Page 5 of Duke of Emeralds
“What?” Hester blinked, her eyes focusing on the sight before her. Anna Caldwell, the Duchess of Copperton, and Fiona Glacion, the Duchess of Craton, were staring at her with identical expressions of curiosity and concern.
“Woolgathering, are we now, Hester?” Nancy nudged her playfully, a teasing smile on her lips.
Hester was having tea with her friends at Fiona’s house. Fiona had married the Duke of Craton last season, and her home was always a welcoming place for their little gatherings. They were meeting this morning to discuss events for the charity they had founded together.
“That’s odd. You’ve never been much of a dreamer, Hester,” Fiona said, her brow furrowing slightly as she studied her friend.
Hester felt a pang of guilt for being so distracted. She knew her friends were concerned about her, and she didn’t want to worry them. She took a deep breath, willing herself to push thoughts of the Duke from her mind and focus on the present moment.
“That is because I am too busy trying to understand reality itself before I venture elsewhere,” Hester sighed in frustration, her fingers tightening around her teacup.
Anna, ever the direct one, leaned forward, her gaze as scrutinizing as ever. “What happened, Hester? You seem troubled.”
Hester felt her cheeks warm under Anna’s intense scrutiny. She wasn’t ready to share the details of her encounter with the Duke, but she also didn’t want to lie to her friends.
Before Hester could gather her thoughts to respond, Nancy spoke up. “She finally summoned the courage to speak to the Marquess of Townstead.”
Neither Anna nor Fiona had been at the ball last night, but they had always known about Hester’s interest in the Marquess. Hester, however, had yet to share the outcome of last night’s events with her friends.
I suppose it is as good a place to start as any.
“You did?” Fiona’s eyes grew wide with palpable curiosity, and she leaned forward, eager for more details.
Nancy carried on, replying in Hester’s stead. “And now that I think about it, you disappeared right after, Hester. Things with Townstead must have taken a most pleasant turn.”
Nancy’s words were accompanied by a teasing smile, and both Anna and Fiona laughed, their eyes twinkling with mirth.
“Did you perhaps slip away from the ball with the Marquess?” Fiona added with a wink in Anna and Nancy’s direction.
More laughter echoed in the drawing room, and Hester felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She couldn’t let her friends believe such a thing, even if it was in jest.
I must set the record straight. I will not have them believe I would do such a thing.
“On the contrary,” Hester began, her voice steady and sure, “the Marquess was such an unpleasant person, I wouldn’t want any more of his company if he was the last gentleman left standing.”
Her friends’ laughter died down, and they looked at her with expressions of surprise and concern.
They must understand. I will not be made a fool of again.
Hester went on to share how rude the Marquess had been. She could feel her friends’ sympathy and support, and it gave her the strength to continue.
“Oh, you poor darling,” Anna said, her eyes soft with understanding. She reached out and gave Hester’s hand a gentle squeeze. “We are here for you, Hester. You know that, don’t you?”
Hester nodded, her throat tight with emotion. She did know that. She had her friends, and they would support her no matter what.
“You look like there’s more though,” Anna added, her gaze searching Hester’s face.
Eventually, Hester found the words spilling from her lips, the story of the previous night’s events tumbling out in a rush. She told her friends about the aftermath of Townstead’s rejection, the way his cruel words had cut her to the quick, and how she had fled to the gardens to escape the prying eyes of theton. Shespoke of the Duke of Lushton and how he had found her there, in tears, and the offer he had made her.
A shocked silence descended upon the room when she finished. Nancy was the first to find her voice, her brow furrowed. “Why do you think he proposed, Hester? Do you think it’s pity?”
Hester’s spine stiffened at the thought, her chin lifting in defiance. “I don’t want his pity,” she said, her voice steady and sure.Or anyone else’s,she added to herself, her hands clenching in her lap.
Fiona leaned forward. “Did you accept? Are you going to?”
Anna, ever the voice of reason, placed a gentle hand on Fiona’s arm. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Fiona. How could she have accepted right away? The offer was shocking enough already.”
Hester shook her head, her fingers fidgeting with the muslin of her day frock. “I am not accepting,” she said. She watched as her friends exchanged glances, their surprise and speculation evident.
