Page 55 of Song of the Caged Duchess

“Would that be so horrible?” Lord Lockwood asked. “It’s your first Season, is it not?”

“It is,” Eugenia said. “And no, I wouldn’t find it horrible. My only regret would be that my cousin won’t be around next year, as I’m sure she’s going to marry by the time this Season ends. At the very least, she’ll be engaged. So if I must continue to search for a suitor after this Season, I’ll be left to do so on my own. That will be sad for me.”

“You’re having fun doing this with Lady Esther?”

“Very much so,” Eugenia said. “More than I ever anticipated, if I’m honest. My mother always spoke of balls and social events as if they were dire responsibilities, not something to be enjoyed. But Esther has helped me to find the fun in it all.”

“That’s wonderful,” Lord Lockwood said. “I personally feel that there’s no point in living without fun. I strive to find the fun in everything I do.”

“And are you always successful?” Eugenia asked him.

He grinned. “Not always,” he said. “But most of the time.”

He’s so easy to talk to!

Eugenia was stunned, hardly able to believe what a good time she was having.

She had agreed to come on this outing for her cousin’s sake, knowing that Esther longed for time away from her overbearing parents and Eugenia’s own conniving mother. Knowing that the Duke’s courtship might well stall if it had to continue under those hawkish eyes.

But now that she was here, she found she was glad to have come for reasons having nothing to do with Esther.

Her cousin had reminded her, at the Bolton Ball, that her mother would never approve of a courtship with a Baron. She had enjoyed dancing with Lord Lockwood, but she had to remember that nothing romantic could transpire between them.

But perhaps things didn’t need to be romantic to be worthwhile.

Perhaps the two of them could be friends.

I wonder if Mother would object to that?

Eugenia thought she probably would. Her mother was not happy with anything that didn’t further her chances at making an advantageous match. And any sort of close relationship with a Baron—even if it wasn’t romantic in nature, even if he had no particular interest in courting her—was likely to hurt her chances.

Some gentlemen might be scared away, thinking she was already spoken for.

Others might see her with a Baron and think her beneath them because of it.

Eugenia didn’t care. She thought he was wonderful. The most pleasant gentleman she had ever met.

But no, Mother probably wouldn’t like this at all.

Her mother wouldn’t oppose the idea of Eugenia acting as a chaperone for her cousin, though. ShewantedEugenia to spend more time around the Duke. And if Lord Lockwood was going to be present as a chaperone as well…

Maybe we can continue to see one another in this capacity. I see no reason why not!

In the end, her mother would be disappointed, and likely angry. She would have to believe there was some chance of Eugenia’s gaining the Duke’s attention and stealing him away from Esther, and of course Eugenia had no intention of doing that.

But if she’s disappointed, it will just be too bad for her.

She was surprised that the thought had come from her. It was most unlike her to simply not care what her mother thought of her.

Esther must be having an influence on me. It’s the kind of thing she would say.

Esther would also remind Eugenia to enjoy herself in the moment and not to worry too much about the future. This was a pleasant day. The sun shone brightly overhead, and the company was wonderful.

I only wish this day would go on forever, Eugenia thought wistfully as she and Lord Lockwood walked on together.I wish it never had to end.

Chapter 21

“You didn’t need to come to the ball, Mother,” Eugenia hissed.