“That won’t be necessary,” the duke said. “I have come to inquire if Miss Hill would like to accompany me to the opera on Tuesday evening. Lady Mandeville has invited me to her box at Her Majesty’s Theatre and told me there are several empty seats. Of course, you would be invited to attend with us, as well, Mrs. Hill.”
“How lovely,” Aunt Maude said with a gentle smile, as if this hadn’t been the plan all along. Though she was acting calm, I knew she was eager to accept. Being seen at the opera with the duke so soon after meeting him would send a clear signal to the other debutantes this season. The duke was staking his claim quickly and decisively. “We would love to accept.”
“Then it is settled.” The duke nodded, though his facial expression didn’t change and I couldn’t tell if he was pleased or resigned. “I will arrive at seven to take you to the theater.”
“Wonderful.” Aunt Maude nodded and then said, “It was so nice to meet you last night, Your Grace. How fortuitous that you would choose this season to come to London when our dear Clara is just debuting into society.”
I offered a small smile, but he didn’t take the bait to engage in conversation, or pay me a compliment, as most gentlemen would.
His aloofness irritated me in ways I couldn’t understand, and I wanted to draw something out of him, even if it was negative.
“Why don’t you like London society?” I asked him.
“I don’t like any society.”
“Not even in Ravenscar?”
“No.”
“You live alone? Doesn’t that get boring and tedious?”
“I don’t live alone.”
“Who do you live with?”
“Clara,” Aunt Maude said, chastisement in her voice. “The duke hasn’t come here to be interrogated.”
“If I may be so bold,” I said to the duke, ignoring Aunt Maude, “you’ve come here to court me, is that correct?”
Aunt Maude’s eyes grew wide, and she opened her mouth to protest, but the duke’s gaze didn’t waver.
“Yes,” he said. “That is the only reason I’ve come to London. It doesn’t pay to pretend. I need a wealthy wife, and you are looking for a title.”
“Really, Your Grace,” Aunt Maude protested, her voice feeble.
“It’s true,” I agreed. “And if you find me pleasant and amiable, I assume a proposal will be forthcoming.”
“Clara!” Aunt Maude fluttered her hand.
“That is the plan,” the duke said.
“Then I must know more about you. You have given me so little information. I cannot make a lifetime decision without all the necessary questions answered.”
Aunt Maude appeared to have given up.
The duke’s eyes sparkled with the challenge. “Ask me anything you’d like. I will not withhold the truth. But—” he hesitated for only a moment—“I assume you cannot get all the answers you need in one short visit. I believe that is what the courting ritual is all about. We will get to know each other over the season.”
“And if we don’t like what we find, I don’t want to waste your time,” I told him. “It’s better to know sooner than later so you could court someone else.”
“Clara!” Aunt Maude said again, and I imagined she saw her well-laid plans evaporating before her eyes.
“I don’t want to waste my time, either,” he agreed. “What do you need to know before we proceed to the opera on Tuesday?”
WhatdidI need to know?
“Are you always so cool and distant?” I inquired, feeling no hesitation or qualms about asking him straightforward questions. “Even with those who are closest to you?”
Aunt Maude looked like she was going to faint.
