with amusement. "A night to remember, wouldn’t you say?"

Across the room, a group of young men, their faces flushed with anticipation, exchanged boisterous greetings. "I hear the Duchess is a vision of emerald this evening," one of them declared, his voice laced with a hint of flirtation.

Another chuckled. "Well then, Thompson, you better prepare yourself to be utterly smitten."

The energy in the room was electric. A string quartet, tucked away in a discreet alcove, played a lively jig, the music drawing eager couples onto the polished dance floor. Laughter and conversation mingled with the melody, creating a sense of joyous anticipation.

Ryan, every inch the powerful and respected Duke, moved through the throng of guests with practiced ease. His dark suit, impeccably tailored, accentuated his broad shoulders and commanding presence. A warm smile graced his lips as he greeted each arrival, his crystal wine glass clinking in a series of polite toasts.

"Lord Kensington," Ryan boomed in a hearty voice, shaking hands with a portly gentleman adorned with an excessive amount of jewelry. "Delighted to see you here. And Lady Kensington, you look radiant as ever."

Lady Kensington, a woman whose bosom seemed to defy gravity, simpered and fluttered her jeweled fan. "Such kind words, Your Grace," she cooed. "The ball is simply magnificent! A true testament to your... er... Duchess’s impeccable planning skills."

Ryan chuckled smoothly, a practiced glint in his eyes. "Indeed, Lady Kensington. The duchess has outdone herself." He cast a fleeting glance towards the grand staircase, a flicker of anticipation crossing his features.

Nearby, Ryan’s younger brother, Byron, a mischievous twinkle in his eye, leaned towards him with a conspiratorial grin. "Quite the crowd you’ve gathered, brother," he remarked, his voice barely a whisper. "Nobles from every corner of the kingdom."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "It’s the annual Carleton Ball, Byron. A spectacle not to be missed." But a hint of wariness lurked beneath his playful facade. The investigation into the murders weighed heavily on his mind.

As the clock on the far wall chimed eight, a hush fell over the gathered crowd. Heads turned expectantly towards the grand staircase, a collective gasp rippling through the room.

There, framed by the golden light cascading from the chandeliers above, stood Suzy. Emerald fire seemed to dance around her in the form of a gown that shimmered like a precious jewel. Diamond earrings and a necklace sparkled at her throat, their brilliance rivaled only by the breathtaking beauty of the woman they adorned. Black elbow-length gloves added a touch of sophistication, and her hair, a cascade of auburn curls, was styled in a sleek low bun, accented by a black velvet bow that added a touch of elegance.

In her hand, she held a feathered fan that perfectly matched the emerald hues of her dress. With practiced grace, she fanned herself, the movement drawing attention to the delicate freckles adorning her cheeks – a detail some found charming, others a mark of imperfection in their eyes.

A murmur of gossip rippled through the crowd. "My word, isn’t she beautiful?" one lady whispered to her companion. "And so lucky! The Duke is a catch, and she seems like such a hard-working woman."

"Look at the way she carries herself," another woman chimed in, her voice laced with admiration. "A true Duchess, both beautiful and strong."

" I like the dots on her face" a debutante beamed.

"A breath of fresh air," another complimented. "So different from the usual pale and porcelain complexions. She has such vibrancy!"

"Indeed," another lady chimed in, her voice laced with a hint of disdain. "But those freckles... wouldn’t a veil have been more appropriate? And the lack of makeup..."

"Yes you are right ," a woman sneered, her voice barely a hiss. "Why, she hasn’t even tried to hide them! How unbecoming."

"Did you see the dimples when she smiles," another chimed in, her voice dripping with disgust. "So vulgar. Doesn’t she know a Duchess should have a more stoic expression?"

"And that dress," another clucked her tongue. "Far too revealing for a Duchess. A veil would certainly be more appropriate."

The negativity fell on deaf ears as Suzy descended the stairs, taking each step with a regal poise that belied the nervous flutter in her stomach. Her eyes, sparkling with a mixture of excitement and determination, scanned the room, searching for a familiar face.

Byron nudged Ryan with a suggestive elbow. "Looks like your stunning Duchess has graced us with her presence, brother," he murmured, a playful glint in his eye.

Ryan, lost in his thoughts about the investigation, was jolted back to reality. He turned just in time to witness Suzy descend the final step, the emerald gown shimmering like a captured forest under the ballroom’s warm glow. The freckles, a detail some found distracting, were b even more beautiful to him tonight. They only served to highlight the warmth and genuine beauty radiating from her.

Without a conscious thought, Ryan found himself handing his half-finished wine glass to Byron, his eyes never leaving Suzy’s captivating gaze. His feet took on a life of their own, propelling him towards her like a magnet drawn to its opposite pole.

Suzy continued her descent down the grand staircase. Her eyes, sparkling with excitement as she scanned the ballroom, searching for a familiar face. A surge of joy bubbled within her when she spotted Cassandra’s half-sister, Isabella, standing near a group of giggling young ladies. Isabella, though not as blessed with opulent beauty as some of the other ladies, possessed a kind and gentle demeanor that Suzy found endearing.

Just as Suzy started to turn towards Isabella, her path was unexpectedly intercepted. Ryan, his tall frame blocking her intended direction, stood before her. His gaze locked with hers, an intensity radiating from his dark eyes that sent a shiver down her spine.

Suzy blinked, momentarily thrown off guard by his sudden appearance. "Ryan," she breathed, her voice barely a whisper. A million unspoken emotions swirled within her – happiness at seeing him, a flicker of frustration at his interruption, and a subtle awareness of the eyes now watching them.

Ryan remained silent for a bit, his gaze tracing the flawless lines of her face, lingering on the diamonds at her throat that seemed to mirror the intensity in his eyes. The whispers of the crowd seemed to fade away, leaving them in a world of their own. His lips curved into a small smile, a hint of tenderness seeping into his expression.

"Duchess," he replied, his voice a low rumble that sent a delicious tremor through her. "You look..." he trailed off, searching for the right words. "Absolutely breathtaking."

Suzy returned his gaze with a small smile "Thank you, Your Grace," she replied, her voice barely a whisper. "And you... you look quite dashing yourself."

Byron, observing them from a distance, raised a knowing eyebrow and chuckled softly. He saw the change in his brother’s demeanor, a softening in his eyes, a subtle shift in his posture that spoke volumes about the way Suzy affected him. Gone was the facade of the stoic Duke; in its place stood a man captivated by the woman before him.

A genuine smile broke across Ryan’s face, crinkling the corners of his eyes. "Shall we, Duchess?" he offered, extending his arm towards her, a silent invitation to the dance floor.

Suzy hesitated for a moment, her eyes flitting towards Isabella, who was now waving enthusiastically at her. Then, with a nod, she slipped her hand into the crook of Ryan’s arm. Together, they walked towards the dance floor, the music swelling to a crescendo around them.

As they entered the throng of dancing couples, Byron watched with amusement as he raised his glass in a silent toast. As he took a sip from the glass, his eyes flickered to a familiar face in the crowd which he knew would be trouble.