The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”Forgive us, Your Highness,” the lead man said hastily, bowing low as he gestured frantically to his companions to lower their cudgels. ”We beg you to pardon our sister as well. She harbors no malice, though she is far too quick to temper. Her heart is honest, please, do not hold this offense against her.”

He nudged Xenia’s arm, and she immediately bowed her head before the prince.

”I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness for my sharp tongue,” Xenia murmured, her voice now soft and trembling. ”I swear I meant no disrespect to you.”

”Is that so? Your apology seems fake to me, Miss Xenia. Pray we do not cross paths again,” August declared sharply.

”Do not speak to my sister like that!” the young girl yelled out, entirely oblivious to the danger of her words.

”Lara, quiet!” Xenia whispered hurriedly, covering the child’s mouth with her palm.

”Forgive little Lara, Your Highness,” the second man, who bore a thick beard, pleaded hastily. ”She is merely a child and knows no better.”

”Teach her proper manners,” August spat coldly, brushing past them without another glance.

”Good heavens...” Xenia muttered under her breath once the prince was out of earshot, lifting Lara into her arms. She turned to her companions with a look of relief. ”What was a prince even doing in this forgotten corner of the district? Thank you for standing by me, brothers, and forgive me for dragging you into this. I had no idea that arrogant man was a royal blood.”

The third brother hit her forehead by flicking on it. ”Watch your mouth! You can’t call a prince and arrogant man. Do you wish death upon yourself? Now, go home with Lara before Father gets worried for both of you.”

Xenia nodded and ran home with her little sister on her back.

~~~

August uncurled his white silk fan with a flick of his wrist, sweeping a cool breeze across his face as he leaned back against the plush velvet cushions of the carriage.

”I ought to have had her tongue severed for daring to address me in such a sharp manner,” he muttered to himself.

”Did something transpire, Your Highness?” Samir, his confidant, inquired politely from across the cabin.

”I had the misfortune of encountering a rather brazen woman down by the riverbank,” August replied with a faint, amused chuckle. ”I was attempting to rest inside a hired boat when she and her little sister saw fit to disturb me. When did I become so soft-hearted that I allow such insolent creatures to depart without retribution?”

”Your Highness must not bear anger toward women and children,” Samir advised gently.

”There are exceptions to every rule,” August countered, his eyes narrowing slightly. ”I am not in the habit of forgiving slights so easily. I prefer to see people taste their own medicine.”

”It seems this lady has left quite an impression on you,” Samir observed with a subtle smile.

”I have made it clear that she is never to cross my path again,” August stated coldly. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the cushion to rest.

”Your Highness, you chose not to enter the palace this time,” Samir said, his tone turning serious. ”Prince Sylvian is attempting to set things right.”

”It is wiser that I remain clear of this intrigue,” August answered without unclosing his eyes. ”Yet should Damian require assistance, I shall not hesitate to offer it.”

He tilted his head, opening his eyes to gaze out at the passing landscape beyond the window.

’Liliana, you left many questions about your true nature behind,’ he thought, his jaw tightening slightly. ’I wish I had never met you. Whenever you cross my mind, it only explodes with thoughts of you.’

~~~~~

As the footmen pulled open the car’s doors, Roman bounded out onto the stone steps and darted into the entrance hall, clutching a sealed parchment envelope tightly in his hands.

”Grandma, good evening!” Roman called out, his face lit by a wide smile as he approached Georgia. ”Look! Grandfather gave me coins of my own! Isn’t that wonderful?” He bounced on his heels, eager to share the rest of his outing. ”And I slept in Mama’s bedroom in the afternoon. It was so tidy, and the shelves were filled with books. Mama must have spent all her hours studying! Her house is lovely.”

Eilika crossed the threshold into the grand foyer just as the boy finished his excited report, taking in the scene before her.

”It seems young Roman thoroughly enjoyed his stay at his grandparents’ estate,” Georgia remarked with a warm smile.

”He certainly did,” Eilika replied softly.

Roman darted back across the marble floor to Eilika’s side and pressed the parchment envelope into her hands. ”I do not know what to do with all this money, Mama. Will you keep them safe for me?”

”Of course, sweetheart,” Eilika said, taking the envelope from him.

Before she could say another word, Roman turned on his heel and sprinted toward the grand staircase.

”Mind your footing, Roman! Do not hurt yourself!” Eilika called after him, but the boy, fueled by boundless energy, paid her no heed as he bounded up the steps two at a time.

”This boy!” Eilika murmured and gestured to the servants to follow him closely.

”Damian has returned to the manor as well,” Georgia noted gently. ”You ought to retire to his bedchamber. I shall have the staff bring up evening tea and light refreshments for you both.”

”Thank you, Mother,” Eilika replied, taking a step toward the staircase before faltering. She paused, turning back with a sigh. ”Father expressed a wish to send lavish gifts along with us, but I refused them. His business is suffering greatly at present.”

”You did the right thing, my dear. We lack for nothing here,” Georgia reassured her, offering a thoughtful look. ”However, I suggest you mention your father’s difficulties to Damian. Do not stand by and allow your family to fall into ruin, you are the Duchess of Varos, after all.”

Eilika offered a soft nod of agreement, bowing slightly to her mother-in-law before making her way upstairs to seek out her husband.

Upon reaching the bedchamber, she found Damian reclining on the mattress, his eyes resting closed.

Noticing the velvet duvet had fallen low around his waist, she leaned over to pull it up over his chest. Before she could adjust the fabric, his hand shot out, wrapping tightly around her wrist and pulling her down against him.

”Where were you? I have been looking everywhere for you,” Damian murmured as his fingers gently tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.

”I returned to my father’s estate with Roman,” Eilika replied, catching her breath. ”Were you merely feigning sleep, Your Grace?”

”I woke but a few moments ago. I was merely resting my eyes,” Damian murmured.

Leaning in, he pressed his lips against hers, and Eilika softened into his touch, opening her mouth to return the kiss. Yet after a fleeting moment, she placed a gentle hand against his firm chest, gently pushing him back.

”Tell me first what transpired at the palace,” she urged.

”All is well,” Damian answered, leaning forward once more to capture her lips.

She pulled back just out of reach, searching his eyes. ”Truly? We have no need to worry?”

”None at all. Everything is fine,” he reassured her.

A sudden knock at the door broke the silence. Eilika stepped away from the bed, smoothing the folds of her gown before calling out, ”Come in.”

A maid entered with a bowed head, bearing a heavy tray in her hands. She set it carefully upon the low table and reached for the porcelain teapot to pour, but Eilika gently intervened.

”I shall handle it. You are dismissed. Thank you,” Eilika said.

The maid bowed deeply to them both and retreated, pulling the double doors quietly shut behind her.

”I am relieved to hear that nothing terrible occurred,” Eilika said, lifting the teapot to fill the cups.

Damian had already risen from the bed and taken a seat beside the table by the time she placed a teacup and saucer before him.

”Why did you go to your father’s estate today?” Damian asked, lifting his head to meet her gaze.

Eilika took her seat across from him. ”Mother and I had a conversation this morning that made me realize I ought to visit him. He has grown so thin, Damian. He even attempted to hide the truth about his business, but I saw the strain with my own eyes; they are struggling terribly. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not asking you to step in and fix his affairs,” she asserted softly.

”I was the one who forced your father to settle the debts he owed to his creditors,” Damian explained, placing his teacup down. ”I wanted him to remember the integrity he once possessed. Forgive me for keeping this from you, but even though you have not asked, I intervened to assist my father-in-law at the proper time.”