The Devil is The Duke

It was the Athelstan study. The Duke stood, vibrating with rage. “How could you?”

“How could I what?”

“You left! And without telling me. First, you lied to me. I chided you for it but instead of you to apologize and take responsibility, you chose to flee like a coward.”

“Take responsibility for what, your grace?”

“For lying.”

“I did not lie.”

“I believed you were different from the rest of them. That was why I hired you when someone like Kate De Luca tried to ruin your life! I saved you and all I asked in return was loyalty and honesty! You chose to withhold things from me and you expect me to applaud you?” He was breathing fire through his nostrils. “All the women I’ve met have lied to me! All of them, dishonest! I thought you were different! But you are a lying manipulator like the rest of your sex!”

Emeera was not going to apologize again for the butler’s irresponsibility so she kept quiet and allowed him rave. When he was done, he told her he was taking her back to the manor.

“What about my bags?”

“The driver will come for them tomorrow. I need you back this night. I searched for you everywhere. I wanted to continue tomorrow but I could not sleep.

“Nobody told you I went with Nancy?” Emeera asked. He shook his head. “Did you tell them you were going to look for me?” Again, he shook his head. It was certain he had been embarrassed to admit he wanted her back. She wondered where he searched if not the Athelstan’s. She had nobody else in Savoy.

“Where did you search?” She asked carefully. He swallowed.

“Hotels.”

Emeera laughed inspite of herself. She saw her honestly naive the gentry class could be. It was so typical for him to search hotels like she could afford to lodge in them like some proper lady.

“You don’t pay me enough to lodge in hotels on a whim,” she said.

“If you came back, we could pay you more,” he said in a low growl. She felt her knees weakened. She was afraid of him but also desired him. Yet, it was time to consider business over sentiments.

“How much more?” She asked.

“Double your current pay,” he said.

“I think triple that,” she said.

“Fine,” he said and held out his hand. She hesitated before taking it. His palm was warm and firm. “Don’t run away again no matter what,” he said.

“Agreed,” she smiled. She was relieved that she did not have to start all over again in America. Or have to endure Nancy’s mother for one more day.

Sitting on his horse, she could feel his warmth as they rode over to the other end of Savoy. He was strong and virile and rode the powerful black horse with so much ease. They tore through the night in silence for a long time before she asked where they were going.

“A friend’s place,” he said.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

They rode for about half an hour till they got to the estate. It was opened by the gatekeeper who had obviously been expecting them. The duke rode in and in a short time, they were inside the house. Apart from the gatekeeper, there were no servants to be seen in the dimly lit house. If it was another man, Emeera would have been scared but she trusted Albert implicitly. The Duke led her upstairs and they got into a tastefully furnished bedroom.

He gestured to couch so she sat while he poured wine from a bottle. He pushed a glass into her hand and she took a sip. He stood, his back against the wall as he talked to her.

“So what’s the story?” She asked.

“About what?” He asked in response.

“The house is obviously empty but looks lived in. Where is everyone and why are we in the master bedroom of your friend’s home?” She queried. He leaned on the wall and looked at her long and hard before he answered.

“This is my friend’s ancestral home. He was the only child so it naturally went to him. I was best man at his wedding.” Emeera saw how his lips turned up in a smile at the memory. “We were close, Stevenson, Edmund, Alexander and I. Alexander, the owner of this house hoped for children but unfortunately fate did not smile on him. He had none all through his many years of marriage, just like me. Then one day, he wife fell ill. Stevenson and other doctors tended to her but in just two days she was dead. It came as a shock to us all. I was away when it happened but by the time I got back, she was gone and Alexander became a broken man. He lost weight and we thought he would die. Last year, an old colleague of his from Law school invited him to America for a job in his firm. He had never really practised the law before then but he could and he needed a new direction in life – something to make him forget. So he left for America and never returned.”

“America again,” Emeera muttered.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Albert asked with a raised eyebrow.

“It was my plan. Since you didn’t want me anymore, maybe to go there and start my life-”

“You can never leave me Emeera!” He thundered. “Don’t you ever think of leaving me!” In two swift steps, he was by her side. “Get it into your head. You belong in the manor, with me! By my side,” he said fervently. She nodded weakly. It was no use trying to argue with a man in such state. He released her shoulder gently, which she had not even realized he had squeezed.

“Alexander met this American woman and got married to her before anyone could discourage him. He sent me a letter authorizing me to sell this estate as he would never return. But look at it! I cannot sell his family lands. I would be a terrible friend to try. So I asked him to lease it to me. He refused. He insisted on selling it outrightly. I bought it from him weeks ago. We just need a few cleaners now and nothing more. But the main reason I brought you here is to tell you that at my death, this estate in its entirety returns to Alexander and the heirs of his body forever.”

“Nice speech. But what about your butler?” She asked. ” What do you intend to do with him or does your kindness revolve only around your mates?”

“I’ve paid him off. I need an upright man.” Emeera scoffed at that. The duke ignored it. “An upright man would not bring in an illegitimate child into this world. I have given them my blessings to wed, a capital for his business, and a cottage along the lake to live and start their family. So, Emeera, everyone is settled. Except us.”

Except us, it echoed in her mind.