Page 9
“The child, Your Grace. He has been quite fussy all morning, so she decided to stay with him and ensure he ate and got some rest.”
Oh. Perhaps she had decided to take his words to heart and take better care of the boy.
Julian nodded, and rose to his feet, beckoning his steward forward.
“Have the stable boy ready a horse and prepare my things for riding. I would like to go out in an hour.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Julian had always enjoyed riding. It was the one thing that seemed to bring him some semblance of peace, ever since he was a child. It was also the only thing his father taught him that he had held onto.
His childhood had not been particularly thrilling, and the echoes of the past resonated too deeply within his chest whenever he considered his current predicament as a married man. Which is why Anna’s impression of him frustrated him to no end.
She clearly did not understand that he had done so much for her, choosing instead to view him as a villain, rather than someone who had made compromises for her sake – to his own detriment.
Anna thought too highly of herself for someone who had connived with her mother to marry a duke and felt entitled to his belongings. And he would not stand for such behavior.
If she was unwilling to learn how to conduct herself, he would gladly show her that he was not to be trifled with.
The day passed along uneventfully. He went for his ride, thankful for the fresh air and open space that gave him a chance to clear his head. When he returned to the estate, he decided to explore the house and take note of the changes Anna had made.
Just as it had been upon his arrival the day before, he could tell how much extensive work was put into the renovations and refurbishing of the estate.
There was almost no trace of the dull walls and boring furniture he had forced himself to stare at for long, seemingly endless minutes while his parents fought continuously.
Not unless he looked closely.
He had almost expected her to rid the estate of the portraits of his parents, but she did not, opting to make the gallery where they were stored brighter, giving the lifelike depictions of his mother and father a peaceful glow that they never knew.
It would seem that the house was not the only thing that underwent some changes, but also the staff.
There were so many new faces, eager young maids who seemed to enjoy working within the estate. Each hallway carried traces of light and quiet giggles. He had heard mentions of the duchess ever so often, and only positively.
“Perhaps we should make roast lamb for dinner. The duchess loves that meal and she has been working tirelessly to care for little Nicholas. She deserves a treat.”
“Let us pick some flowers for the duchess’ room.”
“The duchess prefers the lilac drapes, so let us make sure those are washed and ready ahead of spring.”
Their loyalty and commitment were nearly unnerving, but he respected it, almost glad that it would seem she had lived well in his absence – just as he had prompted her to.
For a moment after his departure, he had been concerned about leaving her alone. But it would seem that was merely a waste of his time and energy.
During dinner time, he sat down to a meal of roast lamb and mashed potatoes, displeased to find the seat across from his empty once more. He waited for as long as he could, getting more irritated as the time passed and her absence became more pronounced.
Eventually, he ate his meal, and when he was done, he stood, asking quietly.
“Where is the duchess?”
“In her chambers, Your Grace.”
Julian wasted no time heading in the direction of the duchess’ room.
Once was enough. To continuously leave him to dine alone without a single word of notice or an apology was inappropriate and he would not stand for such behavior.
A maid was leaving Anna’s room as Julian arrived and he waved away her curtsy, intercepting the door before it could close.
Anna was cradling Nicholas in her arms the way she had been the night before when he came to her. And the sight of them like that cause something that strangely felt like guilt to flash through him before he glanced in the direction of the maid standing by the duchess’ side.
“Might I have a word, duchess?”
Anna looked as though she would rather do anything but speak to him at that moment, yet she conceded, nodding at her maid.
“It is all right, Ellen. I will hold him for a while longer until his meal settles.”
Her lady’s maid nodded and curtsied to both of them before taking her leave.
Julian inhaled deeply, trying to quell some of the irritation brewing in his veins in an effort not to snap at her.
“I understand that you have your own way of life and my presence might disrupt that. But if you were to show some consideration for me, perhaps you might find it better suited for our cohabitation. You cannot simply leave me alone to have my meals by myself, without a single word from you. It is utterly rude and inappropriate.” He told her carefully.
Anna stared at him for a moment, then she shakily exhaled.
“I do not understand why my presence at your meal times is necessary. It is not as though you are not accustomed to having your meals alone, before we were wed and after, during our times apart. Unless you miss the company of your mistresses, which – if that is the case – does not fall under my duties or tasks –”
“Watch your tongue. The least you could have done was inform me that you will not be attending dinner. That is a part of your duties as well.”
“But in case it has escaped your attention, I am not spending my time prancing around in a field of flowers or merely lounging about. I am taking care of a child! A child that is not mine, in case you have forgotten either.”
“He isn’t mine either!” Julian snapped, exasperated. “I have told you several times, but you are intent on feigning ignorance. I don’t care what you say or believe about me, but I pride myself on being a man of my word. The child is not mine. These accusations must stop.”
“Then why is it that –”
A loud growl permeated the air and the duchess’ mouth snapped shut immediately. She stared blankly at him, a blush filling her cheeks as another growl was heard, this one somehow louder than the first.
It then hit Julian.
She had not eaten. Likely the whole day. Because she had been taking care of the boy.
That feeling of guilt that had poked at him when he came into the room returned and he couldn’t help but exhale deeply.
“Ellen,” He called out.
The door fell open seconds later and the young maid walked in, a bewildered and fearful expression on her face.
“You called… Your Grace?” she asked slowly, as though she could not believe the duke knew her name, much less called for her.
“I did. Take the child and look after him for a while.”
Still, in mild shock, Ellen did as she was asked, gently taking Nicholas from the duchess’ arms.
To his wife, Julian prompted.
“Come with me.”
But because it seemed that Anna was quite intent on fighting against him, she folded her arms and shook her head.
“No. I do not know what it is you want from me, but you cannot simply demand that I do what you want. Now, you are the one being rude.”
Julian glanced at the maid who took it as her cue to leave, before he sighed tiredly.
“Why must you be so difficult?”
“What an ironic question to – what on earth – ah!” Anna screamed as he hoisted her up and set her over his shoulder as if he were lifting a simple bag of flour. “What are you doing? Put me down this instant!”
“If you do not want to fall and break your neck, I suggest you cease this pointless flailing and screeching,” he told her as he left her room, pausing by the butler’s side to instruct him, “Tell the cook to prepare something for the duchess to eat. Not the leftovers from dinner – something else. She is in need of fresh food.”
The butler seemed to think nothing of the duchess’ current posture, nodding and walking away to do as the duke had asked.
When they arrived at the dining hall, he closed the door before lowering her down to her feet. Immediately after she had regained her balance, she whirled around to face him angrily.
“How dare you –”
“Sit, duchess.”
“Stop telling me what to do, you –”
“Sit down, duchess.” He told her again, stepping closer.
Anna kept her eyes on him, then huffed in relent, doing as he had asked. Once she was settled at the table, he pulled out the chair next to hers and sat down as well.
“I realize that you are doing a lot for the child’s sake.
And it was unfair to demand so much from you, considering that you are blameless in this situation.
I do appreciate your hard work, however, you cannot ignore your well-being for the sake of that child.
No one will think it noble of you to sacrifice yourself.
Caring for yourself is also your responsibility, one that you cannot afford to compromise on.
” He told her, his expression and tone stern.
The closeness between them was heavily distracting.
Anna couldn’t help but notice how they consistently seem drawn to each other whenever they were in the same room.
It terrified her much it reminded her of the night they had met and how she wished to know what might have happened, had they not been found.
Anna seemed surprised by his words, but that did not last long, because she soon regained some of the fire in her eyes, causing his frustration to flare up as well.
“If you cared so much, you could have expressed as much vocally. You are so quick to speak and act like some brute –”
“There is no satisfying you, is there? Why is it so hard to simply take what I am offering?” Julian grunted, reaching out to hold her by the chin, ensuring that she could look nowhere else than his eyes.
His touch sent sparks roaming through her veins, making her gasp and try to pull away.
“Perhaps if you were a little nicer –”
“God, you are the most infuriating woman I have ever met,” he muttered under his breath.
And then he leaned forward and captured her lips in a kiss.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9 (Reading here)
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
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- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50