Page 4 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke

“Yes, it was. The attendance was more than envisaged.”

“They say you had a cozy dance with Meredith Charlett,” his mother said.

She was keeping her voice even but William heard the minute raise in pitch. His mother was always interested in matching him damsels she saw as suitable.

“Cozy? Who told you this?” William asked her.

The Duchess shook her head, waving her hand in a small flicker simultaneously. She was telling him to forget who told her.

“Can anything be expected of the public affectations? Or you just did it because you do things like that.”

“Nothing,” William replied quickly. “It was just a dance mother.”

The Duchess laughed, it was a short sniff that signaled confirmation of what she was thinking.

She never leaves this issue of marriage. I am yet to see a damsel who will bring me up to scratch but she doesn’t see it this way.

“William, time is going. Stop playing around with women and pick one already,” she said.

William nodded his head and turned to leave, thinking that was what she summoned him for.

“I’m not done William. That is not the reason why I called for you,” she said.

William turned back to her.

“So why did you summon me?” William asked.

“I hear you challenged Duke Nicholas Hardwater to a duel yesterday at the ball,” she said.

William knew she would find out. His answer was curt.

“Yes.”

“And he accepted.”

“Yes.”

She turned around now, dark shadows enveloping some parts of her face. William couldn’t see her expression but he could tell she didn’t like what he had done.

“Your father will not hear of this behaviour. I don’t think he needs such disturbing news right now.”

She paused for a while before continuing.

“I would have told you to not send the letter or decline the letter that is sure to come but that would be a waste of time. You pride yourself on such petty and dangerous affairs. I’ll just remind you that Nicholas is a dangerous and cunning fellow. I knew him closely before I married your father. He courted me once, I refused his affectations. Nicholas will have a winning plan.”

William understood what his mother was saying; he expected tricks from the Duke.

“I am aware of his character; Duke Nicholas Hardwater is not an honourable man. But I will overcome,” William replied her.

She walked closer to him, the material of her night gown singing as it brushed the apron of her bed. She placed her hands on his neck and squeezed gently.

“Going away with your life matters far more than winning this bout. Your father is a sick man William, do not kill him.”

She kissed him lightly on his cheek and patted his neck twice. William turned left the room. He understood what she meant, if anything happened to him, his father would not be able to take it. He wasn’t planning on allowing anything happen to him.

By noon a horseman arrived with a letter from the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, it was the challenge to duel.

I, Duke Nicholas Hardwater of Buckingham and Chandos, challenge you William Marlow, son of Justin Marlow, Duke of Welllington, to a duel to the death or yield. Meet me at noon at the field after the wheat fields. Come with your second. To ensure fairness, swords have been provided at our point of duel. Accept and fight for your honour or reject and send a written apology for the unsavoury manner you conducted yourself and for tarnishing my honour.