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CHAPTER TWENTY

Two Weeks Later

“Bless y-,” Tristan began to say to Hugo, then his words were cut off as he himself sneezed.

“What the bloody hell is going on, Fenwick?” Duncan asked, wiping his red eyes.

“Dust and pollen,” Hugo explained, that coughed as another cloud pulled into his lungs. “The first rotation is being harvested, it kicks it up into the air. No one is safe.”

“I cannot concentrate like this,” Everett stated, joining in on the displeasure as he held his kerchief to his face. “Can you at least shut the windows?”

“What, and have us die of heat?” Dominic growled, swiping angrily at the dusty air.

“We’re finished with this meeting, aren't we Hugo?” He asked, turning to his friend.

“As long as your satisfied with the dividends, yes,” Hugo replied, his eyes stinging.

“Then let’s get out of here, head to White’s in London and get some whiskey and air that doesn’t burn my lungs,” Everett stated.

“Marvelous idea,” Duncan chimed in, already heading toward the door. “Ezra and Morgan are there already, all we have to do is send word to them about meeting at White’s.”

In the hallway it was slightly easier to breathe, but even still Hugo could see the tiny dust particles shimmering through the air.

“You coming, Hugo?” Tristan asked.

Hugo shook his head. “I am not finished yet. You go. I’ll find another place to work. Perhaps in the west wing, since the winds are blowing to the east.”

“Suit yourself,” Everett answered, obviously wanting to waste no time getting out of there.

Hugo walked them all to the door and they bid their goodbyes, but just as he was about to close the door, Tristan turned and put his hand on it.

“Theo wants to know for sure that you are bringing Seraphina to the Rose festival ball in London this Friday. Please tell me you are so that I may put an end to her nagging,” Tristan pled.

Though he wasn’t thrilled about returning to London so soon, Hugo nodded. It had never been his intention to keep Seraphina from her friends, and he wanted her to know that.

“Tell Theo that we will assuredly be there,” Hugo replied. “Just don’t expect me to be in a cheerful mood about it.”

“You never are,” Tristan chuckled. He then clapped Hugo on the shoulder, and hurried toward the waiting carriage.

Seraphina looked up from her book, and her brows rose in surprise as she took in the state of Hugo.

“What happened to you?” She asked.

“Dust,” Hugo muttered, then sneezed so loudly and violently that Seraphina had to stifle a laugh.

“It is not funny,” he grumbled, blowing his nose into his kerchief, “It’s wickedly annoying. Your library seems to be the only room in the house unaffected by the dreaded stuff. Unfortunately that means I need to finish my work in here.”

Seraphina waved an arm around the vast room she’d newly reorganized and made her own. She had continued taking Leah’s advice, and as her sister-in-law promised, things had turned around. She was not only completely comfortable with staff now and her new responsibilities, but indeed enjoyed them. As well as her new home. It had seemed vast and cold and first, but now that she knew her way around and claimed a few rooms as her own, it felt like hers.

As Hugo had promised, Merrivale had indeed become her safety. She woke up happy every morning, and though Hugo never stayed in her bed after his visits, she went to sleep happy every night. There was truly no one to fear, no one to hide from. And it made her spirit soar.

“By all means, you are welcome to share the space,” she replied. “Sit wherever you wish and breathe in the clean air.”

Hugo made a show of dragging a deep breath of the clean, unpollinated air into his lungs and then huffing it out slowly, making him giggle. He was still quite somber most of the time, but more and more, he seemed to make small attempts at jokes.

“I’ll be sure not to disturb you,” he said, taking a seat at the empty desk. “Please, return to your reading. Pretend I am not here.”

Seraphina simply nodded as she shifted comfortably in her large, cushioned chaise, and watched leisurely as Hugo set his portfolios atop the desk. Within minutes he was focused on his work, reading and scribbling with intent.