Cecilia:

It struck me quite suddenly that we had not yet hosted a ball, several weeks had passed since the knowledge of Rory's father's death and Rory had not wanted to remain in mourning long. He did not talk much about his father but I sensed the two had never seen eye to eye.

The stress of the striking workers and his rapid transformation to the Duke of Wortley had been clear in the lines that had etched themselves deep into his forehead.

A ball was just what was in order. I had never hosted a ball before but I had attended a few so I had a general understanding of how to structure and plan the event. I decided that surprises weren't Rory's cup of tea so the next morning I approached him with the idea.

Rory was initially reluctant, after all he had said there were limited funds, but if that was the case, then this might be the last chance to hold one. After a few minutes of coaxing I finally got his approval and I skipped gleefully out of his study.

I was going to host a ball, and what a ball it would be. Sitting down at the small bureau in the morning room I set about writing invitations. Not long after midday all the invites were sent out to dukes, duchesses, earls, countesses, lords and ladies from all over the country, I made sure to crosscheck all of the names with those in the large ledger that sat in the study.

It contained all the people the Huntington's had come into contact with and previous lists of guests for social events. Adding the old names and newer ones to the long list of invitees I was proud with the ample turnout we were sure to have.

After a brief luncheon of bread and cheese I scampered downstairs to the kitchen to speak with Mrs Stone. "A ball dear? Cor, we haven't had one of those in an age!" She tilted her head to the doorway, "Isn't that right Mr Ellis?" Ellis suddenly appeared through an arch into the kitchen.

"That is quite right Mrs Stone, a ball really?" His eyebrows raised sceptically, "And his grace has agreed?" He asked sceptically.

"Yes he had," I huffed at his disbelieving tone.

"Well I believe we ought to congratulate you then my dear," he said, his features softening as he smiled at her, "This house has been in need of such an occasion for a long time now."

"Indeed, houses like this weren't built to sit empty now," Mrs Stone chimed in. "Well I guess you'll be wanting to discuss the menu won't you your grace?"

I smiled, "Yes quite, although I fear Ellis will find it rather dull and has much more better things to be doing with his time." This earned a chuckle from Ellis who bowed his head respectfully before moving to the door.

"Fear not ladies, I see when I am not wanted." He offered me a mischievous smile his eyes dancing playfully before turning to Mrs Stone and giving her a secretive smile to which she blushed. I watched the short exchange between the two with rapt attention.

Ellis disappeared from sight along with the blush on Mrs Stone's face a moment later. Feeling my curiosity take over I couldn't help but ask, "Forgive the impertinence, but is there something between you and Ellis?"

I watched the rosiness return to her cheeks with a knowing smile on my face.

"'Tis alright, you may confide in me." I coaxed the woman.

"I believe... I believe your grace... That Mr Ellis and I... Are rather... Rather fond of each other..." She stuttered and stammered throughout the revelation of her secret.

"So I can well see Mrs Stone," I sent her another canny smile.

"You.. You can?" The shock on her face was almost comical.

"Why yes Mrs Stone, the way you look at each other says it all, it is how I look at -" I blushed and cut myself short, was it how I looked at Rory? I was sure he did not look at me like Ellis had looked at Mrs Stone.

"Well this is rather exciting I must say," I tried to divert the conversation away from the slip of my tongue. "Who knows, there might be another wedding soon." I winked at the older woman and gave her a sly smile, I would have to interrogate Ellis about this at some point.

"The... The menu your grace?" Mrs Stone asked, blushing furiously.

"Of course, how silly of me," I laughed slightly at how sidetracked we had got, but I definitely wasn't finished with unearthing every detail about the attachment between the cook and the head butler, and I'd be damned if there weren't church bells ringing shortly.

**********

After an hour or so of discussion about what was best to serve at the ball and whether or not we would entertain a theme we had decided on all of the savoury and sweet dishes that would be on offer along with the beverages and the theme of the ball. It was going to be a masquerade ball and all the foods would link to the masquerade theme in some way.

To say I was excited was an understatement, I was buzzing with energy as I set about making all the necessary arrangements. I was rather pleased with myself by the end of the day, most of the tasks had been completed efficiently and with as little expense as possible without being miserly. I was quite satisfied and was eager to update Rory on the progress I had made.

Dinner was served at seven and I met Rory just as he had left his room. Holding his arm we made our way downstairs and into the dining room where Rory seated me before sitting down himself.

Mrs Stone had apologised about their not being the usual splendour of dishes due to her preparations for the approaching ball, but everything we were served was just as delicious as normal, she really was a talented woman, I made sure to remember to thank her properly.

I relayed all my efforts of the day to Rory who listened with what appeared to be interest, but it may have been feigned on my behalf.

I had come to realise that I valued his opinion and enjoyed sharing ideas with him. Of course these were usually mundane things but looking back on our previous attitudes towards one another, we had made leaps of progress.

I am sure most of our friends would scarce believe our friendship of sorts. I chuckled to myself, if someone had told me last year that I would be married to the Rory Huntington and not wanting to tear him to pieces every second I would have laughed in their face. Hell, if they'd told me I'd actually hold feelings for him, I would probably have torn them to pieces!

I lifted my head and watched him as he engaged with one of the footmen serving us. It had soon become clear to me that Rory was a good master of the house and of his servants, they all seemed to like him and he made sure to treat them as equals, enquiring about their health and their families as if conversing with another lord. It was one of the things I admired about him although I had been loathed to admit it initially.

Come to think of it, I thought as I regarded his handsomely chiselled face, there were a number of things I respected and esteemed him for.

His care for his employees was a key one of these, his normal level-headedness and perseverance were also admirable qualities as well as his selflessness. I scoffed at the word selflessness, not one I had ever connected with Rory before, but it was true all the same.

The moment in the pantry however decided to return to me suddenly, he had not acted in a gentlemanly way, nor had he shown respect of selflessness then. But he had persevered with the matter, I laughed dryly under my breath.

I had threatened to leave but I hadn't, I was still here months later. Deep down I knew I wouldn't leave when I said it, I felt compelled to stay, mayhap even then I'd held feelings for him somewhere, mayhap.

I was shaken from my circling thoughts by a cough from Rory, "Draw a portrait, it will last longer," he winked at me as a rosy tint surged to my cheeks.

"I was just thinking, my attention drifted, I am sorry if I was staring," I bowed my head in embarrassment for I had indeed, only moments earlier, been staring.

"Well it's all yours to stare at my dear," he gave me a cheeky, dimpled smile sending my heart into a light flutter. "Speaking of portraits though, I do believe it is high time you should have one done, after all you are now the Duchess of Wortley.

"Oh must I? I am sure it shall spoil the gallery." Rory raised an eyebrow at my statement.

"Why ever would you think that?" He let out a low laugh, "You are undoubtedly the most beautiful of all the duchesses up there, it shall be the future Duchesses of Wortley who shall be afraid to 'spoil the gallery' as you so eloquently put it." I couldn't help but laugh at his ridiculous words.

"If it is so, then as you wish, I shall allow my portrait to be taken, happy your grace?"

"Extremely," he smiled a breathtaking smile at me and I felt my stomach somersault. I blushed at the word. How I wished we had not wasted all those years despising each other for no reason.

Perhaps, just maybe, we would be married still, but under different circumstances. As it was I was stuck in a marriage in which I cared for my husband but he did not care for me.

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Sorry for the slightly shorter than usual chapter, I think you'll enjoy the net one though ;) Have a great day and please continue to vote and comment! (3,000 reads oh my gosh! You guys are amazing