Page 52 of Song of the Caged Duchess

“I can understand that,” Esther said.

“It’s no small relief to me to find that that’s something I can discuss with you,” the Duke said. “Of course, you mustn’t think that I hold you in the same regard as your parents. I can see that you’re very different. But sitting at Harcourt Manor, listening to them ask their questions about my social and financial status…” He shook his head. “It’s exactly what Idon’twant from courtship.”

Esther felt a twist of guilt in her gut. Shedidcare about his social and financial status, and she knew it. “I wouldn’t pester you with such questions,” she said, grateful that she could at least say that much without lying.

“I know you wouldn’t,” the Duke agreed. He smiled at her, and the guilt in the pit of her stomach was replaced by a pleasant sort of fluttering excitement.

Dear God, he’s almosttoohandsome.

“My concern,” Esther said, hoping to turn the conversation to something about which she could speak with complete candor, “is the Kensington Ball.”

“The Kensington Ball?” The Duke appeared confused. “Why is that anything to be concerned about? It should be a lovely affair.”

“I’m sure it will be,” Esther said. “But my parents and Eugenia’s mother are becoming more and more anxious by the day. By the time the Kensington Ball arrives, I’m afraid they may have worked themselves up into such a frenzy that they’ll insist upon attending with us.”

“Oh, I see,” the Duke said with a frown. “And you’re worried that would get in the way of your good time?”

“I know it would. It won’t surprise you to learn that my mother cares deeply for appearances,” she said.

The Duke laughed. “You’re right,” he admitted. “That doesn’t surprise me at all.”

“She’ll be attentive to what impression I’m giving off all night long,” Esther said. “I won’t be able to spare a thought for my own enjoyment. The ball will become a performance.”

“I see,” the Duke said. “May I ask you a question?”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

“You don’t have to call me that, you know,” he said.

“Your Grace?”

“You can call me Hugh,” he said. “We’re courting, after all. And besides that, I would like it if we could be friends.”

Esther smiled. “I’d like that, too,” she admitted. She did like the Duke, after all. She was happy to call him a friend. “Hugh it is. And will you call me Esther?”

“If that would please you.”

“It would. Very much.”

“All right then, Esther,” he said. “And now to my question. Your parents—they’re happy with our courtship, are they not?”

“They are,” Esther said. “You impressed them when you came to ask their permission to court me. And youarea well-respected gentleman, after all—a Duke. They can hardly find fault with that.”

“And while that isn’t what I would hope to be admired for,” Hugh said, “it serves us in the moment. Your parents will be more than delighted, if I’m not much mistaken, to see you and me together throughout the Kensington Ball?”

“Oh, yes, I think that would please them,” Esther said wryly. “I think that would make them happier than just about anything.”

“Would it makeyouhappy?” Hugh asked.

“It would,” Esther admitted.

And not just because I would be helping to fulfill my parents goal for me to marry a rich and well-connected gentleman, either.

The truth was that the idea of a whole evening with Hugh sounded likefun. With the exception of Eugenia, there was no one else Esther would have had nearly as much fun with at a ball.

Hugh was right. Her purposes and her parents’ aligned neatly.

Then again, our purposes were aligned from the beginning. We both want to see me married to a wealthy gentleman. It’s just our reasons that are different.