“I hope you told him differently,” he said firmly, his expression hardening as if it was somehow her fault.
She laughed. “I could tell him any number of things, but it will make no difference. He needs to hear it from you.”
“You want me to…” He tilted his head. “To tell him that I care for him?”
“Nothing so forward as that.” She laughed again. “My thinking is that it’s about time you spent time with him. He is your son, and he needs to be reminded of it. A day together and you might be surprised how quickly your relationship will change.”
He nodded along. “Yes, I think… that is a good idea.”
“I like to think so.”
The Duke’s brow furrowed, and she could see the silent conversation that he was having with himself, just as she could guess what he was considering asking her.
Yvette held her breath, hoping that he would ask. It was wrong. It couldn’t possibly go anywhere. But she could not stop thinking about their interaction earlier in the week, and while she was sure that it was nothing, she wanted to prove as much… or to prove the complete opposite.
I should be focused on Hugh only, I know that. But that moment we shared, as insignificant as it was, still sits with me. And I want to know why.
“You will join us,” he said.
“Will I now?” she smirked.
“You did say that you would help, if you remember?” He considered her for a moment. “I believe you exact words concerned a promise to be there for Hugh, and for me, for that matter.”
“That does sound like me,” she said with a warm smile as she held his eyes. “Which is why I agree with you. Whatever you choose to do, I will join you both. For moral support.”
“More support…” He nodded along.
“So, when you think of something, let me know, and I will be sure to structure our lessons around it.”
“What about right now?” he said quickly, half standing as he did.
“Now?” She frowned. “What did you have in mind?”
The Duke’s answer was a wry smile that reached his eyes and was felt in Yvette’s chest.
CHAPTER TEN
“Hugh! Not so fast!” The Duke called out in a panic. “Careful!”
Hugh either did not hear or did not listen. Whatever the case, the young boy kicked his heels into the side of his pony as he hurried it across the open paddock. As he did, he cried out in joy; his laughter was infectious, and it was without a doubt the happiest that Yvette had ever seen the child.
“He’ll be fine,” Yvette laughed from beside the Duke. And then she laughed again when she saw the worry on his face.
Whatever he might think of himself as a father, he clearly cares for Hugh. And finally, Hugh is starting to see it.
“He’s riding too fast…” The Duke’s hands gripped the reins of his horse tightly, and Yvette could see how he struggled not to urge it forward after his son. “He doesn’t have control.”
“Let him learn.”
“I’d rather he not fall and kill himself.”
“Unlikely,” Yvette said, still laughing. “The plains are flat, his horse isn’t moving that quickly, and he seems rather adept at it. He told you that he has ridden before.”
The Duke grimaced. “Yes, but children lie.”
“Not Hugh.”
“Perhaps… perhaps his mother taught him.” His brow furrowed as he watched Hugh ride across the paddock, and Yvette wondered if the expression on his face was for Hugh’s safety or if memories of Hugh’s mother were the cause.
