Page 6 of Duke of Emeralds (Dukes of Decadence #2)

T he butler entered the drawing room with a polite cough, drawing Hester’s attention from her embroidery. “My Lady, you have a caller,” he announced with a bow.

Hester’s eyes widened in surprise, and she nearly dropped her needle. “A caller? For me?” she asked.

The butler nodded. “Indeed, My Lady. His Grace, the Duke of Lushton.”

Hester’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt a flush creep up her cheeks. She quickly set her embroidery aside, her hands trembling slightly as she smoothed her skirts. “Please, show him in,” she managed to say, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her stomach.

Moments later, the Duke of Lushton entered the room, his tall frame filling the doorway.

Hester stood quickly, her embroidery kit tumbling from her lap and scattering across the carpet.

“Your Grace,” she said, her cheeks burning with embarrassment as she watched the spools of thread and fabric swatches roll in every direction.

The Duke let out a deep chuckle, his Scottish accent lending a musical quality to his laughter. “Please, daenae trouble yerself,” he said, bending down to help gather the scattered items.

Hester knelt as well, her fingers brushing against his as they both reached for the same spool of thread. She pulled her hand back as if burned, her blush deepening. “I… beg your pardon,” she stammered, feeling utterly mortified by her clumsiness.

He smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “There’s nothing to forgive, Lady Hester,” he said, handing her a handful of fabric swatches. “Though I must say, I dinnae expect to find ye engaged in such delicate work.”

Hester took the swatches from him, her fingers trembling slightly. “I… dabble,” she said, her voice barely audible. She couldn’t understand why she suddenly desired to impress him. It was ridiculous, truly. She was a grown woman, not a silly debutante.

He picked up another swatch, his gaze lingering on the intricate Celtic pattern she had been working on. “Such talent,” he remarked, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

Hester’s fingers fumbled with the fabric swatches as she gathered her supplies, her cheeks still warm from the Duke’s compliment. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just a little something to while away the time,” she said, her gaze fixed on the embroidery in her hands.

“Impressive nonetheless,” he insisted, his eyes never leaving her face.

The warmth in her cheeks intensified, and she quickly averted her gaze, focusing on the task of gathering her things. She could feel his eyes on her, and it made her heart race all the more.

“Pardon me for dropping in so unexpectedly,” he said. “But I wished to see ye after the… events at the ball.”

Hester’s hands stilled for a moment, the memory of that evening flooding back. She did not like the reminder of the state he had found her in, but she appreciated his gesture, nevertheless. “Oh, I am perfectly fine, Your Grace. Thank you,” she said, forcing a smile to her lips.

“Would you like some tea?” she offered, mostly to change the subject.

He declined with a polite shake of his head. “Then perhaps a walk in the gardens?” she tried.

This made him smile ever so slightly, and she nearly stopped breathing for how handsome he was. “That I shan’t decline.”

She was relieved when he accepted, hoping the scenery outside would provide the perfect distraction from how flustered she felt.

They fell into a silent promenade at first, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.

Hester stole glances at the Duke, her curiosity getting the better of her.

She still couldn’t believe he would make such an offer to a stranger.

Perhaps he had had one too many drinks that evening.

Besides, some time had passed now, and he could have changed his mind.

Yet he took the time to call upon you, a voice in her head pointed out.

She took a deep breath, gathering her courage. “Your Grace, I must ask… did you truly mean your proposal? It seems so… unexpected.”

He turned to face her, his gaze sober and intense as it held hers. “I meant every word, Hester.”

Hester’s heart skipped a beat at the informality of her name on his lips. She did not recall giving him leave to address her so familiarly, but that was the least of her worries right now. The warmth that had been simmering in her cheeks now spread through her entire body.

“Why do you want me as your duchess?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“I never dreamed of a title, least of all a dukedom, Lady Hester,” he began, his accent lending a musical lilt to his words.

“But fate would have it that I came into one. One of my duties to this title is to provide it a duchess. I need an English woman to help me integrate into society.” The corner of his mouth curved into a roguish smile. “You can see I am unlike most dukes.”

You are unlike any other duke!

But Hester felt something sink within her. This wasn’t about her. He merely needed an English woman. Any lady could fit his needs. As if he had somehow read her thoughts, he suddenly added, “I need you , Lady Hester.”

Hester’s heart fluttered in her chest as she gazed into the Duke’s eyes. She could have sworn that he truly needed her, and he meant it. But surely, it couldn’t be. She dismissed the thought, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the skirt of her dress.

“I need a duchess,” he continued. “And I am certain you do not wish to remain on the marriage mart. We would be helping each other.”

Hester wanted to reject his logic, but she couldn’t help but admit how accurate he was. She nodded slightly, her fingers stilling as she considered his words.

“I knew you would see the sense in everything,” he said, a sly smile playing at his lips.

“Do not get all smug about it,” she warned, her eyes narrowing slightly in mock sternness. He chuckled, the sound rich and warm.

“Of course, when we marry, you will be free to live your life and do as you wish,” he continued. “So long as you carry out your duties as Duchess and do what is expected of you.”

Hester couldn’t help but notice his choice of words. ‘When we marry,’ he had said. He was not a man to give up easily, she gathered. She felt a strange mix of emotions—relief, curiosity, and a hint of something she couldn’t quite name.

“But I will be honest from the start,” he added, his expression sobering. “I cannot offer you love.”

Hester blinked, her heart skipping a beat. “Good,” she blurted before she could even fully process his words. She did not desire love. The thought of it brought a bitter taste to her mouth, a shadow of memories she preferred to forget.

He quirked a surprised brow, his gaze searching her face. “You do not want love?” he asked. “Surely most ladies wish for love.”

Hester’s chin lifted slightly. “I am not most ladies, Your Grace,” she replied. “And I have seen the ugly consequences of love. I do not fancy a share in them.”

His gaze held hers, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. “Pray tell, what have ye witnessed?”

Hester swallowed nervously, her heart weighing heavy at the recollection of her mother’s state. “It is a matter you need not concern yourself about,” she dismissed.

Thomas regarded her for a moment, his gaze softening. “Well, whatever it is, this arrangement seems most convenient for you then. I cannae offer love, and you do not even want it. Sounds like the perfect match.”

Hester took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “Very well,” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.

Thomas’s eyes lit up with a mixture of triumph and warmth. “I take that as a yes then?” he asked, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Hester met his gaze, her own lips curling into a smile. “I will marry you, Your Grace,” she finally accepted, her heart fluttering with a strange blend of excitement and trepidation.

“Thomas,” he said, his voice deep yet soft.

Hester regarded him with a questioning look, her eyebrows lifting slightly.

“I would like for me wife to call me Thomas,” he clarified, his eyes never leaving hers.

Hester couldn’t help but chuckle, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. “I am not your wife yet, Thomas,” she said then chuckled.

He was a man who did not wait after making his decisions, she was coming to observe. “We will just have to rectify that now, won’t we?” he laughed. “I would like to speak to your brother and formally offer for you.”

Hester’s heart raced. “Well, he…” She began to tell him that her brother was not home, but just then, Leonard appeared from the direction of the stables.

“Oh, there he is,” she said, filled with relief and a touch of surprise.

Leonard was indeed surprised to see the Duke, his eyebrows lifting as he approached them. “Leo,” she smiled. “May I present His Grace, Thomas Green, the Duke of Lushton.”

“A pleasure, Your Grace.” Leo bowed, visibly making an effort to conceal his surprise.

“I was hoping to speak with you privately,” Thomas said.

“Certainly. We can speak in my study.”

Hester watched them leave the gardens, her heart pounding and her thoughts in mild chaos.

After Thomas’ departure, Leonard found Hester. “I didn’t realize you two were well acquainted, Hester,” he said, his gaze searching her face.

“It… happened unexpectedly,” Hester replied, avoiding his eyes. She did not wish to go into the details of how Thomas had found her in tears after Townstead’s rejection.

Leonard looked thoughtful for a moment. “But is this what you truly desire, Hester? Do you wish to marry him?” he asked.

Hester nodded, her throat tight with emotion. There was such earnestness and concern in her brother’s eyes that she couldn’t trust herself to speak without giving way to tears. She looked down at her hands, twisting her skirts between her fingers.

It was time she removed herself from the marriage mart as Thomas had suggested.

It was time she stopped disappointing her mother and brother, even though they had never considered her a disappointment.

An offer like Lushton’s did not come every day, especially to someone like her.

She took a deep breath, her shoulders squaring with resolve.

It was an opportunity she would be foolish to waste.

“Very well, dear sister,” Leonard said, his hands gently squeezing hers. “If this is what you truly desire, then I give my blessing.”

She wanted to make her mother smile, to quit lying to her.

Even though she wouldn’t be entering into the kind of union the woman dreamed for her, at least she would be off the marriage mart.

She would have security, a good life. And so far, the Duke seemed like a decent gentleman, nothing like the cad Townstead had been to her.

But did he maintain this decency even at night?

An anxious little voice in her head prodded as she recalled Nancy’s words about him.

She shook her head, dismissing the thought.

Those were only ridiculous rumors. Werewolves were things that existed only between the pages, figments of people’s wild imaginations.

Hester’s heart ached with a mix of relief and sadness. “It is high time. I cannot continue to let you and Mama down,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled with her emotions.

Leonard’s grip on her hands tightened, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had begun to fall. “Do not speak of yourself as a disappointment, Hester,” he said, his voice firm yet gentle. “You’ve never been and never will be a disappointment.”

At this point, Hester lost the war. She felt a tear roll down her cheek, followed by another, and another. Leonard pulled her into a warm embrace, his arms wrapping around her protectively.

“I only want what is best for you, dear sister,” he murmured, his hand stroking her hair. “I want you to be happy. And I am sure Mother desires nothing but the same for you.”

Hester clung to him, her tears soaking into his coat as she let her emotions out. He cooed and reassured her, his hand gently patting her back. After a moment, he pulled back slightly, his hands on her shoulders as he looked into her eyes.

“And are you sure this is what you truly want?” he asked, his gaze searching hers.

Hester met her brother’s concerned gaze with renewed determination in her own. “My mind is made up, Leo,” she said.

She took a deep breath, her shoulders squaring as she wiped away the last of her tears. It was time to face her future with courage and conviction.