The next morning, the Duke felt the now-familiar flutter of nerves. Their parting with Alex the day before had been so awkward that he couldn't help but wonder.
Might he be upset with me? I shouldn't have insisted he come along. Perhaps he won't show up today…
But Alex did arrive, and a weight lifted from Nathan's shoulders.
They made their way to the workshop. Both had clearly fallen for the joys of woodworking, and Nathaniel relished having someone to share in the delight of woodcarving, the charm of a well-sharpened knife and the sneezes and laughter from flying sawdust. The hours slipped away unnoticed, their banter and shared mistakes turning labor into play, each cut of the blade weaving them closer together.
The black walnut proved a true challenge. Its hardness tested them both, revealing just how much skill they still lacked. Yet it did nothing to dampen their spirits. Nathaniel and Alex emerged from the workshop like two exhilarated boys, laughing and utterly content.
The sudden patter of rain made them laugh even more, and they dashed toward the house, holding their jackets over their heads in a vain attempt to stay dry.
Once safely inside, Nathan cast a glance out the window. It seemed to him that there was no sign the rain would stop. His heart skipped a beat at the thought that had crossed his mind. The Duke had voiced this thought once before, but now it seemed slightly less hopeless than it had then.
He once said he would stay over another time…
"I wonder why you want it so badly."
Ah, there you are again.
"Stop nurturing your ridiculous hopes."
I am not nurturing them. I know what awaits me. But I want to savor our friendship while there is still time.
"Friendship? You are not as skilled at lying as you think."
How weary I am of you!
The Duke decided he could emerge victorious from this internal struggle only in one way.
— "Would you care to stay the night? You must be worn out — and only a madman would think of riding out in such weather. We have enough rooms; you may choose whichever suits your fancy, and I shall have it made ready for you."
Alex did not answer at once, sending a torrent of doubt, shame, self-reproach, and concern crashing over Nathaniel.
— "Thank you. I should be glad to stay."
Could it be?
— "Truly?" the Duke asked.
— "Yes," Alex repeated, offering a faint smile.
Nathaniel's face brightened, his heart pounding with excitement. He quickly summoned Sebastian and gave him necessary instructions.
It is the least I can do. I must forget nothing. Everything must be perfect.
When Alex chose the room closest to his own, it was difficult for him not to cling to the faintest thread of hope.
Could this be more than mere coincidence?
But that childish thought was quickly drowned out by a familiar inner voice, mocking him mercilessly.
The Duke entered his room and made his way to the bath, which was already prepared. On the go, he shed his clothes and tossed them onto the floor. Nothing soothed weary muscles better than a hot bath infused with milk and lavender. He lingered in the warmth, letting the steam rise about him like a veil, yet his thoughts refused to quiet.
After bathing, he returned to his room, once again feeling a wave of anxiety. Without any pretense, for the first time in his life he fretted over what to wear for dinner. The thought alone unsettled him; irritation prickled his senses, and by sheer force of will he grabbed the first suit he could find. Still, his hands lingered on the fabric, smoothing it more than necessary, as if order might restore calm.
He then descended to the dining room to inspect the table setting. Unsurprisingly, he found fault with two of the dishes and the choice of flowers, but he acknowledged this to himself, rationalizing it as an effort to make his guest feel at home. The arrangement of the chairs also troubled him. The table was long, and it would have been impossible to converse across such a distance. So he placed two chairs opposite each other — not along the table, but across from one end.
The Duke stood with arms crossed, surveying the room with a critical eye.
— "Young Lord Carlston," Sebastian's voice called from behind.
The Duke turned. Alex stood there, dressed in a suit Nathan had not seen worn in at least ten years. Strange emotions stirred at the sight, and he froze for a moment in surprise.
Nathan had once been like this himself: youthful, full of curiosity and hopes. That suit had been in use when his father and mother were still alive. So many memories flooded back.
— "Please, do come in," the Duke gestured, inviting Alex to the table.
With a nod, he signaled to Sebastian that he was free to step away.
— "That suit really suits you."
— "Do you think so? To be honest, I thought so too. The sleeves and trousers are a bit long, but I asked Ginger to help me — she managed to tailor it just right. How did you come by a suit my size?"
The thought that Ginger had touched him, to his own embarrassment, pricked the Duke far more sharply than he cared to admit.
— "Once, I was young myself," Nathan said with a smile, raising his glass of wine. There were plenty of reasons today to celebrate. Or just the great one.
Alex's expression clearly betrayed his surprise at Nathaniel's words.
— "Is that so hard to believe?" the Duke replied, unable to suppress a laugh.
— "No, no, it's not that. It's just strange to realize… I'm wearing the very same clothes you once wore."
Nathan felt a faint warmth rise to his cheeks, though he blamed it on the wine that had already gone to his head.
— "I apologize for not finding you something newer. I'll be sure to take care of that next time."
— "No need, why go through such trouble?"
— "It's no trouble at all. I want you to be comfortable. Honestly… I'm quite nervous. I want to learn to be a good host," the Duke laughed again, once more trying to mask the swarm of thoughts and anxieties crowding his mind.
— "You are very hospitable!" Alex exclaimed, perhaps a little too eagerly, which brought a tender smile to Nathan's face.
— "You know, you're one of the first guests this estate has had in ten years."
— "How is that possible?" Alex asked in genuine surprise.
— "Of course, except for the ball when I first arrived. But that was also the first in almost ten years
— and more of a forced affair, to ease me back into society."
— "How did it come to this?"
It was a more than natural question. When Nathan's parents passed away, it marked a dark period in his life. He was torn apart by conflicting emotions and driven into actions he still remembers with regret and shame. Afterwards, he shut himself away from everyone — even from Ophelia and Emily — and behaved with such aloofness that he earned himself a questionable reputation. When the weight of solitude became unbearable, he impulsively set off on a journey, hoping it might change his life, as it so often happened in the novels. But it didn't.
— "This may sound arrogant, but I've occasionally been the subject of rumors and gossip. I wish it weren't so. Perhaps you've heard some yourself?"
A subtle tremor ran through the Duke's hand, sending the crimson wine to stir in the glass, when Alex's face betrayed the slightest unease at those words.
God, could it be he had heard something already? I… I dare not learn the truth. I must find a way to handle this.
— "Please, don't answer. I won't force you to recall them — often gossip paints me in an unflattering light. But two things are true… and I might confess it to you," he said smiling faintly.
Inside, the Duke felt his heart sink as Alex's face, or so it seemed to him, displayed an even greater dismay than before.
— "And what might that be?"
— "That I'm a recluse and a bit of an oddity." Nathaniel composed himself, lifting his glass as if nothing had happened, and met Alex's gaze with a mischievous glint.
The Young Lord laughed aloud, which helped Nathaniel's body relax.
— "That'll be hard to argue with. You mean you simply didn't want to invite anyone else?"
— "Exactly. Except you."
The Young Lord's cheeks tinged with pink, and he said no more during dinner, eyes fixed on his plate, leaving Nathaniel the pleasure of observing him.
After dinner, the Duke gave Alex a brief tour of the estate. Seeing Young Lord so eager to learn about the Cunningham family filled his heart with warmth.
— "I fear I've kept you long enough. Please, rest now. I shall check on you in half an hour, if you don't mind."
— "Very well," Alex replied.