Suddenly Becoming A Mum - Chapter 101

Lily held on to the glass punch that Alexandre had handed her. She brought it slowly to her lips and only took a tiny sip instead of swallowing it in one go.

She didn’t know how she’d gotten through the last week. Suspicion and fear had almost devoured her from the inside out. Sleeping in the same bed with a murderer every night slowly drove her insane. Enduring his touch…

She swore to herself that if there was the slightest chance she would escape. She’d grab Adrien and run away as far as she could. It’s worth every effort…

“You look ravishing. But with a smile…” He gently raised her chin and stroked her lower lip with his thumb.

Lily forced herself to smile. “Do I look better like this?” She gazed at him, honest, serious.

He laughed. “This is how you’re going to make the whole room halt.”

How often had she dreamed of escaping, every single day, every hour, minute and second her thoughts were on the run. She had the feeling of suffocation. Alexandre had hired an entire army of spies who boldly called themselves bodyguards.

But she would survive even that. She would remain silent as usual, watching and waiting for the right moment. Until then, she had to remain inconspicuous. Alexandre mustn’t suspect anything. She would play her part, as he demanded of her.

She knew exactly when her name would be announced in the hall. It seemed as if all heads turned at once to Alexandre and her. Curiosity lurked in their faces. She walked down the stairs as Duchess de Valois. As a couple, they seldom attended such gorgeous balls. Now and then Alexandre took her along to private soirées or evenings among friends. She was gradually established in society as his wife.

With her hand in his, Alexandre remained on the steps. He presented himself with dignity, allowing the crème de la crème of society to satisfy their curiosity. Lily felt uncomfortable among the judging looks. But she knew she could endure it too.

Alexandre squeezed her hand gently. She lifted her eyes to him.

On his lips was this lascivious grin. The sign to descend the steps to the end. She couldn’t help but return his smile and walked towards the host with him at her side. He was in good spirits tonight. Again and again he would tenderly touch her.

It was a strange way of greeting. As they encountered the Count and the Countess de Rochou, the Count Gérard de Rochou seemed to be really happy about their presence. Every time Alexandre told funny anecdotes, the elderly gentleman laughed heartily, his round belly vibrating along with his laughter.

While his young wife, Geneviève de Rochou, was reluctant to say even a few words. Her eyes were sparkling almost maliciously.

Since her sparkle seemed to be directed at her, Lily assumed that the Countess was also one of Alexandre’s admirers. Lily would have liked to encourage her to try her luck, as she would soon be packing her bags anyway. However, she kept silent, as this would endanger her plans.

All eyes remained glued on them as they walked on to the Marquess de Louvois and his fiancée Louise.

“Oh, Lily…” Sighed Loulou. Her enthusiasm shimmered like liquid silver in her eyes as she approached Lily. “All ladies are green of envy tonight.” Louise whispered in her ear. Lily knew exactly why jealous looks were haunting her.

“You look lovely, Duchess.” Phillipe agreed with her, bending slightly forward. “You look lovely.” That might be so, Lily thought. After all, Alexandre had spent a fortune making her look like that. Experts had been working on her since early morning.

Alexandre had invited a famous make-up artist, along with his entourage. The beautiful ball gown was personally created for her by a famous designer of Paris. What else should one expect. Lily herself thought she looked like a giant work of art. But it was not for this reason that she was envied. She was sure of it.

It was more because of the man next to her, why she attracted scowling glances like light attracts flies. “You’re kidding. When I’m with him, I’m as beautiful as a potato.” She laughed.

Alexandre leaned closer. “I’m not sure, darling. I think 75% of the eyes are on you this time. Very few glances are upon me and I’m already regretting having brought you along tonight. Some looks are not appropriate for this occasion. ” He murmurs to her and leans over to kiss her hairline. Blood rushed into her cheeks. There was that dark flicker in his eyes again. His touch, she couldn’t take it anymore. Cold had settled around her heart and the reality of her situation was more clear than ever before. If there had once been a time when she had enjoyed his gentle caresses, she could now only bear them under the cloak of a performance. Lily blocked out all her thoughts. She would play her part with flying colors. She would convince herself. That she was a happy wife. But she would never lose sight of her goal. She’d force the corners of her mouth to rise.

Luckily, Phillipe directed the conversation in a gentleman like manner to more pleasant subjects.