Chapter Eight
Hugo avoided his sister and mother all the next day.
Actually, he had skipped dining with them the previous evening, not ready to be around people, especially after he had disappointed Dilly.
He had spent much of today away from the house.
Not ready to brave White’s again, he had walked Hyde Park for several hours.
When the British Museum opened, he made his way to Montagu House in Great Russell Street and spent the rest of the day amongst Sir Hans Sloane’s treasures.
The physician had collected over seventy thousand items by the time of his death, bequeathing his collection to the British government, and it had become the foundation of the museum.
Hugo enjoyed losing himself amongst the antiquities from far-flung places such as the Far East to the Sudan, and especially appreciated the items from ancient Greece and Rome.
He could not hide forever, however, and finally made his way home. Once he arrived, he realized how late it was. He had even missed tea. Alfie marched him to his rooms, telling him to strip off what he wore.
“Whatever for?” he asked.
The valet’s stern look matched any aggravated headmaster’s.
“You are accompanying your mother and sister to a duke’s house for dinner.
Lady Merriman is displeased with you, to say the very least. She has berated me simply because I knew not where you had taken off to.
I walked the streets for hours, trying to find you. ”
“I was visiting the British Museum,” he said, feeling chastised. “I am an earl, you know. I do not have to report my every move to my mother.”
Alfie sighed. “I know that, my lord, but you left me in an awkward position. I cannot defend you and be courteous to your mother. Next time, simply tell me where you are going and do not vanish.”
“All right,” he quietly agreed. “Do we know what duke? Is it Reddington?”
“No, it is not His Grace,” said Alfie, who was familiar with Matthew because of Hugo’s close friendship with the duke. “Another duke. I didn’t catch his name, but Lady Merriman is happy to be invited to his home.”
He wondered if it was a friend of Mama’s.
Or might an invitation have come from the Duke of Millbrooke?
Hugo had enjoyed the man’s company yesterday and found him most knowledgeable about horses.
Yes, it must be Millbrooke. If that was the case, no wonder Mama had been so upset with him being gone all day.
“There. You are presentable,” Alfie declared. “And not a moment too soon. Get downstairs, my lord. Do not keep your mother waiting.”
Hugo hurried to the foyer, where he found Mama and Dilly. His sister looked anxious. Mama looked put out.
“It is about time, Merriman,” Mama said. “We were about to leave without you. Alfie assured me he would have you here. You are fortunate to have such a loyal valet.”
“I know I am, Mama. Shall we?”
He escorted them to the carriage and handed both of them up. Hugo was still getting used to the idea of being invited to dinner. He worked on his breathing, slowly inhaling through his nose in deep breaths, and then exhaling quietly through his mouth.
“I know you are head of this household, Merriman, but you simply must tell someone where you are going. What if you had not turned up and we had to go to His Grace’s without you?”
“I apologize, Mama.” He glanced to Dilly. “And to you, as well, Dilly.”
Mama sighed. “Try not to call your sister that childish pet name, Merriman.”
His gaze met Dilly’s. “I am sorry. For everything.”
Her nod let him know she knew he was apologizing for his behavior regarding tea yesterday.
He still wanted to speak to Dilly about her new friend, however.
He did not think it wise for his sister to be on close terms with such an outspoken young woman.
What he worried about now was pronouncing Dilly’s given name.
For some reason, the l’s in Delilah gave him fits.
Even after all these years of practicing, trying to tame his stammer, Delilah was the one word he had the most trouble saying.
“I hope you will become good friends with His Grace,” Mama continued. “Millbrooke may be new to his dukedom, but he is quite influential.”
So, they were headed to Millbrooke’s to dine. At least he knew what table he would be sitting at tonight.
“If you can cozy up to Millbrooke—as well as maintaining your friendship with Reddington—it will benefit Delilah.”
“How, Mama?” Dilly asked. “Why would Hugo being friends with two dukes help me?”
Mama snorted. “It is all about what people see, Delilah. If they spot your brother in the company of two dukes, they will take notice. They will think more of Merriman, and their favor will extend to you.”
Dilly shook her head. “I am not certain I truly like Polite Society, Mama. I would rather be judged for my own good character and not men seen with my brother.”
“Keep those kinds of opinions to yourself, Delilah Drake,” Mama warned. ‘In fact, you should express no opinions at all when you are speaking to others this Season. You do not want to chase off a gentleman because of something you say.”
Exasperated, Dilly asked, “Then what am I supposed to talk about?”
“The weather is always a safe topic,” Mama replied. “Answer questions you are asked, but please keep your replies short. Men do not like a lady who prattles on and on.”
His sister blew out a breath. She visibly bit back the retort on her lips, causing Hugo to smile at her.
“My sister will do just fine this Season, Mama. She is very pleasant to be around. I think others will find her quite amiable.”
The carriage turned onto a square, and he knew they would disembark soon. Hugo gathered his courage. The door opened, and he stepped from the vehicle, handing down Mama and then Dilly.
“Enjoy yourself this evening,” he whispered to his sister. “It is not every day one is asked to dine with a duke and his family.”
They were admitted by the butler, who led them upstairs to the drawing room.
He heard them being announced, and they entered the room.
Immediately, he spotted Millbrooke, who stood with three ladies.
He assumed one would be the wife he had mentioned, along with the sister who was making her come-out and his mother.
Millbrooke smiled. “Ah, Lord Merriman. Come and join us.”
*
As Hugo escorted his mother and sister across the room, the others turned to face them. He quickly scanned their faces.
And stopped in his tracks.
The impertinent miss from yesterday was among them.
It struck him that she was the sister the duke had referred to. The one who was to make her come-out. How was he to separate Dilly from this young woman without offending one of the most powerful men in Polite Society?
“Merriman,” Mama whispered, tugging on him.
Hugo realized he had stopped and started up again, bracing himself as they reached the group. He had a suspicion that Millbrooke had not sent the invitation because they had met yesterday. Something told him that it had come from the dowager duchess since her gaze was focused on his mother.
“I am so glad that you have forgiven me for missing tea with you yesterday, Lady Merriman.”
“These accidents happen,” his mother said. “Thank goodness it was not the opening night of the Season when your disaster occurred.”
The two women chuckled, and the duke said, “I know Mama and Lady Merriman have met. Might I introduce you to my duchess?”
He turned his attention to the attractive woman with a very pleasant smile. “I am grateful you could join us this evening, Lady Merriman.”
“Allow me to present my children, Your Graces,” Mama said, pride evident in her voice. “This is my son, the Earl of Merriman, and Lady Delilah Drake.”
They exchanged greetings, and then the duke said, “I know my sister met you two ladies at the modiste’s, but I would like to introduce Lord Merriman to her. This is Lady Tia Worthington, my lord. I spoke of my sister yesterday when we at Tattersall’s.”
“You went to Tattersall’s with him?” Lady Tia said, obviously surprised. “Lord Merriman?”
“Yes. Con and I met Lord Merriman and the Duke of Reddington there. They assisted me in selecting a new horse.”
Lady Tia looked at him skeptically. “So, you spent yesterday with my brother, my lord. I hope visiting Tattersall’s did not tire you. Looking at so many horses can be overwhelming.”
He heard the dig in her voice and chose to ignore her brazen rudeness. “His Grace knows his horseflesh. He chose a . . . very good horse.”
He had wanted to say a magnificent horse, but he feared tripping over a word of so many syllables. He was afraid if he stumbled—or stuttered—Lady Tia would pounce upon it. Whether Dilly realized it or not, she was not someone to befriend.
The butler brought a tray around with drinks, and he accepted one. He would only take a sip or two. The same would be true during dinner. He found if he drank spirits, his guard came down. Tonight was not a night to allow that to occur.
Trying to make himself a part of the conversation by asking a question he knew would allow others to talk, Hugo said, “I hear you are a new mother, Your Grace. Congratulations.”
As he suspected, the duchess began talking about her infant son.
Her husband chimed in, as did the dowager duchess and even Lady Tia, all bragging about the babe.
His mother and Dilly asked questions about William, leaving Hugo to listen to the conversation.
He studied Lady Tia as she spoke about her nephew.
She seemed genuinely fond of the child. In fact, other than her caustic remark to him when they first arrived, she seemed very charming.
He could see how Dilly had been taken with her.