Page 42 of Last Night with the Duke
“Miss Swift.”
Startled, Esmeralda whirled. Only by what she was wearing did Esmeralda know which twin was standing in the doorway. “Yes, Lady Vera.” Esmeralda moved away from the window.
“Were you talking to me?”
“No, to myself,” she answered honestly. “An annoying habit of mine, I’m afraid. I hope your aunt is all right and that she wasn’t disturbed too greatly by all the barking and crashing.”
Lady Vera continued on into the room. “She wasn’t. She’s fine. I knew she would be.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“She’s much stronger than Griffin thinks she is. But then he does like to take care of everyone. His duty I suppose. Auntie Eve said she assumed there would be mishaps and mayhem with a dog and a child in the house.”
“I’m going to do my best to see it doesn’t happen again.”
“I told her it was really quite comical, though she was surprised to hear you and Griffin were having a tiff about it.”
Esmeralda blinked slowly and whispered, “Oh dear.”
“She wasn’t overly concerned, but glad to get the news that no one had fallen down the stairs.”
“I was glad of that too.”
“There is no reason for Griffin to worry so much about her. Perhaps other than she is getting old, and now sickly. He worries too much about everything, if you ask me.” She paused. “But I suppose you didn’t.”
Nor would Esmeralda ask Lady Vera anything about the duke or anyone else in the household. Miss Fortescue’s rules on getting mixed up in a family’s affairs were quite clear: “Don’t do it.”
Remaining neutral, she answered, “I may not always ask, so please feel free to tell me anything you want me to know.”
“I will.” Lady Vera wandered over to the desk. She looked down at the neatly stacked cards. She picked up the appointment sheets and asked, “Will we really attend this many parties?”
“Yes. I assume the afternoons where nothing’s planned, you and Lady Sara will be free to accept rides or walks in the park with gentlemen who show interest in you.”
Lady Vera’s eyes brightened and she laid the papers down. “You mean with all the handsome beaus who will be seeking my hand.”
“Yes,” Esmeralda said on a laugh. “And perhaps some young ladies might invite you to go to the park with them, as well, so you can talk about all the gentlemen.”
“Oh, I can’t wait for the Season to begin,” Lady Vera said anxiously. “I’ve decided I agree with Sara. I think I should like it that you are our chaperone instead of a stuffy old woman who will be constantly sniffing into her handkerchief and telling us what we can and cannot do.”
“I don’t believe I’ll have need to keep a handkerchief at my nose, but other than that, I’m not sure I’ll be any different from an older woman, Lady Vera. There are rules you must adhere to no matter who is your chaperone.”
“Perhaps you’re right about the rules,” she said as she picked up the letter that was addressed to Esmeralda from Lady Evelyn. “I don’t get the sense you are the condemning sort.”
“I am in no position to condemn anyone nor would I even if I were.”
“I thought as much.” She looked down at the note and skimmed it before replacing it on the desk. “You know I love my sister, don’t you?”
That was an odd thing for her to say, but Esmeralda answered, “Yes. That goes without saying.”
“Good,” Lady Vera said pleasantly. “Then you will understand that though I know many gentlemen will seek my hand, I have already set my cap for Lord Henry.”
From Lady Evelyn’s notes, Esmeralda knew Lord Henry Dagworth was the Earl of Berkwoods’ youngest son and one of the five gentlemen Lady Evelyn had mentioned as a highly favored prospect.
“So you’ve already met him?”
“No, of course not.” Lady Vera moved from behind the desk. “How could I have? Auntie Eve would have never permitted that. But she assures me he will be at the first ball and I will meet him there.”
“Yes. Most likely. I mean, I’m sure he will be. Do you mind telling me why you have already settled on him before you’ve met him?”
