Elizabeth

Chapter1-The Duke’s Robe

Do you need my assistance getting out of it?” I asked, watching as he sat there quietly. His bare chest peeked from within the robe. The only part of his body I have been allowed to see. I did not like that Lady Alice had made him agree to do this. But it was my special night, the night I would finally be a woman, his lady, I needed to enjoy every bit of it. He took the robe off his shoulders which revealed the broadness of his body.

So much that he hid underneath that robe.

I wanted to feel them and so I moved closer, skeptical of what to do when I touched him. The protruding solid muscle on his arm rested well in my palms. I felt the thrills as he touched me back. He placed his palm on my chin, moving my face so his lips touched mine. The feeling was momentarily lived as he pulled away. This drew me closer as I lolled on his lap.

"Does it hurt?” Just as I asked, I wished I had not.

“What?”

"Your legs,” I responded.

“No, it doesn't,” I wanted to end my questions there but the words just kept coming, and my thin lips could not hold it all back.

“Should I help you out of the chair to the bed? I can hold your arms and pull you upward,” I tried pulling his arms.

“Stop!” He ordered, his voice took my hands aback and then he put back his robe, rolling the wheels of the chair away from me.

“My apologies my lord, I was just trying to help.”

"I do not need your help.”

“Why do you shy away from telling me what happened to your legs?”

“It is of no business of yours.”

"But I am your wife,”

He scoffed.

“Do you not want me?!” I cried out, "I stand before you in my nakedness and you move away from my presence like I'm some w***e. Your mother...”

“You are not my mother,” He cut me off, “You are Elizabeth, the wife of the Duke, my wife, you are at liberty to do as you please. Do not succumb to my mother’s wish.”

Tears swelled in my eyes from within my hurting heart, “ Do you not find me attractive?” I asked and he looked away.

“Answer me! Do you not find me enough to lay with me? Do you love me? Do you even want me here?” He pulled further away from the window.

“I guess not,” I said, wiping my eyes with the back of my palm as I walked away.

Before dawn, I had put a few of my things inside my bag. It was clear I was married to a man who did not want me. I had had my fair share of living a life of a noble and I needed to be back home. Eve rushed into my room just as I made to leave.

“Do you not knock?”

“My apologies my lady but this is a matter of urgency.”

"Then you should report to the lord of the manor, Lord Edward.” I forced a smile but Eve’s distressed mood did not change.

"It's Lord Edward.”

"And what about him?”

“He is at the topmost part of the building, we fear he might want to jump off.”

"I presume this is some kind of joke.”

“No, my lady. Lady Alice seeks your presence at once. She fears Lord Edward might be going through it again.”

“Going through what?”

“Panic attack.”

“Take me there at once,” I abandoned my bag as Eve took me up the stairs.