Page 87 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke

“I think we should discuss this first, Joane.”

“It’s just a conversation, Emma. I can handle that,” Joane replied.

Emma would have spoken again if not that Lord James held her hand, taking her concentration away from Joane. Joane was surprised that Lord James had the confidence to hold her friend that way, not many men could do that. She didn’t hear what Emma told him because she was already walking away, her hand in Esther’s. She turned back to see Emma discussing animatedly with Lord James. It was an amorous but heated discussion.

Joane turned her head in the direction William was. He was staring at her.

What is this William?

She turned back to face Miss Esther who was walking out of the hall. She removed her hand from Miss Esther’s grip and walked beside her. They went out through the back door, coming out into a walkway. The walkway was long and turned at the end, around a huge building. Joane didn’t know what that building was.

“I do not want to take too much of your time, Miss Joane Hardwater but I don’t think it can be avoided. Please you will have to forgive me,” Esther said.

“There is nothing to forgive,” Joane replied.

They were walking but slowly now. Joane saw the silver skin of her shoe as she raised each foot.

“I know you have an idea of what I want to talk to you about,” Esther said.

“Yes, I think so,” Joane replied.

“I know you are angry at Mr. William now,”

“But when I am done explaining, you will realise there is little to be angry about. I think just the fact that he sent me, his alleged fiancée to speak on his behalf defeats the sensibilities of the argument that incurred your pique,” Esther said.

Joane nodded her head.

“Yes, I am wondering what is happening here,” she said.

“Let me start from this. Mr. William told me you heard that he and I are in a courtship. Let me clarify that for you although ultimately it is true.”

“You are in a courtship?” Joane asked, her shaky voice refusing to respond to control.

“Yes,” Esther said.

Joane dabbed her eyes with the ‘kerchief.

So what are we doing here?

“But not in the way you think we are,” Esther continued.

Joane stared at her.

“Explain,” she commented.

“Mr. William and I are only in this relationship because of the pressure from our parents. You are royalty yourself; you know the demands of the ton and court. We have an arrangement, Mr. William and I. I have a suitor with whom my heart lies and William knows that. But this arrangement was made between his mother and my father.

My father, the Earl of Norfolk, is one of the most difficult men to deal with. I cannot outright reject Mr. William because my father knows of him so I told him about my situation and the presence of the one with which my heart lies. We decided to continue the show of a relationship between us, at least in the public eyes, until we feel that both of our parents completely believe us, especially my father. After that, we make a show of a break-up which would be totally believable by our parents. I can then bring Andrew, which is his name, home as the man with which I want to spend the rest of my life.

From our last discussion, Mr. William has already named you to his parents.”

“He has?” Joane asked.

“Yes, he told me that,” Esther said.

Joane smiled.

“So you and William are nothing but an arrangement to allow tongues wag. The entire hand holding is for show?” Joane asked.