Page 27 of Unchaining the Heart of the Marquess
What could she have possibly done to warrant such threats? What could she have possibly done to warrant lying to her husband and son?
Frederick knew that his father had been unfaithful to his mother as many men of his station were, but he could not believe for one moment that his mother had ever been unfaithful to his father. She had loved him from the moment they had met and had never loved another, no matter what the Duke had put her through. The Duchess had never spent a moment of her life alone, completely surrounded by staff and family from the moment she was born. It was a lady’s lot in life to ensure fidelity.
And yet I doubt her.
Who was this stranger to have inflicted such pain and doubt on his family? How was it that so few words could cause so much trouble?
“Frederick?” his mother’s voice called from behind him.
He turned to face her. What he wanted to say was,“I think it is time that you stopped lying to me Mother.”He wanted more than anything to step forward and hand her the newest letter, but when he saw her pale face, eyes bruised from weeping, he did not have the heart. No matter the cause for the letters, she was still his mother.
“How are you feeling?”
“You do not need to worry for me, Frederick dear.”
“I have no choice, but to worry for you, Mother. I know you are not being honest with me, but I will wait until you are ready to tell me.”
Frederick did not think that his mother’s face could get any paler and yet it did. “How could you accuse your mother of lying? I did not raise you to show such disrespect. I do not need you here to protect me.”
Against his better judgement Frederick pulled the most recent note from his pocket and handed it to her. “Yes, you do.”
His mother snatched the paper from him angrily. She took in the broken seal. “You opened a letter addressed to me?” As she read the words scribbled on the page, her hands began to shake. “Get out!” she shouted.
“Mother?”
“Get out!”
Frederick had never been shouted at by his mother. The feeling was not a comfortable one. Her eyes blazed with panic, fear, and anger. “Mother,” he tried again moving toward her.
“No. I want you to leave, leave now.”
“I may leave your bedchamber now, Mother, but you cannot keep this from me forever. I will find out who has done this to you and protect you in spite of your protestations.”
“You will not just be leaving my bedchamber, but you will be leaving Chescrown immediately. I want you out of my sight.”
“Leave Chescrown? Mother, I…”
“Now!” she shrieked. His mother was trembling with such force that he feared she would fly into a rage if he did not do as she asked.
“I think it is best if you obey her, son, until she calms down. I have called for the doctor. It is clear that these threats have brought on a case of female hysteria. I will send for you at Pentford when she has calmed.” His father’s voice interrupted from the doorway.
“There is something amiss here, Father.” Frederick moved to the door. “She is lying to us.”
“Yes, there is most certainly something amiss. I can no longer deny that. I know that I wished for you to return to Chescrown to aid me in protecting your mother, but it has become clear that your presence here is causing her further distress.”
“I simply seek the truth, Father.”
“Sometimes the truth is best left hidden.” The sorrow in his father’s eyes stopped him from saying anything further.
“I will leave Lt. Buckworth here to aid in her protection upon his return.”
“I would feel better knowing that you had protection of your own. I would rather not send you away at all, but…”
“Either he leaves, or I do,” the Duchess demanded standing up on shaky legs.
“Mother, why?”
“Aurora, please.” The Duke moved forward to assist her.
