It was a strange line of questioning. Not one Graham had the head for in his current state either. Rude and intrusive. None of the Captain’s business. Among other things.
Graham felt far too feverish to do much about it, which might have been to the benefit of Archie. Poor Freddie had somehow ended in the middle of whatever this was too– yet when he spoke to Graham, the duke could not help but smile fondly.
His expression changed when addressing the Captain. “I find this line of questioning to be not only offensive, but much like an Inquisition. My personal life is my own business. However, I would just as soon hurt myself than to hurt Frederick. I also wish to not speak in front of him as if he isn’t here and cannot speak up for himself.”
“And should you not know in complete and thoroughly who you are to marry?” Well. They were speaking about Victoria. A woman of vast secrets and hidden eccentricities. But, still.
“Additionally,” he continued after a breath and a deep drink from his glass. “I shall say the same in the way of Miss Hale. She has become a dear friend of mine. If you intend to make such a solemn promise to her, as to be your wife, I do expect the promise to be kept and she live out the rest of her days happily fulfilled and sustained by you.”
The past is the past? He turned, incredulous, to stare at his cousin – mouth open and about to let Freddie just what he thought about that – why, the damme past was the problem this entire past Season!
Only to find whatever retort and accompanying thought interrupted – Sussex stirring himself from his indolent, careless slouch to respond. It occurred to him then how this conversation – no, confrontation – had gone: sandwiched between Freddie’s placating fluff and the duke’s drawl – him buffeted along as if on a stronger current. A dance, between two clearly very, hrm, conversant with each other – but in words.
Still – “You are mistaken on that front, sir; not an inquisition – a statement of intent, my intent, mind you – on my own behalf – should anything untoward happen. Only –” he faltered, suddenly feeling very much the interloper in a conversation he had initiated. “Well. Do have a care in maintain Freddie’s happiness then; that is a goal towards which we can both strive.”
And should you not know in complete and thoroughly who you are to marry?
His initial reaction was – was that seen all too often in the club; the expected scoff, if not the guffaw – the Oh, this poor lovelorn fool! – for what was marriage but the expected and socially meet arrangement? No knowing was required; it was, perhaps, easier for both parties not knowing –
He wished he hadn’t known half of what he now suspected; nowhere in Sussex’s whiplash retorts had there been a-a denial of any such – such intimate arrangement between himself and Miss Hale.
Mistake upon mistake – was this the natural consequence of a betrayal? No, no – if the engagement was a mistake, his inquiry further about Miss Hale’s affairs was simply adding fuel to that fire – better to let it all die out.
“I intend,” he said stiffly, “to treat her with all the-the respect due the Countess of Effingham; any more than that, sir, would imply you having a-a greater claim on the lady than Society would properly allow –”
His mouth closed with a snap – he bowed instead. “But I see I have intruded; I leave you to your-your tiger-watching – bid you good-day.”
This confrontation had gone better than he’d anticipated. In some ways. Frederick sighed. Pinched the bridge of his nose, and debated whether to call his cousin back or let the man blow off some steam first. His hesitation made the decision for him. He watched Archie’s retreat for a few seconds more before collapsing next to the duke on the cushions.
“Are you feeling all right?” he asked, in lieu of what he really wanted to say - was Graham ready to go home, or inside, or have the doctor called. He fiddled with the fringe along the edge of one of the cushions, unintentionally pulling the thread free. He cast it off into the grass.
“Don’t be angry with him.”
He never thought to find himself in the middle. If it was the choice of the mums vs. Archie, Effie vs. Archie, or any else... his cousin came first. Now in the less than an hour he had threatened to punch his own relation in the face, and was not sure what to expect from his cousin when he returned to the townhouse after all this.
“He’s just... this must stay between you and I, but he has been backed into a corner by this engagement. His hand is being forced, you see, and I am not sure I can save him.” Frederick paused. Recalled Graham’s words of a few moment’s prior - of being good friends with the woman - and turned his head to where he could see the duke better.
“May we speak further about your friend, Miss Hale, in private?” he ventured to asked, searching the duke’s face for the same righteous anger shown to this cousin, “Although if you are feeling poorly, I would rather you rest.”
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