Page 69 of Song of the Caged Duchess

She jumped up and hurried to the window in time to see Hugh’s carriage arriving. She watched as he got out and looked up at her window.

He blew her a kiss.

Her heart fluttered.

“Is it him?” Eugenia came running up beside her. “Oh, it is him. He’s here! Quick, let’s fix your hair and get downstairs.”

Esther sat still and allowed her cousin to adjust her hairpins, even though she wanted to jump to her feet and fly down the stairs. Already, the curious matter of her parents’ early departure was leaving her mind. It was impossible to pay attention to such things when she knew she would be seeing Hugh in just a moment.

What does it matter, really, where my parents are? What difference does it make if they expect him to work a little harder to secure a proposal?

He would do it. She was sure.

He loved her.

And she loved him.

Chapter 26

“Good evening, Lady Esther.”

“Good evening, Your Grace.” Esther looked up at Hugh, her eyes twinkling merrily. Referring to each other so formally in her aunt’s presence felt almost like a shared secret. Aunt Tabitha didn’t know that they had been calling one another by their given names. She didn’t know how close the two of them really were.

She would be dismayed if she did know. She would have to accept that there’s no chance for Eugenia to win the heart of the Duke.

Of course, the secret would have been much less enjoyable if Eugenia herself hadn’t been in on it. As it was, though, Esther knew that her cousin was enjoying her happiness almost as much as Esther herself was.

Now Aunt Tabitha made her entrance. “Your Grace,” she said, curtsying extravagantly. “We’re so grateful that you were able to join us for dinner. Eugenia has spoken of little else all day.”

“That isn’t true, Mother,” Eugenia said. “I’ve spoken of plenty of things besides the Duke’s visit today.”

Aunt Tabitha gave her daughter a withering look before fixing her smile on Hugh again. “Won’t you join us in the dining room?” she asked. “Dinner will soon be served.”

“Thank you,” Hugh said. He extended his arm to Esther, and she took it happily.

Aunt Tabitha narrowed her eyes, but said nothing.

“Aunt Tabitha has a wonderful cook,” Esther said. “It’s been quite a treat for me each night since I came to London.”

“I’m sure no food will be able to outshine the company tonight,” Hugh said, smiling down at her. “I’ve so looked forward to seeing you again, Lady Esther. It feels like a lifetime since the Kensington Ball.”

“We’re very glad to have you here, Your Grace,” Eugenia said. “It’s a shame your friend, Lord Lockwood, couldn’t join us as well.”

“I’m sure Charles would have enjoyed that immensely,” Hugh said. “Perhaps next time we’ll include him as well.”

“Baron Lockwood?” Aunt Tabitha asked, stressing the wordBaron. “He’s the gentleman who joined you when you went to the park with Esther and Eugenia, isn’t that right?”

“That’s right, Lady Harcourt,” Hugh said. “He’s a very dear friend.”

“That is refreshing,” Aunt Tabitha said. “It’s not often you see a Duke with a Baron for a friend, is it? But I do hear such good things about you, Your Grace. I’m not surprised that you would be the one to befriend someone so far beneath your station.”

They took their seats around the table. Esther could see that Hugh was frowning a little.

“I don’t consider Charles to be beneath me at all, Lady Harcourt,” he said. “He’s been a part of my life since we were children, after all, and he’s one of the wisest gentlemen I know. I would never speak that way about him.”

“Of course you wouldn’t,” Aunt Tabitha agreed. “It must be so freeing to be a Duke, mustn’t it? To have the freedom to disregard the social hierarchy at will. I admire that.”

“I’m not sure I would describe it that way,” Hugh said. “It does matter who I associate myself with.”