Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 254: Preparations

Cecilia finished with one final remark. "Over the next few days, I'll teach you a few more ways a wife can keep her husband satisfied. Pay close attention. Once you've learned them, you'll have His Grace wanting you so badly he won't be able to keep his hands off you."

Elowen's cheeks flushed. She lowered her gaze quietly.

Over the next two days, Elowen made careful preparations for the trip to Sunspire Hill.

She personally arranged the carriages, selected the clothing and other necessities they would need, and wrote an invitation that was delivered to Falconcrest Manor.

Out of respect for the Duke of Duskmoor, Yvonne had no choice but to accept, even if she wasn't particularly pleased about it.

Even so, Elowen couldn't help feeling uneasy.

She kept thinking that when the moment truly came, she might faint from the pain—or burst into tears.

But...

She was already married. She couldn't avoid sharing a bed with her husband forever.

If it hurt, then it hurt. She would grit her teeth and get through it.

On the morning they were meant to depart, Cassian had urgent matters to handle. He said he would head straight to Sunspire Hill once he finished, rather than travel with Elowen.

Elspeth arrived early.

Not long after Elowen finished breakfast with Elspeth and Sylvia, a carriage from Falconcrest Manor pulled up outside Duskmoor Manor.

As planned, Yvonne came to the manor first, and from there they would travel together to Sunspire Hill.

Elspeth suddenly remembered something and turned to Sylvia. "Sylvia, is Piers coming today?"

Sylvia lowered her head and shook it gently, her voice tinged with disappointment. "He wrote to me the day before yesterday. He wanted to come, but Duchess Yvonne assigned him other duties. He couldn't get away."

Elowen understood immediately.

Yvonne still wasn't fond of Sylvia.

She patted Sylvia's hand reassuringly. "It's alright. Once we return from Sunspire Hill, you two won't face so many hurdles."

Before long, the carriages set off.

They kept a comfortable pace rather than rushing.

By the time they arrived at the hot-springs estate at Sunspire Hill, it was already afternoon.

Sunlight filtered through layers of leaves overhead, scattering shifting patches of light across the mountainside.

As Elowen stepped down from her carriage, she heard Yvonne and Elspeth chatting animatedly from the one beside hers.

Yvonne said, "I've seen that Lydia before. One look at her and you can tell she's trouble. And can you believe she actually dragged that sickly child all the way to Duskmoor Manor with her?"

Elspeth laughed. "You really do hear everything."

Yvonne replied, "Don't get too worked up. I heard marquess hasn't gone home these past few days. He's been staying with a friend instead. And apparently Lydia keeps collapsing and falling ill. She's sent word for him again and again, but he just sends money and hires physicians."

Elowen was speechless.

Vanelle's the most enthusiastic gossip around—nothing ever gets past her.

Elspeth gave a small, cold snort. "Just wait. He's only putting on a show right now. He won't hold out forever. And then there's Nina. That child looks so pitiful. If she starts crying, that man will soften in an instant. Sometimes I even wonder whether Nina is actually his daughter. Otherwise, why would he spoil her like that?"

Yvonne said, "Nina doesn't look anything like your marquess. Don't let your imagination run wild..."

Then Elspeth abruptly changed the subject. "So tell me honestly, Yvonne. You don't like Sylvia, do you?"

Elowen immediately pricked up her ears.

Only Elspeth would ask something that blunt right to someone's face.

Yvonne answered vaguely, "That's not true, Elspeth. You've misunderstood..."

Then she smoothly shifted the conversation again. "Oh, and did you hear? That Azure—well, the former Crown Princess now—the stories she wrote? Every bookshop is stacked with copies that won't sell. People who already bought them either burned them or tossed them out. I heard they've piled up outside the city like a little hill."

The estate steward came forward to greet them, directing the servants to unload the luggage.

Once everyone had settled into their rooms, Elowen summoned one of the shadow guards.

"Go to Serenity Church, and see whether the Baker family carriage has arrived."

A few days earlier, Elowen had sent Mira to make inquiries. Mira had confirmed that the Baker family planned to visit Serenity Church today.

The shadow guard acknowledged the order and left.

Not long afterward, he returned and reported, "Your Grace, the carriage is currently resting at Serenity Church. It's Her Majesty's third sister-in-law, and Her Majesty's niece is with her."

Elowen glanced up. "Clarisse?"

The shadow guard nodded. "Yes. I heard they call her by that name."

Elowen's eyes darkened slightly.

In her previous life, when she had come to Serenity Church with Isla, she had run into Isla's third sister-in-law, Anwen Baker, and Anwen's daughter, Clarisse.

During their conversation, Elowen had learned that Clarisse still hadn't married, and that Anwen had brought her to the church to pray for a suitable match.

At the time, Elowen had been puzzled.

Clarisse was considered one of Vanelle's most sought-after young noblewomen. Countless families would have wanted her as a bride.

So why had no marriage ever been arranged?

That night, Elowen had accidentally uncovered Clarisse's secret.

Only then did she finally understand why Clarisse's marriage had never been settled.

In this life, Elowen intended to use that secret to ensure Sylvia could win Yvonne's approval—and safely marry into Falconcrest Manor.

The shadow guard hesitated for a moment, then added, "Your Grace, there's one more matter."