Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It was early in the evening, and Yvette walked through the manor on her way to Hugh’s bedroom. Supper would be served soon, and she wished to check that he would be ready.
His room was at the end of the hall, the door was closed, and she made for it, humming merrily to herself the whole way.
She was in a good mood and had been now for several days.
Things were going well with Hugh, she had found a place of comfort when speaking with the Duke, and she knew that should this path continue…
honestly, I do not know what will happen.
But that excites me, rather than terrifies.
She had seen the Duke several times since he came to her home earlier in the week. Each time she saw him, he was happy to check in on her; exchanging a little small talk, and making it clear to her that he enjoyed her company.
Every time that he did this, Yvette walked away with a smile on her face. The Duke was not what she had thought, he seemed determined to prove this as fact, and she could only think of one reason why he would want to do such a thing.
Careful, Yvette, do not get carried away with such outlandish thoughts as that. There is more of a chance of pigs sprouting wings and learning to fly.
The Duke was firmly in her thoughts, comfortable and familiar, and it was for this reason that when the Duke suddenly stepped out of Hugh’s bedroom and into the hallway, that Yvette did not balk or shy away. Rather she beamed and continued toward him.
“Hugh, you’ve grown,” she joked. “Three feet at least since I saw you last.”
He started at the sight of her coming but relaxed almost immediately. “You don’t know where the washroom is, do you? I’m all turned around in this house.”
“It is certainly not in there.”
“Ah…’ He sucked through his teeth. “Then you might want to send for a maid.”
She rolled her eyes. “Saying goodnight to Hugh? It’s a tad early for that, is it not?”
“Under normal circumstances it would be,” he agreed. “Alas, I won’t be here later when he turns in for the night, so I thought I should see to him now.” He looked back at the closed door, and a smile touched his lips.
He really was growing into the role of father. She had seen the Duke and Hugh spend more time together since the incident with the horse, and while they were far from perfect, they were getting better with each day.
The Duke wanted to improve his relationship with his son, and that was what mattered. That was why Yvette knew he was different.
“You won’t be here?” she frowned. “Do not tell me, you have a romantic evening planned with a lucky lady.” She chuckled at what was supposed to be a joke, only for the Duke to turn away as if this embarrassed him.
“Something like that…” he said sheepishly.
It was only then that she noticed what the Duke was wearing. He was always well-dressed, but tonight he wore a dark suit with a deep-red waistcoat, his hair was freshly combed, and she could smell the musk of his cologne. He looked, in her opinion, as handsome as she had ever seen.
For that reason, Yvette gawked a little longer than she meant to. Her eyes roamed him, her mouth hung open just a little, and she blinked a few too many times as if doing so might see him suddenly vanish. And that said nothing of how his scent broke her…
“It is nothing too serious,” he hurried to explain. “Just a night at the theatre.”
She shook her head and forced herself to stop staring. “And who is the lucky lady?”
“Lady Emily Pierce,” he said awkwardly, almost as if he was ashamed.
“Oh, yes…” Yvette had heard of Lady Emily before, just as she had heard vague rumors about the two courting. However, since she had been staying at the manor, she’d seen little evidence of the woman’s place in the Duke’s life, and she wondered if it was still going on.
Not that I should wonder… not that it is any of my business.
“She is kind,” the Duke said as if he needed to confirm it with her. “And good company.”
“And beautiful too, I am sure.”
He grimaced, again as if embarrassed by the concept. “She is quite attractive yes. And we get along rather well.”
“I am glad to hear it.” A beat passed, and for the first time in days there was tension between them. It was so thick that Yvette felt that she could touch it. “Surely, I will be seeing more of Lady Emily then? Perhaps you will have her over for supper?”
Why would I say such a thing? Why would I even… She groaned inwardly, not at all certain what she was trying to achieve here. It should not matter. The Duke is free to court who he wants. In fact, he is right to do so.
Yvette looked away shyly, feeling like she had said too much.
“Maybe,” the Duke said carefully. “I do enjoy spending time with Lady Emily. And Hugh does need a mother. Only…” He clicked her tongue. “Forget it, you do not want to hear such things.”
“No,” she said, looking up hopefully. “Go on. I do not mind.”
He exhaled and his shoulders slumped. “We are not as serious as she might like – as I am sure that she thinks we should be by now. And if she wishes to find someone else…” He shrugged. “I would not hold it against her.”
“And why would she wish to find someone else?” Yvette probed. “Are you not… do you not…” She could not bring herself to say it, terrified that the answer would not be what she wished.
“I cannot say truly,” he said. “There is no guarantee that she and I… not all courtships work out, is my meaning. In fact, I find that they hardly ever do. Finding the right person…” He shook his head and sighed deeply. “It is not so easy as the storybooks make out.”
Yvette smiled inwardly, damn near beamed. But she was careful not to sound too pleased, or to look it either. The Duke was free to court whom he wished, and she should not have cared at all. Just as he should not have cared what her opinion was.
“I hope you enjoy this evening,” she said. “You deserve it, after everything that has happened. With Hugh, is my meaning.”
His brow furrowed as if her comment confused him. “Thank you, Miss Norleigh. I will.”
They smiled at one another, still it was tense, and Yvette could sense that the Duke had more to say… that he wanted to confirm further what he had meant. As if he felt that he owed her some sort of explanation. Or that was how she read it.
Typically, he did no such thing, and he dropped his head and walked past her and down the hall. She watched him go, a mixture of feelings that she was growing all too used to taking her over.
She had known that the Duke was courting. She expected him to, also. It was part of being a Duke, and now that he had Hugh to think of, it was the right thing to do.
Yet, jealousy played havoc with her conscience, and she could not help but wonder what it might be like if she attended the theatre with the Duke, instead of Lady Emily.
A foolish idea, Yvette. And also an impossible one. He is a duke, and I am nothing.
It was a sobering thought to have, and it brought a fresh dose of reality for her to choke on. Yvette sighed to herself and started back toward Hugh’s room, her good mood from earlier suddenly gone.