— "Nathan, do sit down, please. Tell us how you fare? Alex has been answering in such brief phrases of late, one can get nothing out of him. Soon he shall become just like his father," Lady Carlston said in a playful manner.
— "This is what comes of asking a man too many questions," Lord Carlston remarked.
Lady Carlston was long accustomed to her husband's witticisms and knew well when to return one in kind and when to let it pass unheard. Alex sat in silence. He disliked being spoken of before others, least of all in the Duke's presence, yet he could do nothing to stop it.
— "I thank you for your warm hospitality. It is always such an honour and delight to be in your company, Lady and Lord Carlston," said Nathan.
— "We congratulate you most heartily on your approaching marriage. I remember you and Lady Ophelia as incorrigible youngsters. A union for love — and with a friend besides — is a rare treasure indeed. Cherish it, my dear!"
— "Your words mean a great deal to me. I shall be glad to see you both at the ceremony."
— "Thank you for the invitation. Have you already set a date for the celebration?"
— "We are… still in discussion. But I promise, you shall be the very first to receive an invitation."
Alex kept silent, prodding at his breakfast with little appetite, his eyes fixed upon the plate before him. He did not yet know how to regard the wedding, Lady Ophelia, and above all the secret that bound them both to Nathan. These conversations placed him in a strange, uneasy position, stirring in him something that wavered between irritation, melancholy, and… perhaps a spark of exhilaration, for his feelings were too powerful, too significant to be erased from the moment.
— "My dear boy, if ever you should require assistance, pray do not hesitate to call upon us. I know just whom one ought to trust with the gown, the suit, the flowers, the ornaments—"
— "How do you know that, Mother?" Alex suddenly asked.
— "Friendship with Lady Willow can be most enlightening! Besides, I trust it shall soon be our turn to occupy ourselves with such preparations." Lady Carlston cast her son a playful look.
Nathan's expression darkened for an instant, though he quickly composed himself and forced a smile. So wholly had he plunged into his feelings that he forgot everything else — forgot that not only he must marry. It was unlikely that the Young Lord could remain unwed until thirty-two; such a delay would imperil his reputation.
— "Mother, I think this is not the right time…"
— "Yes, yes, I know! Oh, boys. I have always said one must know when the hour has come. For some it arrives sooner, for others later; some are more fortunate, some less so."
— "I was less fortunate," Lord Carlston suddenly put in with a smile.
Lady Carlston threw him a displeased glance.
— "That is what comes of forcing a boy into marriage too early. One is left with endless lamentations. Alex, my dear, I never wished to hurry you too much. Each night I pray you shall find a worthy wife and marry for love."
— "Mother…"
Lord Carlston could not abide such conversations and looked upon his son with mock compassion.
— "Well, well. Nathan, when shall you bring Lady Ophelia to visit us? I encountered her a few times in your absence — at the modiste's, and elsewhere. Oh, one could always tell the two of you would one day make a splendid couple. You denied it, of course, but such friendship could scarcely fail to ripen into love."
— "I shall certainly speak to her about it," Nathan replied with a smile, passing over the rest.
— "I believe you have quite wearied the Duke. He is a man — he cares nothing for flowers and gowns," Lord Carlston declared.
— "Not at all. I am most grateful for your interest, Lady Carlston. Perhaps Ophelia will wish to take greater delight in such matters than I. I shall tell her to seek your counsel. I deeply value your kindness to me."
Lady Carlston looked at Nathan with maternal warmth and laid her hand upon his, before casting her husband a mock-stern glance to prevent him from preening.
— "I hope my son does not weary you overmuch? My heart rejoices to know Alex has such a fine friend. I always feared he was too lonely among those visitors of the gentlemen's club…"
Alex, meanwhile, was growing weary of the encounter. His mother's habit of discussing him in front of others irritated him deeply. Perhaps it was better than speaking behind his back, yet it left him mortified before the Duke.
— "Pray, Lady Carlston, do not concern yourself. Alex never wearies me — quite the opposite, he has been a kind friend. While I travelled, I felt as though I were forgetting my native language, forgetting what it meant to be home. To accustom myself again to London was no easy matter, and the estate felt strange to me. But thanks to your warm welcome, and Alex's friendship, I remembered once more what it is to belong."
— "How delightful! I am so happy to hear it! I always feared you grew desolate after the loss of your dear parents — God rest their souls. You closed yourself to the world, and I worried for you. But all's well that ends well!"
— "Let us hope you do not break his leg before the coming race," Lord Carlston interjected, laughing heartily at his own jest.
— "Father!" Alex's patience was at its end.
Nathan laughed.
— "I shall not dare again. In fact, I have found a new rider for Altiva. This time, we shall strive for an honest victory."
Thereafter, Lord Carlston entertained the Duke with his favourite topics — horses.
— "Well, well, I shall not detain you further. If you wish, you may ride with my son upon Waterlily. I saw you on horseback already, and I must say I am astonished! After such an accident… It seems you owe my son a debt!" He laughed again.
Alex flushed, but he knew begging his father for mercy would avail nothing. Nathan smiled along with Lord Carlston.
— "Indeed. I most certainly do. I am deeply indebted to him."
For the first time that morning Alex glanced at Nathan, catching his gaze timidly. It seemed to him he had not seen him for an age — and in that moment he felt how keenly he had missed him.
— "Well then, off with you both. Alex hardly trains at all these days. I do not doubt his talent, but steady practice is the key to success."
Alex exhaled in relief. At last.
— "Let us first go upstairs — I left my boots there," he said.
Once inside his room, the Young Lord turned sharply, rose on his toes, and pressed himself to Nathan, taking his face in his hands and pinning him gently against the closed door. It was still too hard for Alex to express his feelings so openly, yet when he could not endure a long parting, it became easier for him to give in.
The Duke froze, startled by the suddenness.
— "I only… I think I missed you too much…" Alex murmured, drawing back at once. He caught the rare sight of a faint flush upon the Duke's cheekbones, and his heart beat all the faster for it.
— "I shall find my boots and then we may go down," Alex said, moving toward the wardrobe.
Nathan seemed only then to recover himself. He touched his lips with his fingers, as though to hold the sensation a moment longer. Suddenly his eye fell upon the nightstand, where his cravat lay.
— "Oh — you found my cravat? I had not known I lost it," he said, stepping toward it.
Alex turned, and at the sight of it paled. "Wait!" he said hastily. Nathan stopped, astonished, seeing Alex's anxious look.
— "I found it on the ground after one of our walks. It was soiled, but I forgot to send it to be laundered. I shall do so at once."
— "There is no need to trouble yourself. I can give it to Sebastian," Nathan replied with a smile.
Alex's anxiety deepened. He strove to invent some excuse to keep the stained piece of silk with him, to cleanse it of dishonour.
— "Yet I must insist."
Nathan lifted a brow.
Why is this of such importance? And why is it lying here of all places? At first glance it seems quite clean. What could be the matter? Does he… wish for a cravat?
— "If you took a liking to it, you have only to say. I should be glad to gift it to you."
— "No, no, I never meant to take it for myself — you misunderstand me," Alex stammered, fearful he now appeared to covet the thing.
— "Very well, then may I at least reclaim it?"
— "F-fine," Alex answered, turning away, squeezing his eyes shut for a heartbeat before resuming his search for the boots.
Nathan took it in hand. Cravat appeared ordinary, perfectly clean. Yet his mind would not let go of the question — what had caused such peculiar attachment to so trivial a piece of cloth? He looked at Alex, whose ears had reddened slightly.
— "I wish you would tell me why this piece of cloth is so dear to you — as part of my right to a request," said the Duke.
Alex's heart sank.
No, no, no—why must he seize on this?
He turned sharply.
— "Why is it so important to you?"
— "Truth be told, I know not myself. But you are so intriguing in this, I daresay I should puzzle over it many a night to come." Nathan smirked softly. "Unless, of course, you would prefer to leave me to my imagination."
— "Think what you will. I only wish to do what is proper and return you a clean thing. Found! Let's go." Alex snatched up his boots and made for the door.
Very well, I shall leave it be.Nathan thought with a smile.