Chapter Five #2
Hugo replied this time. “Yes, that would be lovely, my lord.”
“I only wish Lucy and Dru, my two sisters, could be in town this Season,” the viscount continued. “Lucy recently gave birth to a babe and is recovering from childbirth, while Dru is far along in her increasing and too uncomfortable to come to town this spring.”
“You will also need to come to tea—or even dinner—and meet my duchess,” Millbrooke volunteered.
“I wish to give her a few days to rest before I plan any social engagements for us, however. William is but five weeks old, and I am mindful that it will take time for Eden to recover from his birth. If Tia were not making her come-out this Season, we might have stayed home ourselves. We are here, however, and as older brothers, I know we will do right by our younger sisters, won’t we, Merriman? ”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
They parted ways, going to their separate carriages, and Matthew told Hugo that he would drop him at home.
When they arrived, he said, “I would ask you in for tea, but I am all talked out. I plan to retreat to my study and enjoy a cup of tea in solitude.”
“I will see you soon then,” his friend said. “And Hugo, you did very well today. Take pride in yourself. Today was just the start. I know this Season will be difficult for you, but you have the drive and determination to make it a success, both for yourself and Lady Delilah.”
He entered his townhouse, greeting Coggins, and headed up the stairs. He reached the landing and ran across Dilly. She was wearing one of her new day gowns and looked quite lovely in it.
Before he could compliment her on it, she said, “Oh, Hugo. You are finally home! Do you realize I have not seen you all yesterday or today? I have wonderful news to share with you. I made a friend at the modiste’s yesterday. A friend!” she repeated, beaming at him.
He was glad to hear this because she had come to his study a week earlier in tears.
Apparently, none of the girls she had met so far had wished to become friends with her.
Dilly had looked forward to the Season, not so much to find a husband, but to form lasting friendships.
His heart had been heavy, knowing her overture of friendship had been rejected by others.
“It is good to hear this.”
“She is coming for tea now,” Dilly continued, her excitement apparent. “Oh, I cannot wait for you to meet her. Her mother was a bit frightening to me. I tried not to be intimidated by her.”
“No one should ever intimidate you, little sister,” he said fondly. “But you and Mama must entertain your friend at tea this afternoon without me. I simply cannot be around a guest now.”
He hoped she would pick up on what he said without having to explain it to her.
Then again, he had worked incredibly hard over the last five years and rarely stuttered around anyone, especially Dilly.
He doubted she realized how exhausting it was for him to be around others.
Already, his head was pounding, and he needed the solace of being alone to recuperate from this long day.
“No, Hugo,” Dilly said, stamping her foot for emphasis. “I want you to meet her. I want her to like me. And you.”
This was a petulant side to Dilly which he had never witnessed before.
She had never been unreasonable or disrespectful to him.
The only thing he could think of to have made her act this way was the new friend she had made.
Still, he tried to give this friend the benefit of the doubt now and shook his head.
His tone firm, he told her, “You do not need my presence for someone to like you. If she accepted an invitation from you to come to tea, then she already is your friend. You can speak of your come-outs. All the things you will be doing this Season.”
“Hugo, I need you at tea,” she pleaded.
Normally, he did everything he could to make his sister happy, but suddenly he was so weary after the long day of being around others he wished to impress.
Any focus he had had fled, and he worried he would not be able to even string two words together.
This was a not time to regress and return to stammering.
Not on the eve of the Season. Dilly needed him at his absolute best. More importantly, he did not want to slip up and embarrass Dilly in front of her new friend.
For all he knew, the girl might be a terrible gossip.
If she began spreading the news of his stammer, it could seriously affect his sister’s chances at making a suitable match.
Frowning at her, Hugo sternly said. “No. I am going . . . to my study. For tea . . . by myself. I do not wish to be . . . disturbed. I am in no . . . mood to entertain a silly . . . girl.”
His sharp tone caused Dilly to wince, and he saw tears form in her eyes. Feeling awful, he added, “I cannot be around . . . anyone else today. I would only . . . be a hindrance to you. Talk about all matters feminine. I will meet this friend. Another . . . time.”
Her jaw dropped, and then her mouth set stubbornly as she stormed off, heading up the staircase.
If Dilly had not been so put out with him, she would have picked up on the subtle clues as he begin halting as he spoke.
When he was overtired, he knew to break phrases down and speak in them, not in full sentences.
Knowing he would apologize to her later once she had calmed, Hugo went down the stairs, only to see that Coggins had admitted a young lady, who now stood in the foyer, looking at him with frank disapproval.
“I suppose . . . you are . . . my sister’s new friend,” he began, aware his concentration was faltering fast, as he spaced out his words, afraid he would begin stammering and completely embarrass Dilly—and himself. “And that you heard . . . every word we . . . exchanged.”
With a disdainful look, the young lady said, “You, my lord, are apparently not the man you sister brags about. She adores you. When we met yesterday morning, all she could do is praise you to the rafters. It seems the least you could do to please her would be to sit at tea with her and the first friend she has made in town. Obviously, you are not interested in making her happy—or getting to know me. Do us both a favor, Lord Merriman, and avoid my company when we meet at the Season. Life is too short for me to waste it on a two-faced soul such as yourself.”
He could not believe she had spoken so brazenly, dressing him down as a governess would a misbehaving charge. Upset that this young lady had overheard his argument with Dilly, Hugo thought he should apologize to her, but it was too late. She already had motioned to Coggins.
“If you would, Coggins, please take me to the drawing room now. I am eagerly looking forward to tea with Lady Dilly. I believe we will become fast friends.”
Hugo watched her sashay up the stairs, the swing of her hips causing his mouth to go dry. When she reached the landing and turned, their gazes met. She glanced at him dismissively and continued up the staircase.
Taken aback, he retreated to his study, thinking this young woman a hoyden.
No properly raised girl of the ton would ever address an earl in such an impertinent manner.
Hugo determined that she would not be a good influence upon Dilly.
Why, she was already using his sister’s nickname, which no one did but him.
He would need to nip this friendship in the bud and encourage Dilly to be friendly with more demure, unassuming young ladies.
While he admired candor when used in small doses, this young lady had taken things too far. She was not for Dilly.
Ringing for tea, he sipped a cup, his eyes closed, recovering from the long, trying day.