by Lucy Langton
“Well then, let us return to the task at hand. I’m confident that I will have a decision about my future husband sure enough,” Kitty said as she picked up the last few unopened letters and started to go through them.
“I sure do hope that Hugh will come to visit us again,” Aunt Matilda spoke up then, completely surprising Kitty.
“And why on Earth would you hope for that?” Kitty asked.
Aunt Matilda smiled as she said, “He reminds me so much of my own husband that it fills me with joy to see him. Hugh has always been a humorous boy that it’s good for my soul to visit with him.”
“Well then, perhaps you should write to him,” Kitty suggested as she returned to her letters.
“You know, Kitty, I might just do that,” Aunt Matilda declared. She rose from the settee and went over to the writing desk, and Kitty couldn’t help wondering what exactly her aunt was writing to the man who was supposed to be winning over her heart this week.
Chapter 5
“A letter for you, Your Grace,” Portlock said as he came into the drawing room where Hugh was seated at his writing desk, constructing several different letters in hopes of raising his reputation in town.
“Not now, Portlock. I’m trying to think of the best words to use when I’m writing to the orphanage,” Hugh said without taking his eyes off the sheet of writing paper he was currently working on.
“Your Grace, I think this letter would be of certain importance to you,” Portlock pressed. Sighing, Hugh set down his quill and turned towards the butler. He looked down at the letter and saw that it was addressed to him from Lady Winthrop. He quickly took the letter then and opened it, curious to know what Aunt Matilda had written to him about.
Hugh couldn’t contain his smile as he read over the short note. She’d invited him to dine with them that evening, insistent on hearing him speak more of good times gone by. Without hesitating, Hugh pulled out a new sheet of writing paper and quickly wrote his response before folding it up and handing it to Portlock.
“Have this delivered to Lady Winthrop right away,” Hugh said. “It seems I have dinner plans this evening.” Portlock smiled as he took the letter and dipped his head.
“I’ll be pleased to see that it’s done, Your Grace,” Portlock said before he left the drawing room. Hugh was curious if Kitty had shared the details of their deal with Aunt Matilda. He figured that she had or the older woman wouldn’t have invited him for dinner. Or perhaps she really did want some more company. Hugh knew that the woman was getting older in years, and even though Kitty was a very caring young lady, she seemed to be more concerned about social gatherings at the moment.
Having a whole day ahead of him, Hugh set the thought aside for a moment as he returned to addressing the list of ideas he and Portlock had created last night. First, he’d invited an article writer from one of the most prominent papers in Town to come to his home that afternoon for an exclusive interview. He wanted to set a few rumours straight and figured a detailed article on himself would be the thing to fix many of his past actions.
Next, he’d finished his letter to the orphanage that he planned to hand-deliver himself. It would include a hefty donation in the hopes of improving his reputation. He also thought it would be a nice gesture because he had so much wealth that those who did not deserved to be supported. He’d even considered becoming a frequent patronage of the orphanage in the hopes of filling his time with better hobbies than drinking and gambling.
And after the private interview, Hugh had designs to pay a visit to Hyde Park. With it being the most popular park in Town where many prestigious families frequented simply to be seen, he figured that it wouldn’t hurt to take a pleasant stroll around the park at the specific time in hopes of appearing more friendly and less mysterious or scandalous.
Of all the ideas that they’d come up with last night, this was the one that he wasn’t looking forward to. For a moment, he thought of inviting Kitty to walk with him and decided he’d stop by her home on the way to the park to see if he could convince her to join him.
A smile came to his face as he thought of Kitty. They’d known each other for so long that he wondered why he’d never considered her for a wife before. Though she’d been quite a tomboy when they’d been children, she’d grown up to become the most beautiful young lady he’d ever known. But after the death of his parents, he’d fallen into sadness that he didn’t think he could ever come out of again. He’d loved his parents dearly, and their sudden deaths had really made things difficult for Hugh.
Needing to feel alive again, Hugh had turned to drinking, gambling, and taking on outlandish challenges. Sometimes he won, and other times he lost, but Hugh could always laugh at himself with others around him. It was only when he sobered up again that he realised what a fool he’d been and perhaps how ashamed his father would be if he were still alive.
This challenge with Kitty was the first time he’d really been interested in a challenge more than just having a way to brag to his friends at the gaming hells. He understood that this was a very serious matter and one that he could not afford to lose at. Though he hadn’t spent much time with Kitty since the death of his parents, he still heard from within his social circles how she was the most eligible woman in London and how many had set their sights on her.
For one thing, Hugh understood that Lord Harding was always working hard to win her heart. After all, Kitty had attended the ball with him, and he no doubt might be one of the many suitors who might be planning to proposal or already had. Hugh was at least grateful that Kitty had agreed to push off all proposals till next week, but as Hugh thought of all he could accomplish in a few days, he wondered if he’d have enough time to win Kitty’s heart.
Trying to push the negative thoughts out of his head, Hugh folded up his letter to the orphanage with several notes included in it and made his way to the foyer. There, he put on his travelling jacket and took his top hat off the hook at the door as he prepared for his quick trip through Town.
“Have everything you need, Your Grace?” Portlock asked as he joined Hugh at the front door.
“I do believe so, Portlock,” Hugh said as he tucked the letter into the inside pocket of his jacket before buttoning it all the way up. “I shall return promptly.”
“Good luck, Your Grace,” Portlock said as he opened the door for Hugh. He dipped his head in return as he descended the stairs and made his way towards his waiting carriage.
Just then, one of Hugh’s servants on the streets came running up to him on the street. He fished a few coins out of his pocket and handed it to the young man, a cap pulled down over his face so that only his eyes were visible when he looked up at Hugh. His clothes were tarnished, but that’s what made him such a good ear on the street. This young man could blend in and no one would realise that he was eavesdropping on their conversations.
The young man took the money and quickly pocketed it before saying, “Lord Harding was seen visiting Miss Worthington this morning. Word on the street is that the earl proposed.” Hugh clenched his jaw as he thought of Lord Harding being anywhere near Kitty again. And if it hadn’t been for their deal, Hugh would have wondered if she had accepted him. Now Hugh was certain that he had major competition. And since most didn’t know of the true nature of Lord Harding, he would have to find a way to warn Kitty about the man without appearing as though he was jealous. He had a difficult task ahead of him.
“Thank you,” Hugh said to the young man before he turned and ran off again. Hugh made his way up and into the carriage, intent on finishing his task for the morning before returning to the townhouse for the interview. He just hoped that all of this effort would pay off in the end.
~*~
Kitty was sitting at the writing desk in the drawing room since Aunt Matilda was using the other one in the sitting room. They’d finally finished the task of at least reviewing all the letters. And while Kitty was writing acceptance letters to all the gatherings she’d been invited to, Aunt Matil
da was doing the bidding of writing the declining letters on her behalf. And though Kitty had been busy with her letters, excited about all the social functions she’d soon attend, she did notice when a letter came in for Aunt Matilda.
Not wanting to be nosy, Kitty had remained at her desk. She figured that her aunt would notify her if it was of any importance. But as the late afternoon came about, she couldn’t deny her curiosity. She’d just rose from her writing desk as a footman came into the room, announcing that a visitor had come by. Thinking that she could question her aunt in a moment, Kitty made her way to the foyer.
Her breath was stolen away as she saw Hugh standing at the front door. The butler had just shut it and then their eyes met. His green eyes were piercing as ever, and she had to do her best to tell her body to continue breathing. She smiled as she approached him, curious to know the meaning of his visit.
“Good afternoon, Hugh,” Kitty said as she curtsied. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon after the ball last night.”
“With only a week to work with, I don’t want to waste any time,” Hugh said as he took her hand and placed his lips over it in greeting. Kitty realised how much warmer his touch was compared to Lord Harding’s. A part of her wished that he would place his lips on her knuckles, but the thought drifted away as he let go of her hand once more.
“I’ve come to see if you’d like to join me for a stroll around Hyde Park,” Hugh explained. Kitty was surprised by the offer. Not only would they be seen together in public, but by looking at the grandfather clock in the hallway, she saw that it was prime time in the afternoon to be seen at the park. Kitty weighed her options, wondering if she could dare such a thing when she’d been proposed to that very morning. But Hugh was correct in the fact that a week was very little time to prove anything.
“Very well,” Kitty said as she agreed. “I will let Aunt Matilda know.”
“May I join you?” Hugh quickly asked before she could turn away from him. Kitty smiled at him as she nodded her head, and then together they went to visit the older woman.
“Aunt Matilda, you have a visitor,” Kitty said with a giggle. The older woman looked up from her letter and smiled brightly when she saw Hugh.
“Oh, what a surprise, indeed,” Aunt Matilda said as she held her hand out to Hugh. He collected it in his hand and squeezed it tightly. “I didn’t expect to see you till dinner time.”
“Dinner?” Kitty questioned, wondering what the two were up to.
“Yes, my dear. I had written to Hugh just like you suggested and invited him to join us for dinner this evening,” Aunt Matilda said with a happy smile. “You are quite early for dinner.” Kitty couldn’t help laughing as she realised what her aunt had done.
“You see, Aunt Matilda, I have come to ask Kitty to join me for a stroll around Hyde Park,” Hugh explained. Aunt Matilda’s eyes grew large as a bright smile crossed her face. She looked at Kitty then and winked at her, causing Kitty to blush.
“I think that would be a fantastic idea. Just this morning Kitty was proposed to by that ostentatious Lord Harding,” Aunt Matilda said in a stiff voice. “I think it would do Kitty some good to get out of the house and get a bit of fresh air.” Aunt Matilda then retracted her hand from Hugh’s and returned to her writing. Kitty was surprised by her aunt’s words, always thinking that she had good opinions of Lord Harding. She looked at Hugh, wondering what his reaction to the news would be. But he simply gave her a kind smile as he led her from the room.
“I’m glad to see that Aunt Matilda is doing well,” Hugh said as he led them from the house and to his waiting carriage outside. Kitty took a deep breath, the afternoon air filled with spring scents. The weather was warm, and though she was only wearing a day gown and walking shoes, she wasn’t worried. After all, her intention wasn’t meant to make a big impression on anyone. She simply wanted to enjoy her afternoon with Hugh. And according to her aunt, he’d be joining them for dinner.
“Sometimes I wonder if she’ll outlive us all,” Kitty said as she allowed Hugh to help her up into the carriage. She enjoyed the feeling of his hand in hers and almost missed his touch when she had to let go to be seated in the carriage. He came in after her and settled onto the bench across from her.
“A part of me hopes that she’ll be around for many years to come,” Hugh said. “Sometimes I like to think she’d enjoy the company of my butler. They seem to be similar ages.” Kitty chuckled at the thought as the carriage moved away from her home and towards the popular park.
“Are you trying to be a matchmaker for Aunt Matilda?” Kitty asked.
Hugh shook his head as he said, “I don’t think she’d ever remarry, but I know she could use the company of someone closer in age to her. And, Portlock is a perfect gentleman.” Hugh winked at her, and she couldn’t help chuckling. But it also made Kitty think of the many rumours that surrounded Hugh.
“I hear a lot from my social circles that you are not always the perfect gentleman,” Kitty said, wanting to address as many rumours surrounding Hugh as possible. She’d known him when they’d been young, but in recent years they’d drifted apart.
“I would never lie to you, Kitty,” Hugh said as he leaned forward and neared her. His green eyes were so intense that she didn’t dare look away. “I have been with a woman before, but never with a woman for her first time.” Kitty took a moment to think about his words. Her eyes drifted towards what was passing by the carriage as Hugh settled back on the bench. Kitty rubbed her fingers against the velvet texture of the carriage and thought it was a very nice vehicle.
“Well, at least you’re willing to be honest with me,” Kitty said as she turned her eyes back on the Duke. “I want you to tell me the truth anytime I would ask it from you.”
“And I would tell you the truth the moment you’d ask the question,” Hugh said with much conviction. Kitty nodded her head as she thought carefully about her next question.
“Have you ever been in love, Hugh?” Kitty asked, her heart beating hard in her chest. Hugh gave her a kind smile as he shook his head.
“I’ve never given my heart away, no,” Hugh said. “I have yet to trust a woman enough to do so.” Kitty was pleased with his answer as she too felt the very same way.
“’Tis the reason I have yet to marry myself,” Kitty said. “There was once a man I thought I had loved, but when the truth of his real nature was unearthed, I found I could no longer trust or love him.”
“I’m so sorry, Kitty. I had no idea,” Hugh said.
“It is of no matter now, Hugh,” Kitty said with a sigh. “’Tis the reason why I didn’t feel compelled to agree to Lord Harding’s offer this morning, despite our agreement. I don’t feel like I know the man enough to accept.”
“And what about me, Kitty? Do you feel like you know me enough?” Hugh asked. Kitty stared at him then, trying to see the young boy she used to know. Now all she knew about Hugh was what others said about him.
“I used to, Hugh,” Kitty said, her heart heavy. “And I would like to know who you truly are again despite your poor reputation.” Hugh sighed and nodded his head.
“Ever since my parents passed away, it’s been a real struggle, Kitty,” Hugh admitted.
“Sometimes the best excuses aren’t enough to cover up some actions,” Kitty said, thinking of the duel he’d agreed to just yesterday morning. Hugh only nodded his head again, looking more like a scolded child than anything.
When the carriage came to a stop at the park, the footman came to open the door. Hugh alighted first and held out his hand for Kitty. Like before, she enjoyed the contact of their fingers, finding Hugh’s touch rather warm. He tucked her hand onto his arm once her feet were on the ground and proceeded to lead them through the park.
Like always, Hyde Park was full of patrons this time of day. Hugh and Kitty smiled and dipped their heads to many people, even stopping once to visit a young lady that was an acquaintance of Kitty’s. Many people wanted to visit Kitty based on her performance last
night at the ball, and as she glanced towards Hugh from time to time, he seemed not to mind one bit that they were often stopped and talked to.