Chapter Five
When it came time for them to leave White’s for Tattersall’s, Matthew explained to Viscount Dyer that he had a quick errand to run, and he and Hugo would meet Dyer and the duke there.
They went outside to the Reddington ducal carriage, where Hugo climbed in, seating himself and closing his eyes.
For two, full minutes, he breathed in and out slowly, trying to establish his equilibrium once more.
When he opened his eyes, Matthew was seated across from him, and the carriage was in motion.
“I thought you could use a respite from all the conversation,” his friend said, always mindful of how being around others for too long could grow to be too much for Hugo. Anthony, as well.
“I am grateful for your awareness of my situation, Matthew. I did like Lord Dyer, though. Quite a bit.”
“I had not really ever held a conversation with him,” the duke explained.
“I simply knew who he was, and we have nodded pleasantly at one another a few times over the years. I have heard that he is extremely close to his cousin. Millbrooke gained his title a year ago. The duke has also wed. It is good Millbrooke is looking after his younger sister during her come-out. I think it an excellent idea for you and the duke to get to know one another and exchange information regarding suitors.”
“I agree.”
“I asked my driver to simply drive the streets for a bit before he heads to Tattersall’s and our engagement there. Let us recite poetry together, my friend. It will soothe you.”
He had begun reading poetry aloud when he lived with Matthew and Anthony.
The three had often read the same poems over and over, and Hugo had many of them memorized by this point.
Matthew began reciting I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud from Wordsworth, a favorite of theirs.
As the carriage traveled through the streets of London, they also repeated the verses of Wordsworth’s Tintern Abbey from memory.
Finally, he asked if they could sing one song before reaching Tattersall’s, and Matthew readily complied. Music continued to be a great liberator for Hugo, and he sang with gusto now, his deep bass harmonizing with Matthew’s tenor.
When they finished the song, he nodded, satisfied. “I am at peace again.”
“I know your time at White’s was a bit overwhelming today. You did a fine job, Hugo. You spoke when addressed and even asked a few questions of Lord Dyer.”
“He proved to be a popular fellow. I lost count of the number of gentlemen who stopped by to greet him—and us, of course.”
Hugo had been proud that he had not stumbled over any of his words, especially when being introduced to others.
Some of them had included the very bullies from his past. Most, however, seemed as if they were meeting him for the first time, leading him to believe he had not made any lasting impression upon any of his tormentors.
Of course, he had not been referred to as Hugo Drake in introductions today but rather Lord Merriman, and others would not associate the small, scrawny, stammering boy with the large man he had become.
He had worried about confronting those who had done him harm.
Now, he realized he was most likely the only person who even held memories of those terrible times.
At least it would give him a fresh start in society.
“He is well known throughout Polite Society,” Matthew agreed. “I knew, though, that being with Lord Dyer and conversing as much as you did would leave you strained.”
“Being with you and reciting poetry and singing was exactly the remedy I needed to refresh myself. I cannot thank you enough.”
“How does Anthony do it?” Matthew mused. “He gives a sermon each Sunday, speaking at length, and then he must greet the parishioners as they leave the weekly service. I would think that overwhelmingly hard.”
“My cousin has had more practice than I have at being around others,” Hugo explained. “And once Sunday services are over, Anthony seeks solitude for the remainder of the day.”
“Do you enjoy having him nearby?”
“Without a doubt, having Anthony close has made a world of difference. I am also grateful that you and I are not too far from one another.” He hesitated a moment and then asked, “Were you serious when you mentioned that we should look for brides this year?”
Matthew shrugged. “It is an idea I am growing accustomed to. I know I am but five and twenty and that many men in my position wait another five, ten—even twenty years—before wedding, but I would like to have a family, Hugo. It has been just Mama and me for so very long.”
“Are you surprised that your mother never wed again?”
“No, not a bit.”
Curious, he asked, “Did they love one another?”
Matthew considered his question, and for the first time in their acquaintance, Hugo saw his friend hesitating.
“Let me say this. I have never asked Mama if that is so. From what I witnessed, there was no love on his part for her. She might have, early on in the marriage, thought that she loved him, but she quickly saw love had no role in their relationship.”
“My parents had no relationship at all,” he told Matthew.
“Sometimes, I thought my father did not want to even be the same room with my mother. She was so incredibly timid around him, afraid of setting him off and having to endure another beating. Mama is still a quiet woman, but she is no longer tense in the company of others. She is eager for Dilly to wed, however, and I assume she wants the same for me. I will have to peruse the Marriage Mart at some point in order to gain a wife and subsequent heir. For now, I plan to focus on Dilly’s suitors this Season and see her settled before thinking of marriage for myself. ”
The vehicle had stopped, and Matthew consulted his pocket watch. “We are right on time.”
They exited the carriage just as another grand one pulled up nearby.
It was as fine as Matthew’s, and Hugo noted the emblem on the door, realizing the Duke of Millbrooke had arrived.
Sure enough, Viscount Dyer bounded from the vehicle, and he was followed by a man of similar age, one who was tall and whose chestnut hair gleamed in the sunlight.
Introductions were exchanged between the four men and then Millbrooke said, “My cousin tells me that you have a younger sister who will make her come-out this spring, Lord Merriman.”
“Yes, Dilly is terribly excited about entering Polite Society and making new friends.”
“My sister Tia is the same. I have three sisters,” the duke shared. “Two are already wed to the Marquess of Aldridge and Viscount Cressley.” He grinned. “I also have wed, and my duchess recently presented me with William, our firstborn.”
“That must be difficult, having to leave him in the country to come to town for the Season,” Matthew said.
Millbrooke shook his head. “Not at all, Your Grace. My sister has started a new tradition within our family. We come from ten cousins, spread across three families, and all ten of us have decided we will bring our children to town with us each year.”
Hugo looked at the duke blankly. “Seriously?”
Millbrooke laughed. “It is a wild idea my sister Ariadne had, but I believe she is right in such radical thinking. She said parents should not be separated for months at a time from their children. Ariadne also wishes for all our children to get to know one another, and what better time for the next generation of cousins to do so than when we are all in town for the Season?”
He thought the idea unique. It was the custom of members of the ton to leave children in the hands of their nursemaids and governesses while the parents journeyed to town for the social Season each spring.
He assumed that would be what he would do, but this outlandish idea of not abandoning the children yearly intrigued him.
“Come,” Millbrooke said. “Let us go inside. I only arrived in town this morning and do not want to spend too much time away from my duchess and son.”
They entered and were greeted by Mr. Tattersall himself, who showed the duke three different horses available for purchase. Although Hugo was an accomplished rider, he knew very little about how to select good horseflesh and said so.
Immediately, Lord Dyer and Millbrooke dominated the conversation, both of them experts at obtaining horseflesh.
He listened carefully, knowing this information would be valuable to possess.
Both he and Matthew interjected a question or comment every now and then, but for the most part, Hugo did not have to speak much.
Still, listening kept him on his toes, not knowing when someone might ask a question of him.
He also found himself relaxing more in the company of these two newcomers, a feeling he had not experienced since he had first met Anthony and Matthew five years ago.
He hoped he might see more of the pair as the Season progressed.
He knew not every titled gentleman he encountered would be as interesting or kind as these two cousins, but he believed he would enjoy time spent in their company, discussing suitors for their two sisters or any other topics.
The duke purchased the second of the horses he had been shown, and the four men left Tattersall’s, returning to their two carriages.
Millbrooke offered his hand to Matthew and then Hugo.
“It was nice to meet you both and spend a bit of time with you. As I mentioned earlier, I do like the idea of getting together and talking about the various gentlemen who become interested in our two sisters. Might I ask if either of you are wed?”
“Neither of us,” Matthew replied for the both of them. “While I have begun to think I might test the waters and consider looking for a duchess this year, my friend here wishes to wait until his sister is settled in marriage before he peruses the Marriage Mart himself.”
“Hopefully, we will see you soon at White’s again,” Lord Dyer said. “My parents will be in town early next week. Perhaps you might like to come and take tea with us.”