“She is kind,” the Duke said as if he needed to confirm it with her. “And good company.”
“And beautiful too, I am sure.”
He grimaced, again as if embarrassed by the concept. “She is quite attractive yes. And we get along rather well.”
“I am glad to hear it.” A beat passed, and for the first time in days there was tension between them. It was so thick that Yvette felt that she could touch it. “Surely, I will be seeing more of Lady Emily then? Perhaps you will have her over for supper?”
Why would I say such a thing? Why would I even…She groaned inwardly, not at all certain what she was trying to achieve here.It should not matter. The Duke is free to court who he wants. In fact, he is right to do so.
Yvette looked away shyly, feeling like she had said too much.
“Maybe,” the Duke said carefully. “I do enjoy spending time with Lady Emily. And Hugh does need a mother. Only…” He clicked her tongue. “Forget it, you do not want to hear such things.”
“No,” she said, looking up hopefully. “Go on. I do not mind.”
He exhaled and his shoulders slumped. “We are not as serious as she might like – as I am sure that she thinks we should be by now. And if she wishes to find someone else…” He shrugged. “I would not hold it against her.”
“And why would she wish to find someone else?” Yvette probed. “Are you not… do you not…” She could not bring herself to say it, terrified that the answer would not be what she wished.
“I cannot say truly,” he said. “There is no guarantee that she and I… not all courtships work out, is my meaning. In fact, I find that they hardly ever do. Finding the right person…” He shook his head and sighed deeply. “It is not so easy as the storybooks make out.”
Yvette smiled inwardly, damn near beamed. But she was careful not to sound too pleased, or to look it either. The Duke was freeto court whom he wished, and she should not have cared at all. Just as he should not have cared what her opinion was.
“I hope you enjoy this evening,” she said. “You deserve it, after everything that has happened. With Hugh, is my meaning.”
His brow furrowed as if her comment confused him. “Thank you, Miss Norleigh. I will.”
They smiled at one another, still it was tense, and Yvette could sense that the Duke had more to say… that he wanted to confirm further what he had meant. As if he felt that he owed her some sort of explanation. Or that was how she read it.
Typically, he did no such thing, and he dropped his head and walked past her and down the hall. She watched him go, a mixture of feelings that she was growing all too used to taking her over.
She had known that the Duke was courting. She expected him to, also. It was part of being a Duke, and now that he had Hugh to think of, it was the right thing to do.
Yet, jealousy played havoc with her conscience, and she could not help but wonder what it might be like if she attended the theatre with the Duke, instead of Lady Emily.
A foolish idea, Yvette. And also an impossible one. He is a duke, and I am nothing.
It was a sobering thought to have, and it brought a fresh dose of reality for her to choke on. Yvette sighed to herself and started back toward Hugh’s room, her good mood from earlier suddenly gone.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
As was to be expected, Lady Emily looked beautiful.
Her blonde curls were done in ringlets, and they danced above her shoulders. Her brown eyes looked especially big, and they shone with laughter. Full lips. Skin that was like milk. And a gown that was sky-blue, worn tight around her waist, with a neckline that scooped just above her bosom; elegant, but with a hint of scandal.
Alistair saw her before she saw him.
The street outside the theatre was busy with the hustle and bustle of those who had come to attend the show tonight. Scores of them, if not more. Most were of the peerage, but many were members of the gentry, and some lower than that still. They moved in waves, pushing and shoving to get closer to the theatre’s entrance.
Somehow, Lady Emily and her friends stood apart from the chaos. She and her friends stood in a small circle, laughing at whatever it was that they were saying, and she radiated beauty as if she were the center of the world’s attention.
She is exceptional, there is no doubt about that. But then why do I feel nothing for her? Why does my heart not race as it does when I am around Miss Norleigh?
“Your Grace!” Lady Emily looked past her friends just in time to see Alistair approaching her. His carriage had dropped him several meters down the road. “You made it!” She pushed past her friends and headed toward him.
“Lady Emily.” Alistair smiled slightly as they came together. He took her hand and brought it to his lips, making sure to hold her eyes the whole while. “You look a treat. Utterly breathtaking.”
“Oh, stop it.” She waved him down. “I bet you say that to all the ladies.”
