Page 15 of The Forgotten Duchess (The Dukes of Sin #4)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“ I ’m surprised that you would rather march through these woods with me than spend your time at home.”

Frederick pretended not to hear the teasing lilt in his friend’s voice as he continued to glance around the cluster of trees, looking for any sign of where the deer they had been tracking might have wandered off too.

“I have rested enough at home. It is best if I return to my normal routines and lifestyle, " Frederick said coolly.

“Perhaps that might have been the case beforehand,” Sampson said casually, as he studied some hoof prints in the mud. “But you have a wife now. One you have grown accustomed to dwelling with. Reverting to old habits might not be as easy as you think.”

And therein lay the problem.

It had become clear that he was starting to form unnecessary attachments to the life he had been forced to live these past few weeks and Frederick needed to remind himself of his true self.

He was not made for mundane normalcy, and neither could he devote his life to being a dutiful husband. Not when he had already dedicated so much time and resources to ensuring that he had razed his father’s legacy to the ground.

His injury and the consequences that had come with it had greatly inconvenienced him by making him face a life he had sworn off, distracting him from the important objectives. Even worse, they were trying to tether him to a person he didn’t deserve.

Eleanor was too good, far too special to have a man as troubled as he was latch onto her and demand even more out of her life when she had already been forced to give so much.

They did not belong together, and the sooner he put some distance between them, the better it would be in the long run.

“Eleanor has no say or influence over my life. I can do whatsoever I damn well, please. She is merely a temporary situation I have learned to dwell with out of necessity.” Frederick stated, his gaze still trained on the muddy ground below their feet, searching for signs of the animal.

“My God, Ironvale. I had thought you saw her as more than that – given how you could not seem to keep your eyes off of her at the party last week, but I suppose that is my mistake. It was silly to have such expectations when I know the sort of man you are. Does she, though? Does she know that you view your marriage as a temporary stop that you are enduring for the sake of your current predicament?”

Frederick thought of how her eyes had gained some light and warmth overtime during his stay when she gazed at him. He thought of their genuine conversations and how she sought him out first, even more as the days passed. He thought of how she had begun to submit to him, quiet and docile when he knew firsthand of the spark of rebellion that lived within her.

His desire for her did not better his odds, only further digging him into a deeper hole.

He knew the answer to the question Sampson had asked – knew how it did not paint him in a favorable light. Because that would mean he needed to do or say something to tackle the matter head-on.

“She must,” Frederick said instead, finally managing to spot and track some footprints of the deer. “I have said nothing to suggest that the opposite might be the case.”

Sampson sighed, shooting his friend an exasperated look.

“Words are not the only means of communication that exist. You might have not said anything of the sort outright, but your actions might have been loudly declaring that you want something you are currently claiming to have no interest in. And that, more than anything else, is dangerously inconvenient. Because it means you can no longer let such habits go on without clarifying.”

When his statement was met with silence from Frederick, Sampson tutted lightly and then he reached out to pat the other on the shoulder lightly as he added.

“It might have not been your intention originally, but as it stands, we have thankfully caught onto the problem before it grew into a situation we could not control. I do not know all your thoughts on the matter or how you feel. But I have an idea of what is right and wrong – as do you. Perhaps it would be in your best interest to state your intentions clearly. Your current predicament is indicative that someone despised you enough to try to kill you. I am not saying that your wife might be able to harbor such spite. But perhaps it would be for the best not to burn any more bridges or cause strife. At least for the time being, while you heal and regain your bearings.”

It was irritating how right his friend was.

Frederick had been giving Eleanor far too much of his attention and time, unwittingly playing into an idea that she had longed for and had nearly given up on. If he did not put an end to it, she would continue to harbor expectations and the inevitable end would hurt her, just as others had before.

While he had alleviated some of his doubts about Eleanor’s sincerity and her innocence in the involvement over his accident, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Frederick had no fear for his wife who spent her days gardening as though she were born to live among the trees and shrubs. But it would be in his best interest not to make an enemy of her.

Suddenly he recalled their conversation while they had drank a few nights ago. He had… nearly longed to help her achieve her dreams. He had thought about it and had almost wanted to give her what she craved more than anything.

But – no. Never. Not while memories of his father still haunted his life.

Frederick spotted the deer grazing meters away and signaled its presence to Sampson, before taking his aim. The gunshot rang out through the forest after he pulled the trigger and the animal dropped heavily.

“I will handle all of it,” Frederick declared with conviction. “Leave my wife to me and focus your energy on finding my assailant. Everything else can be resolved in time.”

Sampson still held reservations about the matter, but it was evident by Frederick’s tone that the matter had no more room for discussion. So, he nodded.

“As you wish.”

“You’re in high spirits,” Herbert noted with a grin. “Did something good happen? Something to celebrate, perhaps?”

Eleanor felt her cheeks grow warm and she fought the urge to smile back at her gardener.

“I am in a good mood, is all. The weather is quite lovely and our plants are blooming quite beautifully.” She pointed to a small orchid plant. “I have been so worried about that little friend because I thought I had failed to take care of it as needed. Orchids are my favorite and through their growth, they never looked particularly strong. But it seems our difficult times are now behind us. Doesn’t it look quite healthy today?”

Herbert peered in the direction that she had pointed and rewarded her with an impressed smile.

“It truly does! You are a splendid gardener, Your Grace. I believe common workers like myself should be thankful that your station title has put you above such menial labor in the workforce. Otherwise, I and other poor gardeners might never be hired.” He joked, waving around the trowel in his hand.

Eleanor laughed at the cheeky comment. “I sincerely doubt I would have made a good gardener for hire. In another life, perhaps the woes that led me here and filled me with the urge to do something and love it, might not have existed. And thus, I might have not been as motivated to do what it took to keep these lovelies alive. But I like that I am able to do that now.” She gestured around her garden. “This much is enough for me. It was for a while.”

“It was? Is it not anymore? What has changed?”

Her marriage. The empty, lonely concept that it had been was what forced her to find something large enough to contain all the love she had to give. To absorb it and flourish. And the garden had been there, nothing but a perfectly groomed space with so much potential and she had taken a gamble, relying on her dear friends to guide her through it.

Months later when she saw her first flower bloom, she wept, grieving for what could have been that she had lost without ever having, and welcoming new possibilities.

Now, her husband was present, in more than one way and the unexpected situation was slowly nurturing the hope she thought had long since perished back to life.

“Just… everything. The seasons, the air, the warmth of the sun too. It is all so different now and it fills my heart with anticipation for the future.” Eleanor supplied quickly with a smile.

“Well, I am glad to hear that… and I am sorry. I should not have overstepped last time to enquire about the duke. Your marriage is none of my concern and I should have been more mindful of my place and watched my words.” Herbert apologized earnestly.

Eleanor shook her head quickly. “Oh, think nothing of it. I understand your concerns and I, too, wish I could share more of this garden with him. But he has not expressed any interest in my hobby and I would rather not force it upon him. I do not wish to trouble him because he has other… duties to attend to.”

A strange look crossed Herbert’s face, but before Eleanor could ponder on what it could mean, it was replaced with a smile.

“Perhaps he is simply waiting for you to bring it up to him instead. I hope I am not too forward this time as well, but most men only find it in themselves to partake in interests foreign to them when their beloved introduces it. He might not make any inquiries because he does not know how to broach the matter. If you were to invite him on a stroll around the grounds, point out your favorite flowers and plants to him, and give him a tour of what has been under his nose, he might find a way to appreciate your hard work.”

“Ah, I don’t think –” Eleanor started but stopped as a thought occurred to her.

Initially, the idea seemed too farfetched because she did not want to bother Frederick with an invitation to promenade around the estate. She had thought about it before, wanting to show him the changes he had made around the estate in hopes his memories would be spurred to recognize the difference. But he had not seemed to have any interest in going anywhere, except to parties and balls in an effort to keep up his public image.

However, she had wanted to ask him to join her for brunch in the sunroom and was duly informed that he had left the estate quite early to visit a friend.

It had been shocking to hear at first, but then she told herself that it should be relieving news. Other than concern and worry for his safety, it was likely not ideal that he seemed content confining himself to his room or his study. Especially when it seemed he was not spending his time of solitude resting.

A walk around the grounds sounded like a lovely idea. And it provided a good opportunity for Eleanor to fully understand what the feelings she harbored for her husband were.

“That is a good idea, Herbert. He could use some fresh air and the garden has a wonderful supply of that. Thank you.” She told him gratefully, rising to her feet.

“Think nothing of it, Your Grace. It is always my pleasure to serve, in any way possible.” Herbert rose to his feet and bowed.

Eleanor felt thankful for his presence, especially with how reliable he had been when it came to tending to her flowers. The duchess missed Roger greatly and hoped he would recover soon enough to return, but she was glad that all his hard work was being looked after by someone who clearly knew what he was doing.

“That will be all for today. You may leave, if you wish,” she instructed, rising to her feet.

Herbert nodded and bowed to her again and she wiped her hands on the apron that hung at the front of her simple, plain green dress as she walked back to the house.

“Your Grace,” Alice greeted as soon as Eleanor stepped into the manor, falling into step with her mistress. “The duke has returned. It seems he went out on a hunt with an acquaintance.”

“Oh,” Eleanor perked up with a smile, happy about his return because it meant she could enact her plan sooner than she thought she would be able to. “Where is he now?”

“In his quarters. I heard him ask his valet to draw him a bath.”

Eleanor’s smile dimmed slightly and she looked down at her hands and her dress, grimacing at the dirt and grass stains on it.

Perhaps I should make myself presentable before I invite him out on a walk , she mused to herself before she looked back up at her maid.

“I would like one to be drawn for me as well. As soon as possible.”

Alice bowed and said, “Yes, Your Grace,” and then she walked away.

Half an hour later, Eleanor had washed herself clean of the dirt and grime of a good day’s work and she eagerly readied herself to see her husband.

It was strange, how excitement bubbled within her at the prospect of showing him her garden. A part of her dearly hoped he would be incredibly impressed by her handiwork and reward her.

Perhaps with a kiss. Perhaps he would embrace her and press as many kisses as he could to every inch of her skin he could see. Perhaps he would get greedy and then take whatever she could give and more –

She blushed and shook her head to dislodge the thought immediately, startling Alice who had been tying her hair back neatly.

“Is everything all right, Your Grace?” the maid asked, alarmed.

“Yes, of course,” Eleanor nodded nervously, feeling a little embarrassed.

At long last, she was ready to see Frederick and she hurriedly walked to his room, urging herself to be brave and reach for what she wanted before she could talk herself out of the idea. As soon as she arrived at his room, she knocked at his door, waiting to hear his voice invite her inside.

So she was shocked when the door opened to reveal Frederick standing on the other side.

It seemed he had finished his own bath not too long ago because the ends of his hair were still wet and dripping water down his chest. He had not buttoned up his shirt, leaving it to hang open and so she was immediately distracted by the wet trail leading down his torso.

“You have made it a habit of coming to my room as you please, despite setting up a rule that stipulated I was not allowed near yours, duchess,” he said in lieu of greeting.

Eleanor blushed, and took her eyes back up to his face, clearing her throat.

“I-I’m sorry. I merely wanted to ask you something and I was told that you were here. I thought it might be more convenient for me to come to you, rather than the other way around.”

Frederick folded his arms and nodded curtly. “What can I do for you then, duchess?”

There was something… strange about his tone. But Eleanor chose to ignore it in favor of carrying out the task that had brought her to him.

“I was wondering… it is so lovely outside today. You – you likely already know that – I heard you went hunting earlier. How was it? Did you enjoy your time outside the estate –”

“Eleanor.” He stopped her with a deadpan expression. “What is it you want?”

Eleanor winced and quickly blurted. “To walk. With you… I would like to go on a walk around the grounds with you.”

He continued to stare at her quietly, and she felt her heart lurch up into her throat and she added, desperate and soft.

“Please.”