The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Eilika was practicing her dance movements for tomorrow’s grand ball when the heavy fabric of her gown slipped beneath her foot. Stumbling, she lost her balance entirely, only to feel a pair of strong arms catch her smoothly from behind.

”Careful, darling,” Damian whispered, his voice warm against her ear as he gently steadied her on her feet.

”When did you return? You did not make a sound,” Eilika said, turning to face him. ”Thank you for saving me.” Her heart fluttered against her chest, her mind racing at the unaccustomed warmth in the way he had just addressed her.

”I returned only a few moments ago,” Damian replied, a soft smile touching his lips. ”Just in time to see you dancing.”

”Oh. You are late on the very first day,” she remarked, taking a slight step back from his embrace. Turning, she walked toward the side table and poured a glass of water for the Duke.

”The other provincial Dukes joined the council as well, and we became so submerged in back-to-back meetings that time simply slipped away,” Damian explained, accepting the silver glass from her hand. ”Thank you.”

He drank the water slowly before setting the glass back down on the table. ”Did you miss me?”

”No. I was busy the entire day,” Eilika replied, looking away.

”Do not lie,” Damian said, turning back toward her as he unbuttoned and removed his overcoat.

”Why would I lie to you?” She crossed her arms tightly across her chest.

Suddenly, the soft patter of rain against the glass caught her attention, and fear struck as she remembered the canvas left outside.

Rushing out onto the balcony, her eyes widened. ”Oh my god! It is ruined,” she gasped, reaching out to pull the damp sheet inside, only for Damian to catch her by the waist and draw her safely back beneath the shelter of the roof.

”You can draw a new painting tomorrow, but do not go getting yourself soaked in the rain.” Damian reached out, his hand gently brushing through her slightly damp hair.

”You do not understand how many hours I spent trying to finish it,” Eilika murmured, looking up at him with a quiet, fallen expression. ”Now it is completely ruined... and there is nothing I can do.”

Damian gently took the ruined sheet from her hands and looked down at the canvas. Painted across it was a soft, detailed portrait of the grounds and the rolling courtyard view seen from their balcony.

”I can help you tomorrow,” Damian said. ”I am not good at it, but I will do my best.”

Eilika smiled softly upon hearing his offer. ”You do not even know how to paint. How could you possibly help me?” She shook her head, turning to step back inside the room. ”I had planned to show this to Roman once we returned home.”

She carefully laid the damp, ruined sheet onto the wooden table. Wiping a few stray rain droplets from her cheek, she turned her gaze back to Damian. ”You must be hungry. I believe dinner will be served soon. Why do you not rest until then?”

”Only if you rest with me,” Damian replied, closing the distance between them. ”And do not even think of stepping back outside.”

”But I promised Lady Meghan,” Eilika argued gently. ”I told her I would assist with the evening dinner preparations. Even though the kitchen staff is handling it, I ought to at least oversee the work.”

”Why must you make such promises?” Damian asked, his fingers trailing gently over her cheek as his gaze softened. ”Can you not simply tell her that your husband needs you?”

”I cannot,” Eilika replied, keeping her gaze steady on his. ”I promised her before I knew you would need me. Besides, Damian, we will have all the time in the world after dinner. I am not going anywhere then.”

”Do not run away after dinner, then,” Damian whispered against her mouth before pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

She hummed in soft agreement, slipped quickly into her heels, and hurried out of the room. Her heart hammered wildly against her chest, a warm flush rising to her cheeks. ’Damian seems so desperate for me,’ Eilika thought, distracted, right before she collided squarely with someone in the hallway.

”Forgive me!” she apologized instantly, looking up to see a handsome, distinguished man who appeared somewhat older than her, already offering his own apology.

”My lady, I did not see you coming either. The fault is entirely mine,” the man said.

Eilika offered a brief nod and began to walk past him, but his next words stopped her in her tracks.

”Yes, I am,” she replied.

”Greetings to Duchess Eilika, then. Forgive me, I failed to recognize you earlier,” he stated, giving a polite bow. ”I am Nash Donatello, the younger brother of Duke Rodney.”

”Please, forgive me as well. I did not recognize you either,” Eilika said, offering a small, respectful bow in return. ”Please accept my humble greetings.”

”It is my pleasure,” Nash replied, eyeing the quiet corridor. ”Though, if I may ask, where are you headed? I believe the chambers prepared for you and the Duke are not in this direction.”

”I’m heading to the kitchen,” Eilika replied. She again bowed to him and left in a hurry.

Nash, on the other hand, smiled and went ahead. ”I forgot to tell her I’m the Duke of East Province,” he mumbled, and shook his head.

~~~~~

”Your Highness, all preparations have been made for your departure tomorrow,” Samir informed him. The door to the suite stood open, and Xenia walked in with her head bowed, carrying a heavy silver tray in her hands.

She quietly set the delicate dishes onto the grand table.

”Was the fish prepared?” August asked, glancing toward the table. ”I have been craving it for days.”

”Yes. I prepared roasted fish with a special sauce for your dinner, Your Highness. I know you will like it,” Xenia answered with enthusiasm, looking up at him with a wide smile. But catching the cold, unreadable expression on his face, her smile quickly faded.

”If either of you requires anything further, simply ring the bell,” Xenia said softly, turning to take her leave just as a loud explosion shattered the silence.

Within seconds, panic erupted through the halls. The few guests staying at the rest house began screaming, rushing blindly toward the exits.

Xenia darted outside to see what had happened, with August and Samir close behind her, only to find the air covered with blinding smoke.

”No... my brothers!” Xenia gasped, her blood running cold as she turned and sprinted back into the haze, heading straight toward the kitchen.

”Your Highness, we need to get out of here,” Samir urged, coughing through the rising haze.

”Yes,” August agreed, taking a step toward the main entrance. He paused, his eyes straining through the thick smoke as he caught sight of Xenia running in the opposite direction. Instead of fleeing toward safety outside, she had darted back into the burning building, heading straight behind the stairs.

”Samir, go ahead,” August ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument as he turned to follow her path.

He covered his nose and mouth with his sleeve as a heavy, burning beam collapsed from the roof, crashing onto the wooden floor with a shower of sparks.

August leaped back just in time, vaulting over the debris to reach the shadowed corridor behind the stairs.

”Where has she gone?” he mumbled through gritted teeth, holding his breath as the thick, dark smoke pressed in on him from all sides.

Ripping down a heavy curtain to shield himself from the heat, August wrapped it around his arm and pushed forward through the dense smoke toward the heart of the blaze.

Meanwhile, Xenia burst into the ruined kitchen. Her heart stopped at the sight of her two brothers lying motionless on the stone floor amidst the rubble. Dashing to their side, she dropped to her knees and frantically shook their shoulders.

”Henry! Batley!” she screamed, her voice breaking into a cough as the sharp stench of ash filled her lungs. Xenia covered her nose with the sleeve while wondering what to do.

”Get away,” August ordered, rushing into the heat and throwing the curtain over one of the unconscious men. Before she could process his command, Samir burst in behind him, carrying a blanket with him.

”Your Highness!” Samir called out, quickly stepping up beside him.

”Samir, help me get them out,” August commanded. Stripping off his heavy overcoat, he draped it firmly over Xenia’s shaking shoulders before pulling one of her brothers onto his back.

Samir hoisted the second brother onto his own back, stabilizing the weight.

”Xenia, walk ahead of us,” August ordered, his voice steady despite the roaring flames around them. ”Stay close and watch your step. Try not to catch fire.”

She nodded weakly, her chest heaving as she coughed through the haze, and quickly led the way out.

Samir cast one final, sweeping glance across the smoke-filled room to ensure no one else was trapped behind. Once confirmed, he turned and followed August swiftly out of the burning building.