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CHAPTER ELEVEN

M argaret sat alone in the stables as she played with the puppy that she and the girls had found two days earlier. They had named it Spotty after the white spots that covered its fur coat. A name that was not highly original but undoubtedly suited to the adorable little creature.

And it is that too. So happy and carefree and innocent. Nae concept of the outside world and the perils that it contains. I envy it in that way.

Despite the presence of the puppy, which licked and nibbled her fingers, Margaret was feeling morose.

And lonely, for that matter. Having dedicated herself to avoiding the duke at every turn, she found that this also meant avoiding his daughters.

Not always, but he was close with them, watching them often as they studied and played, and she was determined not to give the impression that she was seeing them because she secretly wished to see him.

So stubborn. So foolish. How long could this go on? Certainly not the entire Season. Unless the duke cuts it short, which he might see fit to do if I test him too often.

Apart from her issues with the duke, she had to admit that everything else was going rather well.

She was becoming used to her new home, and the staff were becoming used to her in it.

They served her without question now, and many were even friendly toward her.

Mr. Jeffries especially seemed at pains to make up for the way he had treated her initially.

But it wasn’t enough to make her feel entirely comfortable. Nor would it be, until she spoke to the duke again, perhaps this time coming to some sort of agreement. Not that she knew what she wanted that to be, for she still refused to acknowledge how she truly felt…

“I am afraid I must leave ye,” she said to Spotty as she put him down and nestled him into his makeshift bed. “But I will return soon, I promise.”

The puppy pouted at her, for it did not know what she was saying. At least this was one relationship she could not ruin with her wicked tongue.

With her mind in a dozen different places, Margaret left the stables and started across the garden and toward the manor. So in her own head was she that she did not notice the duke coming toward her until he was practically right on top.

“There you are,” he said.

“Oh!” she yelped and jumped back, panic flooding her because she did not want him to know where she was coming from. “I… I did nae see ye.”

“Clearly,” he said with an amused smile. “If you had, I dare say you would have turned and run the other way.”

“Perhaps.”

“How else might you explain the difficulty I’ve had in tracking you down for the past day. Do not tell me you have paid off the staff to warn you of my presence?”

She frowned at the humor, wondering now why his mood was so peaked. Then again, it often was when the two spoke. Despite their constant bickering, she knew how much he enjoyed teasing her. And just the thought of that had her flushing…

Margaret tried her best not to look too closely at the duke, admiring him or remembering that kiss they had shared. But she could not help it, and her lips began to tingle as she remembered how he felt and tasted, how his hand had grabbed her, how she had wanted –

She gave her head a shake and focused. “Now, there is a thought,” she said, keeping her lingering eyes steady. “So far, it has been luck that has kept me hidden. But I could always use the help.”

He laughed at that, which again set her on edge. Something was wrong… or perhaps it was right? Whatever it was, the duke was in a mood, and she had no idea why.

He looked over her shoulder curiously. “You were in the stables?”

“The horses,” she said quickly. “Jus’ pettin’ the horses. But do nae worry, Aurelia and Lorena were nae with me.” She looked at him flatly. “I ken how much ye hate to see them enjoy themselves.”

He grimaced at that, looking guilty. This, in turn, made her feel guilty, for where she had meant to make a point about how he treated the girls, she did not want to upset him. He is a guid father, if nothing else. And I know he tries his best.

“I was hoping we might talk,” he said finally, his expression turned serious. “If it is agreeable with you? I know it goes against your determination to avoid it, but…” He sighed and relaxed visibly. “There are things we need to discuss.”

“Oh?” She clicked her tongue as if deciding. “I suppose I can be allowin’ it.”

“How forgiving of you.”

She rolled her eyes. “What would ye like to speak of?”

“Not here,” he said. “If you will follow me.” He did not wait for her to agree, turning on the spot and walking back inside the manor.

Again, Margaret could tell that something was wrong.

That he had looked for her specifically.

He wanted to speak alone. Is this the moment I have been expecting?

That he is finally done with me and has decided to send me home?

It did not bring her the joy she might have wished for. If anything, it made her feel sick.

Nonetheless, she followed him inside, through the halls, up the staircase, and finally into his study, where he closed the door behind her as soon as she was inside.

“Would you like a drink?” he asked as he stepped around her, making for the drinks cabinet in the corner of the room.

She would have liked one, yes. If for no other reason than to calm her nerves.

But Margaret assessed the situation, that she and the duke were alone, never a good start in her experience.

He was standing back from her, but his presence was indomitable and commanding.

It was as if he had brought her here so that he could use it to his own will, giving her a chance to argue, knowing that at the end of the day, his word was law.

And oh, I how relish his firm hand… No. Alcohol would only dim her senses, and who knew what she would say and do then?

“I am fine, thank ye.”

“As you wish.” He poured himself what looked like whiskey in silence, letting the tension build.

Margaret frowned as she studied him, her heart gently quickening in pace.

There was something different about him, although she could not say what it was.

He was still stern. He was still commanding.

His presence was as powerful as ever. But it was not overwhelming, nor did she sense he was trying to intimidate her with it.

Rather, he was relaxed, and this in turn saw her do the same.

If only a little… her heart was still beating, her mind unable to stop going back to the last time they were alone like this. I must be on me guard, careful nae to say the wrong thing. If I do that… a shudder ran through her body, one that excited her. Even if she wished that were not the case.

“I needed that,” he chuckled as he took a large sip of his drink and then set down the glass.

“Long day?”

“Long week,” he corrected, although he did so with a smile that he held on her. It reached his eyes, and Margaret’s stomach flipped. “There is something we need to discuss,” he said finally.

“Y–yes,” she said. “You said that.”

He approached her. She stiffened, but he stopped several feet back.

Then he studied her for a moment, his deep brow furrowed as he considered what to say.

She could see the argument raging behind his eyes, a fight within himself.

Although he had said that he had been looking for her these last two days, she wondered now if he had been the one avoiding her.

At least until he could decide upon whatever this was.

“I think I owe you an apology.”

The confession startled Margaret. Enough that she was certain she’d misheard. She looked at him, waiting for the follow-up. He gave none, his expression sincere and open.

“Oh…” She blinked. “You… I am sorry?”

“That’s what I said.”

“Nae…” She gave her head a small shake. “My meaning is… well, what is yer meaning? Ye wish to apologize?”

“I do,” he sighed and then exhaled. “No doubt this comes as a surprise – likely the last thing you were expecting.”

“I did nae ken ye understood the meaning of the word,” she laughed awkwardly.

“It is rare for me, but not uncommon. Although how awkward I am being might suggest otherwise.” He laughed softly, met her eyes a moment, and then looked away. Yes, very awkward.

“And this apology pertains to…” she began.

“Right. Yes.” He straightened up and fixed his stare on her, serious now, a sense that this right here was why he was acting so strangely.

“When you first came to this house – before that, really. This marriage. Since it began, I have been treating you as if it were your doing, as if I were the one who had been treated unfairly. I have not considered, nor did I care to, your own feelings and how this most strange and sudden circumstance has likely affected you.”

“Oh…” She blinked again, caught completely by surprise. “That is… thank ye?”

He nodded once. “More than that, I have treated you as an imposition. Worse than that, a problem. Commanding that you behave yourself as if you were a stray cat. Refusing to allow you to spend time with my daughters. Changing my mind suddenly, only to change it back. I cannot imagine the confusion this has created for you, of which I am the chief instigator. None of this is your fault, you have done nothing wrong, and it is time that I…” He shook his head at himself.

“It is time that I begin to realize it.”

“I… I do nae ken what to say.” She truly didn’t.