Page 5 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke
William told the rider to go and tell Duke Nicholas that they would see at noon. William wondered why the Duke would provide weapons for both parties. Although it was done in some cases to ensure fairness, William wondered if Duke Nicholas could ever be fair.
William walked out of the house into the stable. There were three horses in it, a pregnant mare, a young colt and his favourite horse, a white chestnut stallion. He saddled the stallion, rubbing its neck as he prepared it. Then he mounted it and rode to Eusten.
He dismounted and gave his horse to the stable boy. One of the stewards had meanwhile gone to let Lord James know that his friend was around.
Eusten Court was not a big place. The gates were huge though, made of shiny steel with large arching rods at the top. James always reminded William that the gates had been built with a plan to intimidate. The courtyard was clean as always with the gardens in pristine condition. The flowers seemed to be in season as there was a splash of colours everywhere; their petals spread out as if to dry themselves in the sun. William was halfway up the staircase when he saw his friend come out of his front door. He was looking sweaty and strained; his shirt had large spots of wetness. He was smiling but his eyes were serious. William could see that he had been doing something important before coming out to see William. William waited for him at the bottom of the staircase.
“You look like you were very busy,” William said after they shook hands.
“I was busy but it had to do with you. I had been training,” James replied.
William looked into James’ eyes and smiled.
“Why are you training? I am the one doing the fighting,” William said, reaching across to cut an open red petal of a flower beside him. He raised it to his nose, taking in the strong scent before throwing the flower on the ground.
“You forget the rules of the duel, even with your mastery in fighting duels,” James answered him.
They had been going up the stairs as they spoke. When they got to the top step, James opened the front door but didn’t step in. William tried to step in the parlour but he was blocked by James’ outstretched hands. William looked at James, his brows raised in confusion. James said nothing, just gestured for William to continue what he was saying.
“What do you mean?” William said.
“In the advent that something happens to you that you cannot continue, I have to stand in for you,” James replied, giving William a look of incredulity.
William looked surprised. It was obvious he wasn’t aware of that. He stroked his jaw, looking into the open parlour before speaking.
“I didn’t know that but I think it’s because I have never been required of such. I have won my affairs personally and I have overcome. The same will turn out here,” William said.
James was looking into the mirror of the closed parlour window. William saw his golden hair, shiny and giving off as much light as it got. His face was still long, oval with its masculine angles. His eyes were brown and unassuming as they had been when William first saw him. There was a hint of stubble on his cheeks; William expected he would get rid of that once he wanted to go out. His cloths were simple. He had a soaking wet white cotton top with black shorts. James was still as handsome as he had been when William first saw him. Aging was good to him.
He looked lost in thought and William was about jolting him out of it when he looked back at William.
“I am just taking precautions,” James replied.
“Practice?” William asked.
“Yes, my problem was a sparring partner. But an able one is available now,” James said, touching his friend across the neck.
“The letter is here. Noon draws near; we don’t have much time left,” William replied.
He put his hand in his bag and brought out the letter. He gave it to James. James said nothing and scanned the page slowly from top to bottom.
“The field after the farms, is that place of good condition?” James asked.
“It is big enough. So I’m guessing it should be good enough. James you have to have your eyes open, I cannot risk my life while the other party is playing tricks,” William answered.
“Let’s go in and get ready,” James told his friend before stepping into the parlour. James didn’t stop and walked across the shiny floors, strolling past the wooden door separating the parlour from the inner chamber, leading his friend in. When he got to his bedroom he closed the door behind his friend.
“Why did you make us speak on the staircase? Matters so grave aren’t meant to be said in such a public place.
James nodded his head in response. He looked like he knew that.
“I do not trust my servants enough to believe they would not eavesdrop on our conversation,” James told him.
William nodded his head in agreement.
“Well said,” he replied.
“Allow me a moment’s leave; I need to have horses ready for us when we leave,” James said before walking out of the room.
