Page 53 of Song of the Caged Duchess
To Hugh, she said, “I suppose it doesn’t matter whether my parents accompany me to the ball or not. You’re absolutely right. Because if we spend the evening together, they’ll be happy, and so will we.”
Hugh smiled. “I’m so very glad I met you, Esther,” he said. “I’m glad you came to London for the Season. When I think about years past, about all the time I wasted attending ball after ball and hoping that just once I would meet an interesting lady…but it never happened. It never could have, I believe, because you weren’t here yet. No lady has ever impressed me the way you have.”
He turned to face her and took her hands in his.
Esther felt her heart beat more rapidly.
Somehow, whenever she looked into his eyes, her worries seemed to disappear.
Eugenia is right,she thought wonderingly, gazing at him.I do have feelings for him. Perhaps I reallyamfalling in love.
And she knew, too, that Amelia had been right as well. That it would have been a tragedy if she had gone her whole life without ever feeling the things she was feeling right now.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could have both? If I could marry for the advantage of my family, and secure my sister’s future—and somehow manage to have these feelings as well?
The wind kicked up around them. Esther inhaled deeply, her lungs filling with crisp, cool air.
“I’ve never met anyone like you either, Hugh,” she said quietly. “I’m so grateful that we’ve had the chance to know each other.”
“I can’t wait to see where it leads,” Hugh said, smiling at her, looking young and carefree.
And for the first time since the Season had begun, Esther felt carefree, too.
Chapter 20
“They look like they’re having a good time, don’t they?” Lord Lockwood asked.
Eugenia nodded. Her tongue felt too large in her mouth, as it always did in these situations, and her head was full of thoughts of what her mother would have to say if she was here right now. No doubt she would be deeply disappointed to see Eugenia giving the Duke and Esther any space of their own.
But Eugenia had no desire to interrupt her cousin’s courtship. Lord Lockwood was right—Estherdidlook like she was having a nice time. She was walking arm in arm with the Duke and laughing at something he had said, and she seemed more relaxed than she had been since coming to London.
“Is something troubling you, My Lady?” Lord Lockwood asked.
Eugenia found her voice. “Of course not,” she said. “Why do you ask?”
“You’re just very quiet,” Lord Lockwood said.
Eugenia nodded. “I’m told that often.”
“Well, I don’t mean to criticize,” Lord Lockwood assured her. “Perhaps you’re simply a quiet person, and if so, there’s nothing wrong with that. I was only concerned because I don’t yet know you very well. I don’t know whether this quietness is your natural state, or if it’s being brought about by some unhappiness.”
“Oh, I’m not unhappy,” Eugenia said quickly. “You needn’t worry aboutthat.”
“Good,” Lord Lockwood said. “Then if you wish to be quiet, My Lady, I am happy to spend time with you quietly.”
This was not something anyone had ever said to Eugenia before. Usually, gentlemen pestered her with questions, or her mother nagged her to be a better conversationalist. Never had she felt free to remain quiet, lost in her thoughts, simply enjoying the company of someone else without trying to impress or charm him.
And now that she knew she was under no obligation to speak, she found, to her surprise, that she wanted to.
“The Duke seems very kind,” she said. “I don’t know him well, of course, but he seems like a very good-hearted gentleman.”
“Yes, he is,” Lord Lockwood agreed. “In truth, I worry about him sometimes.”
“Worry? Why?”
“Sometimes I think he might be too soft-hearted for his own good,” Lord Lockwood explained. “He’s turned away so many ladies in the past because he could see that they were interested in the social and financial advantage his status would convey upon them. I have feared that he would end up alone, never finding anyone to meet his standards.”
“Do you think my cousin is up to his standards?” Eugenia asked.
