Chapter 8 #2
“Not so much clever as set in his ways,” Georgie told him, helping herself to one of the currant-studded tea cakes Mrs. Carmichael had supplied. “He will take some managing, but I believe Hugh is rising to the task.”
“Yes, Hugh is a treasure,” the duke said.
There, she’d slipped and used Hugh’s first name again. Perhaps she should simply accept the fact that she thought of him that way.
“He is indeed,” she said loyally. “He has the utmost compassion for dog and man. Speaking of which, one of the orphans he knew in London has arrived on his doorstep. It might be best for the boy to stay.”
Max sipped his tea a moment. “Permanently?”
Georgie nodded.
“And how do you feel about the boy living with Hugh?”
“My feelings have nothing to do with the matter,” Georgie said with a frown. “But I have observed that Pip is devoted to Hugh and Hugh to him. I would not like to see them separated.”
He studied the tea cakes so long she might have thought them guilty of some crime. “And you would be comfortable adopting the boy as well?” he murmured.
She blinked. “Are you matchmaking again?”
The duke buried his smile in his cup.
She shook her head. “You have no need. I find myself perfectly content here at Tyneham Manor. And when the time comes for you and your wife to live here, Sophia and I can share the dower house quite comfortably.”
Well, she would be willing to try. The dower house had been built to accommodate one dowager. Keeping sufficient staff and supplies for two might be a challenge.
“No need for concern, my dear,” Max assured her, reaching for a tea cake at last. “I have faith things will work out as they should.”
She could not quite trust him, but she had a higher purpose at the moment. “Then you aren’t opposed to Mr. Caddington taking on a ward.”
“Not in the slightest,” the duke said. “So long as you are happy with the situation.” He bit into the cake.
“Hugh and Pip are happy,” she insisted. “That is all that matters.”
He merely smiled that infuriating smile again, and Georgie was able to maneuver the conversation onto safer ground.
As soon as both Sophia and Claudia had returned to the manor, however, Georgie gathered them in the upstairs withdrawing room.
None of them was particularly fond of this room.
The tapestries that covered most walls might be vibrant with scarlet and emerald and gold, but they showed hunting scenes and battles designed to send her mind to unpleasant places, particularly after Freddie had died.
At least Max had agreed with Ben Warden to move a few of the tapestries to the entryway to soften the noise there.
She still sat on the brocade-covered sofa and put her back to the things.
“His Grace is matchmaking,” she told her friends.
Sophia settled herself more firmly on the nearby chair. “As we expected.”
“And we are prepared to counter him,” Claudia reminded them.
Until her recent engagement to Ben, she had been their leader.
Indeed, Georgie wasn’t sure how she and Freddie would have managed after the death of Freddie’s father, Claudia’s husband, and Freddie’s elevation to duke.
Claudia had been their rock, their consoler.
She’d been even more so to Georgie after Freddie had died.
Now Claudia’s impending nuptials and move to Grace-by-the-Sea took up much of her time. Georgie couldn’t begrudge her. Claudia deserved every ounce of happiness.
“Are we still planning a dinner party, then?” Georgie asked, glancing between her two friends.
Sophia looked to Claudia.
She raised her chin, setting her pale hair to glinting. “I say we go all out. We’ll host a house party in August. The renovations should be done by then, and Ben and I will be married. We can call it a going-away party, if you like. Max won’t refuse that.”
Sophia smiled. “But our guests will be ladies designed to catch his eye.”
“Precisely,” Claudia said.
Georgie clapped her hands. “Excellent! I’d be happy to write to any of the ladies in question and invite them personally.”
They divvied up the names and discussed activities that might bring the potential brides to His Grace’s notice. If Max started courting, he’d be too busy to concern himself with Georgie’s and Sophia’s future.
In the meantime, Georgie wanted to help Hugh. She had hoped to introduce His Grace to Pip Wednesday if Hugh decided to bring him to dinner after all, but no one stood at the vicar’s side when Mr. Kinsle announced him to the sitting room.
“No Pip?” Georgie asked after Hugh had made his bows.
“I find he’s not quite ready for such an occasion,” he said with a smile.
“We would be glad to have him whenever you choose to bring him,” Max assured him. “Her Grace was kind enough to mention the boy to me. He is fortunate to have your support.”
Hugh inclined his head. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
Mr. Kinsle appeared in the doorway, gaze seeking Claudia, who nodded.
“Dinner is served,” the butler announced.
Hugh offered Georgie his arm. Max was escorting Sophia; Ben was with Claudia, Oliver trailing; and Sir Winfred went in front of them all as if he were the head of the household. Georgie took Hugh’s arm and let him lead her in.
She sat in her usual place, with Ben on one side and Oliver on the other, but she was constantly aware of Hugh across from her.
When he bowed his head to ask God’s blessing on their meal and the candlelight caught in his curls.
When he laughed at some quip of Claudia’s.
When his strong fingers applied themselves to the knife on the veal cutlets.
Wouldn’t it be pleasant to have him across from her at every meal?
No, that wasn’t possible. They were rebuilding their friendship, but he would be shocked if he knew the truth behind Freddie’s death. She could not bear his smile turning to censure.
“With a dog and ward in the vicarage, Mrs. Hallet must have her hands full,” the duke observed over the second course of a ragout with mushrooms and early peas.
Hugh hastily set down his goblet. “My housekeeper has nobly risen to the occasion, Your Grace.”
“I would expect no less,” Max said. “But it would seem to be prudent for you to seek a wife.”
Hugh sucked in a breath so quickly he choked and had to cough. Sir Winfred chuckled. Claudia, Ben, and Sophia looked on with indulgent smiles.
Georgie couldn’t find it in her to smile. It seemed the thought of Hugh marrying set up such an ache inside she could not so much put fork to mouth.
“I thought to visit the ruins at Castle Comb on Friday,” Sophia put in as if taking pity on Hugh and redirecting attention to herself. “Sir Winfred suggested it.”
The baronet puffed out his chest from where he sat at Max’s right. “Fascinating place. Been in the Bankes family for generations. Fine people.”
“The castle is several hundred years old,” Sophia elaborated, “with a commanding view out over the area of Purbeck. It positively reeks of battles and history. I know Oliver and Ben will find it interesting. You and young Pip would be welcome to join us, Mr. Caddington.”
Hugh inclined his head. “That sounds just the thing, Your Grace. Thank you for the invitation.”
“You’ll find it a delightful diversion,” Sir Winfred promised. “All of us.” His gaze lingered on Max.
Georgie found her smile. Delightful indeed. Any excuse to spend time with Hugh.
And Pip and Oliver, of course.