Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
“ H ow could you do this, Mother? It was one thing to parade me around as though I were some prized possession. But it is another thing entirely to plot a scandal with me as a centerpiece.”
Eleanor forced herself to stop there so she could maintain some form of self-control, as the anger she had felt in the orangery was still pulsing through her veins.
The entire night had quickly divulged into a mess, with the gossip spreading like wildfire. It wasn’t long before everyone in attendance at the ball knew that Lady Eleanor had been caught in another scandal again, this time with a notorious Duke.
She had half expected more of the angry snaps that the Duke had sent her way when they had been alone, but he merely sighed and said,
“ What a waste of my time ,” and walked away.
For a moment, Eleanor envied him. How fortunate it must be to be able to walk off and leave one's problems behind.
Eleanor had never been so lucky, forced to carry around more burdens than she could bear. And now, another had been added to the bundle.
“I do not understand why you sound so unhappy, dearest. I was finally able to achieve what we had set out to do for months! Finally, you have a match!” Leah said proudly.
“With the Duke of Ironvale, of all men. Mother do you really not understand the gravity of the situation? He is not an easy man to be trifled with. He will never propose! His reputation speaks highly of his lack of responsibility and disregard for propriety! It is clear that we are wasting our time, believing that he would choose to ‘do the right thing’ in this situation. So I have been ruined completely, for nothing!” Eleanor cried, reeling from the absurdity of the idea and the hot waters it landed her into.
“Eleanor —”
“Even if he does propose,” she cut her mother off breathlessly. “I would be bound for life to a man who is widely known for his beastly behavior. There isn’t a single person in London who hasn’t heard of this Duke and his affinity for ending the lives of those who cross him as easily as you and I take a breath. I will have to spend each day of my marriage fearing for my life. Is that what you want for me, Mother? Was there truly no other way than this?”
Eleanor hoped that for once, her mother would listen to her, would realize how farfetched the idea was and put a stop to it before it got too far.
"I did what was necessary, Eleanor. You wished to go back into society, even if your reputation was in tatters. And I supported you because I did not wish for you to end alone. There is hardly a bigger shame than an unmarried woman, and I swore to do everything in my power to prevent you from ever knowing that shame. Which is what I have done. You should be grateful to me, instead of ridiculing my efforts with your complaints." Her mother said disapprovingly.
Eleanor's lips parted to point out that her mother's efforts might have very well doomed them all — especially her if she ended up marrying the man she had been found with earlier that evening.
But before the words could make their way out into the air, her father, Adam Andrews, Marquess of Elmsworth, stepped forward to defend her mother.
"Eleanor, your mother went through a lot of trouble to secure this match for you. It was quite obvious that despite your resolve to participate in events of the ton your valiant bravery would yield little returns. That much was clear when no suitors would come to call on you and you were shunned at balls and parties. Your darling mother has done a remarkable thing, finding you a husband, because otherwise, you would've ended up a spinster, my dear. And we couldn't have that."
Eleanor stared at her parents, hoping that in a few moments, it would dawn on them what they had done and how much danger they had put her in.
But rather than that, they stared back at her expectantly, as though she owed them something.
It was at that moment she came to the realization that her hopes were useless. After all, this situation had never been about her — not really. They had always been more concerned about what her problem would mean for them and their reputation.
She had always been nothing more than their proxy, destined to live according to their whims.
Her life had never been her own to live.
With all that in mind, she quickly bid them good night and left to her room to think.
“I will handle myself tonight, Alice. Thank you,” she dismissed her lady’s maid softly as she arrived.
The younger girl nodded and curtsied before taking her leave, and Eleanor tried not to crumble beneath the weight of her reality.
Despite the brave impression she had put up, the last few months had been quite difficult for her. It had been easier to overlook the ridicule and assumptions that she had been too flawed to hold the attention of a duke. Even more so when she had remained friends with said duke and the woman who had become his duchess.
But when she was shunned and openly mocked, the loneliness she had endured her whole life had come barreling down on her. Her parents did not love her as one would a daughter.
They treated her like an investment, grooming her to represent perfection and garner respect from the ton.
When she had been ruined, they complained for weeks about how their dreams had been shattered, not once thinking to enquire about how she was coping.
And now, they had managed to put her in the worst possible situation — with the worst possible man, and there was not a single ounce of remorse in their tone.
“When will it end?” she whispered to herself quietly, the ache in her chest weakening her body and mind.
She did want to marry. Despite the nonchalance her mother claimed she displayed, Eleanor longed for a family of her own to love and cherish, the way she had never been in her home.
Eventually, Eleanor fell into a fitful sleep, scared for herself and her future.
And although she dreaded the following day, it met her with slight optimism when she had awoken.
Because at some point during the night, she realized that her dreams hadn’t been completely crushed yet.
Because the Duke of Ironvale hadn’t proposed.
“And perhaps he won’t,” she said to herself as Alice came in to prepare her for the day. “He does not seem like the type to be cornered into making a decision he does not care for. And if he were a responsible man in any way, his reputation would not be the way it is. He might not propose!”
This outlook gave her renewed hope that she held close to her heart and allowed to bloom, using its strength as she went to find her parents.
Perhaps… perhaps if they went to him first and apologized, the Duke of Ironvale would not be too cross.
She found her father in the drawing room alone and sighed in relief, as he was more likely to see reason without her mother around.
“Good morning, father. I have something I wish to —”
“Eleanor! My dear! What a glorious day this is! You have a proposal!” Adam announced cheerfully.
Eleanor felt her heart sink, so quickly it left her dizzy and out of breath.
“You mean…”
“Yes, my dear,” her father laughed, looking happier than Eleanor had seen him in a while. “The Duke arrived this morning and declared his intentions to marry you. He just left, actually, and he made it known that he will procure a special license and you will be wed within the week. How lucky you are.”
The hope she had cradled shattered at her feet.
Before it had even begun, her life had ended.
No matter how much Eleanor had prayed against it, her wedding day arrived rather quickly.
Her mother had been excited to plan a grand ceremony, only to receive an order from the Duke that he didn't care for such frivolities and he expected a simple ceremony and that would be all.
“Well, you are still getting married — to a Duke, no less! That is all that matters.” Leah had said as she put down the letter Eleanor’s future husband had sent.
Eleanor hadn’t said much, because she knew her words wouldn’t be heard. They never were.
And when the day arrived, she found herself numb, prepared to succumb to her fate.
Her father walked her down the aisle, practically radiating his unspoken joy, but all Eleanor could focus on was the back of her husband-to-be.
Frederick Montague, the Duke of Ironvale, seemed even taller than she remembered by the time she arrived at his side. As her father slipped away, heading for the pews, Frederick turned to face her, and she got a better look at him than she had when they had met.
Beneath the bright and warm sunlight that filled the church, Frederick seemed even more intense than he had been. His hair was lighter than she remembered, a shade of brown that reminded her of the caramel that topped her favorite cake, and without the shadows that had surrounded them, his eyes were a piercing blue.
His cold gaze sent chills through her veins and when he reached for her hand, his much larger one covering hers completely, he felt cold to the touch.
His expression bore no sympathy or concern, just resignation that resonated within her chest.
Standing so close to him, Eleanor noticed how easily towered over her, his broad shoulders lending greatly to his intimidating aura and she swallowed nervously, willing her attention to settle on the vicar.
Even still, she could barely focus on the ceremony, her thundering heartbeat muffling the words spoken over them, stating the rules that should govern their marriage.
When she faced Frederick to recite their vows, his words felt empty to her ears and dismay rang through her mind.
Soon, the ceremony was over and she was now a wife and a duchess.
The farewell to her parents was brief, with her mother giving her final instructions on the proprietary and grace of her new title.
And then she was off, seated in a carriage that was rolling in the direction of her new home.
The air between her and her husband was wrought with tension, and each time she summoned enough courage to speak to him, the thought withered to ashes at the sight of his closed expression.
I can already tell, she thought to herself, he holds no regard for me.
Her new home came into view after seemingly endless minutes of excruciating silence. Even before she set foot on the estate grounds, she couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the mansion seated on it.
The building stood tall and grand, foretelling a history of greatness and prestige. But still, there was something lonely about it, despite its excellent form.
When the carriage finally came to a stop at the front entrance, Frederick stepped out of it and helped her disembark.
Her cheeks flushed when he offered his hand to her and for a moment as he guided her down. Once more she was stunned by how much smaller her hand was in his, chills spreading up her arm as his cold firm grip delivered her safely onto the estate grounds.
Her lips parted to express her gratitude as a storm of unrest settled within her heart, but he was already looking away from her.
There were two people seemingly waiting for their arrival and they bowed as the newly wedded couple approached them.
“Welcome, Your Grace,” the man said to the duke, then he moved his gaze to Eleanor with a kind smile. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Your Grace. Welcome to Ironvale Manor. I am Mr. Bradley, the butler. And this is Miss Martins, the housekeeper. We are wholly at your service.”
Eleanor nodded, mustering a grateful smile, thankful to have received a warm reception.
"We shall have your things taken up to your bedroom and when you feel well-rested enough, we can give you a tour of the estate," the housekeeper added, giving Eleanor an odd look.
"I would like that very much, thank you," Eleanor replied sincerely.
Without a word, Frederick started walking towards the door and she hastily followed him, feeling uneasy about his coldness. They had barely taken three steps past the foyer when he turned around and said,
“Well, this is where I bid you farewell.”
Confused, Eleanor stuttered.
“W-What do you mean?”
He walked to her, his gaze narrowed. Eleanor felt herself grow immensely nervous at his approach, her heart beating wildly as he leaned his face close to hers, stating quietly.
“You have gotten what you want, have you not? And so, I will take my leave now.”
A disconcerting chill ran down her spine and she asked in shock.
“I do not understand. Why would you leave?”
He stared at her for a moment, his heavy gaze piercing through her and somehow pinning her in place. He then exhaled, his expression conveying annoyance.
Despite the instincts telling her to step away from him, something in her sought his attention, felt drawn to the air of danger that drifted off of him.
“I’d known from that first night that you were na?ve, but I didn’t realize how much. I have no interest in a wife. I married you out of mere pity, and nothing more. There is no reason for us to stay together when I have no use for you, so henceforth, you and I shall live separate lives.” he told her with a glare.
He then turned around and began to walk back to the door. The thought of being left alone, on this vast estate frightened her greatly, and without thinking, Eleanor reached out and grabbed him by the arm.
“W-Wait. Please. Just — please don't leave. I'll do whatever you want. I'll stay out of your way. I won't ever question you. I'll even?—”
He turned around and grabbed hold of her wrist, his grip tight as he pulled her hand off him.
“Do not ever touch me again.” He warned, before releasing his hold on her. “There is nothing I want from you, and there never will be. I have no desire to put on a mockery of a marriage for your peace of mind.”
His words cut deeply into her heart and tears filled her eyes. Desperation throbbed within her, an ache she knew only he could settle. One she knew he had no desire to ease her from.
Why, she wondered to herself. Why must he be so cruel? What is so undesirable about me that he would rather leave his own home than face me?
“All right, I am sorry for crossing the line, but surely we can find a way to navigate this properly. Please don’t go,” she begged, hating that there was nothing more she could do.
His eyes bore no remorse as he stated without feeling.
“You are free to do whatever you will. Throw as many parties as you desire. Spend my fortune. Hell, you can take a lover if you wish. I do not particularly care.”
Frederick took a step away from her, exhaling deeply as he said,
“Goodbye, duchess.”
And then he left, taking with him every hope Eleanor had for a family of her own.