The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”I need to think,” Eilika said, her voice soft but thoughtful.

”Sure. Take your time,” Damian replied, his gaze not leaving her face.

”I may need more than just a moment. Perhaps I will ask for my reward when the right time comes,” she explained.

”Alright,” Damian agreed. He walked toward the sofa in the sitting area of her chamber and settled onto it. He rested his hand on a cushion, looking remarkably relaxed. Eilika watched him, a bit puzzled; she wondered why he was lingering when she knew he had a mountain of ducal matters demanding his attention.

The quiet was interrupted by a soft voice. ”Your Grace, pardon the intrusion,” Joanna said in a low, polite tone, keeping her eyes lowered. ”Mr. Wolanski is here to see the Duchess.”

Eilika turned around immediately, her eyes widening. ”Father is here!”

”Yes, Your Grace,” Joanna confirmed.

”Bring him here at once,” Eilika stated, her heart racing. She hadn’t expected a visit from her father so soon after the envoy had delivered the wedding invitations.

”Why are you standing there?” Damian asked. ”Come here.” He gestured for her to take the seat beside him.

Eilika walked over and lowered herself onto the sofa, but she stayed toward the edge, leaving a noticeable gap between them. Damian’s eyes flickered to the space, and a faint, knowing smirk touched his lips.

”Do you want to tell your father that we aren’t living as a true husband and wife?”

”Huh?” Eilika looked at him, startled by the bluntness of his question.

”What is with this huge space between us?” Damian pointed out, his gaze dropping to the cushion separating them.

When she didn’t move, he took the initiative. He slid across the sofa until the distance vanished. His thigh pressed firmly against hers, and his shoulder brushed against her own.

Eilika’s breath hitched at the sudden closeness, her heart fluttering against her ribs. Just as she was about to speak, the door opened, and Joanna led Wilfred Wolanski into the room.

Her father stopped in his tracks, his eyes darting from his daughter to the Duke, taking in the intimate way they were seated together.

”Your Grace,” Mr. Wolanski began, bowing low, though his eyes remained curious. ”Eilika. I hope I am not interrupting anything private.”

”Your daughter is the Duchess, Mr. Wolanski,” Damian reminded him. It was a subtle correction, a reminder of Eilika’s new status within the mansion walls.

”Apologies, Your Grace. I forget sometimes,” Wilfred murmured, his eyes softening as he looked at Eilika. He then tilted his head, gesturing toward the hallway, and two servants walked in carrying heavy loads. ”I brought some gifts for both of you. During the first wedding, I was unable to give much,” he stated, a hint of regret touching his tone.

The servants moved forward and carefully placed five large, ornate boxes onto the table. They were wrapped in fine paper, looking out of place yet grand in the Duchess’s sitting room.

”Joanna, keep them away. The Duchess and I will check them later,” Damian said, his arm still brushing against Eilika’s, maintaining that united front he had insisted upon. He then gestured toward an armchair. ”Take a seat, Mr. Wolanski.”

Wilfred sat down, looking slightly overwhelmed by the opulence of the room and the commanding presence of his son-in-law. Eilika watched her father, noticing the way his eyes lingered on her, checking for any sign of the unhappiness she had endured in their own home.

”You look well, Eilika,” Wilfred said, his voice softening with relief. ”I received the invitation earlier today. Knowing the Duke has planned an official wedding truly brought joy to me. My daughter was deeply upset when His Grace was absent from the private ceremony,” he asserted, casting a cautious glance at Damian.

The servants arrived with a tray of refreshments, and Eilika moved to serve them. She poured a cup for her father first, then turned toward Damian. As she was about to pour the tea into his cup, he reached out and caught her wrist, stopping her.

”I won’t have tea,” he stated, his voice firm but the touch on her wrist surprisingly gentle.

Eilika froze, the teapot clattering slightly as she lowered it onto the table. She urged her father to enjoy his tea, trying to mask her growing unease, but the air in the room suddenly turned frigid.

Damian leaned back slightly, his shoulder still firmly pressed against hers, though his expression had sharpened into something predatory. ”I heard Mr. Wolanski’s second daughter is spreading rumors about my wife and me,” he said.

Eilika looked at her husband in shock. She hadn’t expected him to bring Rosaline’s name into this conversation, let alone with such bluntness.

”Pardon me, Your Grace, but Rosaline would never do such a thing,” Wilfred stated, his hand trembling as he lowered his cup onto the saucer.

”I received a confirmed report of this a few days ago, Mr. Wolanski,” Damian replied, his eyes locking onto Wilfred’s with a terrifying intensity. ”Because you are the father of the Duchess, I remained quiet and did not punish you along with your daughter. I hope you discipline her before I am forced to do it myself.”

Wilfred swallowed hard, a visible gulp of fear as the reality of his position sank in. He was no longer just a father-in-law; he was a subject of a Duke who clearly had eyes and ears everywhere in Varos.

”I will, Your Grace. I... I shall see to it immediately,” Wilfred stated, his voice barely a whisper. He felt humiliated, knowing that his daughter’s jealousy had not only reached the mansion but had threatened the fragile peace he was trying to build with the Kingsley family.

”I will leave you and the Duchess alone. I am sure you wish to speak with your daughter in private,” he stated and walked away to check on the preparations.

”Did you tell the Duke that Rosaline spread rumors about your relationship with him?” Wilfred’s tone suddenly changed as soon as the Duke was out of their sight.