Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

" P lease, let me in! I have to see her!"

It had been hours since he arrived at the Pemberton estate. Yet, he had not stepped foot inside. Nor had he set eyes on her. But he didn't blame them. If he were in their shoes, he wouldn't open his gates to them either. He had come to make amends, to reclaim his wife. He knew it would not be easy but for Lucy, he would do anything.

"Lucy!" Duncan knocked at the heavy oak doors. "I will not leave without seeing you. I do not care if I have to spend all night here. I will see you before I take my leave." The only thing that greeted him was silence.

He sighed heavily. Who would believe he was getting such treatment? A whole duke! But he didn't mind. All he knew was that he wasn't leaving until he spoke to Lucy.

Soon the doors flung open, and Augustus emerged, his face locked in a stern look. In his years, he had never felt this nervous. He had no reason to. But now, he couldn't stay the same. His heart beat wildly.

"Lord Pemberton," Duncan greeted the older man with an outstretched hand.

Augustus's eyes narrowed, and he did not extend his hand. "Your Grace," he replied coolly, his tone formal and distant. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Interesting. Duncan straightened, meeting Augustus's gaze with a determined expression as he withdrew his hand. "I have come to speak with Lucy."

At this, Lady Pemberton's eyes widened, and Caroline glanced anxiously at her father. The silence was deafening. It was thick and pregnant as the older man stared him down with obvious displeasure in his eyes.

"Have you now?" Augustus fixed him a rigid stare that nearly made him shift uncomfortably. But Duncan stood his ground, refraining from showing any signs of fear. He was a duke after all.

"Yes. And I have no intention of leaving until I speak with her." Duncan spoke without mincing words. His father-in-law's face remained impassive, but Duncan didn't miss the storm that brewed in their brown depths.

"I see," Augustus said, his voice cold. "You must understand, Your Grace, that you are not particularly welcome here."

Duncan nodded. He expected as much. "I understand your sentiments, Lord Pemberton. But I beg you to allow me a chance to speak with my wife."

It was only then he noticed Lady Pemberton and Lucy's younger sister, Caroline, looking at him with faces awash with curiosity and concern. Augustus hesitated, then turned to his wife and daughter. "Sweetheart, Caroline, would you excuse us for a moment?"

The two women exchanged worried glances but did as they were told, retreating into the house. Augustus then gestured for Duncan to follow him, away from prying ears.

They walked a short distance to a secluded corner of the garden, where the evening shadows lengthened under the fading light. Augustus stopped and faced Duncan, his expression grave.

"What is it you wish to say to my daughter?" Augustus asked, his voice low and serious. It was hard seeing the man not being his usual jovial and bubbly self. "She has refused to speak with any of us and I know it has everything to do with you. You have caused her immense pain."

Duncan's heart clenched at the thought of Lucy suffering. He would take it away in a heartbeat if he could. This was his one chance to get things right. He knew he had to be honest, to bare his soul if he were to have any chance of winning her back.

"I came to explain," Duncan began, taking a greedy gulp of air. "And to make things right. I love Lucy, Lord Pemberton. More than I ever thought possible."

Augustus' eyes flickered with skepticism. "Love? You have a peculiar way of showing it."

If Duncan was hurt, he didn't show it. He nodded, accepting the rebuke. "I know I have made mistakes. But I did so because I was grappling with demons of my own. Demons I never shared with her."

Augustus folded his arms across his chest, his gaze unyielding. "What sort of demons?"

Duncan took a deep breath, settling himself. "I'm afraid I have to speak to Lucy about this first. She should be the first to know. But I will tell you this much.

"I lost my sister when I was young. She died in my arms, and ever since, I have struggled with physical contact. I see her death every time I touch someone. It is a torment I would not wish on anyone. But with Lucy, it is different. She is the only one who brings me peace, who makes me feel whole."

Augustus's expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained wary. "And you expect me to believe that now, after all this time, you have come to this realization?"

Duncan's voice grew more fervent. "Yes, because it is the truth. I left because I feared I would bring her pain. But in leaving, I realized I was causing the very thing I sought to avoid. I cannot live without her. She is my heart, my soul. And I will do whatever it takes to make her happy."

Augustus studied him for a long moment, weighing his words. Finally, he sighed, a look of reluctant acceptance crossing his face. "Very well. I will allow you to speak with her. But you must promise me one thing, Your Grace."

"Anything," Duncan replied, his voice earnest.

"You must promise that you will never hurt her again. That you will do everything in your power to ensure her happiness."

Duncan met his steely gaze, his own eyes filled with determination. "I swear it, Lord Pemberton. I will dedicate my life to making her happy."

The intensity of their exchange had softened somewhat, but Augustus' protective nature had not waned. He took a step closer to Duncan.

"Your Grace," Augustus began in a sturdy voice, "I need you to understand something very clearly. Despite everything, I think of you as family. You are my son-in-law, and for that reason, you hold a place in my heart."

Duncan looked at him, hope lighting his eyes. "Thank you, Lord Pemberton. That means more to me than you can know."

Augustus nodded, but his face grew serious, his eyes boring into Duncan's with an intensity that left no room for misunderstanding. "However," he continued, his tone firm, "if you ever hurt my daughter again, you will have me to contend with. I will ensure you pay dearly for it. You may be a duke, but no title will protect you from my wrath if Lucy's happiness is compromised."

Duncan sniffed at the severity of his father-in-law's words. This was the depth of a father's love and the fierce protectiveness that came with it. It was a pity he wasn't used to it, didn't feel much of it himself.

"Lord Pemberton, I give you my word. I love Lucy with all my heart. I will do everything in my power to ensure her happiness. I will never hurt her again."

Augustus searched his face, looking for any hint of insincerity. Finding none, he finally allowed a small, genuine smile to touch his lips.

"Very well, Your Grace. I will hold you to that promise. But I repeat again — if you fail her again, you will answer to me."

"Very well. I understand." Duncan replied, bowing his head in respect.

Augustus nodded slowly. "Then you may speak with her."

With that, Augustus led him back to the house. His heart pounded with a vengeance. He had never felt this way in all his life. Fear licked at the edges of his vision. He was about to face Lucy, to lay his soul bare.

As they entered the house, the very air seemed charged with tension, every step bringing him closer to the woman he loved more than life itself.

"Lucy is in the drawing room," Augustus said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "You may speak with her there."

Duncan nodded, gratitude flooding his heart. Swallowing hard, he made his way to the drawing-room before he paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He worried himself with thoughts of Lucy. What if she didn't want to see him still? He had hurt her badly. How had he fumbled so carelessly?

He wouldn't blame her if she turned him away. It was all his fault. Doubts began to creep into Duncan's mind. Steeling his resolve, he knew he had to be strong. For Lucy. For their future.

He stood in front of the huge mahogany doors and took a deep, steadying breath. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. He had to make her understand, to convey the depth of his love and regret.

Duncan knocked gently, the sound echoing in the stillness. The door opened, and there stood Lucy, wide-eyed with shock.

"Duncan?"

And in that moment, he would have died happily.