Page 52 of Unchaining the Heart of the Marquess
In spite of his worries, he carried the warm glow of being in the bosom of Paulo’s family with him as he walked and arrived at the villa in reasonably good humor. He had greatly admired their affectionate loving natures and wished that his own family were more so, but such openly affectionate behavior was not encouraged among the English aristocracy. Seeing Paulo’s family gave Frederick a better idea of how he wished his future life with Josephine to be.
If she will have me.
When he arrived at the villa, he found his mother on the veranda with the lieutenant, discussing her recent visit to the neighboring villa. “Mother, Buckworth,” he greeted as he came to sit beside them. He listened to their day’s events and shared his own, leaving out the more intimate details concerning his love for Josephine. As the conversation lulled, Frederick attempted to broach the subject of returning to England with his mother.
“I am not returning, Frederick. I am not ready,” she adamantly refused to hear his pleas. He greatly disliked upsetting her, but to cease his attempts was to betray his father. “Do not ask me again, Frederick. When I am prepared to return, I will inform you.”
“Mother…”
“No, Frederick!” The Duchess rose and stormed into the villa slamming the door to her room behind her.
“That did not go well, My Lord,” Buckworth noted.
“No, it did not.”
“What do you wish to do, Your Lordship?”
“Honestly, Buckworth, I haven’t the faintest notion.”
“I can tell you from personal experience that abduction is not the way to do it,” the lieutenant only half jested.
Frederick chuckled. “Do not think that it did not occur to me.”
Buckworth nodded his head in amusement. “Her Grace is certainly strong-minded.”
“I fear we have no choice but to wait.”
“His Grace will not be pleased.”
“No, he will not. I am concerned for his wellbeing in Mother’s absence. He did not look well when last we spoke.” Frederick frowned remembering his father’s unkempt state. It was disconcerting to watch his family be torn asunder in such a fashion. His mother’s reaction caused him to doubt if he would ever be able to mend the rift between them or if they would remain broken forever.
Forever is a very long time to wait.
Chapter 24
Days turned into weeks, and Frederick began to lose hope that he would ever convince his mother to return home. He loved Sorrento, its people, culture, food, and landscapes, but he missed Josephine and worried about his father unceasingly. He had become fast friends with Paulo and his family, as well as becoming acquainted with several other local families. With every visit, he noticed a change within himself as he grew stronger and more independent away from the strictures of English aristocratic society.
When the letter came, it caught everyone off guard. Fredrick, the Duchess, and Lt. Buckworth were all out on the veranda eating breakfast when a messenger brought the mail. The first letter was to Frederick from his father, rejoicing in his having found the Duchess safe and whole. He asked when they anticipated returning to Chescrown. The second letter was addressed to the Duchess, and when she saw the handwriting on the front of the folded paper, she immediately went pale and began to shake.
“Marcus,” the Duchess whispered in terror.
“What does it say, Mother?” Frederick asked picking up the discarded page from the ground. He unfolded it and read the now familiar scrawl.‘Return and tell him the truth or the Duke dies in your place.’Frederick crumpled the page in anger as he clenched his fist.
“My Lord?” Lt. Buckworth questioned concerned.
Frederick handed him the missive and stood to his feet. “We will leave on the first ship bound for England.” He turned to the messenger who had brought the mail. “Did this arrive via ship?”
“Si,” the man nodded his head.
“Does the ship’s captain intend to return to England?”
“Si, Signore.”
“Run down to the port and inform the captain that we wish to seek passage aboard his ship back to England.”
“Si,” the man nodded once more and scurried off to do as bidden.
Turning to his mother’s maidservant, he instructed her to prepare the Duchess’ belongings for departure. The maid curtsied and ran to pack her mistress’ things. “Mother?” Frederick attempted to pull her from her state of silent shock as she stared blankly out to sea. “Mother!”
