Although I was rather beginning to think that Evelyn, The Dowager Duchess of Devon, was on my side of my argument.
And that was purely based upon the grumbling I heard as Rupert guided me towards the library.
It was the most fucking dramatic, dreamy room I’d ever seen in my life. It was double storied, and every wall was covered with shelves that were full of books both new and old. There was even a ladder like it was something out of Beauty and the Beast, and the second story had a balcony that wrapped around and looked down to the lower floor.
That was it.
If anyone lost me, this room would be where I could be found.
“If it doesn’t have alcohol, I’m not interested, and you can tell your mother to shove her mocktails where her diamonds don’t shine,” she said to Hugo.
“It’s like you want to watch her clip me around the ear, Grandma,” he grumbled right back. “I’m not telling her that.”
“Are you a grown man or are you a little boy afraid of your mother? Where are your balls?”
“I’m a grown man who’s afraid of my mother. You’ve met her. You understand why.”
I pressed my lips together so I wouldn’t laugh.
“I’m not afraid of your mother. I think she’s—”
Rupert cleared his throat, interrupting her. “Miss Hopkins for you, Your Grace.”
The elderly woman turned to look at me from her position on the sofa and slowly broke into a smile.
I didn’t know whether to be terrified or excited by that look.
Hugo smirked at me, and his green eyes glinted with amusement.
God, he was so irritating.
“Thank you, Rupert. Miss Hopkins, do come and take a seat.”
I… was going to do as I was told, that was for sure.
Hugo might have been afraid of his mother, but I was afraid of just about everyone in this place.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace,” I greeted her. “Lord Hugo,” I added as a blithe afterthought.
“Miss Hopkins.” His smirk was plastered on his face.
The elderly woman turned to him. “Get out.”
He blinked at her.
Ha. The smirk wasn’t so plastered on now, was it?
“Excuse me?” he said to his grandma.
“Get out.”
“I thought I was going to help you with the menu.”
“You thought wrong. Now go away. I expect she’s better company than you are.”
The woman had good taste.
Hugo took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling, and I swore that his lips moved to the tune of him counting to three under his breath.