Page 48 of Song of the Caged Duchess

Could I really have feelings for the Duke?

Chapter 18

“Ican’t believe what I’m hearing!” Charles said.

Hugh cast a semi-annoyed glance at his friend. “There’s no need for histrionics,” he said. “It’s nothing so outlandish.”

“You can’t be serious,” Charles said. “After all this time, Hugh is finally courting a lady? I never thought I would live to see the day.”

“I wish you wouldn’t be so dramatic about it,” Hugh said.

“But it is dramatic, Hugh,” Charles insisted. “This is a massive change for you. I’ve never seen you do anything like this before. I knew, when you spoke of her at the Bolton Ball, that you found her intriguing. But I never expected to see you courting someone so quickly. After just the first ball of the Season!”

“I saw nothing to be gained by waiting,” Hugh said.

“I suppose I’m surprised to see you courting someone at all,” Charles said. “Come, now, Hugh, you must admit that’s more than fair. You’ve always been so standoffish. So dismissive of the ladies who have sought your eye.”

Hugh was saved having to answer by the arrival of the barman. “Another ale?” the man asked.

“Yes,” Hugh said gratefully.

“For me as well,” Charles said, passing his mug. “I think we’re going to be here for quite a while. We have much to discuss.”

The barman refilled their mugs and returned them. Hugh took a long drink, hoping to deflect from his friend’s questioning simply by allowing enough time to go by.

But when he put the mug down, Charles was still watching him expectantly.

“For goodness’ sake,” Hugh said. “What?”

“What’s changed?” Charles said. “All these years, you’ve refused courtship, and now suddenly you’re interested in somebody! You’re ready to embark upon a relationship! You’re considering marriage.”

“Marriage?” Hugh raised his eyebrows. “I don’t think anyone said anything about marriage.”

“Oh, come, Hugh,” Charles said. “You can lie to yourself, though I don’t know why you would want to. But you can’t lie to me. Marriage is the goal of courtship! There’s no other reason for you to be courting this lady.”

“It may be the goal, in the end,” Hugh agreed. “But she and I have met only one time. We’re a long way from discussing marriage.”

“Very well,” Charles said. “Tell me about it, then. How was the tea you had with her?”

“I don’t know,” Hugh admitted.

“How can you not know?”

“Well, it was strange,” Hugh said. “Seeing Lady Esther again was lovely, of course. She continues to amaze me with her charm and wit.”

“Well, that sounds wonderful,” Charles said. “What’s to be unsure of, in that case?”

“It’s her parents,” Hugh explained. “One of the things that first drew me to Lady Esther was how unlike the rest of the ladies I meet she is. She’s not a social climber. She seems not to care at all about my title. It’smeshe likes, not the idea of marriage to a Duke or the money that would come along with it.”

“Of course that appeals to you,” Charles said. “I can understand why it would. But her parents aren’t the same way?”

“No,” Hugh said. “To them, itclearlymatters what title I hold. When they learned I was a Duke, a change came over them. I could see their respect for me—no, theirdeferencetoward me—growing. And then, when we had tea together, they asked all kinds of probing questions.”

“What kinds of probing questions?” Charles asked.

“They wanted to know about my home,” Hugh said. “About Hallowbinder Manor.”

“Perhaps they were just taking an interest in you,” Charles said.