Page 15 of Duke of Emeralds
“I hear he was seen prowling out last night too,” Nancy carried on, giggling.
“My, that sounds more like a rake than a wolf then, Nancy,” Anna laughed.
And at this, Hester had to join in the mirth at her expense. This eased her nervousness somewhat.
“Now, where were we?” Anna asked, her eyes resuming their perusal of the catalogues as they sobered.
“Do you have any drawings of those corseted ones I ordered last week, Madame?” she asked the modiste, who was only too eager to bring out more pictures.
“Oh, these are even more scandalous, Anna,” Hester gasped, her eyes widening as she took in the designs.
“That’s the entire purpose,” Anna winked. The modiste and Nancy shared another titter, their eyes never leaving the catalogues.
“I am not wearing them,” Hester said, her chin lifting.
“Very well. Whatever you say, my dear,” Anna sighed in ostensible acquiescence, setting aside the new pictures.
But as the modiste gathered the drawings, Hester saw Anna whisper something to the woman.
CHAPTER 9
“Ithink it is time we tell Mother, don’t you?” Leonard said as Hester alighted from the carriage.
Hester paused, her breath hitching slightly. “Oh, yes, of course. I was going to speak to you about it.”
The gravel crunched beneath her slippers, a sound that had always signified home, yet today it echoed with a newfound weight. She followed Leonard inside, her mind a whirlwind of emotions.
They found Patience in the conservatory, a serene sanctuary bathed in the golden hues of the afternoon sun. She sat on a bench, her delicate fingers deftly braiding the fringes of her shawl, a gentle hum escaping her lips.
Leonard and Hester exchanged a glance before sitting on either side of their mother. Leonard took Patience’s frail hand in his,giving it a gentle squeeze. “We have something to tell you, Mother.”
Patience looked up, her eyes curious. “Is it dinner time yet? Should we go get ready?”
Leonard smiled patiently. “Before dinner, there is something else you should know.”
He looked at Hester, giving her an encouraging nod. She took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest.
“I am getting married, Mama. To the Duke of Lushton,” Hester announced.
“Oh, that’s wonderful news,” her mother exclaimed, her eyes welling with tears of joy. She pulled Hester into a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around her daughter with a strength that belied her frail appearance. “Oh, my darling daughter. Now, I can finally rest, knowing you are getting married,” Patience whispered, pressing a tender kiss into Hester’s hair.
After a moment, she drew back and studied Hester. “Are you in love with him, my dear?”
“I… yes,” she lied.
“Oh, splendid!” Patience drew her back into an embrace.
Despite the guilt gnawing at her conscience, Hester nestled into her mother’s warmth.
The moment was fleeting, however, for Patience drew back, her eyes suddenly alight with a new purpose. “Oh, did you tell your father? We must tell your father at once,” she said, her gaze darting around the space as if expecting him to materialize.
Hester’s heart sank, and she glanced at Leonard, her eyes wide with alarm. The dread that had been lurking at the edges of her consciousness now settled heavily in the pit of her stomach. Before either of them could react, Patience sprang to her feet, her movements swift and determined.
“Benedict, darling?” she called out, her voice echoing through the conservatory as she made her way toward the door.
“Mother,” Leonard called after her. Hester followed hot on their heels, her entire body tense.
“Oh, Leo, this is splendid news. We must find your father,” Patience insisted, her steps quickening as she began opening doors, her search for their late father growing more frantic with each passing moment.
