Page 34 of Song of the Caged Duchess

“That is strange,” Eugenia said. “But I suppose no one ever speaks so directly to a Duke.”

“That’s exactly what he said,” Esther agreed. “I think he’s fascinated with me because of it.”

“Well, good!” Eugenia smiled, happy for her cousin. “That’s what you wanted.”

“It is,” Esther agreed. “Now I just have to hope that he’ll choose to pursue me further. We had a very nice conversation just now, but I don’t know whether it will lead to anything or not. I suppose you can never know for sure until the moment arrives.”

“What moment?”

“I’m hoping he’ll come to Harcourt Manor and ask permission to court me,” Esther said. “Aunt Tabitha will have to say yes. She’ll have no good reason to deny him.”

“She won’t like it.” Eugenia couldn’t help smiling at the thought of her mother answering the door to the Duke of Hallowbinder, only to realize that he was there for Esther and not for her. “She’ll probably try to convince him that it’s me he wants.”

Esther looked at Eugenia. “You’re all right with this, aren’t you?” she said. “I don’t want things to be unpleasant between us. You weren’t hoping to marry the Duke yourself, were you?”

“Certainly not,” Eugenia said. “As I told you before, he simply isn’t for me. He’s too standoffish. Though I am pleased to see that he was able to overcome whatever usually keeps him from engaging with ladies at these functions in order to speak to you. He’s risen in my estimation.”

Esther smiled. “I’d say things couldn’t have gone any better for me this evening,” she said. “But what about you, Eugenia? You said that you had something to tell me about as well.”

“Oh…” Eugenia trailed off. The most significant part of her story had had to do with what Lord Lockwood had told her about the Duke’s interest in Esther. It seemed now that Esther had discovered that interest for herself. She didn’t need to hear that Eugenia had been talking about her to a veritable stranger. “Really, it’s nothing.”

“You met someone,” Esther guessed.

Something must have showed on Eugenia’s face, because Esther let out a happy gasp. “Youdidmeet someone! Who is he?”

Eugenia allowed herself to smile. “The Baron of Lockwood,” she admitted. “He asked me for a dance. And Esther—you were right. It was lovely. I had a wonderful time. I’m really looking forward to future balls now, because I know he’ll be there.”

Esther’s face was lined with worry. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” she said. “But you said—did you say he was a Baron?”

“Yes, he is,” Eugenia agreed.

“You know your mother will never allow you to court a Baron.”

“Yes, I know.”

“All right,” Esther said. “Don’t mistake me. I’m glad you danced with him. It sounds like you had a good time, and you deserve that. But I just don’t want you to get your hopes up or to become too invested in him. Nothing can happen between you and a Baron.”

“Don’t worry,” Eugenia said. “I understand that.”

Chapter 13

“Anice, warm cup of tea, and then bed,” Esther said, stifling a yawn.

“Really?” Eugenia asked. “I feel as if I could stay up all night! There’s so much I want to talk to you about. Don’t you just feel as if the evening was full of surprises?”

“No,” Esther said truthfully. “There were a few hiccups, perhaps, but by and large everything went just as I expected it to. I’ve no doubt The rest of the Season will unfold favorably.”

“I’m sure it will,” Eugenia said. “Still, I feel full of excitement. I doubt I’ll ever fall asleep.”

“We can talk about everything tomorrow after breakfast,” Esther promised. “Not in front of your mother, of course.”

“Oh, certainly not,” Eugenia agreed. “The last thing I want is to give her the opportunity to ruin my good feelings about my first ball by telling me everything I did wrong!”

“We’ll go for a walk on the grounds,” Esther said. “Perhaps we’ll even take a picnic lunch. Your mother can hardly object to that. And then we’ll talk about everything.”

The carriage came to a halt.

“Remember, not a word about the Duke,” Esther said quietly.