" it is quite common these days, young men wanting to delay marriage to enjoy the freedom and comfort of bachelorhood" Clare said.
" My son could decide to enjoy being a bachelor for now but he needs a duchess in the future. His father will soon hand over" Astrin said, toying with her teacup. She has unconsciously drunk all its content and was proceeding to drink more when she found it empty.
" You don't have to worry my dear Astrin. He'll get married and Achillesville will be safe since a capable duke will soon emerge" Clare smiled adjusting in her seat.
They conversed for a while, the topic based on, recent scandals, new jewelries that got released recently, teas imported from abroad and plan to change an entire wardrobe.
" Oh, " Clare began. " Lady Shanaya will be getting her daughter engaged this summer to a very fine foreign man." Astrin beamed, she knew that ' fine foreign young man ' in Claire's context, means he's wealthy and has striking features.
" Oh my word!, what a wonderful news. That is the period when debutantes show themselves to society " Astrin said.
" Wonderful indeed, it will be held shortly after the grand ball, they'll be celebrations all throughout the summer" Clare said.
" I bet on that"
"Good news has been circulating around these days and I want for my family to have one too, but... " Clare sighed.
" You are doing pretty good. What other news are you waiting for?" Astrin asked, hands now folded in front of her, resting gently on her lap. Clare gave a small laugh, shaking her head gently.
" I have children Astrin, obviously I need good news from them. You're worried about your sons marriage and I am worried about Penelope's as well. Clinton is still schooling and nothing should interrupt that as of yet"
" Penny is one of a kind, a rare beauty. Marriage will be a breeze for her and as for Clinton, he's a good friend of my son and I hear about him once in a blue moon from my dearest letters. So everything will be okay " Astrin smiled. Young ladies were taught to smile from childhood. According to their elderly instructors, frowns and anger only invited wrinkles.
" Silly, you do not know people you barely see or hear about. I do visit Clinton sometimes but not enough to know his everyday life first hand "
" Same here, but I am lucky he drops letters for me " Astrin smiled.
Astrin's personal maid gently interrupted the conversation in the drawing room with a knock on the door.
" Come in "
" My lady, Lord Sebastian has arrived and is outside. "
" Yes! My dearest has finally arrived " Astrin yelled from excitement, jumping up from her seat, a behavior widely frowned at for a lady, but Astrin has never been the one to respect these things completely. She was always in her bubbly mode indoors but outside she's a well behaved duchess. Clare watched her, laughing as she got up too. It is not a news to anybody in the aristocrats world that Lady Astrin Achers dotes on her son immensely.
" Astrin!, comport yourself. Those classes we took were all for nothing " Clare said as the both walked out from the drawing room into the hallway which leads outside.
" Exactly, I can't behave at all. My son has arrived home after so many years and I only see him once in a long while. So why won't I forsake the demands from respectable ladies for a day." Astrin said increasing her pace a bit.
" I can't wait to feed my Bubu pie lots of pastries" Astrin giggled holding her skirt and running faster this time. Clare was left behind as she was maintaining a lady pace.
" You still call hi- "
" Be careful" Clare managed to say to the overly excited woman. Only the duchess still calls her son such cute names. Clare has seen him a couple of time during her visit abroad and that nickname obviously doesn't match the huge man she saw.
Outside, Astrin stopped running, pausing at a distance to take a good look at her son who was standing in front of the carriage, a small smile dancing on his lips. He has taken after his father in physique but his looks were unmistakeably hers . Such fine man was her son. Tears fell from Astrin's eyes.
For a moment she did not see a towering man, instead she saw a young boy with a boyish grin, his mouth stained with cream proudly presenting the crushed pie stolen from the kitchen.
" Bubu pie!"