Page 68 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
“Yes, let's show our visitor our hospitality at Euston,” said Henry. “It will be the only thing he gets out of us.”
His butler smiled. “Yes, Your Grace.”
Henry entered the parlor moments later, encountering a handsome, fair-haired man with pale eyes. He stood up, revealing his tall height—taller than Henry. Although slender, Lord Grafton still exuded a quiet strength that let a person know he could get things done.
It put Henry on edge because the reason for the man's presence was yet to be determined. Fortunately, the man didn't have the usual look of disgust many had when they first met him. He either didn't care or was good at hiding his reactions. Henry was betting on the latter. Still, he was grateful he didn't have to see the man's disgust or fear.
“Your Grace,” said Lord Grafton, bowing.
Oddly, the use of his title and the bow seemed vaguely mocking. Henry inclined his head, striding forward with his hand out.
“Lord Grafton,” he said. “Pleased to make your acquaintance. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? I must admit I'm surprised.”
Lord Grafton shook his hand. “I can understand why, Your Grace,” he replied. “This is an unexpected visit, but I have a very good reason for it.”
Henry nodded. “Please, sit,” he insisted, gesturing at the chair the man had occupied moments ago.
“Thank you,” said Lord Grafton. “You do not know me, but I am Florian Burton, your, uh, second cousin.”
He'd saidsecond cousinlike it was a joke. “How are we related?” Henry asked. “I'm afraid I do not know your branch of the family. The closest cousin I have is Lord Kersey.”
“Yes, I know the viscount,” said Florian. “I'm a closer relative to the duke than he is.”
A closer relative to the duke. He could have just said he was a closer relative to him, but he specifically said duke as though he spoke of the old duke.
"I see," said Henry. "So, how are we related, and why is this the first time we're meeting? Surely we would have met years ago? Oddly, my father and mother never mentioned the Burtons."
Florian smiled. "There is an answer for everything, I assure you," he claimed. "I've been in Germany for much of my life," he explained. "I didn't hear of the duke's and duchess's deaths until months ago when I came to England, but I wasn't able to come to Euston to pay my respects yet. I know it's many years too late, but we were family, and I would like to do right by the family."
“So, you have come here now to pay your respects?” Henry asked suspiciously.
“Yes,” said Florian. “I am sorry for your loss, Your Grace. It must not have been easy all these years.”
“No, it wasn't,” he admitted. “My father and mother were wonderful people and parents. They are sorely missed by everyone who knew them.”
Florian nodded. “I can imagine so,” he said. “My father and the duke were first cousins and were apparently quite close when they were younger.”
If Florian's father was the old duke's first cousin, that made Florian Euston's legitimate heir. If not for Henry, he would have become the duke. He didn't know how to feel about that.
“Where is your father now?” Henry asked.
“He died last year,” Florian revealed. “That is why I came to England. As his heir, I inherited his title and estates. You see, my parents separated when I was quite young. It was rather unheard of for married couples to separate, but my mother had her valid reasons.”
“I'm sure she did,” said Henry.
Mrs. Cooper entered the room with their tea tray, making tea to their specifications before politely excusing herself. Henry didn't feel like drinking his tea, but he forced himself to just give his hands something to do. Florian was working his way up to something.
The steady pace at which he released information was almost infuriating, but Henry wasn't going to rush him. He needed to appear calm before this man.
“This is lovely tea,” said Florian. “I do not think I have tried this blend before.”
“It was the duchess's blend,” Henry revealed. “She was never satisfied with the ones available, so she had this blend specifically made for her. It's stronger and takes cream well.”
“Oh?” said Florian, raising an eyebrow. “I did hear the duchess was rather particular about such things. She had a taste for quality unparalleled by anyone else. She also had Euston Hall decorated to her standards after she married the duke. Her tastes seemed quite outlandish at the time, but people soon began to copy her style.”
Henry slowly put his cup down. “You seem to know a lot about my parents,” he said. “I feel that I'm at a disadvantage because I do not know anything about your family.”
"Yes, well, my father became a bit of a recluse after he separated from my mother," said Florian, shrugging a shoulder. "My mother, siblings, and I were in Germany, so I doubt you would have heard anything."
