Page 16 of Courting the Duke (Reimagined Regency #2)

Hoxton stood near the temporary stage the servants had built for his young cousins.

The set was hidden behind heavy curtains until the performance began.

He had been disappointed that the rain had prevented their outing.

Estate business precluded him from taking his morning ride, and he missed the fresh air.

Imogene and the countess occupied a cream-colored settee at the front of the room, entertaining two other female guests.

Blackstone stood next to a neighboring gentleman and his wife, his head bent in conversation with the two.

Stiller stood by the door, his gaze locked on the portal while an elderly man regaled him with stories of the hunt.

Hoxton didn’t envy him the conversation as the other man was hard of hearing.

Lady Roxanne hadn’t come down yet, nor had Miss Deburgiak.

Since Daisy was directing the play, she was noticeably absent.

Although his grandmother had tasked Imogene with pairing Daisy with either Blackstone or Stiller, they were both more interested in marrying Lady Roxanne.

Her absence from most gatherings suggested that Daisy was content with the results.

The occupants behind the curtains erupted in loud giggles, followed by hushed voices. He smiled at their exuberance, envying their innocence. He’d lost his the second he put on his uniform. Shaking off the sobering thought, he peered through the curtain, driven by curiosity.

Five children—the Vicar’s three sons and Hoxton’s cousins, Roberta and Elizabeth—were receiving directions from Daisy, who was wearing a tricorn hat and feathered plume.

All looked to be close in age and were dressed as pirates.

While the older children were engrossed in preparations for The Pirate King , his ten-year-old cousin Ava sat at the piano.

Rapscallion was on his perch next to the instrument.

Ava was an outgoing sort who had learned to play the pianoforte at a very young age.

No matter her talent, she was often eclipsed by her sisters, rather like Miss Deburgiak and her cousin.

“Lady Roxanne and Miss Deburgiak,” the butler announced.

Hoxton released the curtain, a bit nervous to see Lady Roxanne after his confession.

Torn between honesty and shielding her from his troubled mind, he hesitated.

At times, the weight of his constant guilt became overwhelming, and he’d remain unmarried if the title weren’t involved.

It was unfair to ask her to live with a broken man, no matter how normal he appeared on the surface.

Smiling radiantly, Lady Roxanne entered wearing a lovely white gown and purple flowers in her hair. He recognized them from the garden path they’d strode along the day before. In an unassuming way, was she signaling her preference for him by wearing them, like a favor of old?

“Lady Roxanne.” Hoxton bowed to her and took her hand, placing a kiss well above the back of it before releasing her gloved hand. “You rival the garden in your beauty.”

He didn’t usually offer flattery without prompting, but it felt fitting in that instance.

“Thank you, Hoxton, for the compliment and for the note. It was much appreciated.” Her unwavering smile was encouraging.

Miss Deburgiak stepped behind her, revealing herself.

It had been more than a day since Hoxton had last seen her.

Captivated by her slender form in a pale yellow dress, he tried not to linger on the fullness of her breasts that strained against the fabric.

He was happy she participated in today’s events.

“You are welcome.” Nodding to Miss Deburgiak, a grin broke out on his face.

A smile touched her lips as she nodded, then she ducked her head.

“Lady Roxanne, Miss Deburgiak.” Stiller rushed to their side, bowing to each lady in turn. Beaming at them, he rocked back on his heels. Although courting the same woman as Hoxton, his amiability made it impossible to be jealous of him.

A tinkling bell sounded, breaking the awkward silence that followed Stiller’s exuberant greeting. His infatuation with the lady was on full display, for he seemed to lack artifice.

“I believe the play is about to start.” Hoxton held out his arm to Lady Roxanne before Stiller could.

He might like the chap, but he wasn’t willing to give up without a fight.

Too much rode on the association. His shoulders fell as the full weight of his responsibilities shot to his mind.

His grandmother never let a moment pass without reminding him.

Luckily, she had decided not to attend the house party.

Stiller’s expression fell before he turned to Miss Deburgiak. With a rallying smile, he asked, “Might I escort you to your seat?”

Miss Deburgiak glanced at Hoxton before she nodded. “Yes, thank you.” She placed a hand in the crook of Stiller’s arm, her cheeks turning a rosy hue.

The bite of jealousy hit Hoxton as he guided Lady Roxanne toward the empty seats near the stage.

Whether by design or by chance, Stiller once again seemed to be ingratiating himself with a woman Hoxton was interested in.

The realization brought him up short. He had no right to have designs on Miss Deburgiak.

If he decided to marry Lady Roxanne, she would be related to him.

They’d be around each other more, and even though he found her very pretty, he wouldn’t disrespect her or Lady Roxanne by carrying on a flirtation with Miss Deburgiak.

“You mentioned your cousins are putting on a production of The Pirate King . During my childhood, Serena was always encouraging me to stage plays. She even penned a play featuring a talking horse.” Lady Roxanne squeezed his arm, her perfume reminiscent of blooming roses.

The purple flowers in her hair enhanced her golden hue.

She truly was beautiful. “It was very amusing.”

“Miss Deburgiak is gifted, as are you. I have heard you play.” Hoxton escorted Lady Roxanne to the row of five chairs. She scooted into the second seat, leaving the one on the end for him. “You should never sell yourself short.”

While she showed fortitude at times, she still seemed unsure of her own talents.

Stiller and Miss Deburgiak took their seats from the other end of the chairs. Miss Deburgiak sat beside her cousin, while Stiller sat to her left.

The music started before the curtain was pulled back enough to allow Daisy to stand before them. The tricorn hat was angled over one eye, and Rapscallion perched on her shoulder.

Lady Roxanne gasped and pushed herself back in her seat.

Hoxton’s stomach sank. Miss Deburgiak laid her hand on her charge’s arm and whispered something in her ear.

He wanted to comfort Lady Roxanne as well, but if he expressed too much familiarity, he’d have more problems than her fear of birds. Or his apparent fear of commitment.

“Without further ado, I present, The Pirate King .” After Daisy made the introductions, she exited through the curtains.

Lady Roxanne appeared relieved once the bird vanished, and her tension eased. At times, she her manor was rather na?ve. He hoped it was merely an act for the benefit of her suitors. Hoxton was pleased Miss Deburgiak had no such affectations.

Melodic music increased as the curtains were drawn back to reveal the stage. A pirate flag adorned a makeshift boat at the center, a blue rug simulating water spread before it.

A boy hurried across the stage but faltered as the pianoforte stopped playing. Still at the piano, Ava’s eyes were wide with terror. Her preparation for the performance had only started when Daisy made the suggestion before the house party.

Imogene shot to her feet, worry lines appearing between her brows on Ava’s behalf. Daisy shook her head at her stepmother, signaling the boy to begin his lines.

While the play commenced, Ava stayed at the pianoforte but fumbled repeatedly with the lively piece of music.

The show of weakness was unlike his young cousin.

She was usually very confident, but she was still a child with a child’s fears.

However, she kept playing, which was a testament to her determination.

“Poor dear,” Lady Roxanne murmured. Ava hit a sharp note and glanced up, biting her bottom lip in distress.

Lady Agatha grumbled something about the offense to her ears. Fortunately, her daughter was more empathetic to Ava’s plight.

“Oh, I must help her.” Lady Roxanne nudged his arm before rising to her feet. Her gaze locked on Ava, she said, “Please let me out.”

“Of course.” Hoxton stood and stepped aside to let her pass. As she entered from the side of the stage, his high opinion of her grew even more. After sliding onto the bench beside Ava, Lady Roxanne leaned in close and whispered to the girl. Ava nodded, pointing to the sheet music.

His fondness for Lady Roxanne grew stronger. He stole a glance at Miss Deburgiak, unsure of his reasons for doing so. Although she leaned in Hoxton’s direction, her cousin was the clear focus of her attention, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek.

He angled his torso until they were closer in response to her silent request.

“She has the biggest heart of anyone you will ever meet,” Miss Deburgiak said with a wavering smile. “She is truly an angel and I pray that you can see that.”

“I do see her goodness.” His eyes were drawn back to the stage by the initial notes of the piano. With heads together, Ava and Lady Roxanne played in perfect synchronization.

With a soft exhale, she said, “Then I beg you not to keep her in suspense any longer.”

Her words hung heavily between them. Miss Deburgiak was right.

The time for wavering was over. Although his heart still balked at the choice, his head said to stop putting off the inevitable.

After chancing a glance at her once more, he nodded.

Tonight, he’d request an audience with the viscount.

It was past time he asked for Lady Roxanne’s hand in marriage, but he needed her father’s blessing first.