She touched a drop of dew trapped in a primrose and let it slide down a petal. “I thought a duke, who’s used to doing everything he wants, wouldn’t understand.”
“I can’t do everything I want. Quite the opposite.” He lowered his gaze for a moment as if hurt. “I’ve always had to put my duties as the future duke before everything else. And now, my day is full of meetings with politicians, talks with my stewards, and documents to sign. I don’t think I can keep practising fencing. I need to travel often through the kingdom, and fencing needs dedication and discipline.”
“Doesn’t fencing make you happy?”
“I feel free only when I’m in the salle d’armes. I’m sure you can understand me.”
She did, and his sorrow echoed hers. “I’m sorry I made assumptions about your life. We’re more similar than I thought.”
“That’s sad because you share my lack of freedom, but I’m glad to have met you.”
A flutter warmed her chest. It was the first time a gentleman had told her those words, and they made her ridiculously proud of herself.
“Well.” She raised her glass of lemonade. “To following our passions.”
He raised his glass, too. “And to winning. I want you on my team every time I play cricket from now on.”
“Your Grace, that’s a deal.”
Right then, the Dowager Countess of Devon walked over to them with Minnie at her side. She cast a disinterested glance at Esther and focused her attention on Alexander.
“Richmond,” the dowager said without preamble, “I believe you know my granddaughter Minnie.”
Alexander narrowed his eyes and offered a stiff bow. “I do, my lady.”
Minnie returned the frosty attitude. “Your Grace. It’s been a long time.”
“Not that long,” he said in a low voice.
Esther shifted her gaze from him to Minnie as the air between them charged with hostility.
“I heard you’ll be in Brighton soon,” the dowager said.
“For a fencing competition.” Alexander’s eyes gleamed as he mentioned fencing.
“How fascinating.” Minnie made fascinating sound like a hiss.
“We’ll spend a few days in Brighton as well.” The dowager seemed oblivious to the tension between Minnie and Alexander. “I hope you’ll join us for dinner.”
He opened his mouth, but Minnie was faster. “Grandmama, perhaps the duke will be too busy to dine with us.”
The dowager scowled at Minnie so hard Esther was surprised Minnie didn’t cry out in pain.
“I might just find the time,” he said through his teeth.
Minnie’s expression softened when she smiled at Esther. “Well, we didn’t mean to intrude on your pleasant walk. I’ll see you later, Esther.”
The dowager’s scowl deepened, but Minnie was already walking away.
As Minnie and her grandmother left, Esther was surprised to learn her mother had been wrong. Minnie wasn’t interested in the duke at all.
“May I ask you something personal?” she asked.
His charming smile made an appearance again. “I asked you many personal questions. Go ahead.”
“Don’t you like Minnie? She’s pretty, elegant, and charming.”
“But she doesn’t play cricket as well as you do.”
