Raindrops tapped steadily on the cornice, sliding smoothly down the window's glass. Alex stirred his tea absently, clinking his spoon against the porcelain cup.
Lady Carlston glanced at him with worry.
— "You've barely touched your breakfast."
— "I suppose I'm not very hungry." Alex gave a faint smile
Mother put down fork and knife and turned her attention fully to her son.
— "Did something happen at the club last night?"
The accuracy of the question made his chest tighten.
— "Nothing unusual, Mother. Just the usual banter. Though…"
He paused, choosing his words with care. It was hard for Alex to carry the weight of all what happened yesterday alone.
— "All of them seem quite interested in the Duke of Blackthorn…"
Lady Carlston arched her brow.
— "Well, he is rather difficult to ignore."
Alex looked down into his cup.
— "What do you remember of him as a boy?"
— "Why all of a sudden? Well. I clearly remember him as a sweet and well-mannered boy. At times, perhaps a little too serious for a child, if you ask me. I suppose that may have come from the strictness of his father. I saw Charlotte more often, Nathaniel was usually occupied with his own affairs. Charlotte rarely, if ever, complained about her son's conduct. I daresay he exceeded his parents' expectations in every way. Why do you ask?"
— "He's just… unlike anyone I've met before." Alex replied shyly.
— "Why does that trouble you?"
— "It doesn't trouble me. I suppose. Or perhaps… it's hard to say, Mother. Maybe not the Duke himself, but what people think of him."
Lady Carlston sipped her tea.
— "People do love to spin tales and invent nonsense. It amuses them, gives colour to their hours. I've heard my share of things as well, of course. But I must confess — I've yet to hear a single rumour that sounded remotely true to me."
Alex lifted his eyes to his mother, as if grasping at a thread of hope.
— "I think you must decide for yourself what sort of man he is. And, to be honest, I'm glad that you… You don't seem so distant as you once did. I was worried about you sometimes…"
— "Mother…"
— "I know, I know. Perhaps I am mistaken. But can you not agree that you spend less time alone now?"
— "I suppose so…"
Lady Carlston smiled warmly and added with motherly tenderness.
— "I am glad you have made his acquaintance. The Duke is a man of honour, like his parents. Unlike those you meet at the club…"
— "Mother…"
— "I'm sorry. I only mean well. I did not mean to offend your… friends."
— "I wouldn't say we are friends with them, Mother. Rather, good acquaintances."
Lady Carlston gave a soft laugh, then turned to look out the window.
Throughout the following two weeks, Alex found his thoughts continually returning to what he had overheard at the club.
"What 'rather unusual tastes' did Jacob truly mean?"
Yet, having sought his mother's opinion of the Duke, Alex seemed to find a certain peace with the feelings he had struggled with.
Nevertheless, a quiet wariness endured. Alex excused himself with illness to avoid the Duke's company and deferred their riding appointment. Though burdened by guilt over his dishonesty, he couldn't bear to meet the Duke's gaze following what he had heard at the club.
"It's merely gossip," he told himself again and again.
As soon as Alex wrote to the Duke explaining his poor health, Nathaniel responded with a letter inquiring after the Young Lord's wellbeing.
Dear Young Lord,
I was sorry to hear of your indisposition and trust this letter finds you on the mend. Your health is of utmost concern to me, and I hope you will take care to rest fully until you are well again.
Please, do not trouble yourself with apologies for postponing our lesson. Your health must always be your first priority, and I sincerely wish you a swift and full recovery. I would be glad if you could write to me when you feel able, to let me know how you are doing.
Yours sincerely,
Nathaniel Cunningham
"How could I possibly not reply to him? He always expresses such genuine concern…"
Thus began their correspondence. Letters were exchanged daily, each conveying an unexpected sense of comfort to Alex. He found himself increasingly compelled to respond, drawn to the Duke's answers with a greater eagerness than he had anticipated. Alex asked the Duke about his recent woodworking projects, current reading and thoughts, receiving similar questions in return.
One morning, Alex hurried down the stairs with a radiant smile, eager to retrieve the long-awaited letter.
— "You do write to each other more often than any pair of companions. One might imagine you're practicing the art of love letters rather than mere friendship." Lord Carlston couldn't help but remark with laughter.
Something tightened in Alex's chest as if a bucket of scalding water had been poured over him. Finding no reply, he retreated to his room and found himself unable to answer the Duke's letters for the next three days.
***
Today's ball was held in the evening garden. Beautiful lanterns hung from the trees, casting a soft glow over the gathering. A sweet floral aroma drifted through the air, accompanied by the delicate sounds of music and the hum of lively talk.
The Duke of Blackthorn was once again surrounded by ladies, enchanting them with his usual charming smile and graceful talk. Yet, the moment his eyes found Young Lord's across the crowd, he excused himself and made his way toward Alex, who had all but been avoiding this encounter out of shame over his deception.
— "I am really glad to see you, Young Lord. How have you been feeling these past days?" Nathaniel inquired softly.
— "My health has kept me from writing these last three days. However, I am quite restored now, and I hope my silence has not offended you."
— "Please, there is no need for such apologies. You are under no obligation to correspond unless you so desire." The Duke smiled kindly.
Just then, the strains of the orchestra swelled forth, proclaiming the time of the first dance. Nathaniel seemed about to say something, but his gaze passed as if through Alex. He apologized, suggesting they continue their conversation afterward, and then approached a certain lady.
She was a dark-haired beauty, with gentle curls and a warm smile. She looked as though she belonged to a painting — graceful, radiant, and utterly charming. The Duke, quite evidently, offered her a dance.
For the first time Alex saw the Duke dance with someone.
"Perhaps the Duke had been spending time with her… I didn't know"
The sight of the Duke, arm in arm with the lady as they made their way toward the dance floor, laughing softly at some private jest, struck the Young Lord like a blow to the chest.
"Why did I not know he…? Though truly, he owes me no explanation. And that ring… I clearly was a distraction to him, with all those letters. Yes, no doubt. Well, at least I had the decency not to write in the last three days"
Despite Young Lord's efforts to reason with himself, what he had seen struck with the ache of a wound not yet understood.
Gathering himself, Alex invited Lady Elizabeth to dance. She had the soft beauty of an English rose — fair complexion, wide hazel eyes, chestnut hair and a gentle smile. She wore a gown of dusky rose silk, which flattered her delicate figure and lent her an air of youthful serenity.
They made, without question, a graceful pair. Lady Elizabeth appeared like a lady who had awaited her second dance with the Young Lord for the entirety of the season — and her delight was plain to see.
To Alex's own regret, he remained oblivious to the lady with whom he danced. His attention was caught entirely by the Duke and the captivating lady he danced with. Elizabeth's question went unheard, swallowed by the storm of Alex's own thoughts.
After the dance ended, Elizabeth's displeasure was clear.
— "I am truly sorry. It is a slight dizziness I suffer, Lady Elizabeth, and I beg your pardon for my unbecoming behaviour. I assure you, such shall not occur again."
He resolved to compensate for his previous inattentiveness by bestowing upon her an unusual measure of attention for the remainder of the evening, something quite unlike his usual manner with any lady.
He asked Elizabeth for another dance, purposely avoiding the Duke.
When the ball concluded, Alex escorted Lady Elizabeth to her carriage and kissed her hand in farewell. Just then, Young Lord noticed the Duke stepping out arm-in-arm with his chosen companion.
Alex's heart felt heavy and unsettled.
As was her custom upon their return home, Lady Carlston sought to speak with her son about the evening.
— "You and Lady Elizabeth looked simply splendid together."
Alex surprisingly remained silent.
— "Is something amiss, my dear? You seem troubled."
— "It's nothing, Mother." He sighed, struggling to conceal his irritation.
— "If there is more to it, you may trust me. You have been strangely distant these past days. And you seemed quite happy with Lady Elizabeth tonight. Has something gone awry between you?"
— "I appreciate your concern, Mother, but some things I must keep to myself."
— "Very well." Lady Carlston nodded briefly, then turned her gaze toward the carriage window.