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“I see,” Hugo mused, annoyed. “And why is it the talk of the town?”

“Tristan, you have not told him of the talk around Miss Seraphina?” Everett asked, raising a brow toward him.

“I know and I do not care about it,” Hugo retorted, and realized he meant it.

After all when had rumors ever turned out to be completely true? They certainly never were when it came to his own reputation. He’d spoken enough with Seraphina, seen enough hostility from her mother, to know that things were not as everyone assumed.

Chance had brought it up shortly after he’d walked away from his dance with Seraphina. His new acquaintance had delivered it as a warning, but Hugo found himself unperturbed by the information. He did not care how she came to be. Only where she was going. And, if he had anything to do with it, that place would be by his side.

“She is going to be my wife. I have already decided it.”

“Why her?” Dominic asked.

“She must be special if she has pulled you so quickly out of isolation,” Everett chimed in.

“She is not afraid of me,” Hugo answered, feeling a warmth in his chest as he said so. He kept the fact that he also found her beautiful and downright fascinating to himself.

“She doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything. I admire that.”

Everett chortled.

“Well, be careful of those bold, unafraid women,” he replied. “Her mother is apparently one, and she clearly had no fear of going to Seraphina’s father the moment his wife died. Word is she is trying to become the new Duchess of Caldermere."

“Watch yourself,” Hugo and Tristan warned in unison.

Though still annoyed with Tristan’s meddling, he glanced at his friend in appreciation.

“Seraphina is not her mother,” Tristan said, still holding Hugo’s gaze for a moment. “She is a good girl, and a dear friend to my sister. Do not let these fools dissuade you from your pursuits, Hugo.”

Everett looked theatrically from Tristan to Hugo. “Do I sense a competition?”

“Not at all,” Tristan replied quickly, raising his glass in a seceding manner toward Hugo. “I just know how such loose talk can ruin a person. Seraphina has it bad enough. She does not need such words spoken of her. As I said, she is a good girl. Noneof us can control the circumstances we grew up in. We can only make the best of it.”

Hugo said nothing as he abandoned his drink, knowing his friend’s words were meant for him just as much as they were meant for Seraphina. And indeed, his intent to pursue only intensified with each warning. The bold lady he’d chosen to court was growing more fascinating to him by the minute. So much so that he decided to forgive Tristan for making him the topic of conversation.

“Ah, Tristan,” Dominic sighed dramatically, “You are a rake with a heart of gold. How did that happen?”

Tristan smirked.

“Of all the men in this group,Iam the one you deem a rake?” he scoffed, then drained his glass.

“Speaking of rakish behavior,” Dominic mused, his smile growing wolfish, “What was the situation in Merrivale? Did you keep…company?”

Hugo scoffed, finally taking a sip from his glass.

“With my reputation? Even the ladies of the night avoided me.”

“Hmm, we suspected as much,” Everett chimed in, his smile matching Dominic’s. “Which is why we arranged something else for you this evening.”

“An invitation,” Tristan piped up.

“A very unique invitation,” Dominic sang.

Hugo smiled, feeling more at ease.

“What are you on about?” He asked, looking toward Tristan for answers.”

“You may be marrying Seraphina soon enough, old boy,” Tristan replied, reaching over to clap his back, “But at the present, you are single and unattached. Come, we are going a to party.”