Page 77 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke

“I and Esther are nothing James, I just told you that. We are a charade just waiting for the right time to end things,” William said.

“And you said she knows that?” Lord James asked.

“Of course, she asked for it.”

“Then there isn’t a problem,” Lord James said.

William looked sharply at his friend.

How isn’t there a problem?

“Explain,” he said.

“We get Esther to admit to Joane that her arrangement with you is nothing but a farce, something to keep her parents happy. You would have to tell her about the agreement between you and your mother too. It might seem too convenient but she would believe if Esther told her directly,” Lord James said.

“What of her friend, Emma?” William asked.

“Forget about Emma, William. I’ll handle Emma.”

William nodded his head. It looked like it would work.

“Why hadn’t I even thought of it before? It looks so simple an answer,” William said.

“It is. You were too disturbed to think clearly, that’s one of the reasons you need me,” Lord James answered.

“But you have to be careful,” Lord James said.

“With what?”

“Take care never to mention the fact that she was just a ploy for vengeance to you. If you say that she would never believe you. She won’t even give you a chance. You’ve burned her once; Emma would never allow her hurt two times.”

William nodded his head.

That was true.

“And frankly, if you do that I would fear for your life. Emma would kill you,” Lord James said.

William laughed at his friend’s comment.

“So when do you plan to go see Esther?” Lord James asked.

“Tomorrow, I planned to go see you tomorrow but since you are here now, I’ll go there tomorrow,” William replied.

“Good. I’m going to stay here till tomorrow,” Lord James said.

William nodded his head. He was happy Lord James was staying. He needed his friend. The door opened and in came a steward carrying a bowl of hot water. The steam twirled above the bucket, pushing out bands of heat. The steward entered the bathroom. William heard water being poured into another container.

He is mixing it.

“What were you and my ma discussing before I came?” William asked Lord James.

“It’s a funny topic. She asked me when you would be brought up to scratch,” he said.

William smiled. His mother was always devising new ways to get him married.

“What did you say?” William asked.

“I told her I didn’t know, that it all depends on you,” Lord James replied.