Page 20 of I Never Forget a Duke (The Night Fire Club #1)

“I’m afraid I didn’t. I was certain I’d imagined it, but I wonder in retrospect if I did not.”

A woman appeared then. “Your Grace! It is wonderful to see you in good health!”

This woman was… no, Hugh could not recall her. Suppressing a sigh of frustration, he said, “I thank you. I am nearly recovered.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“I would linger to speak with you, but I’m afraid I am still occasionally prone to dizzy spells. Lord Waring and I are merely out here walking to get some fresh air, but I must return to my home very soon.”

“Of course, Your Grace. I hope I shall see you at the Wakefield ball next week?”

“I have not yet attended to my social calendar, but should I be available, I shall be there.”

“I look forward to it. Good afternoon, Your Grace.”

When she was gone, Hugh asked, “Who was that woman?”

“I am not entirely certain. One of the Sackville daughters, perhaps? I see your manners have not deserted you, however.”

“She is a prospective wife, I suppose.”

“You have a few of them.”

As Hugh realized that several similar women were headed his way, he said, “I believe we shall take our leave before this gets out of hand.”

“An excellent suggestion.”

*

Adele hadn’t lied when she’d conveyed to Wilton that he should tell Hugh that she was attending to the countess.

The Countess of Sweeney had woken up feverish. She seemed disinterested in eating, but Adele fed her some broth and a little bit of bread. That seemed to help the countess regain some of her energy.

Still, Adele could have stolen five minutes to say good-bye to Hugh. She just couldn’t bring herself to face him. And it wasn’t that she felt any shame or regret—she didn’t—but the very idea of saying good-bye to him broke her heart.

The house was small enough that she heard the Earl of Waring arrive. She heard Hugh ask after her. And since all of Hugh’s possessions fit inside an old trunk, she heard them leave in short order. Then Wilton came upstairs to convey that about five minutes after they left.

“I am sorry, my lady,” said Wilton.

“For what?”

“You seem sad. I know you had grown quite fond of our guest.”

“Yes, well. We knew it would be short-lived. And I am happy that he may soon recover his memories.”

When the countess fell asleep a short while later, Adele planned to return to her room so that she could contemplate resuming her normal life as it had been before Hugh had arrived.

The prospect saddened her. She hadn’t realized how gray and dull things had become, how much of her daily life was drudgery, until Hugh had fallen at her feet and turned everything upside down.

She didn’t relish in righting everything.

However, as she left the countess’s rooms, Wilton appeared and said, “The Earl of Canbury would like to see you in the gold salon.”

Adele was tired, but she went to the gold salon and found her father sitting there.

“Hello, Papa. I heard Parliament was in town.”

“It is, yes. Very important business.” He stood and looked her over. “Oh, my girl, you seem tired. Are you well?”

“I did not sleep well last night and the countess has needed a lot of my attention today, so I am a bit tired, but I am all right.”

He crossed the room and folded her into a tight hug. Then he stood back and grasped her shoulders. “Good. I wanted to let you know I am renting rooms at an inn on Haymarket Street and thought to give you the address so that you might call on me there should you have time.”

She stepped away and motioned for her father to sit. “Yes, I would like that. Why did you not write me to say you would be in town?”

“Time got away from me, I’m afraid. I gave a very important speech in front of Lords a few days ago. The Prince Regent is working with a small coalition of us to develop a new urban plan for London so that the streets are more direct and not the winding cow paths we all know now.”

“That sounds promising.”

“I have spoken with the Prince Regent extensively while I’ve been in town.”

“What an honor!”

“Indeed. That is part of why I have not come to see you until now. I’ve been quite busy with this project. I believe if we accomplish the Prince Regent’s vision, I could be handsomely rewarded with either a leadership or diplomatic position.”

Adele knew of her father’s ambitions, and service to the Crown was what he’d always most aspired to, but lately, titles seemed to matter more.

That was, he wanted to be Lord Chancellor or Prime Minister or Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Likely he was working with the Prince Regent with the hope of earning an honorary title as well.

To what end, she did not know; if he were elevated to become a marquess or duke, he had no clear heir.

Well, Adele had a distant cousin who would be the likely recipient of any titles Adele’s father acquired.

As far as Adele could tell, the only real purpose of a hereditary title was to pass it on to a son.

Well, her father had a few ceremonial duties and a piece of entailed property outside London where he lived when Parliament was not in session.

But it seemed to Adele that all these titles were meant to create artificial ranks within society.

After all, how were she and Hugh different?

Hugh had a higher rank than Adele’s father—Adele had no rank at all because she was a woman—but until Adele had known Hugh’s identity, he could have been any man.

But now, just because he was a duke, they would probably never see each other again.

And for what purpose could her father be trying to accumulate all these honors except as a means to gaining power and money.

She pushed it aside. Her father had called on her and she should give him her attention, even if sometimes she found his ambition gauche.

“I will likely be in town for a few more weeks while we develop this planning project,” said the earl. “But you know how I do not care much for London. I hope to return to Canbury as swiftly as possible. But while I am here, perhaps we can have dinner.”

“Yes, I would like that.”

“And perhaps you would like to accompany me to a little fete next week.”

“I would be happy to as long as I am not needed here. The countess’s health has been failing for some time.”

“Yes, the butler mentioned as much when I arrived. I do hope it is not too serious.”

Adele nodded. “She seems to have already greatly improved today. What is this fete?”

“Do you know the Marquess and Marchioness of Wakefield? They are the hosts.”

“I know them by reputation but I do not believe we’ve met.”

“Wakefield is an old school chum of mine. He heard I was in town and sent me an invitation to the ball he and his wife throw annually. It might be quite the crush. Wear your best evening gown.”

Adele nodded. She hadn’t been to a ball in a number of years, but she still knew how to dance and did own one gown that would be appropriate. She and the countess were sharing a ladies’ maid at the moment, but perhaps Adele could borrow Mary the evening of the party to help her do her hair.

“I hate to make this visit so short, but I have urgent business,” said the earl. “I wanted to see you as soon as I was able.”

“Thank you, Papa.”

“You are all right here? The countess is taking good care of you?”

“I am taking good care of the countess, but the staff here is wonderful and I want for nothing.”

“Very good.” He kissed her cheek. “If you need anything, please ask and I will do what I can.”

“I will.”

As she walked him out a few minutes later, it occurred to Adele that she’d lied. What she wanted was Hugh, but of course, no fatherly intervention would bring him here.