“I know you were worried about what they might say at dinner,” Eugenia said. Her eyes were downcast, and she was picking at the embroidery on her skirt as she sat on Esther’s bed. “Perhaps it’s for the best.”
“Perhaps.” Esther frowned. “Are you all right, Eugenia? You don’t seem yourself.”
“Don’t I?” Eugenia looked up anxiously.
“You’re not upset that my parents left, are you?” Esther asked, hoping the joke would bring Eugenia out of her obvious bad mood.
But Eugenia just shook her head slowly. “No,” she said. “I’m not upset.
“What’s the matter?” Esther pressed. “Aren’t you happy for me? The Duke is coming over. He’ll be here at any minute.”
To her surprised, Eugenia’s eyes filled with tears.
Esther hurried to her side and took Eugenia’s hands in her own. “What is it?” she asked anxiously. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s my mother,” Eugenia admitted, still not meeting Esther’s eyes. “She’s going to make this awful. I wish I could just be happy that everything is going so well for you, Esther. You have no idea how much I wish it. But—”
She broke off, shaking her head.
“You can’t let your mother make you doubt yourself like this,” Esther said. “Are you afraid she’s going to speak unkindly to you at dinner?”
“She’s so disappointed in me,” Eugenia said. “You should have heard what she said to me at the Kensington Ball. She was so unhappy with me.”
“Because you don’t have a suitor of your own yet? Esther asked sympathetically.
“She really hoped I would be courted by the Duke,” Eugenia said. “Honestly, her refusal to give up on that idea…it scares me, Esther. I feel as if she’s blind to reality. She can’t see what’s happening right before her eyes. It’s apparent to anyone how much the Duke cares for you, but she can’t see it. Or she won’t.”
“Eugenia, I’m sure the right gentleman for you is out there,” Esther said.
Eugenia shook her head. “That’s not what I’m worried about,” she said.
“What are you worried about?”
“I don’t know, exactly,” Eugenia admitted. “But I must confess, I felt better knowing that your mother and father were going to be here tonight. Without their presence, it feels almost unsafe to sit down at the table with the Duke. Who knows what might happen, what my mother might say?”
“I don’t think there’s anything she can say,” Esther said. “Hugh is prepared for the machinations of social climbers. He’s better guarded against that sort of thing than anyone I’ve ever known.”
“Well, maybe you’re right,” Eugenia said. “Maybe I’m worrying over nothing.”
“You are,” Esther said firmly. “Now help me fix my hair. I want to make sure I look perfect tonight. My parents think there’s a chance that Hugh might propose to me tonight.”
“Oh, Esther!” Eugenia looked at her, and her eyes were shining. “Do you really think he will?”
“I think it’s possible,” Esther admitted.
“That’s so exciting,” Eugenia said, and Esther could tell it was genuinely meant. “You’d be a Duchess, Esther.”
“I’d be married to Hugh,” Esther said. “That’s what I care about. I would be his wife.”
Eugenia took her hand. “You really love him,” she said.
“I really do,” Esther said. “I never thought I would fall in love, Eugenia. But I have. I hope you find the same thing someday, because I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more than you do.”
“That’s very generous,” Eugenia said. “I’m just happy for your happiness, Esther. And you must forgive me for casting a cloud over the evening by worrying so much about my mother. You were right not to fret about it. Whatever she says and does, I’m sure it’s no match for the Duke’s affection for you.”
Esther smiled. It was strange to feel so confident about a gentleman’s regard for her, but it was also lovely. To know that he really did have feelings for her, feelings that even the callousness of her parents and the cruelty of her aunt wouldn’t be able to shake—it made the future she hoped for seem that much closer.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of horses’ hooves outside. Real this time. Not imagined.
