Chapter Three #2
The butler brought a tray of drinks, and Verina and Justina declined. Mama had said they both might have wine with their dinners each evening, but they were to refrain from spirits the rest of the time.
“Come and sit,” Tia invited. “At least until we are called in to dinner.”
The duke asked Tray about his country estate, and her brother was only too happy to discuss Traywick Manor.
“You seem to know much about running an estate, my lord,” His Grace said.
“I lost my father and brother to a carriage accident when I was ten,” Tray revealed. “While a guardian was appointed for me, I knew from that moment I was the head of the Fulton family. I took my duties seriously and learned all I could about estate management.”
“We have that in common,” the duke shared.
“I claimed my title at twelve years of age after my father’s accidental death.
I had no siblings to care for, as you did.
Only my mother. She is a clever woman and helped me learn about my various duties.
I would love for you to see Redfield if you have time to do so. ”
“I will only be here through tomorrow,” Tray said. “I am leaving the day after for various appointments in town, then I will return to Cumberland. I plan on bringing Mama back to Merrifield with me come Christmastime, and we will celebrate our holiday dinner with Tia and Hugo.”
“I am disappointed your stay is short, but please plan to come to Redfield when you return,” the duke said. “I am ten miles from Merrifield, though Redfield is in Suffolk and not Norfolk.”
“Plan on showing me your estate, Your Grace,” Tray said. “I look forward to seeing as much as I can of Merrifield tomorrow. I am always looking for new ideas to implement at Traywick Manor.”
The duke looked at Verina and Justina. “Even though Lord Traywick cannot visit Redfield, I hope the two of you might come.”
“Oh, my cousins would love to meet the duchess,” Tia said. “She is such a lovely woman.”
“I will ask her and send word to you as to when you might come and visit with her,” Reddington said.
The butler called them in to dinner. Hugo took Tia in, and Tray offered his arm to Justina, who was closest to him. That meant the Duke of Reddington led Verina to the dining room. She caught the whiff of a clean, citrus scent, liking it quite a bit.
As they followed the others, he said, “I do not recall seeing you at the Season, my lady.”
“That is because I have yet to make my come-out, Your Grace,” she replied. “I will do so this coming spring. I am looking forward to all the balls and parties. Mama says life in town is very different from the quiet life we lead in Cumberland.”
“It can be a bit overwhelming, but you should have some of your cousins present to guide you through the events. Through Hugo and Tia, I have met a few members of your family. They will be a great help in introducing you to others. And if you seek a husband, they will know the reputations of the men who choose to court you.”
They reached the dining room, and Tia had them sit at one end of the table so they would not be so spread out, making conversation more difficult.
Verina listened more than she spoke, still in a bit of awe at dining with a duke.
She couldn’t help but watch him as he spoke.
He was handsome, intelligent, and personable.
Though he had just met her family, the duke was at ease and made an effort to include them in the dinner conversation.
She tried not to be nervous when he asked a question of her.
Most men in his position would have ignored both Justina and her, focusing on Tray since he was a man.
The Duke of Reddington was a thoughtful gentleman.
After dinner, they retired to the drawing room again, where Tia asked, “Are you staying the night with us, Matthew?”
She did not think dukes were used to being addressed by their given names.
Of course, if he and Hugo were longtime friends, they may have always done so.
This duke was friendly enough, so Verina supposed he had requested for Tia to address him informally.
That would not be an option for her family, however.
Verina would be respectful of this man and his lofty title.
“If you do not mind, I had planned on doing so, Tia. Since it is dark this time of year by the time dinner ends, I hate to ask my coachman to drive with only the paltry light of a lamp.”
Tia smiled graciously. “You are always welcome here and you know it. Perhaps you can stay long enough to go about Merrifield with Hugo and Tray in the morning after breakfast.”
The duke smiled easily. “I could do so for a couple of hours. I have nothing pressing at Redfield.” He glanced at Hugo. “If you do not mind my tagging along.”
“Not a bit,” Hugo assured him. “Since you are staying, would you mind playing for us?”
She was used to being asked to play the pianoforte and found it unusual that the duke would play instead.
That is, until he sat and his fingers danced rapidly across the ivory keys.
Verina sat spellbound as he played, wishing she could possess half the talent he held.
When he finished playing, she began applauding enthusiastically.
“That was wonderful, Your Grace,” she told him. “I rarely hear gentlemen play.”
“I try to practice several times a week, my lady. Music has always filled a part of my soul.”
“We even had a pianoforte in our rooms at university,” Hugo told them. “I arrived at Cambridge, not having any friends, and I quickly ran into Matthew . . . when I stopped for my first meal.” He looked at his friend, clear admiration on his face. “Matthew . . . saved me . . . again.”
“I would not go that far, old friend,” the duke protested.
“I would,” Hugo said firmly. Looking to the three Fultons, he said, “I developed a . . . severe stammer growing up. I was bullied . . . because of it. Matthew . . . helped me. He stood up for me. The bullies never came for me . . . after that.”
Why Hugo spoke the way he did now made sense to Verina.
She had thought him a very measured man, weighing his words carefully.
Now, she realized he did that very thing to prevent from stuttering.
It was hard to imagine how mistreated he must have been and how other boys must have cruelly made fun of him because of his stammering.
“I had not seen Matthew for several years. He . . . introduced me . . . to the man he shared rooms with.” Hugo grinned.
“It was my cousin. I had never . . . met him. Anthony stammered, too. Or had. Anthony had taught himself things to do. So that he did not stammer. I moved into their rooms—and found the pianoforte. Matthew played it often.”
“We did gather about and sing many a time,” the duke agreed. “Anthony had learned that singing helped him keep his stammer at bay. So, I would play, and Hugo and Anthony would join me in song.” A wistful look crossed his face. “We had some marvelous times back then.”
“Matthew also recites poetry with me,” Hugo told them.
“Speaking aloud actually . . . helps when one stammers. The rhythm of poetry helps . . . break the words into phrases.” He paused.
“You might have noticed that . . . I halt as I speak. I must concentrate in order to get out what I wish . . . to say.”
“You speak beautifully,” Verina told him, impressed with this earl even more than she had been before. He had overcome a great deal, and it was obvious he loved her cousin very much.
Tia placed her hand over her husband’s. “Hugo’s determination is just one of the things I fell in love with. He sings to me often, and he will recite poetry as we walk about Merrifield.”
“I think that quite romantic,” Verina said. “I like poetry myself. Perhaps I will find a poetry-spouting suitor once I make my come-out.”
Hugo pointed to the duke. “Then you should consider Matthew here. He has memorized more poetry than I have and can recall vast numbers of verses at will.”
She felt her cheeks heat. “I do not think his duchess would want me to chase after her husband.”
The Duke of Reddington’s gaze fell upon her. “I have no wife, Lady Verina.”
Confusion filled her. “But . . . you said the duchess could not come for dinner this evening,” she protested.
He laughed. “The only duchess in my life is my mother, my lady.”
Suddenly, Verina wanted to get to know this man better.
Much better.