Page 13 of The Icy Duke Claims a Bride

For a moment, he imagined himself beside Catherine in a box at the opera or the theatre. That would be ideal—out in public but still somewhat sheltered from the unpleasantness that stares and whispers could bring. She was already his wife in this daydream, and she turned to smile at him conspiratorially with those clear green eyes before placing her hand in his.

In this fantasy, he had thoroughly bedded her before the performance. Her eyes were reminding him of this fact and urging him to do his duty again after they returned home. Catherine’s dress was low-cut and her bosom half-bared, with a simple, sparkling diamond necklace setting off her pale skin…

“Hugh? Hugh? Are you even listening to me? Edwin, I think he’s having some sort of turn.”

“No, I’m not, Aunt Georgina,” Hugh said abruptly, coming to himself and focusing on his guests before they could ring for the servants. “I’m simply very occupied at the moment. You must excuse me if my mind wanders a little. Ah, here’s the tea.”

“Have you told Rebecca?” Edwin asked once the tea had been served. “She does not approve of precipitate decisions.”

Edwin had always called his mother “Rebecca” or “the Dowager Duchess,” in a distant but respectful way. Hugh vaguely remembered that his father used to do the same, although she had always been “Grandmother” to her grandchildren.

His uncle’s question surprised him, since his grandmother had been so supportive of his marrying and had even suggested his choice of bride. Still, if the Dowager Duchess of Redbridge had not discussed her plan with anyone but Hugh, she presumably had her reasons. He would leave her to explain them in her own time.

“Grandmother is fully aware of the situation and will be attending the ceremony,” Hugh said unexpansively and saw Edwin and Lady Georgina exchange another glance, this time both somewhat surprised at Rebecca’s involvement.

“Well, overall, I suppose a wife will be good for you, Hugh, even if this is such a surprise to us. You’ll have company here in this great, big house again, won’t you? And maybe a family of your own before too long?” Lady Georgina probed.

Hugh felt a twinge of sympathy for Andrew—Edwin and Lady Georgina’s seven-year-old son. The boy must have his mother dissecting his every move and emotion all day long. If Edwin were also watching him as closely as a scientific specimen, Andrew would presumably be only glad to eventually be sent away to school…

“Speaking of children, how is Andrew?” Hugh asked, seeing the perfect opportunity for a change of subject. “I hope I’ll finally getto meet him at the wedding. Have you chosen a prep school for him?”

“Aha, children are definitely on your mind, aren’t they, Hugh?” Lady Georgina smiled broadly, as though she’d caught him in some mischief. “It’s exactly what I said to Edwin when I first heard the news. I said that Hugh will be wanting an heir for the duchy.”

Again, Hugh was hyperly aware that his uncle’s eyes were fixed on him while his wife talked on so artlessly. What in God’s name could he be hoping to find?

“… and what could be more natural than that? I suppose we’ll be hearing the patter of tiny feet here before too long—”

“First things first, Aunt Georgina.” Hugh held up a hand, interrupting her. “Let me get the marriage solemnized before I think of heirs. My children will be my concern.”

An odd series of emotions flashed across his aunt’s face, although she did not offer any immediate answer.

“Hugh,” his uncle cautioned, with a concerned nod to his wife, his expression also somewhat troubled.

Hugh wondered if he had spoken too abruptly and offended either or both of them. Maybe children was a sensitive subject, especially for his aunt, and he should have handled it morethoughtfully. Lady Georgina and Edwin had produced only one child in more than twenty years of marriage, after all.

While his aunt’s question had been too personal for his liking, it would be churlish for him to blame her or his uncle for treating him like an immature schoolboy in whose life they had every right to interfere, when he had allowed this dynamic to persist for so long.

Putting down his cup, Hugh took his aunt’s hand—the first time he had ever voluntarily done such a thing. He also looked at his uncle. “Another reason I’m glad you both called today was that I wanted to thank you both for everything you’ve done for me over the last twenty years. You’ve been very kind—beyond kind, in fact. I could never repay you. But I must have a private life, and you must respect that. My marriage will be private. I hope you can both understand.”

“Is that why you sent that document via Hawkins this week, removing me from all non-urgent estate matters?” Edwin asked, his pale eyes yet again fixed on Hugh’s face.

There was no real rancor in his uncle’s voice, but it was a serious question, and demanded a serious answer. Edwin was an efficient man of business and rarely let his personal feelings sway him in questions of finance or law.

“Yes, Uncle Edwin. You’ve done enough, and there’s really no need for the old arrangement to continue. Andrew needs you now more than I do, and it’s wrong for me to take up your time.”

“We quite understand.” Lady Georgina drew her hand away and took out a handkerchief to dab her suddenly sad eyes. “You won’t need us now that you’re going to have a new wife to look after you.”

“I don’t need looking after, but you will always be very welcome at Redbridge Hall,” Hugh assured her.

“There are, however, some points of business I believe we should discuss privately,” Edwin said, his expression still neutral. “For the good of the estate. We should get home to Andrew soon, and there are papers I don’t have with me now, but are you free tomorrow?”

“I am. I plan to be at home all day. Do call at your convenience. I will be in London for a few days after that to finalize arrangements for the wedding. It will be in Lord Sedgehall’s parish church.”

“Then I will come tomorrow morning.” Edwin stood up and prepared to leave. “Come, Georgina. You look tired.”

Lady Georgina made no further comment but continued to throw sad glances at Hugh as he showed them to the door. “Time passes so quickly.” She blew into her handkerchief at the front door. “It seems like only yesterday that you were a little boy all alone in this house, and now you are to be married.”

“I hope I’ll see you all at the wedding,” Hugh said amiably.

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