The Devil is The Duke

It was the first morning since the wedding that Emeera woke up to the duke at her side. The man was awake but deep in thoughtful reflections. For the hundredth time, he was grateful to God Emeera was safe. He did not know how important it was for him to keep her safe until the previous night when he got home and did not see her. His heart had sunk. First he thought she left him but her clothes were all untouched and her night dress was down there by the bed.

That was when all the business trips, royal work and everything else went to ashes in his mouth. His wife with his child was missing at night, probably out there in the cold, being dragged by an enemy. His hands curled into a fist even as he thought of it again. He had been certain he would personally kill the person who took his wife. He was so sure about it he had loaded three guns. Until she came in and stopped his murderous rage.

“Emeera, light of my life,” he mused. He was going to always protect her, he vowed. He looked at her swollen tummy that signified life. His child was growing in this woman he had been so bitter about. A woman he neglected. Yet, he could not blame himself for his previous character. At first he had assumed she was manipulative like the rest of them. But just like she had not planned to hide and have the whole manor worry and search for her, she had not planned that pregnancy to hook a man. Emeera had no manipulation in her, he saw that now. She was just naive. He went closer to her and held her gently, not knowing she was awake and wondering what he was up to. But it was comforting and cozy so she slept off again and had the best sleep she had had in a long time, with his arms wrapped around her.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

She finally woke up at noon to see he was gone. But had left a note on one of the pillows. She opened it.

I am going hunting with the King and queen. I am sorry you cannot come along because of your condition. Enjoy your rest I’ll see you in the evening.

He signed it Albert. Simply Albert. Emeera did not know how long her husband sat over that note. Looking at it, wondering if he was expected to add more, maybe some form of endearment. Or to keep it plain. He had torn up three before getting this one right. He never told her about his trips before. The butler did. But what she did not know was that the duke called the butler every night to ask about his wife. Even when he was far away in Asia. He called. He never missed a night of asking. He also called her doctor regularly to check. He worried about her on days she had no appetite and got angry on days the butler said she refused her meals.

When he returned that night, the duke brought home a large stag he shot. He called Emeera outside and handed the animal to her. “I shot it for you,” he said. No man had ever shot anything for her. She decided to personally oversee dinner for the first time.

That night, they feasted on the venison with red wine.

“You know the king wants to see you. I told him you are indisposed but we cannot keep him waiting too long. Our wedding was impromptu but some protocols must still be expected of a Duke’s marriage.” His gaze upon her face was tender.

“I will see him whenever you choose, your grace,”

“What are you doing tomorrow?” He asked.

“We will be dining with Henry, the Earl of Brenwich. Nancy requested I tell her what I think of him,” Emeera replied. The Duke shrugged.

“Whatever you want,” he said.

Over breakfast, Emeera read the morning newspapers. There was nothing of importance except an announcement of a few upcoming nuptials in Savoy. She went through her mails and saw the invitation cards to those weddings. On all were inscribed “to the Duke and Duchess of Savoy”. Although the people did not attend her wedding, they slowly came to term with the news especially after the newspaper publication. It had been a source of gossip at first that the wedding had not been properly announced through the papers but another gossip had soon taken precedence over that.

That evening, Henry joined the Duke and Duchess for dinner. They had roasted meat, venison stew, sweet and savoury pies and tarts. After dinner, Emeera slowly steered the conversation to the subject of Nancy.

“What people are saying about her is just horrible,” the young Earl said. “Miss Athelstan is a proper lady of good breeding so her reputation is expected to be pristine. We both made a mistake. It is inequitable that my reputation will recover but her own many never because the people of Savoy judge women harshly yet the men go unscathed….”

“Then why not just wed her?” The Duke asked causing his wife to flinch. He said it like marriage could simply solve all problems. Emeera felt uncomfortable with the thought that her own marriage was contracted to solve an illegitimate baby scandal.

“I would if she said yes but she is afraid that I may be wedding her not because I want to but because of all the pressure from this scandal.”

“Is that true?” Emeera asked.

“My affections for Miss Athelstan is not based on a situation that was recently discovered and twisted by poisonous gossips over tea.” He turned very red. “We cannot even converse privately right now because of the eyes that abound. Nancy is not conventional but I care for her. Even talking over the telephone is not safe as the operator can listen in on the conversation and then gossip.”

“They do that?”

“Yes they do. Be careful with telephones,” the duke said.

Emeera had an idea. “You know what we should do? We should go to the theater together. I will invite Nancy to come with my husband and I, while you join us in our box. What do you think?”

“I think that is wonderful. Thank you.” And so it was settled. They made plans to go to theater the next night.