by Dalia Wright
How could a Duke have no other choice?
“And you… you seemed so perfect. You’re beautiful, you’re passionate, you’re smart.”
“I had to drop out of school three years ago.” I told him flatly. I hadn’t pretended to be smart in my application. I had been honest.
“That doesn’t mean you’re stupid.” He told Abby with a smile. His eyes sparkled. “You mentioned you hunt.”
“That’s what sold you on me?”
“Part of it yes, and that you were real.” He paused. “I wasn’t actually going to believe all the lies people put in their applications. If it sounds too good to be true then it is likely a lie.”
“Were some of them truly that bad?”
“Yes.” He laughed softly. He stared out the window, lost in thought.
Abby couldn’t help wondering if the applications were still somewhere she could see them. Just to know what others had put in theirs. Her mother had not seen Abby’s application, otherwise she never would have been able to admit that she enjoyed hunting.
“I’ve got several guns, you are welcome to them if you would like to hunt for the afternoon. Of course… if you do catch anything it will have to be taken to the servants’ quarters.”
“I will not be expected to prepare it for you?”
Abby lifted her hand to her mouth. Her quick tongue often slipped out before she had a chance to catch it.
The Duke barked out a laugh. “No. you will not have to worry about cooking for me.”
“That is most likely best for both of us,” Abby admitted.
“I’m Thomas, by the way.” He held his hand out to Abby. She extended her hand, and his raised it to his lips.
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“No. The pleasure is all mine.” His eyes sparkled. “I’d like to discuss something with you before we arrive at the house.”
“Of course. Anything you wish to discuss.”
His cheeks flushed. “You must understand that what I’m about to tell you cannot leave this carriage.”
“Of course, sir.”
“You will not be sleeping with me.” That was all he said. It was final, but Abby’s mind raced. She couldn’t figure out what he was trying to say.
“I… you mean… until the wedding night?”
“No.” He paused. Then a soft smile spread over his lips. “I see… you do not understand what I mean.” He cleared his throat, his cheeks turning a darker shade of pink. “I will not need you to be sleeping with me, because there will be someone else sharing my bed.”
Abby’s mouth fell open. She stared at the man in front of her. Why would he take a wife if there was someone else sharing his bed?
Then it all clicked.
“You… you mean there will be a man sharing your bed?”
“Yes.”
He finally looked at her.
Their eyes locked, and she could see the desperation behind them.
“I see.” That was the best she could muster.
“I need a wife. Someone to carry on the family line, and someone to attend events with me. Someone like you. I can save your family from starvation, but that will only happen if you keep an oath of silence.”
“Of course.”
Could Abby have asked for a better situation? She’d feared having to lay with the man in front of her, and now she knew that she would never have to fear that. A smile spread across her lips.
What more could I ask for? My family will be taken care of.
“You do understand, we will need to pretend otherwise. And you will need to bare me a son.”
“Of course.”
A son was the most important thing to a man like Thomas. A son would mean that the family name could be carried on. That would be my use to him. Even if the son wasn’t his by blood, we would raise him as if he were and no one would know otherwise.
“I’m glad we’re able to get this cleared up. My mother is thrilled. She does not know of our meeting. She was told we met during one of my travels.”
Abby nodded, taking everything in. She took a deep breath and held her hands tightly to her.
“The wedding will be according to my mother’s plans, and before anything else we will… get you a new set of clothes.”
Abby’s cheeks flushed. She knew her out of date clothing would not do for long. She nodded, not daring to look at the man in front of her. I had hoped it would be enough for a little while. She thought.
Thomas reached across and took her hand in his. “I know I will never be able to understand what you’re going through,” he said softly, “but I am here for you in any way I can be. And the best way I can be here for you right now is to make sure mother likes you, and that you fit in well.”
He may have been doing what was best for her, but Abby wasn’t sure he understood what she would be going through.
Of course he doesn’t. She took a deep breath, trying to remind herself that he never would, and she couldn’t hold that against him. God, please help me get through this.
Abby stared out the window.
“It will get easier with time…” Thomas offered. “My mother… she can be hard to deal with, but once she warms up to you it will be much easier. She often takes a while to warm up but once she warms up to you she is a very kind woman.”
“I’m sure it will help that she thinks you love me.” Abby didn’t mean for it to sound bitter, but she couldn’t take her words back.
“No, that will not hurt, that is for sure.” Thomas gave her a soft smile. He glanced out the window. “We’re almost there.”
Abby gave a curt nod, her gut twisting. She tasted dryness in the back of her throat. She took a deep breath, trying to still her pounding heart.
The rest of the carriage ride was spent in silence as Abby processed everything she had been told. She would not have to lay with her husband, but what would that mean for them? Would she be expected to be in the same room as him?
With his lover? The idea frightened her but she didn’t dare ask about it out loud.
Sooner than expected the carriage came to a stop. We’re here. Abby realized as Thomas adjusted his jacket.
“You’ll have to excuse me, I’ve got some business to attend to. I’ll be sure that you are settled in and then you will have some clothing to go through.”
Again, Abby gave a curt nod as the door opened, Thomas stepped out.
“Owen, please see to it that Abby makes it to her room.”
“Yes, sir.”
Abby recognized his voice as the man who had driven them. Her heart skipped a beat as she grabbed her single small bag and stepped out of the carriage, taking a hand that Owen offered her for support.
“Welcome to your new home,” he said softly.
“Thank you.”
Owen extended his arm to her, like any gentlemen would. Abby took it and allowed Owen to lead the way.
She stared at the scene around them. There was so much grass, all of it well kept. The house itself was larger than she ever would have dreamed. Just think, this is what I will call my home. With her parents they hardly had space for everyone in the house, here it… it was huge.
“It’s quite the sight, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
The house was made of brick, towering above most of the trees around it. Only a couple were actually taller than the roof. Three stories, all with windows, and at the far end of the length was a thin tower. Abby silently promised herself that she would explore that at some point. But for now she allowed Owen to lead her to front doors, a rose garden on either side of it. Abby took a deep breath, trying to take it all in and not let her mouth fall open. She knew that soon she would not be able to allow something like that to happen.
“I know it seems really big, but you’ll get used to it.”
For the first time Abby turned to see the man leading her around the house. She came to a stop.
His jet black hair was slicked back, his green eyes sparkled as
his lips curved into a smile that made Abby’s heart skip a beat. She found herself standing there, just staring at him. He was well dressed, considering he’d been driving the carriage. Then she noticed the scar on his face.
His eyes lowered to the ground, as if he realized that had been what she was staring at.
“Is everything alight, ma’am?”
“Um, yes.” Abby cleared her throat.
They continued into the large house and up a grand stair case, down the hall to the left and to a bedroom marked. “Missus”
I guess this is for me. She thought.
“If you need anything, ma’am, please let me know.”
Abby nodded but she didn’t move. Neither did the man in front of her.
“Ma’am,” he cleared his throat. “We all know why you’re here,” he said.
Abby stared at him wide eyed. What was she supposed to say?
“I mean, we all know why the master of the house didn’t court to find a wife.”
He’s saying they know about his disinterest in me.
“Oh, well good.”
As Abby’s eyes locked on the man her heart skipped a beat. Her smile widened without her even realizing it. She forced herself to look away from him.
“And thank you, for showing me to my room.”
“Of course, I’m sure the maids will be waiting for you.”
“Then I shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
Owen stared at Abby for a couple of seconds then laughed softly. He bowed his head and left her standing there.
Abby bit her lip. Now or never. She thought as she turned to the door and opened it. Two women looked up quickly from where they’d been sitting on the bed.
“Ma’am,” one said quickly, “forgive us, we’ve been waiting so long and needed to rest our legs, we didn’t mean to sit on your bed, we’re-”
“It’s quite alright,” Abby smiled softly. She looked around the room before stepping into it. The room itself was about as big as the living quarters in her old home. Old home. It began to sink in that this was going to be her life. Maids! She couldn’t believe it.
She stepped into the room and looked around as she made her way to the bed and lay her single, small bag down on it. She turned and faced the maids, forcing a smile over her lips.
“My name is Abby.”
“Marie.”
“Victoria.”
Both women bowed low to her.
She looked them over when they stood up.
Marie had long brown hair, tied back in a braid. She had soft eyes, and young features. She couldn’t be much older than Abby- if she was older at all.
Victoria was a little older, and Abby couldn’t help wondering if she had a family of her own. A husband of her own.
“Let’s get you dressed.” Marie said, ushering Abby towards a mirror. The girls worked quickly, helping Abby remove her dress and providing her with fresh underclothes.
“Have you ever worn a corset?” Victoria asked. Abby’s eyes widened, revealing the answer. Victoria pulled out a pure white corset. Abby had seen them in the stores, but she’d never thought she’d be able to wear one. She never thought she’d be able to afford one. “It’s not as scary as one thinks.”
Abby nodded, her voice escaping her as Victoria helped her into it. Once Abby had hooked it up in the front Victoria pulled at it from the back, all the breath in Abby’s lungs being taken from her body.
“We’ll start you off nice and easy. It will be tight, but over the next few months we’ll start getting it a little tighter.”
Abby nodded, not trusting her voice. She took a deep breath, there was no doubt her breathing was a little strained. I’ll get used to it. She told herself. After all, she had to if she wanted to remain a good wife, and keep her husband-to-be’s ruse up. Which would be the only way she could provide for her family.
“Hoops,” Marie said.
Abby took everything in as they dressed her. It seemed like layer after layer after layer was used to get her ready, and finally when they put the blue silk dress on- the last layer- Abby gasped, looking at herself in the mirror.
“You look beautiful, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” Abby couldn’t believe it. She traced the silk down her skirt, taking everything in.
“Now, for the hair.”
An hour later her hair was done, she was given gloves and she even wore a small amount of makeup! She couldn’t believe it. Rouge lips. Never in her lifetime thought she’d be able to have rouge lips without making them bleed!
There was a soft knock on the door as the maids were about to leave. Owen opened the door tentatively.
“Is everything alright in here?” he asked.
“Yes.” Marie answered, her cheeks flushing as both her and Victoria led the room.
Owen turned his attention to Abby. He stared at her, his eyes wide.
“Wow,” he whispered softly.
Abby’s cheeks burned as she lowered her eyes to the ground. “It’s… quite the transformation, isn’t it?”
“I’d say. Not that you didn’t look beautiful before.”
Abby’s heart skipped a beat. “That’s very forward of you.” She raised her eyes to meet his.
“I’m a very forward man.”
Their eyes locked, and Abby’s heart skipped a beat as she stared at him. He didn’t look away from her, he just stared, his smile widening as he stepped into the room, closing the distance between them. He reached out, his fingers brushing over her cheeks. Red heat rushed through Abby’s body. She stepped back from the man in front of her, despite the fact she wanted nothing more than to let him touch her.
“Owen,” This was the first time she’d used this voice. “I may not be laying with the master of this house, but that does not mean-”
“Do you not think he will let you do as you please?”
Abby stared at him. Was he trying to say that if she’d wanted to Thomas would allow her to have someone? Despite the fact that they were married.
He does have someone. She thought.
“And who better than someone who is sworn to serve him?” He made a point, though Abby would not admit that to him. She took a deep breath, her eyes locking on his but did not say anything.
A soft smile touched his lips after a couple of seconds.
He looked away from her as he stepped closer to her. “I understand. Come, I’ve been sent to collect you, Tom’s mother is here.”
Tom? Owen didn’t address his employer formally?
Abby didn’t have time to think about it. His words set in. She thought she might fall, and suddenly she realized how little she could breathe with her corset on. He held his arm out to her, and she took it allowing him to lead her from the room. Fear stricken, Abby was not sure she’d have been able to move without letting Owen guide her to where she needed to go.
“Just… stay quiet, answer as shortly as you can, and let her do most of the talking,” Owen offered as they made their way back outside to a table waiting for them.
“Thank you.”
Abby couldn’t tell him how much it meant to her to have some advice. She was being tossed head first into the deep end of a pool and she knew it.
Thomas stood as soon as he saw her. He rushed to meet his bride-to-be and take her from the arm of another man.
“Thank you, Owen. I trust you have taken good care of my wife-to-be.” His eyes sparkled, as if there was some joke Abby had not been let in on.
Her heart skipped a beat. Could they be sharing a privet joke because… Is Owen Thomas’s lover? She took a deep breath. No, that couldn’t be it. Owen had tried to flirt with her, he’d even suggested he wanted her. If he were Thomas’s lover he would never do that to him. Thomas led Abby towards his mother.
“Just take a deep breath, and let her do most of the talking.”
Abby nodded. They came to a stop in front of the elderly woman. Her blonde hair was tied up in a bun, and she wore a simple silk dress, with a ruby necklace.<
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“You must be the woman my son will be marrying.”
“Yes.” Abby stepped forward and lowered herself into a curtsy. The woman looked impressed for a fraction of a second.
“Well, you’ll have to do if you’re the one my son wants to marry.” She looked Abby up and down, silently judging. But just because she didn’t say a word didn’t mean Abby didn’t feel every second of it. Abby forced a smile over her lips, pretending it didn’t bother her at all.
“Come, sit.” Thomas’s mother motioned for them to sit down beside her. They both did as they were told and sat there, waiting for her to speak again. She watched them closely.
Thomas reached out and took Abby’s hand, their fingers tangling together as he squeezed gently, and the small action made Abby feel much better than she would have thought it would.
“Tom says you’re a commoner.”
Abby worked her not to retort, not to say anything out of line. She nodded.
“Well, you hold yourself reasonably for a commoner, you’ll have to go through training. You understand that you will represent this family. You must look presentable.”
“Of course,” Abby said. “I would never want to disgrace my husband-to-be or his family.”
It must have been a good answer because she smiled when Abby said it.
“I’ll have someone come over tomorrow. A week of preparation should be enough before you can go out in public. After that you will be assessed and we will go from there. You do understand that your wedding with me in a church?”
“Of course,” Abby nodded. She had not realized it was a religious family, but that didn’t matter. She’d accept whatever they told her to. After all, that is what a bought wife did- wasn’t it? She would do whatever he told her to, no matter what it was.
“And your family, will they be visiting?”
“I am not sure. My family is large, it would be very hard for them to travel all the way out here.”
Abby didn’t dare say that she didn’t want her family wasting that money. And what would she tell them when they came here? She couldn’t tell them the truth.
“But I plan to write often.” Abby forced a smile over her lips. It was the truth, and she knew it would probably be the only way the communicated. But Abby would have to learn to live with that, for the sake of her family. So they would never have to worry about paying for their food again.