Page 69 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
“That's a shame,” said Henry. “Why move to Germany, though? Do you have relatives there?”
“Germany is my mother's native country,” said Florian. “It made sense to return there. Unfortunately, we left when I was too young to get to know my English family.”
“Ah, so you have come here to offer your condolences and get to know your family,” said Henry. “I suppose family should come together. I would like to offer my condolences for the loss of your father.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” said Florian. “You know, I was rather surprised when I heard the duke and duchess had a child—mycousin. I wasn't aware they had a child.”
Henry stilled. If he hadn't known something was wrong before, he did now. Florian was too smug, as though he had something or knew something significant. His butler was right to feel worried. A worrying thought occurred to him—someone else might know he wasn't the duke's real child. If that truth were to be known, it would endanger his claim to the dukedom.
Henry didn't care about the title, estate, and wealth; he cared about keeping his promise to the duke. However, it was almost impossible for anyone else to know. It would be under extraordinary circumstances for someone to discover his real identity.
“You didn't even know the duke and duchess had died,” Henry pointed out. “Why would you know about me? You also seem a little younger than me. Did you not possibly leave England before your parents were aware of me?”
Florian smiled. “Yes, I suppose so,” he said. “I haven't had much interaction with anyone in England since we left many years ago. My mother wasn't particularly fond of my father's family. Hers was an arranged marriage, you see, but she always longed for her home.”
“That is understandable,” Henry told him.
“Yes, I suppose so,” Florian replied, raising his cup to his lips. “Such fine china,” he complimented, admiring the pattern. “Most of you English people prefer roses and leaves, but this one is rather plain with a pretty blue pattern.”
Henry chuckled, although his voice lacked mirth. “Most of you English people?” he repeated. “You are half English, Lord Grafton. Your title is also English. I'm guessing your wealth is English, too.”
“Yes, I suppose so,” Florian replied, seemingly unbothered that Henry had called him out.
Florian had evidently inherited his mother's fair features and slightly cold manner, often associated with those from Germanic tribes. Although he was polite and smiled, his eyes never showed warmth.
“I suppose you had masters who took care of your education?” Florian asked after a brief moment of silence. “On account of your—” He gestured at Henry's face and body.
Henry didn't take offense. He didn't think the man was looking to insult him, but he was searching for something.
“My father ensured I had the best tutors,” Henry revealed. “One has to have the best to be the best, or I would be unfit to run this estate. It is my duty to ensure his legacy is maintained.”
Florian raised his eyebrows, cocking his head to the side. “His legacy? Not yours as well?”
Henry narrowed his eyes slightly. Florian kept picking at things—it was rather annoying. Being ostracized from society had taught Henry to quietly observe and keep his ear to the ground. He may not have been part of society, but he learned enough to understand people. It wasn't just the aristocrats but the gentry and commoners that he observed. Judging from Florian's piercing, inquisitive eyes and how he probed for answers, he was up to something.
“It is not mine until I have an heir,” Henry told him. “Until then, I live for my father's legacy.”
“You're a good son, Your Grace,” said Florian. “If only all sons were like you. Unfortunately, I didn't have much of a relationship with my father. I thank him for making me marquess, though. I was a baron before—Baron Wickham.”
“I'm not familiar with the title,” said Henry.
Florian grinned. "Why would you be? It's barely worth mentioning. In just a few short months, I've found that being a marquess brings more power. Not that I'm hungry for power," he added. "I'm simply interested in seeing the change in power. As a duke, you must have a lot of power."
"I only influence those on my estate, Lord Grafton," Henry said. "I have no concerns with outsiders. Euston is a village of hundreds of people, many of them my servants and other tenants. I take care of them, and in return, they care for the land."
“So, you're one of the good ones,” said Florian.
“I simply see it as continuing what my father did and what his father did and so on,” said Henry. “They laid the groundwork.”
"You never take any credit, do you?" said Florian, chuckling. "I have never met a more modest man. You probably rarely use money from the family coffers. You seem like a simple man, far simpler than what one expects of our kind."
Henry was tired of the questions. This man had come into his house and kept questioning him about his life. He felt investigated.
“Have you enjoyed your time in England?” he asked.
“I was here to deal with my father's estate, but otherwise, I have had a good time,” Florian revealed. “This trip has beenenlightening. I have uncovered quite a few secrets.”
Florian looked at him meaningfully, like he expected him to know what he was on about. It was then that Henry really grew worried. It was time for a change of topic.
