Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The duke felt lighter and happier that he finally shared his secret. His joy dampened only by Lady Bethany not having said a single word yet.

"I do understand this must be a terrible shock to you, My Lady," he said, as he tried to provoke a response from her. The silence made his uncertainty overcome him.

This was a mistake! he thought, not knowing if he should approach her or leave.

"How?" she said mercifully, breaking the spell.

"It was a while after the accident, My Lady." The duke started to speak as he moved slowly towards her. She, in turn, did the same. The duke reached for her hands. "Please allow me to explain. You see, just after the doctor had seen me, he had told me, and my entire family, that I would not be able to walk again. He had said that I had been fortunate they had not needed to amputate either leg. I decided to find out for myself. It took months to even stand and in that time I learned who in my circles I could trust," the duke explained, as he tried not to speak in a rush.

It had all boiled inside of him for so long that he felt close to bursting into flames. "I did not mean to deceive anyone, least of all you, My Lady." The duke said as he looked into her eyes. He hoped that she could hear the regret in his voice. The guilt had poked and twisted at him from the moment he had shown her the gardens, the moment her personality had shown.

"I am not entirely certain what to say, Your Grace," she replied, the shock still evident in the slight tremor in her voice.

"Please say that we can start over," the duke pleaded, and knew it was a lot to ask of her. He had kept something from her and now asked her to forget it as well. He also knew it was selfish, yet wanted her by his side enough to take any chance. In this moment, everything that had seemed so important was now on the verge of being of no consequence to him.

"We could at least try, Your Grace. I do not mind how it is that you can walk. I feel truly relieved that you can," Lady Bethany said in disbelief, and then she smiled.

The duke felt his knees go weak when she smiled at him. The joy she felt on his behalf touched him deeply. So much so that he forgot himself and bent down to place a light kiss on her cheek. The duke leapt back as though he had been burned. He attributed it to his outrage at his behavior.

"I apologize, My Lady."

"That is quite alright, Your Grace," she said, putting her fingertips to her cheek.

"Shall we go for a walk, My Lady? A real one this time, where I shall be of less embarrassment to you," he stated.

"I should like to go for a walk with you, Your Grace. I feel you must know that you were not an embarrassment to me," she said, as she went towards the door.

"First, I shall take you to the park in the morning. My Lady. I would like to make amends for having to be seen with me, being the source of stares and comments," Henry said.

"I shall very much like to see their faces once they realize their misjudgment," she said with a bright smile. He liked that she had a strong sense of humor. He was given to melancholy and found her sunny disposition took him out of it.

"I believe that would make our excursion that much more enjoyable, My Lady," he replied with a mischievous smile.

"I could not agree more, Your Grace," she teased back.

"Is there anything you wish to ask me, My Lady? I do not wish you to fear me," he said with hope.

"I do, now that you ask, Your Grace."

"Go on." The duke was curious.

"I just find myself unable to fathom why it is that you chose to tell me, Your Grace." She asked politely.

"I have feelings for you, My Lady. I do not expect you to reciprocate. I feel that it is something that you should know, as well as an explanation of why I told you," Henry said, knowing full well that it was too soon to speak of his feelings. Especially in light of the fact that they had just agreed to a new beginning. He could no longer resist telling her how he felt and believed that if it was meant to be, it would end well.

She smiled at the duke. "I have feelings for you too, Your Grace."

"That is wonderful news, My Lady. I will make you proud to be at my side," the duke said with great joy.

"That has already been accomplished, Your Grace."

The duke knew that it was time to take his leave. After what they had shared, he felt it was nearly impossible to let go of her hand and to leave her.

"My Lady, it aggrieves me to bid you a good night. However, if I do not, then I fear I shall stay with you all night." He spoke softly.

Lady Bethany smiled at the duke. She seemed to want to say something but instead stayed silent.

"Sleep well, Your Grace," she replied.

"Sweetest dreams, My Lady." Henry lifted her hand to his lips. It was the lightest touch, yet was enough for him to feel his connection to her deepen. Every time he was with her, he felt his burdens lift, and when he was away from her, he felt lonely for the first time in his life.

He now started to see what all the fuss was about when people spoke of love. He had been so cynical when it had come to his friends, the Smiths, when they had gotten engaged. That had not been so long ago. Now here he was at the mercy of his feelings.

He went to his quarters, this time walking to get to them. He greeted each servant that greeted him and tried not to laugh at their puzzled expressions. He got ready for bed without assistance. A fact he was quite proud of until his servants came to ask if they had displeased him.

Each one had enquired why he had not called for them and he had shown each one that he could walk. One maid servant had to be carried to her room as she had fainted when the duke had made a demonstration of his abilities.

The night was spent like most, with the duke unable to rest. This night it was for a different reason. He could not wait to take her to town on a real outing. One where he could protect her. And maybe soon, he'd be able to enjoy a real dance with her as well.

He fell asleep thinking of her and she was the first thought on his mind when he awoke the following morning. He all but jumped out from his bed when it was finally time to see her. He went to his writing desk and opened a small drawer. He lifted a small box out from the draw and opened it. The duke smiled at the small collection of precious gems he had.

One emerald stood out in particular. He lifted it up to the light. The way the light already made rays in all directions spoke of its fine quality. It had yet to be cut and he now knew the perfect purpose for it. This particular collection had been in the family for some time. Three of the collection had been traded for land and supplies or had been fashioned into jewelry. This one would make an exceptional ring.

He had insisted upon meeting Lady Bethany and was now very content with his decision. She was now free to choose for herself and had chosen him. It was a brilliant start to their new courtship. He made his way by foot through his own home for the first time in years. It was a liberating feeling he felt he owed to her.

She had been the one who had made him feel safe enough to let go of his ruse. Now, as he stood ready at their carriage waiting for her, he felt ready to take the world on. It felt odd to be standing there waiting. His legs felt sore and tired already, and he enjoyed every moment of it.

He had roamed around freely at night and, had thought that would have prepared him to move during the day. Instead, he had found that he was overwhelmed after being on his feet for the night and morning so far. Yet the pain that had started to creep from his feet to his thigh diminished the moment she came out from the house.

"Good morning, My Lady." The duke said the words he had said to her every morning. Only this morning they took on a different meaning. A more intimate meaning. Rather than a show of respect alone, it was an endearment.

"Good morning, Your Grace. I trust you slept well." She smiled a radiant smile that made the duke feel as though he could make it through anything as long as she was by his side.

"I do not recall a time where I have rested more peacefully, My Lady." The duke returned her smile in full. It felt strange to look down at her instead of up at her from his chair.

"Are you ready to go to town, My Lady?" the duke asked, with a confident smile.

"Yes, I am, Your Grace," she said with the smile he had become so addicted to. Her smile was always beautiful, however, the one she seemed to give just him was a treasure on its own.

He walked proudly with her to the carriage. The servants fell over themselves, trying to adjust to the shock of seeing the duke walking about. The duke could see the pure shock on their faces and the uncertainty of their movements. He tried not to laugh at their discomfort. But the scene was too comical not too. He looked over at his Lady, who was giggling.

He smiled at her and led her to the carriage. It gave him great pride to open the door for her and to help her inside. He held her hand to help steady her as fashionable dresses had access to fabric that made maneuvering in a small space quite troublesome. He got in after her and noticed that his legs had started to cramp. Nothing too painful, it was just a niggle he dismissed.

They rode through the untamed countryside that ran from the estate almost all the way to town. He had seen the same trees and fences for so many years that he knew them by heart.

Today, as he looked out the carriage window, he felt as though he was seeing it all for the first time. He looked down at the clothes he had dressed himself in for the first time in years. One of the buttons on the white dress shirt had been fastened into the wrong eye. He flinched, as Lady Bethany looked up from her embroidery she had taken with her.

"I have not had the privilege of dressing myself for a number of years, my lady," he said, gesturing toward the untidy button. "Speaking of which, My Lady. You are looking beautiful this morning. Not that you do not always look beautiful."

"Thank you, Your Grace. Allow me," she replied and before he could fathom what she had meant, she put her work down beside her and moved toward him. Bending down slightly to undo the button, he could not help but notice how flawless her skin was. Then the subtle scent of her perfume assailed his senses. "There, Your Grace," she said and moved back to where she had been seated.

Such a small gesture of kindness and he felt completely lost in her! He thought as he watched her sit down. I can count on my blessings that she is to be my wife. If she had belonged to another, I know I would have gone against everything I am and would have done all I could to win her.

Before they had left for town this morning, Nanny McCain had asked to speak to her in private.

I do hope there is not anything the matter with her. He thought with concern.