Chapter 6

"George," William called as his assistant entered his office. "I need you to prepare the carriage. I'm heading to the Earl of Seymour's estate."

"Right away, Your Grace." George nodded. "Shall I have it brought around to the front?"

"Yes, please. And ensure everything is in order for the journey," William instructed urgently.

It was a short ride to the suburbs of high society where the Seymour estate was nestled. The residence was bustling with activity as his carriage neared it, with maids hanging laundry in the rear gardens and cooks looking through the produce brought to the back door.

William strode through the front gates towards Seymour Manor. His heart raced, but he pushed aside any doubts with the steadfast resolve of a man accustomed to facing challenges head-on. He had sent word of his arrival that morning, knowing it was not nearly enough time for proper arrangements to be made. Yet, duty called, and he could not delay any longer.

As he approached the grand entrance of the manor, William's mind raced with thoughts of the task ahead. He knew he must navigate the delicate intricacies of negotiations and diplomacy with the Earl of Seymour, a man of considerable influence and stature. But William was not one to be intimidated by such challenges. He was a stern and solemn man, with a keen intellect and a steely determination that had seen him through many trials before.

With a deep breath to steady his nerves, William squared his shoulders and stepped through the imposing doors of Seymour Manor, and was greeted by Lord Seymour.

Despite being slightly shorter than William, Lord Seymour exuded an undeniable air of authority and dignity. Fine lines etched on his brow spoke of years of experience and wisdom, while his greying hair added to his distinguished appearance.

"Your Grace, how delightful to have you here again at Seymour Manor," he said with a hearty smile.

William returned the sentiment with a gracious nod. "Thank you, Lord Seymour. The pleasure is mine," he replied politely. "I apologize for requesting an audience with you on such short notice."

"Your unexpected visit has taken us by surprise, but it is a most welcome one. Please, come inside and make yourself comfortable."

With that, he led the way into Seymour Manor, their conversation continuing as they walked. As they entered the drawing room, William was met with Adam and his wife Harriet, sitting on the sofa. He briefly caught a glimpse of Esther beside her mother at the other end of the room.

"This is my son, Adam Arnold, the Viscount Linfield, and his wife, Harriet Arnold, the Viscountess Linfield."

"Lovely to see you, Your Grace!" Harriet said brightly.

"Likewise, as my wife has expressed with so little restraint," Adam added humorously.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance," William returned gently.

He turned to Lord Seymour, who had beckoned his wife and Esther over.

"And, of course, my daughter," Lord Seymour said, "though I'm sure you're acquainted enough, having danced at the ball we hosted."

"Your Grace." Esther curtsied with a reserved smile. "Are you here out of concern for my feet, perhaps?"

"Esther, enough," her mother hissed.

God, that smile.How could I allow myself to kiss her like that?

Despite being a duke and knowing how to conduct himself, he felt embarrassed about the rare moment of weakness he felt in the presence of a woman like Esther. Then again, he couldn't deny how undeniably beautiful he found her. Watching her soft curves and her delicate skin made him want to forget the rules and kiss her again.

"Lady Esther, good to see you." He eyed her intently. "And, yes, perhaps I did come out of concern for your feet."

In the back of his mind, the memory of their kiss lingered. He couldn't control himself back then. He shook the memory away. This was not the time.

Esther responded with a courteous nod.

Lady Seymour maintained an air of polite curiosity, her demeanor a blend of hospitality and intrigue. "Your Grace," she asked, "to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"I've come to discuss matters that concern both our families, Lady Seymour."

"Oh? Pray, do tell."

The Duke inclined his head slightly. "Well, you see, recent events have made me rethink some of my decisions, and I came here to discuss them with Lord Seymour. In private."

The Countess, though initially taken back by the statement, quickly composed herself. "Of course, Your Grace. Please, feel free."

She looked at Adam, Harriet, and Esther, and gestured for them to follow her out of the drawing room.

William turned to Lord Seymour, a silent indication for him to accompany him elsewhere for their private conversation. They made their way out to the gardens, where the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze provided a soothing backdrop for the Duke to gather his thoughts.

"I assume that you've deduced of the purpose of my visit," William said quietly. "I would like to court your daughter, My Lord."

"I had an inkling, Your Grace." Lord Seymour admitted, although he seemed surprised to hear it out loud. "Forgive me for my curiosity, but given my daughter's, um, image amongst the ton?—"

"Ah." William nodded understandingly, "I don't care much for gossip, frankly speaking. I saw her at the ball the other night, and I could not stop thinking about her since then. I understand if you require time to consider my proposal, Lord Seymour. I assure you, my intentions are sincere, and I hold your daughter in the highest regard."

Lord Seymour seemed truly at a loss of words.

"Your Grace, I appreciate your candor," he replied. "I shall discuss this matter with my family and provide you with a response in due time."

"Perhaps we can ask your daughter if she would like to agree?"

Lord Seymour shifted a little nervously. "My daughter is not an eager follower of convention. Her thoughts on proposals are quite… different."

"I've heard, which is why I came here in person in the hope that you would attempt to convince her to accept my offer of courtship," William insisted. "I'd like for you to oversee this, as I'd like her to know that I will respect any wish of hers in the presence of her guardian."

"Now? Y-Yes, of course." Lord Seymour proceeded to call over one of his servants to fetch Esther.

After a few moments of waiting, he watched Esther walk out, her countenance serene as she approached the Duke and her father. Lord Seymour stood nervously, adjusting his cravat with trembling fingers.

"You asked for me, Father?" Esther said innocently.

Lord Seymour cleared his throat. "Esther, my dear, the Duke has a proposition he wishes to discuss with you."

Esther's eyebrows rose in curiosity. "A proposition, Father? Pray, what manner of proposition does His Grace have in mind?"

The Duke, ever composed, stepped forward with a respectful inclination of his head despite finding her overt formality humorous. "Lady Esther, I have long admired your family's integrity and propriety. I come before you today with an offer—a proposal. I was hoping you would agree to let me court you."

Esther remained silent, looking neither surprised nor curious. Admittedly, even William began to feel nervous as the silence stretched out. He began to wonder if, perhaps, Esther had managed to play a sick joke on him to embarrass him.

"Why?"

William and Lord Seymour both paled.

"Wh-why?" Lord Seymour stammered. "Esther!"

"No, it's all right," William said, trying to suppress the exasperation in his voice. "She has every right to know of my intentions."

But his mind now reeled with all the possible justifications for wanting to court her. It was beyond him why she would make this predicament more complicated than it already was. He thought she wanted this more than anything to save herself from a boring and loveless marriage.

"You offer me a fresher perspective, Lady Esther," he began with a barely detectable tremble in his voice. "I have heard of the rumors surrounding you, but I believe they are simply harsh judgments. I, on the other hand, see qualities."

Esther's lips parted as surprise flickered in her eyes.

"I've lived the same day over and over, following the theatrics of high society's social etiquette, and no one seems to offer me anything new and out of the ordinary, but… you, Lady Esther, defy the orthodox norms that I'm growing weary of."

Lord Seymour's astonishment was palpable, and William heard soft gasps from around the corner of the house, where he suspected Lady Seymour and Lady Linfield were eavesdropping.

"I, um… goodness, Your Grace, I was not expecting to hear that," Esther responded breathlessly as her hand slowly rose to her chest.

The satisfaction of leaving her speechless flared within him, and he barely held back a smirk.

"If that's the case," she continued looking genuinely touched, "then I see no reason to refuse. We seem to share the same way of thinking, and that's a good start as any."

"Esther, my dear, am I hearing you right?" her father asked in shock. "You'll allow him to court you?"

Esther met her father's gaze with a reassuring smile. "Yes, Father. I believe it may hold promise for our family's future."

William sighed in relief, and he had half a mind to find a way to punish her for putting him in such a position so unexpectedly.

"I'm grateful that you've accepted, Lady Esther. I hope I didn't unintentionally pressure you."

"No," she said with tenderness. "You came all this way to ensure my utmost comfort in this matter, going as far as to have my father witness it, so he may protect me. Who could ever be a better suitor than you?"

Her words played on his heartstrings, and he had to remind himself that it was all an act. But, deep down, he wished she was being sincere.

"I would like us to get to know each other more," he said. "Might I invite you for a promenade this Sunday?"

She turned to her father, and he nodded delightfully. "That sounds lovely."

"Seeing my father's approval," she replied, "I shall join you."

William nodded then and bid farewell to Lord Seymour and his family. The meeting had gone better than he had anticipated, even with her unexpected demand in the middle of it.

As the carriage rumbled down the winding road back to Harcourt Manor, William found his thoughts drifting to his family. He couldn't delay any longer, it was time to face the inevitable conversation with his mother and sisters before every old and young person started gossiping about it on the streets.

He took a deep breath as the heavy wooden doors of Harcourt Manor swung open. He entered, greeted by the familiar scent of polished floors and the soft murmur of his sisters' voices echoing through the grand drawing room. The twins were ensconced in a cluster of plush armchairs, their laughter filling the air as they shared secrets in hushed tones.

"Ah, William!" Juliet called. "You're just in time to hear the latest scandal!"

Sarah flashed a mischievous grin in William's direction. "You must hear about Lady Harrington's latest escapade. It's positively scandalous!"

William smirked at his sisters' antics, but he addressed them on a serious note. "Sisters, what have I said about discussing needless and unproven gossip?"

"It is of no disadvantage to her," Juliet claimed defiantly. "She flaunted it in front of everyone!"

Across the room, Marina, the eldest of the siblings, sat in serene silence, engrossed in the pages of a leather-bound book. She acknowledged William's presence with a subtle nod before returning to her reading, her graceful demeanor a stark contrast to the lively chaos of her younger sisters.

"George," William called to his assistant, who stood quietly by the doorway. "Inform Mother that I wish to speak with her."

George nodded and swiftly disappeared up the steps.

As the room buzzed with the excitement of his sisters' chatter, William stood by the far window as he contemplated how to break the news. He knew his mother just wouldn't agree to the arrangement.

Moments later, the Dowager Duchess swept into the room, eyeing him anxiously as she neared him with an uncertain smile.

"You called for me," she said. "You'd usually just come to my room."

"There's something I need to discuss with you," he stated as calmly as possible. "The matter's too important to bring into a space of leisure."

Before he could continue, the Dowager Duchess raised a slender hand as she turned to address the twins. "Juliet, Sarah, please be quiet for a moment."

The girls quieted down, their hushed voices still carrying over to them, although not as loud as before.

"I went to Lord Seymour's estate to ask for his blessing to court his daughter," William said immediately.

There was silence as his mother processed the information with an unreadable face. And then her expression turned sour.

"Esther Arnold?" she asked with incredulity. "Surely you can't be serious, William. You're speaking of Lady Seymour's daughter?"

Marina looked up from her book with a furrowed brow, sensing the tension in the room. Juliet and Sarah exchanged confused glances as their playful banter lay forgotten in the wake of their mother's reaction.

"Yes," he confirmed. "Lady Esther and I have grown quite fond of each other, and I believe we are well-suited."

Dorothea's expression softened slightly, though her disapproval remained evident. "William, you must understand the implications of such a match," she admonished gently, her voice tinged with concern. "Lady Seymour's family is… well, they are beneath our station. Marriage has far-reaching consequences, William."

"I have feelings for her," he stated sternly, although he felt a little concerned about how naturally the words flowed out of him.

He had meant for it to be a lie, but it didn't sound like it to him. It definitely convinced his mother, who always knew when he was concealing something.

William worried for his heart and his state of mind.

"How preposterous!" she scoffed. "Lavinia's daughter already has a reputation around the ton, and it's been four years since her debut. She's practically a spinster!"

"And what about it?" William raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you had a good head on your shoulders, William! When did this even happen? Surely, I would have?—"

"It is ultimately my decision," William answered in a curt tone. "I thought you wanted me to court someone. Why is this now a problem?"

Dorothea sighed as she deflated in her seat. "I only wish for your happiness," she conceded gently. "But I fear you may be rushing into this without considering the consequences this will have on all of our reputations. Think ahead, William. How will this reflect on your business and your decision-making?"

"It doesn't make sense, William," Marina interjected as she put her book down. "None of us even knew about this… this… affair of yours with Lady Esther. When did this even begin? Don't you know how she might make things difficult for us in the marriage mart?"

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to her. The twins exchanged uneasy glances and seemed to retreat further away from them.

William's brow furrowed in irritation.

"Marina, this is not a decision that requires the approval of the entire household," he replied dismissively. "It is my life, and I will do as I please."

Marina's eyes flashed with indignation and frustration. "But what about the promises you made, William?" she pressed. "You swore that you wouldn't marry until we found suitable matches ourselves. This decision is unlike you!"

William's jaw clenched in frustration. "I have not forgotten my promises, Marina. They still stand. But my feelings for Lady Esther cannot be denied, and I will not apologize for following my heart."

"I do not believe you for a second, William."

But he remained resolute, his jaw set in determination as he turned his attention away from Marina. Dorothea intervened before the tension could escalate further.

"Marina, my dear, don't intervene," she urged. "Your mother is still here to ensure the best course for everyone."

Marina, still bristling with frustration, reluctantly complied, though her glare remained fixed on her brother. "Fine, then that means we are relieved from our duty of marriage, right? If you can go around making your own decisions, so can we!"

"Absolutely not," William replied curtly.

Marina frowned. "But?—"

"Drop it, Marina," William cut in so sharply that the ensuing silence was deafening.

No one dared to speak after that.

"I didn't come here to fight," he said softly, almost apologetically. "I simply came to inform you of something that, frankly, is something you've all wanted. In time, I may even be betrothed to her. An engagement party may very well be upon us."

More silence followed, and he was wondering if that was the right thing to say because he did so without thinking. It would now put Esther in a more difficult position. Perhaps if his mother and sister circulated the possibility of the engagement, it might attract more eligible suitors to Esther. Maybe she'd find her true love faster.

Something about that stung him.

"Do you love her?" his mother asked.

He nodded solemnly, though he knew it wasn't true. Love was not a concept he was familiar with or accustomed to.

The Dowager Duchess nodded understandingly. "Very well, William. All in due time. And I hope, in time, you will see sense before committing to a mistake you cannot undo without consequence."

With that, the woman stood up and exited the room, leaving behind an air of quiet disappointment that tugged at William's heart. Yet, for some reason, he felt that this conversation was somehow necessary.

He hoped that his mother now understood that she'd pushed him to the edge and that she must give up on trying to sway him.