Page 5 of The Brooding Duke's Fateful Letter
Cecil took a seat before Tristan, who saw even that as a victory and took a sip of Port before looking at the duke smugly.
I have no inclination as to why he dislikes me so. Since we were children, he has taken joy in my misery. The fact that I would be alone without a wife drives him to pure ecstasy. It’s almost as though my accident is his favorite topic. One has to wonder why. The duke’s busy mind tries to work out the solution.
The duke choked down the remaining contents of his glass and bid everyone a good evening. They do the same as he sent someone to let the women know the time to leave had come. The duke went to bid his sister farewell, and to perhaps catcha glimps of the beautiful woman who had gone off with Lady Wells.
“Thank you for having us.” Louisa said before she made her way home.
“Not at all dear sister,” Henry said to her with a smile. He gave her husband, standing beside, her a nod. The overweight, spoiled little man had never impressed the duke, who had certainly not seen the man as a proper match for his sister.
Love truly must be blind, the duke thought unkindly.
“There is one more thing,” Louisa said. “We are going away for a few weeks, to Naples. I will come see you the moment we return.”
“How lovely. Make sure to write to me once you arrive,” the duke said happily.
“I shall. I love you.” Louisa said bending down to kiss him on the cheek.
“I love you, too, dear sister. Goodnight.” The duke replied with a smile.
Once the guests had all left, and his butler had reported as such, the duke felt safe enough to get out of his chair. He got up from his chair and stretched his aching muscles. He moved to the large open window and watched as their carriages left the gate. The large moon lit the roads ahead and made them visible from afar.
He felt the tension in his shoulders melt as they got further away.
The less I see of people the more I feel like myself. Most of them just come to see the crippled duke. Some out of pity and some out of duty—many come because of both.
He banished all self-pity from his mind as he wondered if there was a women who would take him as their husband. He strolled around the study and looked for a book to keep his mind better occupied. One book stood out. He took it from the shelf to inspect the dusty, forgotten collectible.
Ah yes! This was given to me by Lord Wentworth. A truly kind man and…Wait! All those years back he made a promise to me. Now would be the perfect time to claim it!
He moved to the nearby writing desk and searched for his ink and quill. He found it neatly packed on top of a few pieces of parchment. He brought a candle closer for better lightand started penning his urgent letter. His practiced, steady handwriting was shaky as his nerves got the better of him.
Dear Lord Wentworth
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to you concerning the matter of a promise made to me by you several years prior.
I trust that you will hold your end of our agreement and would like to arrange to see your daughter and you as soon as is possible. I look forward to seeing you soon as my guest at Devonshire estate.
Henry Morehead
Duke of Devonshire
He made his way to the door and called for the footman nearby to take the letter to the Wentworth Estate.
“Prepare a horse and leave as soon as possible. This letter is urgent and must reach its destination quickly.” The man nodded before departing to complete the task.
A wild excitement took hold of the duke as the wait for Wentworth’s reply began
It’s as good as done.
A Lord cannot go back on his word. Pity the only women who would indeed have me, would be my wife by force. It doesn’t feel right. Even though this was a solemn promise, I’ve never forced a woman to do anything. It feels terribly ungentlemanly.
I am going to do my best to make her feel welcome here. Perhaps in time she will grow to like me. Perhaps she will even forgive me.
The duke’s’s thoughts once again spun around wildly.
The thought of all those who took pity on him attending his wedding gave him great pleasure. As the daughter of a lord, the luxury she is accustomed to would be available to her still.
She will share my title and home. One I truly hope will be a happy one, he thought sadly.
