Page 38 of Song of the Caged Duchess

“Love,” Amelia said.

Esther blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“You want to continue to get to know the Duke of Hallowbinder without your parents’ presence,” Amelia explained. “I saw the way you were glowing when you came home from the Bolton Ball last night.”

“You can’t be suggesting what I think you’re suggesting,” Esther said. “Do you mean to say that you think I’m inlove?”

“Perhaps not,” Amelia said. “It’s a bit early to call it love, isn’t it? But I’d say you have feelings for the gentleman. You’re eager to see him again, aren’t you?”

“I’m eager to see him again because I want to develop our relationship,” Esther protested. “He’s the most eligible gentleman in London, Amelia. I’minterestedin him, as a prospect for courtship. That doesn’t mean I havefeelings, for goodness’ sake.”

“Say what you will,” Amelia said, carefully pinning Esther’s hair. “I believe you want your parents out of the way so your courtship can focus on your feelings.”

Esther shook her head and rose to her feet. “You don’t understand,” she said. “You can’t understand the responsibilities I have, Amelia. What I want, and what I have to do—it has nothing to do with feelings. The only reason I have for wanting my parents to go home is that I feel belittled by having them here. There’s nothing else to object to.”

* * *

Esther was the last one to reach the breakfast table that morning, perhaps because she had delayed so long in conversation with Amelia. By the time she took her seat beside her cousin, everyone else was there, and the coffee had already been served.

“At last,” Aunt Tabitha sniffed. “Perhaps now we can eat!”

“Oh, calm yourself, Tabitha,” Esther’s father said. “Everyone knows you had biscuits with your tea in your bedroom this morning. You’re hardly starving.”

“Still, Esther ought not to have kept us waiting,” her mother said, frowning. “Where have you been, Esther?”

“I was getting dressed,” Esther said.

“Well, if you were going to put that much time into it, you might have done something with your hair,” her mother said.

Esther reached up to touch her hair. Amelia had styled it simply but neatly. “What’s wrong with my hair?”

“It doesn’t really flatter your face when you wear it like that.”

“No one’s going to see me today,” Esther pointed out. “We’re spending the day at home.”

“You should always be prepared for the possibility that someone might see you,” her father said. “You never know who might come to call.”

“Are we expecting anyone?” Esther asked.

“That remains to be seen,” her father said. “You must tell us about what happened last night.”

“Last night?” Esther hedged.

“The ball,” her father said. “I assume you met plenty of worthy gentlemen.”

“Actually,” Esther said, not wanting to show her hand just yet, “Eugenia and I agreed that we would spend the first ball of the Season just enjoying ourselves. We thought it would be best if we found our footing on the London social scene before we worried about gentlemen.”

An immediate uproar went up around the table. Both of Esther’s parents, as well as Aunt Tabitha, were speaking so quickly and loudly that Esther couldn’t discern a word that was being said.

Eugenia turned to her and mouthed,mistake.

Esther wasn’t sure she agreed. Her parents and her aunt might be upset, but at least she had turned the conversation away from talk of the Duke. That was for the best. She didn’t want to discuss him yet.

At last, the clamor died down enough that Esther’s father could make himself heard. “You decided tojust enjoy yourselves?” he said.

“Itwasa party, Father,” Esther pointed out. “Enjoying ourselves was the intent, surely?”

“You know full well that it wasn’t,” he said. “You had ajobto do, Esther. Did you speak toanygentlemen last night?”