Duchess by Chance

by Wendy Vella

  She bathed in the water set out for her and changed into her nightdress when it grew dark and then, with little else to do, she climbed into the bed. Blowing out the candle, she settled beneath the covers and waited for Daniel to return.

  The door to her room swung wide suddenly and slammed into the wall and she realized she had not locked it after the maid had left with her tray.

  “I hear there be a lady in here!”

  Pulling aside the covers, Eva quickly got out of bed. “Get out of my room at once!”

  The man stumbled forward and she could smell ale on his breath as he drew nearer. “Hello, sweeting, come and give me a kiss.”

  Eva lunged for the pitcher she knew was on the dresser. “Leave this room now or I will hurt you.”

  “I like a tousle, lovely - the rougher, the better.”

  He moved closer and Eva realized she was cornered. She threw the pitcher as hard as she could. He stumbled backwards as it hit his chest, cursing as water covered his front. Seizing the moment, she ran for the door but he was quicker and grabbed her.

  “Daniel!”

  The man tried to kiss her but Eva swung her fist at his head.

  “Bitch!”

  He grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled it hard, the pain made her eyes water but it was not enough to stop her. She brought up her knee and rammed it into his groin. He groaned, falling backwards. Eva ran as he released her, out the door and down the hall straight into Daniel’s arms as he arrived at the top of the stairs. He caught her, pulling her close.

  “What’s wrong? I heard you scream.”

  “A man - there is a man in my room.”

  He tensed, his arms tightening as he lifted her off her feet briefly before releasing her and pushing her behind him.

  “I kicked him…there, so he may still be on the floor.”

  Eva tucked in behind Daniel’s back as they walked back to their room.

  “Stay here,” he told her when they reached the open door. She watched him enter and then followed. She did not want the man to surprise Daniel and hurt him. If she could reach the nightstand, she could light the candle.

  “Get up!” Daniel dragged the moaning man to his feet.

  “That bitch - she kicked me in the pecker!”

  “You just cursed at a duchess. What’s more, she’s my duchess.”

  Eva could hear the rage in Daniel’s voice as she slipped into the room.

  “I told you to wait outside!”

  “I don’t want to stand in the hallway, your Grace, awaiting the next man who comes along,” Eva said.

  “No woman deserves a man entering her room uninvited,” Daniel said to the vile man through gritted teeth. “Chambermaid or duchess, you should respect her wishes.”

  “Eva, come and lock the door after me.”

  She watched as Daniel pulled the man’s arm up behind his back and walked him toward the door.

  “When will you return?”

  “Soon, I promise.”

  Grabbing a blanket she quickly wrapped it around herself. If Daniel had not heard her scream, that man could have raped her.

  “I’m sorry, your Grace, I didn’t know she was your duchess, you have to believe me.” The man was whining but Daniel was not listening, instead Eva watched as he forced him

  from the room, she turned the key in the lock as soon as the door was closed. Sitting on the bed she then waited for her husband to return.

  “Eva it’s me.”

  Relived when Daniel called to her a few minutes later, she hurried to open the door and after entering he closed and locked it again.

  “Are you all right?”

  Still clutching the blanket, she moved back to the bed. “Yes. Thank you for coming when I called, Daniel. I’m sorry but I forgot to lock the door after the maid took my tray and that was how the man got in.”

  “Did he hurt you in any way?” Daniel stood just inside the room watching her intently.

  “I hurt him more,” Eva answered.

  He smiled at her words. “You certainly did.”

  “Get into bed now, Eva, and I will join you after I have washed.”

  Placing the blanket back on the bed Eva then climbed beneath the covers listening as her husband removed his clothes and washed. Sliding over to the far side she then turned her back to face the wall.

  “Goodnight.”

  He didn’t answer her, instead blowing out the candle and then climbing into bed beside her. Eva felt his arm around her waist and then she was being lifted back into his chest.

  “Are you wanting to - ”

  “I’m sorry that man hurt you, Eva, sorry that I was not here to stop it happening sooner.”

  She turned in his arms then and burrowed into his chest seeking his strength.

  “But you came when I called.”

  “As I always will,” he vowed.

  Eva felt his chin rest on her head and the last of her terror began to ease. She was safe here in his arms.

  “Sleep now, Duchess.”

  Eva closed her eyes and went to sleep with the steady rhythm of her husband’s heart beating beside her own.

  They rose early and were soon back on the road for the final leg of their journey. Daniel had watched Eva grow more nervous with each mile until by the last few she was answering him with gestures and single, quietly spoken words. Her questions had long since ceased and now she sat stiff and pale. Entering the city of London, he feared she was about to relieve her stomach of its contents.

  “If you don’t breathe soon, you shall swoon, Duchess.”

  “It is very large and noisy,” Eva whispered, her eyes, if possible, growing wider as she looked at a group of people gathered around a shop front.

  “And smelly,” Daniel added, picking up her slim fingers and twining them through his own. He had hoped to make her laugh, however, she remained silent.

  “There is a lady wearing pattens on her shoes, Duchess. Remember I told you about those?” Daniel pointed out the window.

  “I remember.”

  “We will go driving in my phaeton and I will show you all the sights tomorrow.”

  “Y-yes.”

  Daniel felt a tug of shame at the stammered word. He had forced this on her, compounded her fears by making her accompany him here. “Eva, I brought you here because I believed it would benefit us both, but I would not have done so if I did not believe I could protect you and keep you safe.”

  “And because society is curious about the new Duchess of Stratton.”

  “Yes,” Daniel sighed.” That too.”

  If possible, her body grew more rigid as the carriage slowed and stopped and Daniel decided to leave any further conversation until they were inside and she was more comfortable.

  “Come and meet your new home, Duchess,” Daniel urged, taking her hand in his and climbing from the carriage.

  “Wernham - ” Daniel led Eva forward to meet the butler who was coming down the stairs toward them “ - this is your new duchess.”

  “Your Grace.” The butler bowed deeply.

  “W-wonderful to meet you, Wernham.” Eva took his hand and squeezed it.

  Startled, Wernham straightened, his cheeks flushing with color.

  Daniel watched his usually stoic butler stammer a few words before smiling at his wife. She definitely had a way with servants; both Luton and Mrs. Stimpel had quickly joined the ranks of her devotees.

  “Your maid has arrived, your Grace, and your luggage,” Wernham said, his face now sporting a wide smile. Eva thanked him profusely for his efforts. Daniel refrained from rolling his eyes while watching his butler bow so low, his nose nearly touched the ground.

  “I shall never bend him to my will again.”

  “Pardon?”

  “In minutes, you have reduced my very correct butler to your devoted servant. How will I ever bend him to my will again?”

  “It is important, I think, to get on with all the staff, but Claire told me the butler was the most imp
ortant.”

  “Did she? Well, she’s probably right and now that Wernham is your slave, I’m sure the rest of the staff will follow,” Daniel said, taking her hand. “Come. We shall go inside.”

  Daniel knew his town house was a male domain, yet he thought it a comfortable one. It was not stuffed full of furniture and the walls for the most were painted in dark colors or paneled with wood, but the pieces were well-crafted and comfortable. Eva trailed behind him as he walked her through some of the rooms, explaining that he rarely used them and that often they stayed locked up for months.

  “I have purchased a piano for this room.” He led her into a large, light-filled room. It was painted in daffodil yellow, with curtains of white and yellow satin stripes hanging at the windows. He watched as Eva studied each wall and piece of furniture, her eyes taking in everything.

  “It will be a beautiful music room, Daniel, but are you sure?” She ran a finger over the backs of two large chairs he had placed around a fireplace, satin pillows heaped high on their seats.

  “You like to play the piano and I like to listen so I have purchased one to go in this room. Yes, what is it, Wernham?”

  Eva looked up as the butler appeared in the doorway.

  “A young man has arrived, your Grace, and is requesting to see the duchess. He says his name is Mr. Reginald Winchcomb.”

  “Reggie!”

  Eva was out the door and running down the stairs before Daniel had moved one foot. He followed at a more sedate pace, wondering how the youngest Winchcomb had made his way to London.

  “Eva!” Her brother saw her coming and ran to meet her. They hugged and cried, both as eager as the other to talk.

  “Will you introduce me, Eva?” Daniel said.

  Giving Reggie a final squeeze, Eva placed an arm around his waist before turning to face her husband.

  “This is my youngest brother Reggie, your Grace.”

  Daniel moved forward and shook her brother’s hand. “Your sister has been eager to see you for some time, young man. Tell me, how did you make your way to London when your home is at least three days’ ride away?”

  As that was Eva’s next question, she remained silent, content to look at her brother. His dark hair was too long and he looked as if he had lost weight. His eyes were big in his face and the clothes she’d altered for him many times hung off his body.

  “I climbed into the back of wagons and onto carriages until I made it here.”

  “Dear Lord, Reggie, why?”

  “It just got to hard, Eva, so I ran.”

  Pulling him back into her arms, she held him tight, rocking him as his tears began to fall. He let her hold him until he was finished, which showed how upset he was because Reggie, like she, was not one for demonstrations of affection.

  “What has happened to him, Eva?”

  She’d forgotten the duke stood nearby. Looking his way, she found grey eyes filled with concern. “My father and brothers have made his life hell since I left and he could take no more.”

  “I’m sorry. I should have tried harder to get him to Stratton.”

  Eva kissed the top of Reggie’s head as he lay against her. “Tis not your fault, your Grace. My father would not let him go, as he was earning money working for one of the local farmers.”

  “He will not return to them,” the duke vowed, moving forward to place a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “Wernham, have a room prepared for the Duchess’s brother and food and a bath, please.”

  “At once, your Grace.”

  “Follow Wernham, Eva, as I’m sure your brother is in need of rest after his long journey. We will become better acquainted tomorrow.”

  “Come, Reggie.” Eva took her brother’s hand and led him upstairs.

  She helped bathe and dress him in the nightshirt Wernham had produced. Fatigue was in every line of his body and he did not struggle as she put him to bed.

  “I won’t go back, sister.” Eyes so tired looked up at her.

  “No, brother, you will never return to them.”

  He nodded at the certainty in her words.

  Looking down at Reggie, Eva saw how far she had come since arriving at Stratton. Was it only a few months? She, too, had been thin and broken, her will battered and her fears real when she had married the duke.

  “It’s over for you now, brother. I will never let them hurt you again and my husband will offer his protection also.”

  She had heard her husband saying those very words to her many times and had failed to believe them. She was determined her brother would.

  “Is he a good man, Eva?”

  “He is, Reggie. You can trust him.”

  Kissing his cheek, she pulled the covers to his chin and left the room. At least one of her fears was now allayed. Reggie was here with her and she would see he stayed.

  Wernham was waiting for her as she closed the door.

  “His Grace requested that I show you your rooms, your Grace.”

  “Thank you, Wernham, and thank you for your help with my brother.”

  “Think nothing of it, your Grace. You have only to ask if you require anything further.”

  There was something familiar about Wernham as he tilted his head at that angle.

  “Do you know the duke’s butler at Stratton, Wernham?” Eva followed him along the hallway as she spoke.

  “Luton is my brother, your Grace.”

  “I thought I recognized the tilt of your head. He is a wonderful man, Wernham, and without him, these last few months would have been much more difficult, I can assure you.”

  “He is the elder, your Grace, and approached the duke about employing me. When the duke agreed, he then taught me everything I needed to know before I undertook this position.

  “I’m sure the duke and I are very lucky to have you both.”

  The butler blushed.

  “His Grace has told me to bring a tray to your room, your Grace, as he thought you would be tired and wish to stay near your brother.”

  “Yes, thank you that would be perfect,” Eva said.

  Her room was smaller than the one at Stratton, which suited Eva, but just as lovely. Molly, her maid, was waiting for her inside.

  “Did you enjoy your trip here, Molly?” Eva sat on the bed, feeling suddenly tired. It had been a busy few days and having Reggie arrive had turned her emotions on their head.

  “It was wonderful, your Grace, and London such an amazing site.”

  At least someone is happy to be here. “I’m glad you’re happy, Molly.”

  Eva spent the remainder of the day in her room or checking on Reggie, who had not stirred since he fell asleep many hours ago. Daniel came to see her briefly telling her to call him if she needed anything and that he would be in his office working through the paper work that was awaiting his attention. When she was sure that Reggie would not wake until morning, Eva washed and retired early, exhausted she was asleep minutes.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Daniel came upon Reggie Winchcomb the following morning as he walked past the library. It was early, but as was his usual routine, he intended to run through the day’s correspondence before eating his morning meal. He found the boy on his way to the study.

  “Good morning, Reginald.”

  “Reggie is my name. Thank you, your Grace.”

  Nodding, Daniel looked at the young man as he replaced the book he held. His eyes were like Eva’s, filled with the same pain and fears, although he wanted to believe her fears were easing.

  “Reggie, then. Did you sleep well?”

  His nod was solemn. “It was the best sleep I have ever had.”

  “Excellent. Would you like to have breakfast?”

  “I would. Thank you.”

  Also like Eva, each of her brother’s words was spoken carefully and with thought. Daniel did not have much experience with young men - he had no siblings and he was not terribly close with his cousins – and therefore, he would have to go by instinct when dealing with Eva’s brother. />
  “This way,” he indicated, forgoing his study for the breakfast room. Once seated, he asked the boy what he would like to eat and drink. Reggie’s response was to stare blankly back at him.

  “No preferences? Ham, eggs and toast?

  “Yes, please.”

  “Wernham, please bring us a meal worthy of two men and Reggie will have chocolate to drink and coffee for me, please.”

  The boy didn’t move at all. His hands never reached for his knife or played with the tablecloth. Instead he sat very still and watched Daniel. Fidgeting was obviously not tolerated in the Winchcomb household.

  “Reggie, have you given any thought to what you would like to do now you are here in London?”

  “I don’t want to go back to my father.”

  “That will never happen,” Daniel vowed, holding the boy’s eyes until Reggie nodded, acknowledging the words.

  “I want to go to university.”

  “Away from London to university?” Daniel queried. Intrigued, he waited as Reggie formed his words before continuing.

  “Eva taught me everything she learnt from her tutor. I know a great many things but I want to go to a school with other boys where I will learn more. I want to read books and study languages. But most of all…”

  Daniel found himself leaning forward as a sparkle came into Reggie’s sapphire blue eyes. “What, Reggie? What do you really want?” Daniel would find a way to give it to the boy, no matter the cost.

  “I want to have friends.”

  Wernham brought their breakfast in and Daniel took the few minutes to think about what Eva’s brother had said. He still had friends he’d formed at Eton - solid reliable friends who had made his time there something to remember. “I will start enquiries today for Eton, Reggie.”

  “But I am not of noble birth, your Grace.”

  “Your brother-in-law is a duke, Reginald. Please remember that fact.” Daniel winked at the boy and was rewarded with half a smile, which made him feel good. “And please call me Daniel.”

  “While I am honored that you would offer such a school for me, I would rather go to Edinburgh University.”