VIVIENNE WALKED TOWARDS the library hallway before stopping a few steps away. Her feet turned around, but she forced herself to spin once again and continue. She was not going to avoid that library just because a possibility of running into James existed. Vivienne would make use of the library if she wished, and whatever limbo existed between James and her was not going to stop her. With determination flowing through her blood, she took the remaining steps, standing in the doorway of the library.

The exact place where everything had gone down.

Holding in a deep breath, she pushed open the doors. Light filtered in through the massive windows, as she quietly made her way to the back where some of her favourite novels were stacked. She sighed in relief at the empty sounds.

It did not seem as though the duke was occupying the study adjoined with the library. Although the door was left uncharacteristically open, something she had not experience before. She was about to move past it when the chessboard caught her eye. It seemed that James had moved it back into his study. 

The chess pieces lay organized and ready for a game. She hesitated, lingering in the space between both rooms, before stepping into his study to observe the board. Looking at it reminded her of that night, but she brushed the thoughts away quickly. Before she knew what she was doing, her fingers glazed across the chessboard and she moved the white piece.

"My lady."

Vivienne swirled so fast that her dress brushed against the chessboard. She clasped her chest, grateful that none of the chess pieces had fallen.

"Preston," she said looking at the butler stiffly.

His gaze did not judge her as he bowed. "There is a caller for you, my lady."

Vivienne brightened. It had been a while since she had visited Fiona and vice versa. Her friend was busy and well in the midst of planning her impending wedding to Viscount Berkeley. They had not been able to see each other as often as Vivienne would have like. "Lead them into the parlour and send up a tray of biscuits and tea please," she commanded.

He bowed once more, leaving her alone in the duke's office. Vivienne slowly closed the door behind her and walked up to the parlour. When she opened it, she was surprised to see that it was not Fiona, but a gentleman.

"Captain Gronow," she said pleasantly confused at his presence. "What a surprise."

He grinned, his moustache standing up at the gesture. "Lady Torrington here was telling me you don't receive many gentlemen. I told her that it is just not possible with such a lovely face."

Vivienne gave him a small smile even as heat rose within her cheeks at the compliment. Her gaze swivelled to see Lady Torrington knitting in the corner. "Perhaps they become terrified once they learn the address," she admitted.

He gave her an inquisitive smile, "Yes, that perked my curiosity as well. Are you and Lennox particularly close?"

It was Lady Torrington who cut in. "I asked James to allow us into his Mayfair home for the London season," the dowager explained. "I don't have a permanent London residence and he was gracious enough to host us both."

The door swung open as a maid brought in tea and biscuits. Vivienne settled down and took a cup, savouring the sweetness of the drink. "So, Captain, what brings you here?"

"Well, Lady Vivienne," the captain said rather nervously. "I was hoping that you would accompany me for an outing?"

Vivienne's hand stilled midway to her face and the cup of tea hovered in the air. The Captain had become increasingly affectionate towards her in the last couple of weeks. She had shared a dance with him at every ball they attended and had gone on a few more carriage rides in Hyde Park.

Before Vivienne could reply, Lady Torrington answered for her, "That's an excellent idea Captain Gronow. In fact, I do hear that there is a special showing of some play in Covent Gardens tonight."

Vivienne's face lit up. Despite everything, she had been wanting to go to the theatre forever. At this point, the season was dwindling down, and she did not care who she went with. She wanted to see the big stage and the splendor around it. She had heard snippets of information from the other ladies in the ballrooms which only heightened her curiosity about the place.

The parlour room burst open, and the duke froze, his gaze swinging between all the occupants of the room. Vivienne's heart traitorously leapt. She had not seen James the last several weeks as they both seemed to have a mutual agreement of avoiding one another. She had caught a glimpse of him briefly in Bond Street where he had been escorting a young lady around in the shops. When she had seen him, the crack in her heart had grown larger but she knew very well that she had no claim over him—he had made that much, very clear.

She took a closer look at him now, trying to memorize his features as if it would be the last time she would see him. His brown hair was unkept and Vivienne noticed the dark circles around his eyes—he looked weary and tired. Something was bothering him.

"Excuse me, I didn't realize that this parlour was in use."

Captain Gronow stood up, "Ah no worries Your Grace. I was just paying Lady Vivienne and your great-aunt a visit."

"Captain Gronow was planning on taking Lady Vivienne to Covent Gardens tonight." Lady Torrington explain to her great-nephew in a matter-of-fact tone.

Vivienne watched as Captain Gronow's skin deepened a shade and he stammered out the words. "I-I would love to do that, but I don't have a box you see," he gave Vivienne an apologetic smile and her heart fell.

One of her greatest desires upon arriving in London had been to visit the Royal Opera house and see a play. She had read a couple of them from the library but to see the costumes and theatrics would have been spectacular. Alas, it was not meant to be.

"That's alright Captain," Vivienne said as she gave him an encouraging smile. She didn't want him to feel worse than he already did. She knew the Captain was not as rich as some others in London might be, but he had been kind and very considerate to her—which was more than she could say for others.

Lady Torrington paused her knitting, "Well, I have the perfect solution for that. James dear, would you be so kind and let them borrow your box for the evening?"

"Oh no, I would never ask His Grace to do such a thing," Captain Gronow said immediately.

Lady Torrington's lips lifted upwards slightly, "It's not you whose asking dear, but me."

Vivienne felt James' brandy-coloured eyes look at her, and their gaze met for the first time in weeks. A heartbeat passed and neither of them looked away. Vivienne did not know what James saw in her eyes, but seconds later, he gave a short nod. "I will make my box available to you both this evening."

Captain Gronow returned his nod, "I am most thankful Your Grace. But I must insist that you join us as well. After all, it is your box."

Vivienne froze, this was the last thing she wanted. Having James close to her while trying to forget about him entirely was going to be difficult. The duke seemed to be pondering his response and just when Vivienne thought he was going to refuse he nodded, "It has been quite a while since I visited the theatre. Perhaps I will join you both."

Vivienne smiled politely even as inside she was screaming with annoyance, "That is quite wonderful to hear."

***

James sat stiffly inside the carriage. He was well aware of the limited space, and ever so often, his knees would brush against the folds of Vivienne's white dress. She had not spared him a look, merely taking the hands of one of the footmen to pull herself inside the carriage.

"Are we to never speak again?" he asked.

Green eyes, which normally seemed bright with life and happiness turned to him, colder than ever. "I think you've made your position quite clear, Your Grace."

He almost flinched at the tone of her voice, but mostly at the formality she spoke to him with. Through the last few months, he had not noticed, but he had enjoyed her companionship greatly. She had become a reassuring presence in his house and mind. He missed the easy conversation between them at dinners. Now things had become stilled, as if an invisible thread lay broken between the two of them.

It really was for the best that James kept his distance. He saw her go on more outings with Gronow the last few weeks. The Captain was not exactly the most handsome man, but Vivienne seemed to enjoy his company. If Gronow was spending this much time with Vivienne, it would be smart for James to ask Gilford to investigate the man.

James inhaled the smell of jasmine and honey. Vivienne's scent was distracting enough on a normal day and in a small carriage, it was almost suffocating. He had too many thoughts churning in his brain to be attending a play at Covent Garden with a lady who did not like him very much—anymore. But Aunt Esme had requested James to attend on her behalf, to act as some sort of chaperone. Hesitantly, he had agreed but his mind was occupied elsewhere.

They still had not found anything about the man that had died in the Home Office. James felt extremely uneasy on how there were not any leads. The other Bow Street Runner's refused to give him any information, classifying it as a closed case and a high matter to the British security. He hoped justice would be served soon.

His mind drifted to Lady Selina. He still did not know what to make of his intended. Gilford was certain it was her, but James still needed to have a conversation with the Earl of Westmorland to confirm her identity. Briefly, he had thought about bringing her tonight, but Lady Selina had gently let him down, saying she was plagued with a headache.

Lady Selina was less shy around him now, but he could never imagine himself marrying her. She was too mellow and...mousy. It was not like he could break the engagement—according to Baldwin, Chalcott manor would be her payment if he did so. No, he needed to make her break the engagement instead. Which was an easier task than said, as Lady Selina was still unaware of the finer details in the betrothal contract.

The carriage halted abruptly, and Vivienne was thrown into him. His hands moved of their own accord and landed on her hips to settle her. She inhaled sharply, and James froze. Relishing in the fact that she was in his arms, for however brief of a second it was, he let his hands linger. He looked down, to see her eyes wide and she licked her pink lips. Heat blazed in James' own eyes, mirroring what he saw in Vivienne's.

Then the carriage door opened, and the moment broke. "Please release me, Your Grace," she said tightly, the words lacking the warmth he had seen reflected in her eyes mere moments ago.

James promptly removed his hands and let the groomsman assist her before exiting himself. Up ahead, Gronow waited for them.

"Your Grace, Lady Vivienne," the captain said giving them both a nod. "I do believe we should head inside; the play will be starting soon enough."

James nodded, letting Gronow lead Vivienne into the theatre. He trailed back, watching as the two of them talked and exchanged pleasantries. On his way inside, he was stopped more than once by mothers trying to introduce their daughters to him. He smiled politely at the mothers, gave an uninterested bow towards the daughters, before ushering them on their way.

"You are quite famous Your Grace," Gronow said with a humorous tone.

"By famous if you are inclining that Mama's like to throw their daughters at me, then yes I am." he said dryly.

Vivienne gave him a chiding looking but he ignored it. They settled into his box with Vivienne and Gronow occupying the front seats while he took one behind them. To his annoyance they sat close together, with Vivienne's gloved hand lingering on Gronow's. As if feeling his gaze, she momentarily turned around and their eyes met for a brief second before she faced forward once again.

The play began and instead of watching the stage, James drank in Vivienne. He saw how excited and enthralled she was by the actors and their performance. Her eyes gleamed in the night and he felt a pang of sadness that he had not been able to bring her that joy before. These days, all James did was bring misery onto everyone.

He watched as between interludes Gronow and Vivienne whispered to each other, speaking about the play but other topics as well. The captain seemed enthralled with Vivienne as he latched onto her every word. He touched her politely, whenever he could but his hands never strayed—the perfect gentleman indeed.

The ache in James' heart grew as he watched them interact. He had no place here. He was nothing but a hinderance. James supposed he was the only one to blame for such loneliness. He was the one who had pushed Vivienne away when she had confessed her feelings for him.

Standing up from his seat, he drew the other's attention.

"Is everything alright Your Grace?" Vivienne asked him, with worry in her eyes.

He nearly huffed at her question. No nothing was alright, yet she had been kind enough to ask him even when he had hurt her in unimaginable ways. He cleared his throat, "I remembered I have another engagement elsewhere," his eyes turned to the Captain. "May I ask that you ensure Lady Vivienne safely make it back to Mayfair?"

James held the man's gaze and he nodded solemnly. Understanding passed between the two of them. "Well then, I bid you both goodnight and please enjoy the rest of your evening."

And then, James left the box, the goddamn theatre, and Covent Garden without another glance.

---------------

Poor James, what should he do?