“There is one other thing, Your Grace. While it is still true that I would be, as they say, over the moon, for you. I would be concerned as to whether it really was love or infatuation.”
The Duke sat upright in his chair.
“Quite. And what would you say is the main difference between them?”
Hugh considered this question for a moment. He had never ended up getting married, but he believed that he had fallen in love at least once.
“Simply put, I believe that the main difference between love and infatuation, Your Grace, is that the former grows stronger with time whereas the latter fades away.”
The Duke rose from his seat and paced the room seemingly to aid in his pondering of these words. At last, he turned to Mr. Fletcher once more.
“Please answer as honestly as possible, Fletcher. Would you say that my parents were in love?”
Ah! Now that is an interesting question.
Hugh had to dig several decades into his memory. He knew that the Duke—who was referred to as young Lord Helmsford at the time—was roughly four or five years old when Hugh was promoted to butler by His Grace, the late Duke of Sherriden.
“I remember your parents had a harmonious, sort of uneventful marriage, Your Grace.”
“Yes, but were they in love? Would you consider their married life to be a shining example of what a loving marriage looks like, Fletcher?”
“In all honesty, Your Grace, it was always hard to tell what your father—rest his soul—was thinking. But if you are asking for my personal impression as his former right-hand man, I believe that he had deep affection for your mother.”
“However,” Hugh cleared his throat, “and I hope that my words do not offend you, Your Grace—but you did ask for my opinion—I believe there was a slight imbalance in their relationship. Yes, it seemed to me that your mother was more in love with your father than he was with her.”
His Grace resumed his pacing once more and concurred, “I had a similar feeling growing up, Fletcher. I thank you for being so forthcoming. I know that I have not put you in an easy position.”
Hugh smiled courteously, “You are very welcome, Your Grace. But if I may, why are we discussing the heady topic of love, Your Grace?”
This question prompted the Duke to first put his hands behind his back. Apparently dissatisfied with this position, he folded them in front of his chest. His rapid, terse movements suggested that he was on the verge of saying something significant.
At last, he sat down once more and drummed his fingers on the desk.
“Fletcher, I will just come out and say it: I believe that I am ready to start courting.”
“I understand, Your Grace.”
The Duke cocked his head to the side with a slight frown.
“Pardon me, Fletcher, but you don’t seem too surprised. I was admittedly expecting my statement to provoke a more visible response from you.”
Hugh winced.
Ah, well, I see no point in feigning ignorance now.
Even though no one else was in the room, Hugh still leaned forward and lowered his voice.
“Your Grace, I thank you for being so forthcoming with me. As a result, I, too, shall be open with you. I already knew about your feelings for Miss Meyer.”
* * *
“Philippa, do you have a moment?”
Philippa stifled a yawn, “Of course, Meredith. I say we have about fifteen or so minutes before I’m missed. After that, I shall race to the kitchen with this tray.”
“Splendid! Come, you can recline on the chaise lounge while I take this chair.”
According to Philippa, all of the household staff were barely managing to stay on their feet this morning having come down from the excitement and flurry of activity that had filled the last few days.
