by Abby Ayles
“Why? Why would you remain with me?” he asked, thinking back to all the days in which she could hardly stand to be around him.
“Because I know you now. I know all that you are willing to sacrifice. And if a man is willing to give up all his wealth for the sake of others, that man deserves returns beyond measure. You, Mr. Tyndale, deserve a reward for all your kindness and generosity,” she said.
Her voice had been so soft and gentle with him that the Duke thought he might melt under the spell of it.
“I have no doubt that this will be temporary for you. I have no doubt that before you know it, you will see your situation return to what it was before. You deserve that at the very least and I believe that it will be so,” she told him.
The Duke listened to her words, hoping they would come to pass. She had been so utterly supportive of him and the Duke felt he had deserved none of it. What had caused her to behave thus? What had led her to care so much for him? She was undeniably sacrificial, far more than he had ever been.
“Mr. Tyndale, I am quite tired from my journey. Would you mind if I go to my room now?” she asked, looking drowsy.
“Yes, you must get some rest,” he declared to her.
Thea made her way out of the library and the Duke remained behind, watching her go. He considered what a different woman she was than the one he had thought her to be so long ago when they first decided they would be married. Thea Caulfield had proven to make a marvelous Thea Tyndale, Duchess of Sandon.
He could not be prouder of having found a wife such as her. The Duke wondered what the future held for them, but he knew that he would enjoy showing her off in London the following year when their circumstances had, indeed, steadied.
For now, he would simply talk about her as often as he could among his peers. He would wait for the day that all of England would know that this woman was born for position. She had the appearance of it. Statuesque, lovely in every way, and intelligent. She was, truly, a sight to behold.
And he became more determined than ever to prove himself to her. Not that he needed to. She had made that clear. But he had to prove to himself that he could come back from all of this and be a successful man again. He had to provide for his wife. Not just for her, but for all those he had committed to helping.
They would all be worth it.
Chapter 37
Thea was humming in the parlor as she crocheted some doilies for the kitchen. Then the staff could put a few pots and pans on them for a prettier display during dinner. It was a lovely day outside and she was happy from the time that she and her husband had spent together the previous evening.
He was out, saying he wished to meet with his friend, the Duke of Arborshire, and Thea had been happy to remain in the home and work on her project.
Unexpectedly, she heard the sound of horses outside and rushed to the window to find a grand coach pulling up at the door.
Thea had never seen such a majestic coach, the standard black decorated with silver and bronze sculptures around the corners, bringing it to life. It was as if something out of an imaginative novel had come to life.
She watched in wonder as the coachman climbed down and made his way to the door. Opening it, a tiny foot in a crimson shoe stepped out.
The woman came into full view and Thea sighed, frustrated. How could it be? Why had the Dowager Duchess come? Why had she chosen now of all times?
Thea wondered if it would be possible to pretend she was not at home, but knew that the plan would likely come to no good at all. Her husband was not around which meant that she would have to be the one to entertain the woman.
She had not been invited, that was certain. Of course, a woman like that never did wait for invitations. The Dowager Duchess would have been accustomed to a grand welcoming at any home she deigned to appear at.
Mrs. Markley burst into the parlor with a terrified expression on her face.
“M-M, Your Grace, I mean,” she stammered.
“I know, I know! Now get to the door! You must welcome her!” Thea urged, the fear in her own face showing.
She sat back on the sofa and stiffened her back, holding her head high. Mrs. Markley might not be able to hide her terror, but Thea had no other choice. She had to refrain from showing fear.
Fear, she was certain, would only encourage her husband’s mother to torment her.
So Thea sat calmly, continuing her craft. While her insides pounded and her heart was in her throat, she ensured that her exterior seemed little more than relaxed.
A knock sounded on the door and Thea called in a light voice, “Come in.”
Upon the Dowager Duchess bursting past Mrs. Markley, Thea stood as if she’d had no idea the Duchess was coming. Her air showed a casualness as if she did not mind at all.
“Oh, Your Grace. How lovely it is to see you. Please, do come in,” she said politely.
The woman remained quiet, but the frown on her face was quite evident. Thea realized she had been successful. The Dowager Duchess had wanted Thea to quake and was thoroughly disappointed to not have managed such a response.
It was quite a victory and, although she held it in check, it caused her to feel even more comfortable and confident despite the woman’s presence.
She set the crocheting to the side and smoothed her gown before folding her hands on her lap.
“To what do I owe the honor, Your Grace?” she asked.
“Let us skip these petty greetings. There is no honor in this meeting for either of us and we both know it,” the Dowager Duchess said rudely.
Thea merely tilted her head as if she did not understand.
Mrs. Markley came back into the room with a pot of tea and two cups, as well as a bit of milk and sugar. Thea nodded to the housekeeper with a thankful smile and allowed her to leave.
She noted then, that upon leaving, Mrs. Markley had not closed the door all the way. She knew well that this was a fine strategy for staff who wished to know all the gossip that occurred within the walls of a home.
“Please, do continue, Your Grace,” Thea said, as if she had not just been insulted. She poured the tea slowly and elegantly, adding a lump of sugar for the Dowager Duchess who frowned and nodded for another to be added.
Thea handed her the small cup and she took it with a grimace.
“Oh my, is that all the milk you’ve added? Do you wish for my chest to burn with pain?” the older woman accused.
“I wish for no such thing, Your Grace. I am simply aware that many women of your age and societal standing are conscious of their figures. If you should like more milk and sugar, I would be delighted to add them for you.”
The veiled insult was still polite enough for the Dowager Duchess to simply open her mouth in irritation before closing it again and pretending she had heard nothing.
“As I said, we need not pretend that either of us are happy to see the other,” she continued.
“And might you be willing to tell me how it is that you feel instead?” Thea suggested calmly.
“I wish for you to know that I give you leave to go,” the Dowager Duchess said hastily.
“Forgive me, Your Grace, but I do not understand,” Thea replied. It was, perhaps, the first genuine response she had given since the Dowager Duchess had arrived.
“What is it you don’t understand?” the woman demanded.
“What leave have I to go? To go where, Your Grace?” she inquired.
“Why, anywhere, you little child. My son is bringing nothing to your family. And nothing to you. Or has he not told you? The two of you are soon to be destitute, don’t you know?” she asked harshly.
Thea responded with a gentle smile.
“Your Grace, I am well aware of the significant impact of my husband’s loss. But I am also aware that he is quite an amazing man. He has a great intelligence. I have no concern for what we have lost. I worry only about encouraging him towards the future,” she said reasonably.
“Ha!” the Dowager Duchess scoffed. “D
o not be such a fool. You might as well get out of all of this before things get any worse. Has my son truly deceived you to this extent that you believe he can get back on his feet without help?”
“No, Your Grace. In fact, your son has assured me time and again that he would greatly desire my help in proceeding forward,” Thea replied.
The woman scoffed once more. “You? You are just a pauper marauding as royalty! What help could you give him?” she asked forcefully.
“Very little, in truth. But I can give him something you have clearly neglected, Your Grace, and that is support. Your son does not need more wealth and strategizing at the moment. The time for that will come. But now, he is in dire need of encouragement and support. That is what I intend to give him,” she explained.
The Dowager Duchess looked at her hatefully and Thea swallowed against the look. She knew that she was nervous, but she had to contain it all and pretend to be alright. She wished only that the Duke was with her now and she might be able to draw strength from him.
“I find it maddening to know that you believe you are enough for my son,” the Dowager Duchess continued.
“Yes, Your Grace, you have made that quite clear,” Thea replied.
“And why should I not? My son is doing nothing more for you. Have you not heard that? He is doing nothing and you had best get on your way and find another heir to trick into marriage. Leave my son alone," the woman commanded as if she had forgotten the depth of a commitment before God and man.
Thea thought to herself about the ridiculousness of the woman’s demand. Even if she were the sort to accept this, it could not be done without a court approved annulment. Something Thea would never consider. She had made a vow. A promise. And she intended to keep it.
“Your son chose me, Your Grace. Perhaps you did not know this, but it is the truth. He and my father arranged this marriage without my say. And your son wished to marry me for no other reason than to appease you. The fact that we now care for one another has little to do with how it all began,” Thea said.
“I simply do not understand why you must continue in this charade,” the Dowager Duchess demanded, standing as she yelled. “Get out! Do you not understand? You must get out of my son’s life. You don’t need him anymore. Your family doesn’t need him anymore. He can do nothing for you.”
“But I can do something for him, Your Grace. You seem to not hear me as I say this. I am not leaving your son. Now more than ever I must remain at his side. I am his wife. It is my duty. I shall stand beside him in all times,” Thea said just as passionately, standing to meet the height of her foe.
In that moment, when the very air seethed between the two of them, Thea realized how deeply she meant the words she had said.
She truly cared for the Duke of Sandon enough to remain by his side through anything. All times. No matter what. She would not abandon him. Not for the sake of poverty, not for health or anything. They were together and it would remain so until one or both of them died.
“You are a foolish child,” the Dowager Duchess insulted again.
“But I am the one he chose. And I will choose him in return. I do not need money. I do not need gowns and an estate or anything else. I will choose my husband as a good woman must,” Thea declared.
The Dowager Duchess made a furious growling sound and swished her gown towards the door. Thea watched as she stormed from the room and waited by the window to see the woman make two attempts just to get inside the coach. Her anger and the size of her dress were both at such an extent that she could hardly control her own body.
It had not been a pleasant meeting, but Thea knew that it had been a worthwhile one. She knew that her husband was worth more than this. She knew that the idea of leaving him over this little thing was not at all the sort of character she would ever display.
When the coach drove away, Thea smiled to herself. She had chosen wisely. She had not allowed the Dowager Duchess to bully her into leaving the Duke even if it would have been simpler.
A knock came to the door and Mrs. Markley came in quietly.
“Thank you for the tea, Mrs. Markley,” Thea said.
“You’re welcome, Your Grace. And might I say that the staff here is terribly glad that His Grace, the Duke of Sandon, married a woman like you,” she commented quietly.
Thea smiled. She knew that in most estates, the staff would never make such a personal comment to the estate owner or his wife. But they were comfortable enough with her to be honest. They were comfortable enough with her to not even hide the fact that they had listened to the commotion.
Although, in truth, it would have been difficult for them to avoid the sound of yelling that had spilled from the room.
And yet, Thea was more than happy to know that the staff approved of her. They appreciated her. They recognized that she was eternally devoted to her husband and would remain so.
A small part of her knew that even in this conversation with the Dowager Duchess, she was coming to realize that her heart had shifted further still. The Duke was not just a good man that she respected. She thought that perhaps, the awareness of her devotion to him told her something more.
Was it possible that she had grown so deep in her affections? What it possible that perhaps she loved the Duke of Sandon?
Chapter 38
The Duke handed his hat and jacket to Mrs. Markley with a sigh. He had had a tiring day.
“Thank you, Mrs. Markley,” he said, allowing the woman to go off and take care of things around the home.
It had been a nice time spent with the Duke of Arborshire, but it did not mean that he was in any way rested. No, indeed he was more exhausted than ever.
They had discussed some of the things which might occur over the following months and strategies to mitigate the impact of the lost ship on his finances. Then the Duke of Arborshire helped him make a new plan for the regrowth of his finances.
It looked as though they might be alright in the end. Although a great deal had been lost, it could still be recuperated through hard work. It had been a productive time and he had hope once more.
The Duke asked one of the cleaning staff where he might find his wife and the young maid told him that last she knew, the Duchess had been in the parlor.
There was something in her demeanor that worried the Duke. It was as if the maid was frightened or concerned to tell him the truth.
It made no sense to him why she would be so skittish about it, but he brushed it off and made his way to the parlor.
His wife was there, sitting and working on one of her crochet pieces. She had been making many of them and he was quite fond of the pieces. It was nice to admire her skill.
“Good evening, Mrs. Tyndale,” he greeted.
“Good evening, Mr. Tyndale,” she replied with another smile.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“It was lovely, thank you,” Thea replied.
“Have you spent it all crocheting?” he questioned.
“Most of it,” she replied.
Once more, the Duke sensed there was something else. He could not place his finger on the mystery.
“Oh, your mother did stop by,” Thea said. “It was only a brief visit. But I thought I had best mention it to you as the staff might and I did not wish for you to think I had forgotten her or was opposed to the visit.”
The Duke squinted his eyes, seeing his wife’s discomfort.
“Right. My mother came?” he asked.
“Yes, Mr. Tyndale. But as I said, it was a brief visit. I think she will likely come another time when you are home. There was not much to say,” she told him.
He worried, knowing what his mother could be like, but if his wife was being honest then there was little more to it than a simple visit and he would let it go.
“Well, I am glad that you only had to endure her for a short time,” he said.
She laughed lightly. “Oh, Mr. Tyndale, there is no reason to be of concern.”
This alerted
him even more to the fact that she was not telling him everything. With his mother, there was always reason to be of concern.
“And how was your day?” she asked, changing the subject entirely.
The Duke leaned back in his chair and rested his head against the cushion.
“My day went well. I do believe that there is promise ahead. My friend, the Duke of Arborshire, was quite certain that things will come together. The two of you are both encouraging me in a way I’ve never expected,” he said, honestly.
His wife looked up from her crocheting and smiled at him.