Page 40 of Song of the Caged Duchess

The door opened and the butler entered. “I beg your pardon,” he said. “There’s a gentleman at the door to see Lady Esther.”

Chapter 15

Esther and Eugenia turned to face one another. A thousand thoughts were running through Esther’s mind, and she could see each one mirrored on her cousin’s face.

A gentleman! Already?

Who could it be?

Could it possibly be the Duke?

Esther started to rise to her feet.

“Sit, Esther,” her father said firmly. “I’ll go and see what this is all about.

He got up and strode from the room.

Esther waited a few seconds, then got to her feet and followed.

“Esther!” her mother called after her, but Esther ignored her mother’s reprimand. She fully intended to see what this was all about. She wouldn’t have her father ruining things for her.

She rushed into the foyer. Her father and the butler stood facing the door. There on the step was the Duke of Hallowbinder.

Esther could hardly believe what she was seeing.

I knew we had a good connection. I knew he liked me. But to think—he’s here already!

“Good morning,” her father said. “I am the Earl of Cliffdall. I understand you’re here to see my daughter, Esther?”

“Yes, sir,” the Duke said.

Esther was surprised to see him deferring to her father that way. After all, the Duke outranked her father. But he had clearly gotten the measure of the situation, and had understood that showing deference was a good way to get himself through the front door.

Won’t Father feel foolish when he realizes who this is!

She hurried forward. “Good morning, Your Grace,” she said, offering a curtsy. “Father, this is the Duke of Hallowbinder. We met at the ball yesterday evening.”

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything by coming so early,” the Duke said.

“Not at all,” Esther’s father assured him. “My sister and her daughter are finishing their breakfast. But my wife and I would be more than happy to sit down for some tea. Why don’t you come into the sitting room?”

“I hope Lady Esther will be joining us as well?” the Duke asked.

Esther could see her father’s jaw clench, but he could hardly say no. “Of course,” he said. “Esther, run and fetch your mother, please, and then come to the sitting room.” He turned to the butler. “Will you have some tea sent in, please?”

Esther hurried back to the dining room. Her mother was buttering a biscuit, and she looked up crossly when Esther entered.

“I never saw the like of it,” she snapped. “Running out there when your father specifically told you to remain here.”

Esther ignored her mother’s reprobation. “Mother, the Duke of Hallowbinder is here,” she said. “He wishes to speak to the three of us in the sitting room.”

Aunt Tabitha gasped. “The Duke! Eugenia, quickly, clean yourself up.”

Eugenia awkwardly brushed a few crumbs off the front of her gown. “I think he’s here to see Esther, Mother, not me.”

“He’s come to our home,” Aunt Tabitha said firmly. “He’s inmysitting room. I won’t be kept out of my own sitting room.”

“Oh, Tabitha, for goodness’ sake,” Esther’s mother said. “Don’t embarrass yourself by trying to push your daughter on the gentleman. He’sclearlyhere for Esther.”