Page 25 of The Beast’s Duchess (Duchesses of Inconvenience #1)

Chapter Twenty

A lone in her room once again, Veronica’s heart pounded. Christopher’s words wouldn’t stop ringing in her ears. It was unbelievable! It was scandalous! She could hardly even believe he would even say such a thing!

“He wants us to share a room,” she whispered to herself, face growing hot at the implications.

How could he say such things so casually?

Did he really mean that?

“It could have just been the fever talking,” she said to herself. “After all, it just seemed to come so out of no where. Surely if he truly wanted such a thing he wouldn't have brought it up so suddenly or bluntly. Yes, it was probably just the fever.”

So why did she feel so disappointed at the thought?

She shook her head hard enough to rattle the thoughts right out of her ears. It didn’t matter. If he meant it or didn’t. What matters is how she thought about him asking at all. After all, she should get her own thoughts and feelings in order first before she worried about his.

But first, she had to focus on getting better. She was simply too tired and drained from the previous day to think about it too much at the moment.

Falling into bed, Veronica stared up at the ceiling and tried not to work herself into fits.

It must not have worked very well, because she was still awake anf thinking some time later when there was a soft knock on her door.

When she heard it, Veronica sat up, heart pounding. Perhaps Christopher had come back to talk after all.

“You may come in,” she called, biting at her lip.

A moment later, Daisy stepped inside with a tray loaded with plenty of food. Veronica tried not to be disappointed. After all, she had just spent the better part of the morning with him. Both of them were unwell and both of them needed time to think.

“Daisy,” she said, doing her best to keep her voice bright. “I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. Is it dinner time already?”

“no you don't need to worry. You haven't slept that long, though everyone would understand if you did. I was asked to bring you dinner to you a bit early. Mrs. Carter thought you might want to go to bed early tonight.”

“That was thoughtful of her. Did she send someone to deliver Christopher his dinner as well? I'm sure he could use his rest as well.”

“She has. I believe she sent one of the footmen. He should be making his way up to him now.”

“That’s good,” she nodded with a sigh. “He might not show it, but I’m sure he feels just as poorly as I do, if not more so.”

“Then I'm glad he has you to look out for him.” She hesitated for a moment before she asked, “Can I ask what happened to the two of you? I don't understand why the pair of you were even out there to begin with.”

She shrugged looking away.

“Forgive me,” Daisy chewed her lip, looking away. “I shouldn’t have asked. That was most improper of me. All that matters is that you are safe now.”

“There was no harm done. You were simply concerned. I can appreciate that. It means a lot to know you worry about me that much.”

“Still that doesn't mean I can just ask whatever I like without considering your feelings.”

She nodded. “Yes, but, it isn't like you meant any harm. Besides, well, why don’t you sit down. I suppose it might be nice to talk to someone.”

“Are you sure? I wouldn't want to put you out or keep you awake when you need your rest.”

“Believe me I'm sure. That's why I offered.”

She lit up. “Of course, your grace! If you are sure I wouldn't be prying I would be happy to talk about whatever you like.”

Daisy was sitting down on one of the waiting seats before Veronica could even say a word.

She chuckled at the younger girls’s eagerness. It was like she thought Veronica would have exciting gossip from the latest ball rather than the tale of her spending a night trapped in a cabin in the middle of no where.

Veronica took a moment to pick at her food as she collected her thoughts. Daisy stared up at her with eager wide eyes. Veronica took a few bites of her food to buy some more time before she started to speak.

“I had my reasons for leaving. Id rather not get into it too much, but the short of it is that I thought the estate would be better without me here.”

“That could never be true!”

Veronica smiled. “It makes me happy to hear you say that, and you don't need to worry, Christopher helped me to understand. Id like to think we both helped each other to understand.”

She nodded.

“But that wasn't what I want to focus on at the moment.”

“Then what is?”

Veronica paused taking a deep breath. “It gets dark fast in the forest, far faster than I had expected it to. I was too far into the forest to turn around and so I needed to keep going. I didn't see any other choice. When I was out there, I realized too late that something was following me.”

“Goodness!” Daisys hands flew to her mouth, concern covering her face. “How terrible! What was it?”

“I can’t say for sure, but I think it was a wolf.”

She gasped. “Then I am so glad he was there and you are safe now! Oh goodness! I can hardly bare to think about what could have happened without him.”

“Me too,” she nodded. “It was too close as it was. The rest doesn't bare thinking about, but to get away we ended up in the river. I must say, I thought we would dround. Well, I thought I would, but then he jumped in after me as if it was the most natural thing in the world.”

“Of course he did. He’s you husband, and he cares about you. He always has.”

Something in Daisy’s words made her frown. “What do you mean he always has?”

She shrugged. “It’s just what the other maids say.”

Veronica sighed. “You must be careful repeating such gossip.”

“It isn’t just gossip! Seeing the two of you together, I know it has to be true.”

Veronica faltered. “I don’t know what you mean.”

She smiled. “The pair of you act just like my parents did.”

Veronica froze. “I see. That’s- that’s kind of you to say.”

Daisy smiled, getting to her feet. “Well, I should get back before Mrs. Carter is looking for me. I will come back later to get the tray.”

“Yes, that sounds good. Thank you.”

Then she was alone, thoughts still swirling with Christopher and his words.

She was still thinking of it a few days later when her health had improved noticeably.

She sat on the sofa of her parlor, watching Christopher and Teddy play tug of war while she worked on some embroidery, Shaggy laying at her feet.

She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what he had said about them sharing a room.

Her thoughts were interrupted when a footman walked in with an armful of mail

Flipping through the letters, she noticed a name that surprised her and she frowned, tearing it open.

Inside was a letter from the Dudley family.

To the Duke and Duchess of Cavendish

As you may be aware, it has been some time since we have hosted any balls or parties at our estate. It took quite some time to repair the damage from the fire, but we are proud to announce the renovations are finally complete.

In celebration, we thought there was no better wat to show our friends and family the results than to hold a grand ball in a few months.

We would be honored if both of you would attend.

Of course, we understand if one or both of you are unable to attend. Still, we hope to hear from you soon, and offer our congratulations on your marriage.

Veronica sighed, setting the letter off to the side.

It had been so long since she had last been to a ball. But she couldn’t ask Christopher to return to that house.

She set the invitation to the side and turned her attention to the letters from her family instead.

Christopher saw her set the paper away with a sigh. How could he not? Veronica was no where near as discrete as she thought she was.

But that didn’t mean he could get away with being too obvious. He waited until she was completely focused on her letter—probably Rose’s, from the length—before he picked up the letter.

As he reads over the invitation, he freezes.

“I don’t expect to attend,” she said softly, startling him out of his thoughts.

He turned to her, unsure what to say for a moment before settling on. “Why is that?”

She hesitated. “Well, I know you are hardly the biggest fan of balls in general, and especially given the location….” she trailed off for a moment. “I understand the kind of memories that place must hold. I wasn’t even going to bring it up if you hadn’t seen it.”

His frown deepened. He needed to chose his next words carefully. “Then perhaps it is a good thing I saw it.”

“Why is that?”

“Because, I think we should go.”

“What?”“Is it that much of a surprise?”

“Well, yes, it is.”

He smiled. “After all, if we are going to move forward from the past, I can’t think of a better way to do it than this.”

She lit up. “Do you mean that?”

“I do, if you want to go of course. I suppose I might not be the only one who has memories there.”

“No, I would love to. I just- I didn’t think you’d ever want to go to a ball with me, let alone to one there.”

“Yes, well, if we are going to build a live and move on from old memories, this seems like a rather poetic way to do it, don’t you think?”

Veronica smiled at him. “Yes, I think I agree.”

“If we are going to do this, you will need a new gown.”

“Is something wrong with the ones I have?”

“Of course not. They look lovely on you, but you are a duchess now. I want to make sure you have a wardrobe that suits your status. We can’t have anyone say I won’t let uou order new gowns.”

“Do you think any one would say something like that?”

He sighed. “I’ve been away from society for so long it is anyone’s guess what they just be saying about me.”

“I’m not worried about that,” she smiled. “I knwo the second they see you, they will realize exactly the kind of person you are and any rumors there may be will vanish into thin air.”

“It sounds like you have rather a lot of faith in me.”

“Of course I do, but you forget, I will be there with you. Between the both of us, we don’t have anything to worry about.”