Trapped with the Forbidden Duke (Forbidden Lords #5)

Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

I n her chamber, Edwina sat at her writing desk, which was littered with paper, inkpots, and quills.

She had already drafted a letter several times, trying to work out how not to sound like a clucking, fussing hen, and trying to work out how to describe her first week and a half at her new home.

Dear Aunt Isabel,

Good morning from Stormhold!

Immediately, she started over again.

First off, it is rather beautiful here. Stormhold Hall is surrounded by woodland and a lovely village that I have not visited yet but will later today. Married life is well. The Duke and I are very happy.

How is Nicholas? I think of his recovery every day, and I hope he will be able to write to me soon. I cannot wait to visit you both. I am sure it will be soon! Do send word when you can.

Yours,

Edwina Fitzgerald.

It was the first time she had signed her new surname on a letter. It felt rather strange yet oddly freeing at the same time.

Edwina sealed the short note and called for her lady’s maid.

Swiftly, Lily stepped into her room.

“See that this is sent to Red Acre Lodge,” Edwina instructed. “And alert me of any response, no matter the hour.”

“Of course, Your Grace. Are you ready for your outing to the village?”

“Indeed. I think I shall wear one of my green dresses for it. I believe it is one of the Duke’s favorite colors.”

Lily handed the note to one of the footmen nearby and hastily returned to prepare Edwina for her outing.

On her way towards the carriage house, Edwina passed Lucien, who cocked his head at her, an amused smile on his lips.

It had been three days since their tense moment in his study, yet it had not lingered.

“Where are you going, dressed so finely?” he asked, giving her a slow, lingering look that curled through her pleasantly.

“I am visiting the village,” she said. “Do you wish to join me?”

“I cannot today, but perhaps another time.”

Edwina smiled through her slight disappointment, telling herself it was just as well, for it would do her good to get acquainted with the village in her own time, wandering wherever she pleased, with nobody to rush her.

“Very well. Are you busy?”

“Yes, I am to meet with my solicitor again in an hour.”

“Again?”

Lucien nodded once, his mouth tight. “It seems that your brother has many more debts than I realized. Than was even in the initial assessment. It is taking us some time to sift through them all and find the final, rounded balance.”

Even though it was not Edwina’s fault, part of her felt guilty.

A pang of insecurity shot through her. What if the Duke had agreed to do all of this, paid every debt, renovated a house for Nicholas to return to, and arranged his rehabilitation, only to have her fail as a wife?

“What worries you?” he asked.

But Edwina was quick to shake it off. “It is nothing. I do hope the meeting goes well.”

“And I hope your outing at the village goes smoothly,” Lucien replied. “Make sure to visit Gratesby Bakery. They sell excellent venison pies. My cook serves them for lunch at times when I crave something quick and filling.”

“I shall.” She gave him a small smile before turning to the carriage house, where Lily waited, the door already held open for her.

“Edwina,” Lucien called.

She turned back to see him gazing at her again with an unreadable expression, before the slightest smirk tugged at his lips.

“You look beautiful. Green is a most becoming color on you.”

He was gone before she could thank him, so she was left to make her way to the carriage flushed and giddy, feeling foolish at a silly compliment from her husband.

Stormhold Village was a large place, centered by a fountain where a crowd of children gathered, tossing coins and squealing as they chased one another.

For a moment, inconspicuous and unnoticed, Edwina watched them.

Her mind strayed to her childhood, dredging memories of her and her brother being watched over by their parents. It brought a smile to her lips as she passed by.

Somewhere down one of the four paths leading outward from the fountain, a violinist played a spritely melody for other villagers who gathered to dance. Laughter filled the air, and people tossed coins into the violinist’s music case.

“Where is Gratesby Bakery?” she asked Lily. “I was told you grew up in this village.”

“I did, Your Grace. The bakery’s that way, just past the forge.”

So Edwina set off, past the violinist, to whom she gave several coins. She was met with wide eyes and endless thank you ’s and bless you, Your Grace , and for a while, she was happy not to announce that she was the new Duchess.

When she entered the bakery, she was met with a red-cheeked, young girl whose orange-colored braids were dusted with flour. As soon as she saw Edwina, she dropped into a deep curtesy.

“Your Grace!” she greeted. “It’s an honor to have you here. What can I serve you?”

“You know I am the Duchess?” Edwina asked.

“Well, I assumed.” The young baker gave a sheepish smile. “I am friends with Lily, you see. She told me she was your lady’s maid, Your Grace.”

Edwina turned to Lily, smiling brightly. “How wonderful! In that case, I have heard that His Grace frequents this bakery and gets some venison pies. I would like to try the same.”

“Yes, Your Grace. Shall I wrap them up for you?”

Edwina hesitated. “Yes, but… well, it would be rather rude of me not to try one first. I shall try one now and take the rest with me.”

“I’ll only be a few moments. If you wait outside in the fresh air, I’ll bring them out to you. It gets rather hot in here, and I wouldn’t want you to ruin your pretty dress.”

Edwina nodded and headed back outside with Lily, where she watched a couple stroll along a nearby lake.

Lily cleared her throat, drawing Edwina’s attention. “Stormhold Lake has been a rather pretty spot for many couples,” she explained. “Not all of them villagers. Many nobles promenade nearby. Just beyond, there is a lovely deer park, with a bridge, where couples might pause for a few moments and watch the passing swans.”

Edwina laughed quietly. “You overheard His Grace telling me about the things I can do in the village.”

Lily nodded. “I wasn’t eavesdropping, only?—”

“I did not think you did,” Edwina was quick to assure her. “Thank you for the suggestion.”

“Of course, Your Grace. There is also a lovely, little clearing in Green Bank Woods. It has a small pavilion that somebody set up for a play once, and it was simply never disassembled. Many bring their own blankets, but it is a lovely place. Very peaceful and private.”

Edwina’s mind raced. She did not quite understand why her thoughts went back to that night in the hallway, when the Duke’s hand slipped beneath her nightgown. It was far too scandalous to think of such a thing in public, and yet… she was rather interested in the idea.

Just how peaceful and private was it?

She was stopped from wondering further when the young baker returned clutching a bag of pies, which she handed to Lily, and passed a wrapped pie to Edwina.

“Give His Grace my mama’s thanks, Your Grace. And thank you for your patronage today.”

“I am assuming His Grace has an account with you if his cook purchases from you regularly?”

“Yes, Your Grace. He is most generous and keeps the account replenished even if he does not always purchase as much from month to month. My, even just one month of his support can keep us afloat for half a year.”

“How generous,” Edwina murmured, realizing how it went in line with her husband’s generosity towards her family.

He was a rich man, and he used his wealth well and selflessly. Even Stormhold Hall, while opulent and stunning, was not as lavish as one may have thought. It was as if the Duke did not enjoy a massive display of wealth but spared no expense when it came to others.

“He knows what it is like to rely on family, after all,” the baker added. “He has been kind to us, and in turn, my papa supplied His Grace a lot of safe food, given what he was going through. We remember those times. Excuse me, I must get back to work.”

Edwina could only politely nod as the young girl hurried away. She turned back, frowning.

Why would the Duke have needed ‘safe’ food? And why would he go to a village bakery to get it?

What, exactly, had he gone through?

Edwina ate her pie as she walked around the rest of the village. She met a jeweler who tried to sell her pearl-drop earrings, and she could not help but give in.

“You are as generous as His Grace,” the jeweler commended, after Edwina had asked how the business was faring and if she or the Duke could be of any help. “It has been a while since I have had the honor of crafting a piece for a lady. I believe the last one was for his aunt.”

“You do not make anything for her now?”

The jeweler looked alarmed for a moment before handing Lily Edwina’s bag. “I have spoken out of turn, Your Grace. Do enjoy your afternoon!”

Edwina, confused, could only call after her to wait, but the woman had already disappeared into another part of her store. So she left, frowning.

Lucien rarely mentioned his aunt. Of course, she would have existed, hence his cousins’ existence, and Jasper had already mentioned their strained relationship. Had she passed away? The jeweler had looked panicked rather than sad at the mention of her.

Perplexed, Edwina continued her stroll around the village, until she came to a butcher’s stall in the center of a small market. Cuts of meat were arranged on display—beef, honey-cured ham, roast peasant—and her mouth watered at the thought of buying some to snack on for the remainder of her walk.

She approached the butcher, a warm smile on her face. “Good morning!”

At the sight of her, he bowed. “Your Grace, it is an honor.”

She laughed, once again surprised.

At her confusion, the butcher explained, “Word travels fast in Stormhold, Your Grace. Many are quite intrigued by your presence today.”

His short, damp hair clung to his head, and he smoothed down his grease-streaked apron as if trying to appear more composed.

“I am simply exploring my new home,” Edwina said. “And making some enquiries. As the Duchess of Stormhold, I wish to find out if there is anything the tenants and business owners need help with. Any fees we can waive for a short time, more land you need to acquire, support with anything at all?”

“Oh, Your Grace, please do not trouble yourself. His Grace has been most generous to this village. He is part of the reason why it’s expanding much faster than most other villages in the countryside. Fortunately, we are populated enough to have more than one stall per industry. For example, I am one of three butchers, yet we all do very well. His Grace is a kind and fair one. It is clear that he cares for the land he rules over.”

“Indeed, that is very clear,” Edwina agreed, nodding.

“He has been through quite a lot,” the butcher continued. “Some… some men would turn nasty because of it. Dark. But it seems to have only made His Grace more compassionate and considerate of others. It is admirable.”

“What sort of things?”

“It is not my place to say, Your Grace. If you are unaware, it should come from His Grace. However, may I interest you in some roast peasant? It was caught today.”

Edwina glanced back at Lily, who nodded eagerly.

“I am sure His Grace would not mind such a purchase. Do you have an account with him?”

“I do, yes.”

“Lovely. Then please also take this as a token of my pleasure to have been served by you.” She offered him a silver piece.

“You are as kind as His Grace, Your Grace. You two seem as though you have a good life together.”

Edwina soon bid her goodbyes and continued on. She thought about walking around the lake but then quickly decided she would rather do it with Lucien.

Instead, she hailed her carriage to return home, her thoughts spinning over and over, unable to stop wondering what some of the villagers had hinted at. The Duke had not wished to discuss his family, yet it was clear that some people knew a thing or two about it.

Edwina, while initially hurt, had understood his reluctance to confide in her, especially as he had been right. She did not know if she would have told him about the true depth of her brother’s addiction had he not found out during that fight. But it hurt to be left in the dark, especially when there seemed to be a large hole in the landscape of her life with him.

A hole from his past that made her realize she knew very little about her husband’s parents, whom she had learned were dead, and who had raised him in their absence.

Edwina vowed to uncover her husband’s past. She had dropped her defenses for him; now she needed him to do the same for her.