Felington shook his head. "You are the one that Lady Catherine likes, Langton. She tried all she could to get closer to you during the house party but you did not seem to care for her."
"Is that so?"
"Now that I think back at it, you seemed so absent at the house party. It was as though there was something else taking up your time and attention. I only saw very little of you and that was during breakfast and dinner," Felington continued.
"That might be because you were spending all your time with your fiancée," Callum lied.
"Was I?" Felington pondered.
"Did you hear about Byron and how he absconded with a lot of money?" Callum asked, once again, trying to change the conversation.
The blood seemed to drain from Felington's face after Callum's statement.
"That…that is not possible," Felington replied.
"I read about it in today’s paper," Callum said, "this is his biggest heist yet as he scammed people of thousands."
"Oh!" Felington groaned, running a hand through his air frantically.
"Is anything the matter, Felington?" He asked, "I warned you about Byron so I suppose you did not give your money to him. Or, did you?"
"Of course, I did not," Felington replied. Callum, however, was not convinced. Felington's reaction to the news showed that he was bothered.
Despite the fact that the weather was quite cool, Callum noticed that Felington was beginning to sweat profusely. Callum could not help but pity Felington. If his suspicions were right, then Felington had lost a substantial amount of money to the thieving Byron. Coupling this with his scandal, it was easy to see that Felington would be under so much pressure.
Callum wished that he could help his friend but there was nothing he could do since Felington was bent on hiding his predicament.
* * *
"Callum, kindly help me with my cufflinks," the Duke called out to Callum who was presently passing by the door of his grandfather's study.
He obliged, helping the old man fasten his cufflinks. Of course, he knew that the old man could fasten his own cuff links just fine or ask his valet to do it for him, therefore he already suspected that the Duke merely used it as an excuse.
"Thank you, Callum," the Duke said.
"The ball should start soon, therefore, I have to oversee in order to ensure that everything is in place," Callum said, as he made to leave.
"Wait, Callum," the Duke said, "the butler and housekeeper can deal with that. I would like to speak with you."
"I suppose that is why youreallycalled me," Callum said.
The Duke laughed, "You seem to be catching up to my tricks."
Callum could tell that his grandfather was in a rather good mood. It was expected, after all, the man would be announcing his engagement to Lady Theodora this evening. Considering how much the Duke seemed to love the lady, Callum could see why he would be so elated.
"I am all ears, Your Grace," Callum said.
"Oh, sit down. And for tonight, do not call me 'Your Grace', rather, I am your grandfather only," the Duke said.
Callum nodded, "If that is your wish."
The Duke also took his seat, opposite Callum. "I just wish to tell you that if it ever seems like I am being too hard on you, it is because you are my grandson and I care for you," he said.
You seem to care more about upholding the family reputation than me.Callum simply smiled and nodded. "I know that you care for me, Grandfather." The Duke smiled and Callum could see his eyes glisten with tears. “I cannot wait until I get to celebrate your engagement and wedding with you," he said. Callum was beginning to get uncomfortable with his grandfather's show of emotion. The old man was usually incredibly stiff and cold but ever since he became involved with Lady Theodora, he had started to become warmer. "Your Grace, I really must go. I can already hear the guests begin to arrive," Callum lied.
With that, Callum left his grandfather in his study.
However, when he got to the hallway, he realized that he was, in fact, right as the guests were indeed beginning to arrive. The ballroom was becoming full of guests standing in twos and threes.
