The room fell completely silent. No-one expected that question to come out of the lord's mouth. I had to admit that although the duke's uncle seemed quite well in his years, he was very observant.
"What happened my dear nephew?"his uncle asked with a smile of intrigue on his face. "Cat got your tongue?"
"No."the Duke immediately replied. "It was a stupid question that requires no answer."
"Why is that?"asked his uncle with persistence.
"I fell in love with Lady Charlotte just before ths season commenced..." the Duke explained, lying confidently.
"Is that so?"asked his uncle as he raised his bushy eyebrows and stroked his grey sideburns.
"I met her the day before the season... at Lord Fairlaw's estate..."he lied. "Being his niece, she was staying there until the commencement of the season."
"'Tis a truly interesting story, I must admit."said his uncle. "You were so lucky to find each other so coincidentally." I did not trust a single word that left his mouth. The Duke must have noticed because of what he said next. "'Twas a most tiring journey... I am off to bed and I suggest you do the same." He stood up, kissed my hand and left.
"Excuse me my lady and my lord."I said as I bowed to them and quietly left the room. As soon as I was in the corridor, I could not see the Duke anywhere. I decided to go upstairs in case he had not yet reached his chamber. I walked along endless corridors until finally I gave up. I made my way up the spiral staircase and into my room. Just before I pushed my door open, a pair of hands wrapped around my mouth. I almost let out a shriek of fear when I recognised the figure hiding in the dark.
"You gave me a fright your grace."I said trying to catch my breath. He was smiling.
"Enough with the titles... call me Noah."he said releasing his grip on me.
"By your first name?" I asked in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes."he confirmed. "As betrothed we address each other by our first names or by titles only if in other people's presence."he said with a wink.
"What are you doing up here anyway?"
"We need to clear up some things regarding this disguise of yours, but we must do it in a private place for my uncle has ears everywhere."he explained. "Would you mind me coming into your chamber?"he asked.
"Isn't this your castle?"I laughed as I opened the door and made way for him to enter. Once we were both inside, I closed the door and turned to face the Duke who had already seated himself on the front side of the bed.
"First of all, thank God you agreed to do this."he said with a smile. "As you can see my uncle is... a snake..."
"A snake?"I giggled.
"He is very difficult to convince and can sniff out almost anything suspicious in a situation."Noah explained.
"Alright... what about our disguise, as you put it?"
"You already got a glimpse of the backstory of how we met at dinner."he began. "As you know it is nowhere near to what actually happened. He would kill me if he found out I was saved by a girl."
"Woman..."I corrected. "And what is so wrong about a woman saving a man?" I asked with a frown on my face.
"I have nothing against that as you know but my uncle, he is a conservative man... which reminds me... he may pester you and ask you what you would do as a duchess in the future."he began.
"And what am I supposed to say?"I questioned with my hands on my hips.
"You mean... you never pictured yourself as a duchess before?"he asked looking surprised and slightly upset.
"Should I have thought about that?"I asked plainly. "I am a country girl who was thrown into the season without having any say in it. I am in it just for my mother..."
"Wow."he claimed as he stood up and slowly made for the door. "If only I could ever find someone who loves me just as much as you love her..." He then opened the door and left the room. I stood there in silence, my eyes on the door. Had I said something wrong?
I glanced out of the window and noticed that it was pitch dark outside. I placed the candle on my dresser and changed into the silk nightvest I discovered in the wardrobe. Then I carefully sat on my bed. It was very comfortable and cosy. I quickly nuzzled myself under the sheets and blew out the candle before laying my head down on the pillow. The room went dark except for the moonlight that crept its way through the window and up the edge of the bed. A memory randomly flashed into my mind. It was the night of the ball when I got stuck in the maze and Noah kissed me. Suddenly, my heart started to race. I quickly recalled his final words before he left the room.
"If only I could ever find someone who loves me just as much as you love her..."
At that exact moment, another thought slipped through my mind. Wait, it couldn't be, could it? But I could not deny it any more...
Was the Duke in love with me?