Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

“ Y our Grace!” The raspy voice of the butler called out in surprise. “You’re up rather early.”

Hector nodded curtly as he walked past and headed outside.

“I thought it might be a good idea to go for a ride.”

“Ah,” Worthington nodded. “An excellent idea, Your Grace.”

Hector continued his stroll to the stables and pulled on his riding gloves along the way.

He had felt restless all night long and had barely slept a wink because his thoughts had been plagued by visions of Juliet.

She seemed intent on ruining him and was determined to have her own way, no matter the cost. Hector wished he could give in and make her understand that no matter how certain she felt about herself and her needs, she really did not know what she was asking of him, but he had meant it when he told her he had no interest in deriving anything from their marriage.

He had kept his word. He had married his late sister’s friend, and that was all that had been asked of him. Allowing anything more than that was wholly unnecessary.

The stable boy walked his favorite horse, Blueberry, out of the stable, and he quickly mounted her, a smile reaching his lips as she broke into a trot.

“I shan’t be gone very long,” Hector told the boy. He only needed to create some distance between himself and his wife.

“Of course, Your Grace.” The boy bowed, and Hector nudged his horse into a canter.

He had not ridden in a few weeks, but it had only taken him five minutes on Blueberry to bring back all of the reasons why he loved to ride so much, especially with his sister.

Lydia had been a proper lady, graceful and demure in every way. But the only time she lost her poised demeanor was when she was racing against him in the fields near their home.

She had loved to ride, and he had loved riding with her.

Lydia had been the one who’d named his favorite horse. She was the only one who was allowed to ride Blueberry whenever Hector could not; this morning in particular, he missed her terribly. “Let’s go, Blueberry,” he mumbled and urged the horse into a gallop.

Galloping through the wide expanse of fields was as freeing as it had always felt, without much thought directed towards his problems, and with nothing but the wind around him and the animal that carried him for company.

Eventually, he returned to Islington Hall, feeling much lighter than when he had left.

Worthington seemed to be awaiting his arrival and looked relieved the moment Hector came into view.

“Your Grace, Mr. Aiden is here to see you.” he informed Hector.

The Duke’s face darkened in distaste, and he sighed loudly.

Colin Aiden was a shrewd solicitor, but Hector disliked him and tried to keep their meetings to a minimum, even though he required his services to support the upkeep of his properties. Men like Colin wouldn’t tolerate being ignored for very long. Hector cringed at the thought of being accosted by him in public at a later date and trudged towards the house to complete their business.

“Bring him to my study along with a fresh pot of coffee. I need something strong to deal with him. It is either that or brandy.”

“Right away, Your Grace,” Worthington nodded and left.

Hector walked into the house as his thoughts wandered to Juliet.

Despite his demand that they lead separate lives, he did not want to cause her any discomfort. The sole purpose of their marriage had been to give her a better life. He considered Juliet’s suggestion that they bridge the gap between them but shook his head in frustration, unsure of how to accomplish it.

Once in his study, Hector sat down behind his desk, hoping the meeting would not take up too much of his time. Shortly thereafter, Worthington knocked and announced, “I have Mr. Aiden with me, Your Grace,” as he opened the door.

Hector nodded, and the butler walked in with a tray of coffee, followed closely by Colin Aiden.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” Mr. Aiden greeted, sitting opposite him.

Hector offered a faint smile. “Morning, Mr. Aiden. I would like you to look into some estates for me. I’ll have Herbert draft up the details, and you can take it up.”

“That won’t be a problem, Your Grace,” Mr. Aiden smiled. “I have some favors to ask of you.”

“This isn’t a two-way trade,” Hector replied with a cold stare.

The man shook his head. “No, Your Grace, I wouldn’t callously throw away this benevolence you’ve generously extended…”

“Out with it, man,” Hector cut him off.

The solicitor opened his briefcase and pulled out several documents. “My clients need some halls to host their big event. I’ve been asked to approach you and get a date.”

Hector scoffed, taking a sip of his coffee. “This isn’t how business is done.”

“I know it’s utterly forward of me, but there was no other way. I believe luck was on my side."

Hector admired ambitious men but didn’t like when people stepped beyond their boundaries. “If you go through the right channel, we will talk.”

“Thank you, Your Grace. I’ll take that bit of advice.” The man pushed back on his seat and bowed. “Enjoy your day, Your Grace.”

“I’d like you to work with Herbert,” Hector said, and the man halted.

Mr. Aiden hesitated for a moment before speaking. Hector was aware the two were not on good terms, but he was also aware that whatever Mr. Aiden needed was important to him, so he wouldn’t risk disappointing the Duke.

“I suppose. An arranged meeting would suffice.”

Hector’s grip on his coffee cup tightened slightly. “I’ll arrange that.”

As the solicitor left, Hector finished his coffee and stepped out of the study.

The butler hurried forward. “You received another visitor whilst you were occupied, Your Grace.”

Hector frowned. “Who was it that called so early?”

“The neighboring lord wanted to congratulate you and the Duchess,” replied the butler. “I took the gifts and politely informed him that you weren’t receiving visitors yet.”

“Excellent,” Hector said, patting his butler’s back. He was glad to have old staff who knew the rules. “Where’s my wife?”

“In the garden, Your Grace.”

Hector strode in the direction of the gardens, wondering what she was doing there.

He found Juliet bent over a clump of white and yellow lilies, her delicate frame showered in soft morning light. She looked up as he approached, a tentative smile on her lips.

“Good morning, Duchess,” he greeted, trying to keep his tone light.

“Is there anything you need from me, Your Grace?” she asked before returning her attention to the beautiful flowers.

Hector exhaled, willing himself to ignore her tone. “I was hoping to discuss how we might manage things together.”

Juliet turned to him with an incredulous expression. “I did not think you were interested in anything that would entail me being by your side, Your Grace.”

She is simply being difficult on purpose.

“Juliet,” Hector stated in a warning tone, “I am doing my best to be civil. Must you fight me on every little thing?”

“I am merely trying to play by the rules you set, Your Grace. When I wished for cordiality, you brushed off my request. Now, I am trying to respect the boundaries you have set, but you will not allow me. What is it you truly want, Your…”

Her words cut off as he wrapped his fingers around her chin and tilted her head back, so he could look her in the eye.

Hector had never felt as overwhelmed as he did in that moment.

“This mouth of yours,” he mumbled, smirking in satisfaction as she finally lost her frosty demeanor, “it is going to land you in a whole world of trouble someday, Juliet.”

For a moment she was silent then she defiantly met his gaze and retorted, “It won’t be anything I can’t handle.”

Upon hearing her utter those words, Hector struck his breaking point. He could have resisted and put some distance between them, but the only thing he wanted in that moment was to taste her. Before reason could change his mind, he closed the distance between them and claimed her lips.

She caught her breath as his lips met hers. Her gasp of surprise spurred Hector onwards, and he pressed himself closer to her, one hand rising to cup her cheek and chin and the other hand clasped to her waist.

Juliet returned his kiss with feverish intensity and threaded her fingers into his thick, luxurious hair as she crushed her mouth to his. Her inexperienced clumsiness made Hector smile as he nipped at her lower lip, aching to taste her. For the first time since their wedding, Juliet gave him exactly what he wanted.