Two days ahead of their proposed schedule.
The door to his father’s study was slightly ajar, but Ralston stopped to knock all the same.
“Enter.”
Ralston spied his father instantly. The man simply commanded attention.
Tall and fit despite his increasing years, the duke was as fair as Ralston was dark. But father and son shared a similar intensity in their presence. It was a physical self-assurance and an indelible strength of purpose. Ralston knew exactly who he was in the world because his father—a man of impeccable nobility, honor, and pride—had demonstrated by example.
The duke sat at his desk, reviewing some correspondence and didn’t even look up upon his son’s entrance. Not unusual. The duke was never rushed from or into anything. Though he’d expect that Ralston would respond immediately to his summons, he would take his own time in acknowledging him. Not out of spite or pettiness, but simply because he was so accustomed to his world revolving around his own timetable.
Ralson stood patiently in a well-worn spot half-way between the door and the desk. Holding his wrist behind his back, he waited. It wasn’t long before the duke set his missive down and lifted a pale-gray stare to his only son.
“Ralston, it is good to see you,” he said with a modest but genuine smile as he gestured to the chair across the desk. “Come have a seat.”
“Welcome home, Father. I trust you and Mother are both well.”
“Of course,” the duke replied with a short, dismissive wave of his hand. “Your mother is still resting, but she will expect you for a family supper this week.”
Ralston nodded.
The duke had never been one to be particularly demonstrative in his affections, but he also wasn’t a complete tyrant. Reserved and focused were words often applied to him. He was also entirely predictable.
As soon as Ralston settled in the high-backed leather armchair, his father lowered his chin. “Tell me of the Season’s progress.”
Familiar with such requests, Ralston quickly and succinctly reviewed the pertinent events of the social season to date, advising his father of each gentleman Eleanor had danced with while giving a basic overview of Lydia and Bridget’s success as well.
It was an admittedly brief report.
The duke gave a subtle frown and tilted his head. “Eleanor is still struggling.”
It wasn’t a question, but Ralston nodded.
His father made a short sound before muttering. “It would seem she is even more sensitive than her mother had been.”
Ralston was just confused enough to ask, “Mother?”
The duke sighed. “Your mother had also been wary of social interactions. She still is, to be fair, though familiarity has made things easier for her over the years.” He looked to Ralston with a slightly hopeful gaze. “Is there no particular gentleman who’s caught your sister’s eye? No one she seems to gravitate toward?”
Ralston thought of the Viscount Waring. However, though he’d spotted the two talking on occasion, his sister always appeared rather frustrated during the interactions and had denied any particular attachment.
And that reminded him that he’d intended to have a word with the gentleman about keeping his distance. It was probably something he should’ve done some time ago.
He scowled at his failure to take proper care of his sister and gave a negative shake of his head.
His father sighed again then lifted his brows. “And you, my son? You did not provide any details of your progress in that report.”
“Because there has been none.”
Gray eyes narrowed. “That’s not what I heard.”
Dammit.
“What have you heard,” Ralston asked as evenly as he could, though he could already imagine what rumors had reached his father. There had only been one woman he’d danced with all season, one woman he’d talked with in the middle of Hyde Park. One woman who’d consumed his thoughts for the last weeks.
There was a long pause during which the duke stared at him rather intently before he answered. “I’ve heard that you may not be as focused on your duties as you should be.”
Ralston tensed with the urge to argue that point. Isn’t thatallhe’d been focused on his entire life? Duty. Responsibility. Obligation. Family. Legacy.
