Chapter One #2
“Those are good things to do,” his cousin agreed. “I practice both. I have learned to slow down and not get too excited, else the stammer appears quickly. I also am mindful of what I say, sometimes choosing one word over the other because it is easier to pronounce.”
“Yes!” he said excitedly, his morale soaring, being in the presence of another kindred spirit for the first time.
The barmaid set down the others’ food and drink, and Anthony took a big swig of his ale.
“I am sincere in my offer. If you wish, I can work with you. I have taught myself things to do. Matthew helps me with some of them.”
When Hugo looked at him questioningly, his cousin said, “One thing is to read aloud daily. Just to yourself. The more you do so, the more comfortable you become with hearing yourself saying words correctly aloud. Then, for a quarter-hour each day, Matthew and I read aloud in unison together. I am comfortable in his presence, which is a key to squashing the tendency to stammer. Reading in unison with another has made a vast difference.”
“I would l-like to try that,” he said, hope building within him. His cousin had yet to stutter or stumble over any words, which thoroughly impressed Hugo.
Grinning, the duke said, “We also sing. Quite a bit.”
“S-s-sing?” he asked, puzzled as to what that had to do with stammering.
Anthony shrugged. “I am not certain why it helps. It simply does. I think because singing involves a lot of stops. You sing one phrase and wait a few beats before picking up with another phrase. I have learned to speak in small chunks of words. If you listen to me carefully, you can hear that I do pause after every few words. It may be something you might wish to practice yourself.” He paused.
“Matthew and I sing every day. He has a pianoforte in our rooms.”
It did not surprise him that a duke would be so indulgent as to have a pianoforte while at university.
Enthusiastically, Reddington said, “I have always enjoyed playing a great deal. It soothes me. It is also an enjoyable way to pass my free time. Anthony is correct. When he sings, you never hear one stutter come from him.”
Hugo watched as the pair exchanged a glance, and Anthony nodded subtly.
Turning to him, the duke said, “We have a large set of rooms nearby. One bedchamber is empty now. A friend of mine completed his studies last term. We had not decided whether or not to replace him with a fellow student, but I believe that you would be a good fit for us, Hugo. What do you say?”
Disappointment filled him. “I j-j-just r-r-rented rooms today.”
“That is easy to remedy,” Reddington said nonchalantly. “There are always students looking for rooms to let in Cambridge. If your landlord cannot find someone to replace you—which I doubt—he still already has what he has been paid for the quarter, does he not?”
“I have . . . paid for three m-months.” He shook his head sadly. “I have n-no additional f-funds to pay you.”
“You do not need to pay me a farthing,” the duke said breezily. “My rooms are already paid for. In fact, Anthony pays me nothing toward the rent.”
“It is true, Cousin. I am at Cambridge on scholarship. I met Matthew in a seminar, and we became fast friends. He allows me to share his rooms at no cost to myself.”
“I . . . don’t . . .”
“You do not need to worry about a thing, Hugo,” Reddington assured him. “We shall finish our dinner and then go to your rooms. Between the three of us, we can have everything moved by tonight.”
They finished their meal, and the duke said, “Come down the way so you can see what you think. We are very close to The King’s Arms, and so we dine here often. Lizzy, the barmaid who waited upon us tonight, often serves us. She will even hold back special treats for us.”
They took him to a set of rooms on the same side of the street as the inn.
It was just as they said. The duke’s rented rooms were large and airy.
A pianoforte sat in a common room. Anthony insisted they sing at least one song to demonstrate to Hugo how therapeutic music might be to one who stammered.
He had never sung before in his life, although he was familiar with the song which Reddington began to play for them.
He joined in singing, timidly at first, and then realized he wasn’t stumbling over his words. Beaming at them, he began to sing loudly in a rich bass.
When the song ended, the other two applauded his efforts, and Matthew said, “Bravo, Hugo! How do you feel?”
He grinned shamelessly. “Like a n-new man,” he declared.
“Success will not happen overnight,” Anthony shared. “It is going to take hours of practice on your part. Know that I, too, still have to think about what I say and not let words spill from me too quickly.” His cousin smiled. “But in time, I think you will be speaking most eloquently, Hugo.”
They returned to his rooms, and he quickly packed while Reddington went to visit with the landlord downstairs.
When the duke returned, he said, “Things are settled, Hugo. Your landlord had someone else with him when I went to see him just now. The young man was looking for a few rooms to let, and I informed him that these were now available. Your landlord returned your rental fees to me.”
Reddington handed the pound notes over. “It is yours to do with as you wish.”
“Won’t you k-keep this?” he pleaded.
“Absolutely not. I am the Duke of Reddington. I am made of money.” He paused.
“What I am more in need of is a friend. I will be frank, Hugo. Having become a duke at such a tender age, every boy and man I met from that moment on was either afraid of me or fawned over me. I was rather lonely growing up because of that. I have made a good friend in Anthony. I believe you, too, will become my lifelong friend.”
When Hugo fell asleep that night, he was filled with hope.
For the first time ever.