Page 6 of Duke of Emeralds
Why did he make such an offer? To a stranger, no less?
Nancy’s eyes widened suddenly, a mischievous glint in her gaze. “I hear he turns into a werewolf at night. And that he’s especially dangerous on the full moon.”
Anna rolled her eyes, a small smile playing at her lips. “Surely you don’t believe that, Nancy.”
Nancy shrugged, a grin spreading across her face. “I don’t. But it’s a rather exciting thought, isn’t it?”
Hester felt a shiver run down her spine at the thought, and she held her breath. Little was known about the new Scottish Duke after all. But werewolves were not real, she reminded herself, pushing the foolish notion aside.
“Well, enough about wolves and dukes now,” Hester said, her voice bright and cheerful. She turned to Fiona, a smile on her lips. “Did you say you had something to tell us, Fiona?”
Fiona’s cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I did,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I am with child.”
A chorus of felicitations filled the room, their voices overlapping in their excitement. Hester felt a genuine smile spread across her face, her heart swelling with happiness for her friend.
I am so happy for her. For them both.
But as she watched Fiona and Anna, their faces alight with joy, she felt something within her sink, a strange and inexplicable pang in her chest. A part of her wished for something similar to what they both had: a blissful marriage, children. But thesensible part of her, the part that had seen the consequences of love, turned down the notion just as quickly as it had surfaced.
I do not want love. Ever,she told herself once again, her fingers now tightening around her teacup.
Later, when Hester returned home, she was surprised to find her mother, Patience, the Countess of Hightower, waiting for her in her chambers.
“I’ve been waiting all afternoon for you,” Patience said as she sat on Hester’s bed, her hands folded in her lap.
“Is everything well, Mama? Are you all right?” Hester asked, that familiar worry and dread enveloping her as she rushed to her mother’s side. Her mother was frail and often in confinement.
Please, let her be well. I cannot bear to see her suffer any more.
“Oh, I’m perfectly fine, dear,” her mother chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and Hester felt the tension in her shoulders easing.
“I only wanted to know how your season is going, dear,” her mother replied, her gaze searching Hester’s face.
Hester paused before answering, her thoughts racing. She couldn’t bring herself to share the truth with her mother, not when she had been so worried about her health. She forced a smile, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her dress.“Everything is great and going well, Mama,” she lied, her heart aching with the deception.
Forgive me, Mama. I cannot bear to worry you.
“Oh, that is good news, child,” Patience said, her eyes shining with obvious relief and excitement. “For I cannot rest until you’ve found your happiness, too.”
Hester felt a pang of guilt at her mother’s words, her smile faltering for a moment before she schooled her features once more.
“You see, he brought me more flowers this morning too. Peonies that have left my chambers smelling like a garden,” her mother added dreamily, her gaze distant as if lost in a memory.
Oh, Mama.
Hester’s heart twisted painfully in her chest. “Such a thoughtful man,” Patience sighed. “When he returns, we’ll walk the rose garden. He always cuts the thorns for me first—remember?”
Hester sucked in her lips to keep herself from talking.Don’t say it. Don’t remind her that Papa is dead.
“Did you hear what he said during breakfast this morning? That we shall have a grand ball to celebrate your engagement once you find the right gentleman.” Patience’s eyes glittered from the dream.
Hester took her mother’s fluttering hand. The skin felt paper-thin and cold. “Mama?—”
Patience startled, blinking as if surfacing from deep water. For a heartbeat, clarity sharpened her gaze. “Hester? Are you unwell, darling? You’ve gone pale.”
“I’m here,” Hester choked out, squeezing the fragile fingers. “Always.”
But then the moment shattered again, and Patience’s eyes glazed over, drifting back to the window. “Your father says the blue salon needs new drapes…”
