Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The duke admired her resilient nature. She was an accomplished actress if nothing else. His realist nature bucked against her emotionally-led decisions. He felt disgust rise within him at the thought of her humoring him. He knew he was a sight to behold, still he was human and craved true acceptance.

We shall see how far she is willing to go until she reveals her true feelings. The duke thought as the idea to use tests of character, had come into his mind. He would never use another human being for entertainment, his reasoning was more important than that. He would not spend the remainder of his life unwanted by a person he had selected himself!

He watched as she recovered from being faint rather quickly. This raised more question than answers in the duke.

The invitation to town had indeed been a test. It is easy to be good to one's hosting their home, let us see if she remains enthusiastic if she has her reputation at stake.

"Then I shall have the carriage ready in the morning, My Lady. For tonight though we have a few guests coming round." The duke informed her instead of asking if it would be an inconvenience.

"So soon, Your Grace. That is wonderful news." Charlotte replied.

Ah yes, Bethany had indeed been well trained in the art of decorum. It pleased him that she was a Lady in every way, well suited to be his wife. Now I intend to damage that surface gloss and discover who lays beneath!

"It does not upset you to have such little notice before receiving guests ?" The duke could not resist questioning her constant agreeability.

"Not in the least, Your Grace. I find it most important to have guests often. It would be wonderful to be introduced to those close to you, Your Grace." Charlotte said with glee.

Again she just agrees to anything I say. I have no comprehension why that vexes me except that I had perhaps hoped she was unlike the others around me. Filled with empty words and sympathy. He thought.

The duke opened his mouth just as the servants brought in the lunch. He had asked the kitchen to serve a meal that was less impressive than usual.

She will surely become fatigued in time if she must bear my affliction and see that life here may not always be opulent. The duke thought as he watched her akin to how a spider keeps watch on a fly about to tread on its web.

He chastised himself as he watched her beautiful smile. He could not fathom how she could so easily make him want to know her better. How so soon her smile created a craving within him.

This is an agreement, and you are a cripple in her eyes! All pleasantries shall fade with time and she will hate me. The duke wrestled with his heart. He had been so well abandoned by family and peers that he needed just one person that was truly his. After all these years of melancholy, it can not be this effortless without there being a snare. No! I will catch her at her own game and be in control once again.

How lovely it would be to stand up and walk with her through the gardens that please her so. For that smile to be true and aimed solely at me. Stop this madness!

The duke dropped his fork onto hid plate as his distress took hold of him.

"Your Grace, are you unwell? "Charlotte asked, her green gaze darkened by concern.

"Yes, thank you My Lady. I fear my condition takes me well to unwell quite hastily," the duke made an excuse.

"Please, Your Grace. If you require rest, I would hate that you stay and worsen your condition to host us." Charlotte said feeling true concern for his welfare.

"That is most kind, My Lady. I shall after lunch retire to my chambers to heal." The duke stated in a tone that even he was not sure carried genuine grace.

The remainder of the meal was enjoyed in silence and the duke did indeed retire to his chambers for the afternoon. It gave him both the opportunity to stretch his aching muscles and to discover what Charlotte would do left to her own devices.

The duke had instructed his maid servants to keep a close watch on her. He had waited all afternoon for a report that would confirm his suspicions. In waiting he had fallen asleep and awoke from bothersome dreams of the young lady, to find that it was time for dinner. It dawned on the duke as he went to his uncomfortable chair that no dinner guests had even been invited.

"Your Grace, supper is now about to be served." A man servant informed the duke through a small opening in is chamber door.

"Thank you. Do come inside a moment will you?" the duke asked.

"Yes Your Grace." The servant replied.

"I want you to go to Cecil. Invite him and his family to supper. Make it known to him that it is required he be here."

"At once, Your Grace." He replied and left.

"Good man." The duke said feeling more relieved. Cecil had a keen eye that would serve him well that evening.

The duke made his way to the dining room to find Lord Wentworth seated alone.

Already given up, had she?

"Your Grace I do apologize. Ladies require a while longer than men do to be ready. I am quite sure she wants to look her best for you," Lord Wentworth said.

That is quite acceptable, Lord Wentworth. I do hope the delay shall not be too prolonged," the duke replied and Lord Wentworth's throat worked as the atmosphere become tense.

"I am terribly sorry for the delay, Your Grace," the duke heard her soft voice behind him and tried to ignore the affect it had on his imagination.

"That is quite…" The duke starts to speak then finds himself robbed of all words and thought as his eyes feast on her. Her golden hair was skillfully styled to frame her face and remain decent. The slight addition of color on her cheeks only drew attention to her natural beauty instead of creating a false one. Her dress was fashionable and as such only gave hint to her slender form and left his imagination even more aflame.

"Well worth the wait, My Lady," the duke said forgetting himself by being lost in her.

Women want to be taken care of. Provided for. A man to be steadfast, then someone might even want you. His mind rang.

Cruel words from the past echoed in his ears. Words spoken to him by his own mother. They had etched in him the idea that he was less than, unwanted. Those words had been said to a young, healthy version of himself.

How grotesque must I be now with this infliction! Even without it I am like a runt! He thought angrily.

The duke's temples had begun to throb, and the supper had not yet been served.

I can not be overcome with weakness and need rest after each meal. Be a man in one respect at least! The duke took deep breaths and tried to sate his pain.

"Your Grace, does your head trouble you?" Charlotte inquired.

"It is just remnants of the accident." The duke said as a means to dismiss her worry and hoped she would not enquire about the accident.

"I noticed a harp in the next room, Your Grace. I play quite well. Then there is also the fact that it eases my nanny from her aches." Charlotte offered.

"I do not see how, My Lady. If you feel you must then you are most welcome. "He replied.

"Please do excuse me, Your Grace." Charlotte said as she went to the harp that was visible from the dining area. The last person who had played that harp had been his late mother. He found his feelings were mixed as she sat down nearby. He expected unpleasant memories to flood him the moment that instrument was strung into life.

Then when she played the first piece of music, he took a deep, steadying breath and watched in awe. Where his mother had taken her anger out when she had played. Charlotte had a light touch that barely seemed to graze each chord.

The melody she played lifted his heart and made his throat close with emotion. This was an honest moment where her true character shone through. A nurturing spirit was evident in her that he knew he was in danger of becoming addicted to.

People in his life had always been harsh to him. He had not once been consoled as a child and found he wanted to be cared about.

It is cruel that all I have wanted is right here before me and she will turn from me like all the others have. She has already recoiled at my appearance, it will not be much longer before I will have to watch her leave as well! The thought pained him.

"Lord and Lady Miller, Your Grace." A man servant announced as Cecil and his wife entered the room.

Both Cecil and his wife greeted the duke with a slight bow and curtsy.

"Welcome, please do take a seat," the duke said,and in moments their chairs were pulled out from the table by servants.

"Thank you," Cecil said first to the duke, and then to the servants as he seated his wife before himself.

The duke was unsure if the interruption had saved him from deeper thought or if he would have preferred to watch her play for hours. He could not deny that his temples had not caused him discomfort since she had started to play. The duke felt a pang of guilt wash over him and wavered whether he should take her to town as a test after all.

"Your Grace, if I may. That has to be the most beautiful harp I have yet heard. I mean no disrespect to your late mother, Your Grace." Cecil said.

"Cecil that is most kind, on both counts," the duke replied knowing that his mother had barely scraped at the word ‘talented'. His gaze left Cecil and his wife and was drawn once again to Charlotte. Her delicate hands coerced an effortless harmony that drifted on the air itself.

The duke looked to his guests who had fallen under the same spell. He felt pride rise in his chest and wondered when he had ever been able to feel that before.

Perhaps I should have ended the courtship instead of declaring it in force. This young Lady rouses memories and needs within my mind I can never hope she would want with me.

The duke reminded himself once again of the stark reality she was forming a habit of blurring.

Abruptly Charlotte stopped playing and got up to greet their guests. The duke watched as she approached and found even that simple action memorizing.

Get yourself together man! His mind roared at him. It has been long since a woman has been your personal guest, that does not mean that you should spend every moment overextending your politeness!

Introductions were made and the supper was a relaxed and most pleasant evening. The duke found himself in good humor and the food had never tasted so delicious. The duke felt a tiny spark of hope that gave him too much joy to extinguish with his reality. They visited late into the night and were invited to stay the night rather than risk being out too late.

Everyone retired to their rooms after desert, all except Lord Wentworth who was called by the duke for a word.

"Your Grace wanted to see me.?" Lord Wentworth asked.

"Yes, thank you. I wanted to enquire whether Bethany has settled in," the duke replied.

"Your Grace has been most hospitable. My daughter plays the harp when she is in a favorable demeanor."

"That brings me relief," the duke replied, wanting to ask how she felt about his appearance. He was however not in the mood to be placated by lies that she had no misgivings.

"I bid you good evening, Lord Wentworth." The duke dismissed him.

"Your Grace." Lord Wentworth said with a slight nod and left.

The duke called to be taken to his room and felt exhausted. It had been years since he had new guests. This would be the first time an unmarried women would stay with him, let alone one of such remarkable character and beauty.

The duke fell asleep as soon as he settled into his bed. His last thoughts were curiosity at how the next day might play out. The sunrise seemed to come in an instant yet he felt well rested. He called to his servants to dress him and get him into his chair. The carriage was ready and waiting. Moments later, she and her father joined him. He felt ridiculous being carried into the carriage, but it was vital to keep his abilities secret.

Once they reached town it was on one of the busiest times of the month. Those walking from one establishment to the next, stopped to watch them arrive.

Gasps and murmurs could be heard as the duke was helped into his chair. People stared at the duke and his company as they left their carriage. They made no attempt to hide their disgust. The duke looked at Charlotte expecting her to exhibit the same shame he felt. To his utter amazement she looked livid.

She then took one white glove from her hand and extended it toward the duke. It was her way of saying he was hers. "Shall we go see what we like in town, Your Grace," she asked in a warm tone that hinted at an intimacy they had not yet reached. She looked to the people with a smile as she proudly walked beside him. The duke decided in that instant that he would never be able to forget that moment.

Never before had anyone been proud to be at my side, this Lady shall be my undoing! The duke's mind cautioned. His heart in answer threw that same caution to the wind. He reached toward her and let his fingertips touch hers. He did not want to seem overly familiar or ungentlemanly. The touch was as light as a feather yet sent a jolt through him. Time itself seemed to stand still as all the mean whispers and looks faded into the background.

He paused when Lady Bethany stopped walking to look at a dress in a shop window.

"Could I purchase that for you, My Lady?" he asked.

"That is most kind, Your Grace. Sadly I cannot accept your generous offer. It is not proper for a Lady to take a gift so soon," she replied.

"I am more at fault for not courting you properly. You should already have been showered with gifts, My Lady." The duke said with a smile.

For a brief moment they looked into one another's eyes. They seemed to share knowledge that no other person did, an inside joke of sorts.

"If it pleases Your Grace," she said, ending the moment.

"It does, My Lady." The duke found that he meant it. They went inside the shop and for the first time, the duke felt at ease in public. He marveled how it now only mattered that she enjoyed his company—his shame had left him.

This time when you watch them leave, it really will hurt! He thought as his chest twisted painfully.

He had created tests in his mind that would test her character. He now found that it had in turn tested his character. She was not at all how he had remembered her temperament. He could not remember how she had looked yet her ways had stayed with him.

She had been a most spoiled and demanding child. The duke had expected an adult version of her.

She must have matured with age, the duke surmised.

It could not be something else, could it?