Page 102 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke

“A long while ago sir, less than two weeks to this time,” William replied.

“But you both have gone to a ball or two after, haven’t you?”

“Yes sir, we have.”

“If you had come to such a conclusion why did you still attend the ball?” the Earl asked.

William smiled. The man was proving to be as difficult as Esther had claimed he was.

“We had not let both set of parents know of our decision, and knowing the nature of high grade courtships of this kind, we decided to keep the relationship as normal till we let you know,” William replied.

The Earl nodded his head gently. He scratched the naked skin on his head and turned the stool to face the fire.

“William,” he said.

“Yes my Lord,” William answered.

“Did you know of the man to whom Esther claims her heart belongs?”

“Yes sir, I got to know of him some time ago,” William replied.

“Is that the reason you want us to put an end to a wonderful arrangement such as yours?” the Duke said, smiling.

William shook his head. The Earl turned back to face them and was smiling a bit, as if he had discovered something in William’s answers.

“That is not the only reason why we decided to stop it. What is the use of continuing a courtship where neither party truly feels anything for the other person? Her relationship just added to our resolve, it didn’t cause it,” William answered.

The Earl stood up and walked to William. He looked as if he would stand in front of William but he instead stood beside him, facing his daughter while William still faced the fire place.

“You knew what you wanted and still allowed the unsuspecting young man chase you around in hope of a marriage,” the Earl said.

William attempted to turn around but the Earl had gripped his hand tight. He held him tight, forcing his hand not to turn and causing William to remain as he was.

“Father, I tried to love William,” she said.

Her voice was shaky.

She fears her father.

“You didn’t try hard enough,” the Earl replied.

“I did. We did everything we were meant to do, we spent so much time together,” she cried out.

“No, you didn’t,” he replied.

William forced his arm out of the man’s grip and turned to look at Esther. Her eyes were a deep red and torrents of tears flowed down both cheeks. She mumbled something he didn’t hear.

“What did you say?” the Earl said.

Esther looked at her father with eyes that spat a host of unaffectionate emotions. There was anger there, and dislike. William decided it was dislike because it wasn’t possible for her to hate her father.

Or is it?

“You are never satisfied with anything. Everything must be to your taste. Well I am tired of being more a stooge than a daughter.”

Esther turned and walked out of the house, banging the huge door behind her. William turned sideways to look at her stunned father. He was shocked at her outburst and didn’t attempt to hide it.

“She doesn’t mean that sir. She is just very angry,” he said.