Aidan had wanted to curse, yell and remove them from his house, but his mother of all people had allowed them to stay. Had asked Aidan to let it happen with the conditions being this could never happen again. They had agreed, and immediately acted as though this was their house and treated everyone else as less than.
They were already causing chaos and strife, demanding things that Aidan had no way to provide. He hadn’t cared before, because it wasn’t as if people had been beating down his door to host events at his home, and the fact that they wanted to host a ball here in such a short amount of time was unheard of.
Things like that take time and planning to be able to execute. Lots of time and planning, and they had neither, since the ball was to be hosted in a week. But, his mother, ever the hostess; was gracious enough to get things figured out.
He was grateful his mother was such a good duchess. She had had little chances to host things like this, but knowing it made her so happy made it all worth it.
His mother and sisters had worked hard for the last two days getting more staff hired from London and they most likely would only stay until after the guests left.
Getting food ordered, decorations as well, among other things Aidan had no hope of knowing. Nor did he care. He just wanted the bloody thing done and over.
They hadn't needed his help much and he was grateful. Every time he saw Katarina, she had a predatory look in her eyes, and Aidan would quickly turn the other way. Not wanting anything to do with his cousin.
He loved the letter from his brother. Cole had that kind of personality. He was funny, quirky and made the people around him laugh. Except for people he didn’t know, or want to interact with, Cole was just a great man.
He was charming to people around him and Aidan was shocked that only 7 mothers tried to vie for his attention.
Cole was in the same mind as Aidan to not be a thing like their father, so Cole also would wait to find the perfect woman before he slept with just anyone.
Aidan knew it was not always easy for Cole, as he was handsome, and Cole told him he was often propositioned by many beautiful women.
But, Cole knew the people of the ton, and hated quite a lot. Hated that love was just a word that most people didn’t use and sex was just thrown about casually.
Any man could have any number of women and be praised for it, but any respectable woman was branded a whore for just kissing a man. Aidan had a hard time accepting this.
Aidan and Cole were in agreement in that they were waiting to find the other half of their soul. And they would not apologize for waiting.
Aidan was grateful to Cole for everything he did for him, taking over the dukedom when Aidan was recovering and going to Parliament and dealing with the people, he held in so much contempt. Aidan knew that there had been no way he could have gone to London after his scarring. He was barely accepted as his father’s heir before his face had been scarred, and now? He just let Cole handle it all.
He knew he shouldn’t hide, and stay here. That he had his responsibilities, but he didn’t want to face them. He was scared. And hated that he cared what people thought. But it was hard. When people ran the other way when he came around in their small village, he could only imagine the crowds in a ballroom in London.
He also sent Cole there hoping he would find a woman that he could love. Hearing what was said about the women, Aidan knew it was hard on his brother. Wanting to find a woman who loved him for him, and not his title, his fortune and name. He would have to convince his brother to go to at least one ball or function. That would be Aidan’s struggle. And he dreaded trying to talk Cole into going to something he hated.
How was he supposed to meet a woman of good standing if he didn’t attend any functions?
Aidan told his sisters about what Cole had written and about his departure from London, which got him excited squeals and another round of hugs.
Aidan thought of the letter and the words Cole had written about Katarina and her betrothal. He had no idea to whom she was betrothed, but he felt sorry for the poor sot. His life was in for a miserable existence. He knew first-hand how awful his life would become. How much he would dread his life, and soon.
His family had had breakfast this morning with Katarina and Koryn. They told Aidan at lunch how the two women talked endlessly about this person and that, how they had heard that such and such had slept with that Lord, and how that Lord had left his lady, and now had a mistress put away. Aidan hated hearing this. He didn’t like gossip, and didn’t need to know about the lives of those he didn’t respect. It caused him to lose even more respect for those people.
They also found the time to complain about their sheets, how the pillows needed more stuffing, how they needed their fire in their room going at all times, and how upset they were that they had to wait for the hot water for their baths.
It was not called for, they had said, and they didn’t appreciate it. They demanded for Lydia to get more staff, and to do so at once. They were appalled that the family would work. That they didn’t have a full staff for their home. They looked down their noses at Lydia and his sisters. Made them feel less than. And Aidan hated it more. Hated them more.
How dare they treat his sisters and mother that way? When they had been gracious enough to host them in the first place. He told his mother to let them know he would be speaking with them later about their behavior, and if it didn’t cease, then they would be asked to leave.
Their endless chatter about what Katarina and Koryn had said gave him a headache, and his eye started twitching toward the end. Aidan knew that if half the ton acted the way they did, then he was in no doubt about Cole’s claims and reservations.
It was shameful, but Aidan wasn’t really shocked at their behavior. He knew it was the singular reason why they were never invited to stay at the estate and why they had to spring their visits on them, like this one.
But he couldn’t dwell on it any longer. He would speak with them later, and that was that. He had much to do this day, and with everything happening, very little time to do it. He didn’t want or need to hear any more about his aunt or his cousin. They would just sit around all day and complain more, but Aidan had to work. Had to finish his chores so that he could help his mother later.
Aidan finished up his lunch and went to the kitchen, heading for the back door.
The skies had been threatening to rain all day, and it finally came. It was just a light mist, but Aidan knew it wouldn't be long before it was pouring. He groaned, knowing that by the time he made it back, he would be wet, and cold. But work didn’t wait for rain.
He grabbed his coat that was hanging in the kitchen and ran to the stables.
He knew he had more things to accomplish outside in the weather, though it wasn’t his favorite. He did it regularly. He had a warm coat for that reason. He did what needed to be done. No one else could.
He saddled his horse, pulled on a long great coat that was much warmer and would keep him dry far longer, and a hat on his head that John handed to him, he went out into the wet day.
Chapter Five
Rhiannon
Northumberland England, Sept 1812
Rhiannon was completely sick and tired of the stagecoach. So thoroughly, she couldn’t even put it into words. She hated this entire journey. It was hard on her, being in an unfamiliar coach, on an unfamiliar road, and with people she sincerely hoped she would never see again.
Her fellow passengers were a rather loud and boisterous bunch of both men and women. There was a rather large man who had an impressive set of mutton chops on his face, he spoke louder than anyone else in the stage, always feeling the need to keep conversation going.
Then there were two small women, that Rhia assumed were sisters. They had rather shifty squinty eyes, and shockingly blonde hair. They were very quiet and would jump at the smallest noise. They made Rhia nervous just watching them. Seeing how they reacted, made Rhia fight not to react as well. She was ready to just be alone.<
br />
Then there was a rather handsome gentleman, who didn’t really speak to anyone, just sat in his corner, reading a book and stayed that way the entire trip. She was at least grateful to him, that he was quiet and kept to himself. He was the only person Rhia didn’t mind on the stage. Rhia’s head hurt from the large gentleman’s voice and watching the two women.
They made it to a small village called Greenwood, and they disembarked for the night. Everyone that was on the stage quickly went to their individual destinations and Rhia would not miss them. “Good riddance,” she thought as everyone left and Rhia was finally alone.
She never did well with strangers, mainly because after being cooped up at home for those long few years with her father, and her own recovery, she wasn’t used to speaking to many others. She felt she had to relearn all the etiquette she had been taught.
She knew her upbringing was not the most conventional, but she knew what to do when faced with gentry, the people of the ton, and gentlemen of great wealth. She was grateful that she had been taught all that she had. She just hadn't had much chance to use what she had been taught. She didn't think there would be much chance to use her skills in Scotland either.
She got pulled aside by the stagehand, and she was a little worried. “Now miss, we know you want to go further to Scotland, but this is as far as we go. We go around this land completely, and are not going to change it for you. We have had more than one person complain and it hasn’t changed our minds.”
Rhiannon’s jaw dropped. “What do you mean you go around this land completely? It was why I came this way, so I wouldn’t have to go the other way. I have good reason why I didn’t want to go that way. Please sir, I beg you to continue. Surely Scotland is close to here.”
He looked around and nodded. “It is probably another 15 miles from here. I understand you don’t want to go the long way; I don’t like it either. Except, the driver and I are both superstitious of the man who lives on, and owns these lands. So normally we allow for extra time to go around another 40 miles to get there.”
Rhiannon was shocked. “Please sir, I am not going to go a completely different way when we are so close. That is ridiculous. Surely it will not take much longer to just take me quickly. I would be willing to pay extra.”
The man just shrugged, “Well, everyone else disembarked here, and you were the only one who needed to get to Scotland, so either you find your own way there, or you go with us the extra two days. We told you we don’t go that way, and no amount of money, or pleading will change our minds.”
Rhiannon shook her head. “I have never heard something so insane. There is no way I am going on such a roundabout way to get there. Not when it is so close. No thank you.”
He shrugged again, “Suit yourself.”
He yelled to the man up top to get her bags down and then handed them to her. “Good luck trying to find someone to take you past his land. Trust me, there will not be another stage that will take you, and no one from this village would risk it. It just won’t happen.”
She scoffed. “Honestly, what nonsense. Certainly, an ordinary man would let someone pass unharmed through his land. He isn’t magic. There is no such thing. He is just a man. Yes, he may own all the land here, but he is still just a man.”
He just looked at her. “You haven’t heard what they say about him, and maybe that’s good, but be careful and wary, yeah? If you are still here in a fortnight, you might consider going around with us. I will check with the inn. Good luck to you.”
And with that, he jumped back up on the stagecoach and they pulled away with a flick of the whip over the horse’s heads.
She stood in the street, completely shocked to her core. She had never in her life heard of such ridiculous nonsense before.
She chose to look at the facts to find out for herself whether or not something was true or false.
She shook her head and headed for a small inn she spied down the street. She didn’t have much money left, so she would see what was available to get her to Scotland, rather than waste her money on a room.
It was still early enough in the day that she could get there if they pushed on through the night a bit.
So, with a determined -albeit limping- stride she walked to the inn. Her thoughts awhirl on how to convince someone to take her the rest of the way. She was strong and could walk some of the way, but 15 miles was a lot. She worried her leg wouldn’t support her, and was afraid of being alone on a strange road. Any number of things could happen to a girl by herself.
Inside, she asked after the proprietor and found a man standing at a small counter. “Hello, I am in need of some assistance please.”
The man looked up from some papers he was shuffling around. “Yes, what can I help you with?”
She put on a polite smile, “I want to inquire about a horse and buggy or a carriage for rent to get me the rest of the way to Scotland. I need to get there tonight if possible, please.”
The proprietor looked at her in shock. “There is no one here who could take you tonight. I don't think that there would be someone who could take you there tomorrow either. Didn’t the stage just pass through?”
She nodded, “Yes, the stage just came through, I was on it, but I do not want to go all the way around to Scotland when the border is not more than 15 or so miles from here. I have other reasons as well, but just know; I will not go that way.”
He blinked at her. “Well, I don’t know what to tell you miss, other than that anyone here would do the same thing to get to Scotland. We just don’t go through his land, not when it’s cursed. I am terribly sorry.”
Rhia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Are you serious? You won’t pass through his land, because you believe that it is cursed?” She had never heard something so ridiculous. And it was making her mad.
The man nodded slowly. “We give him a wide berth. See, no one wants his curse on any of us, or to even get close enough that we could be cursed.”
Rhiannon scoffed. “What kind of curse won’t let people ride through to Scotland? That is so ridiculous. I have never heard of a person who could put a curse on an entire road. Or a person who could curse anyone at all.”
The proprietor leaned in close and said, “The villagers have seen the beast that lives in the mansion. He comes to town, but because everyone is afraid, they don’t even acknowledge him, they think if they even speak to him, they will be cursed by the witch who cursed him. He is an evil man. His father was too. Everyone is afraid of him. The people who dealt with him before have had bad luck ever since. We have seen it time and time again. Those who have helped him or his father in the past have had rotten luck come to their family. That's a big reason why we don't go through his land. So we don’t catch his notice, because we don’t need more bad luck here. There has been enough pain and hardship to last a lifetime. You will find no one to take you. But you are welcome to try.”
Rhiannon rolled her eyes and said, “I can’t believe what I am hearing. I understand that some of your people have had hard times, I have had them as well. But it wasn’t from a curse someone put on me. It was from an accident that no one could have predicted. Those families probably had something happen that was out of their control so they felt the need to blame someone for their hurt. Please, I really need to get to Scotland and unless I don’t want to drive completely out of the way to get there, I can’t have someone take me?”
He nodded again, seeming to Rhia that he did it just to appease her. He was scowling, “We know the older Duke did many things to the people of our village. He was an evil man, and we are too weary to trust that his son won’t curse us or harm us. So, we stay clear. If we don’t bother him, he won’t bother us. So, I am afraid there will be no one who can take you.” She wanted to yell, but had a feeling nothing she said or did would help. Would sway him to help her.
“Is there a horse I could rent or borrow?”
The man shook his head, “Not anyone would lend you one, they wouldn�
�t want their animal harmed in any way. Knowing it could be with him. It would be awful to do that to a poor horse or donkey.”
Rhia rolled her eyes again. This was not happening. She couldn’t be this close to Scotland without making it there. “Who is this man who has so generously cursed the land? That everyone is so afraid of? I didn’t know wizards existed in real life.”
The proprietor looked around the room as if he was afraid someone would hear him, he gestured her forward and whispered. “He is the Duke of Ablewood. They say that the man himself has such awful scars all over his body, that no normal man could have survived what he has. His scars are truly devastating and I know they came from a witch. A curse I tell you. He could never be just a regular man.”
Rhiannon almost laughed aloud. “The man has probably had a hard life if he truly does have scars, and you people probably don't make it better by treating him so. This is preposterous. You shouldn’t treat people this way. He is just a man. Nothing more, nothing less.”
The man raised one brow at her, but said nothing. She took a deep breath to keep from yelling at the man more, “Are you absolutely certain that there is no one who can take me?”
The man shook his head slowly, “Believe what you will, but it is the truth. When his son comes to town no one sees his face, he always wears a hood or has his long hair covering him. He barely speaks to anyone, and everyone runs and hides. They are too afraid of his legacy, his name.”
Rhiannon laughed this time, a sardonic laugh. “This is not right, for you people to treat him this way. He probably hides his face because he has heard the things people say about him. And of course, he never talks to anyone when everyone runs and hides. What do you expect for him to do? Come into your houses and hunt you down? Nonsense. I would think he is hurt that you would all treat him this way. It is rude. Thank you so much for your time.”
The Duke Who Loved Me Page 7