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“No,” she replied vehemently. “I mean, we have had our bouts, but he is different with me.”

Duncan’s tense posture relaxed, and he picked up his fork.

“Bouts are common in the beginning of marriage. Lord knows Alice and I had ours. Still do from time to time. But our happiness far outweighs any row we’ve had. As for his temper with others, I believe that you will find he has good reason for it.”

As they ate and talked, Seraphina found herself growing more comfortable. Duncan told her much. About how he had met Hugo, and even some stories from his youth, which had her smiling and giggling. She enjoyed picturing a young Hugo in a boxing ring, sparring and jesting with Duncan and the slightly older “Dastardly Dukes.” When she asked if they were friends, though, Duncan paused.

“It is not that were are not friends,” he explained, seeming to choose his words carefully. “However we are bonded through something that takes people beyond friendship.”

Seraphina felt a wave of discomfort move through her.

“Why do I sense that you speak of hardship?” She asked.

Duncan cleared his throat, then put his cutlery down on his empty plate. She did the same with her own, and then reached for his hand.

“Please, Your Grace, I know there is much you want me to learn from my husband myself, but give me something. What is it that bonds you two? What made you so, as you say ‘dastardly’? What made my husband like he is? You don’t have to speak it all. Just one clue is all I ask.”

Duncan looked away from her as the servants came to clear their plates away and pulled his hand from hers. He then drew his hand together, and his right fingers began to rub at the gold band that was his wedding ring. When they were alone again, Duncan reached up, and carefully removed his mask.

Seraphina fought the urge to gasp as she saw the scars riddled across his face. There were not like Hugo’s, not slashes and streaks of violence, but burns that had marred and melted his flesh.

“We both made sacrifices trying to please our fathers,” Duncan murmured, his piercing blue eyes holding hers in rapt attention.

“Your father did this to you?” Seraphina whispered. She was mortified at the thought.

“Not directly,” Duncan said, pulling his mask back on. “But my need to please him put me in danger.”

“And Hugo’s scars?” She asked.

“His father’s intent was far more direct,” Duncan muttered, getting up from the table.

“And I shall say no more about that, Lady Seraphina. The rest you will have learn from your husband.”

He then pulled out his pocket watch and read the time.

“Which, I really should go speak to, if I plan to make it home at the time I promised my wife.”

Seraphina rose with him, and together they walked back to the foyer. When they reached the stairs, Duncan turned to her with a bow, and kissed her knuckles once again.

“It was a pleasure to meet you,Your Grace,”he said, smiling as he stated her new title. “I look forward to seeing you again.”

“As do I,” she replied, meaning it, “And please, next time do bring Alice. I would love to meet her.”

“Consider it a promise,” he replied.

Seraphina waited until Duncan had disappeared up the stairs before she called for Mrs. Purdy again and requested to be taken to her rooms. On their way there, she heard a loud bout of laughter come from a room on the second floor, no doubtfrom her husband’s office. Something within her eased, and she forced a smile of her own as Mrs. Purdy and her new lady’s maid, Clara, led her to the Duchess’ quarters.

“Your things are put away and your bathwater is ready. Are you sure I cannot stay and help you ready for bed, Your Grace?” Clara asked, hours later.

“Thank you, but no,” Seraphina replied politely, “But I do believe that my husband shall be finished with his work soon and will no doubt arrive to my chambers. Perhaps you could go down to the kitchen and retrieve some things for us? A nice bottle of red wine, perhaps. A bit of bread and some cheeses? I am sure the kitchen staff will know what His Grace prefers.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Clara replied as a curtsey, “I shall bring them brought up momentarily.”

“Thank you, Clara,” Seraphina replied, clasping her hands tightly until the handmaid closed the door.

As soon as she was gone, Seraphina released her hands and exhaled; grateful to finally have a moment alone. Upon reaching the Duchess Quarters, Seraphina had been surprised to find the elegant rooms full of crates and trunks, and they had just now finally finished putting everything away.

“What are these?” She had asked Mrs. Purdy as she tried to find a path in the sitting room to the adjoining bedroom and bathing quarters.