‘Did she seem ecstatic at your declaration?’
‘On the contrary, she seemed rather disconcerted,’ Caleb recalled.
Albert rolled his eyes, good-naturedly.
‘But since this time, your opinion has adjusted?’ Albert predicted.
‘I daresay it has,’ Caleb mused, then his energy shifted to one of annoyance ‘I must not have my mind diverted, Albert! I wish to study, to learn, to run my estate, and attend lectures, debates, and conferences. Hannah is a distraction that I neither anticipated nor desired.’
‘Until now, when – if I may be so bold – you both anticipate and desire her?’
Caleb flashed a warning look over at his friend, who was grinning. Caleb cleared his throat and sat up straighter still, looking straight ahead.
‘I confided in you the other day; how resilient Hannah is. Additionally, I have learned that she is deep-thinking, and creative and she takes the initiative, standing up for her beliefs, even against adversity. I have a huge amount of respect for her.’
Albert waited a beat before responding.
‘I appreciate your honesty, Caleb. In all our years together, since being schoolboys at Eton, you have never once expressed feelings for a lady, at least no more than commenting on the attractiveness of a pretty face. I, therefore, grasp the magnitude of your admission.’
Caleb nodded, accepting this as a true summary.
‘However, I must remind you,’ Albert continued ‘that all these emotions you articulate – they are blessings. There are men who marry by arrangement and spend their lives wishing themselves out of the situation. You have married contractually, as a business agreement, and are fortunate enough to happily discover that your wife is admirable and praiseworthy. I fail to see your botheration?’
‘I do not believe that love and marriage can co-exist harmoniously, Albert!’ Caleb revealed and even as he said the words, it was a revelation to himself. He had successfully iterated his dilemma.
Albert paused, considering this statement and understanding it was an honour to be privy to the Duke’s innermost thoughts on the topic.
‘Due to the marriage you witnessed in your parents?’ Albert clarified.
‘I believe so. They argued constantly. Mother made my father so irreparably unhappy. I sincerely believe they hated one another. Certainly, mother seems exalted that he is no longer alive.’
Albert looked over at his friend in sympathy.
‘How can it be?’ Caleb continued. ‘That on their wedding day, they entered their union with the most authentic of hopes and intentions – how did such aspiration become so loaded with resentment, bitterness, and contempt?’
After a moment of thought, Albert spoke.
‘You are not your father, Caleb. And Hannah is not your mother.’
Caleb looked over at him, troubled, but nodded, assenting to this.
‘I worry that if I abandon myself to these affections, I shall lose my focus. I need to target my brain solely on my ducal responsibilities. Despite marrying the woman he chose, I feel I will fail my father if I give in to love and allow myself to spend time with her, relax my duties. If I become soft, I cannot be the man he prescribed. I strongly believe that I cannot be a loving husband and a successful, powerful Duke. The dilemma and potential to become weak is so alarming to me.’
Albert pulled his horses’ reins to initiate a halt, hoping Caleb would stop with him. As Caleb acknowledged his friend had fallen behind, he too pulled up on his horses’ reins and turned his animal so that he and Albert were facing one another.
‘Caleb, you need to know that love and duty need not be mutually exclusive. They can co-exist. And in marriage, I believe they should.’
Caleb’s mouth dropped open a little as he listened to Albert’s wisdom and he found himself wondering if his friend was correct.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
From the balcony of the Montwood town-house, where Hannah had been leisurely strolling on her way downstairs, she paused. She could hear voices entering the front door and commotion in the hallway as guests were received. She frowned to herself, certain that there were no appointments due, then as she strained to listen, her heart leaped in excitement – she recognised one voice and it could not be mistaken. It was her sister, Clara!
Hannah began to run along the landing area and scurried down the stairs as fast as she could without tripping on her long skirts. As she rounded the corner to the top of the stairs, her breath caught in her throat with joy as she saw that it was, indeed, her sister and her mother.
‘Oh Clara!!’ Hannah yelled out as she threw herself into her sister’s arms. She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. Clara was a significant few inches taller than Hannah and her embraces always made Hannah feel so safe. Clara held Hannah out at arm's length to look at her.
‘I am so sorry, sister, that James and I were unable to travel back in time for your wedding! We just arrived in London yesterday and I came here as quickly as possible.’
