To Love A Duke

Le Duke La Ball

Song Recommendation: Don’t they ( remix ) by josh Levi

The ton may scrunch their nose in disgust at a man in a foreign attire without a neck cloth,with great exception to a Duke, for then it becomes the trend for all gentlemen of society.

It had been a busy week in which she had barely seen him, him being her elusive husband. Duke of shewsburry. Tonight’s was La belle Le ball and her nerves were all over the place, initially she had been all up in the work, trying to get things done here and there and today she was totally jittery. Her gown had arrived this morning after lots of fitting, this was her first public event as a Duchess. Lord Talbots Duchess and the last thing she wanted to do was f**k this up- to borrow her husband’s vocabulary. The house was up and running. Food and drinks in abundance, the paining and Oprah performa could be heard practicing for the big day. She had pulled this off and no all she needed to do was get in that dress and get through the day. The dress was worn by a mannequin, it was a black silk dress lined with silver at hem and thick feathers at the sleeve. the corset was richly embroidered and the bodice hung low and ravishing. It was daring indeed. Not quite as daring as the thought of Her husband seeing her in it. Last night she had seen Arnold his Valet role in a closet cart of wears, and when she had peeked she had received quite the shock to find an Italian styled suit piece of black silk and silver embroideries. He was very possibly matching with her today! How romantic, except this was not a romantic situation In any sense and all they did tonight was for the people to see a public display of affection and think it a love match. It was a sham. A game. She swallowed and walked to the mirror to examine herself closely. Jules had taken the morning to style her hair, she had swept it up and knotted it in a heart shape with some curl magic left dangling. Her reflection in the mirror was rather pretty. Tonight She would formally face the world as Her grace Artemis, Lady Talbott Duchess of Shewsburry. New mistress of the Talbott mansion and wife to His grace the Duke of shewsburry her belly flipped at the last title. And though there weren’t peer of the ton, there were people with whom she sought approval and respect and whether she liked it or not validation “No flutterings tonight Artemis” She said to herself with a hand to her belly trying much to calm her erratic nerves. Then there was a knock at the door. Assuming it was Jules who had stepped out to get some pins for the lace stays she ordered the knocker in, it was the owner of the Title, The Duke of shewsburry.

“Your grace?” She asked a little shocked, she hadn’t seen much of him and suddenly he was in her rooms uninvited. Not quite the last part considering she had just requested he come in. Though to be fair she had let him in with zero knowledge as to his identity. As if she could have done other wise knowing who it was.

“Ah, Duchess mine, Not the visitor you expect from the look on your face” he said coming in fully to the room. Oh heavens help her. He was a sight for sore eyes. He was dressed smartly in a full suit. The suit that matched her gown, her subconscious reminded her. There was something different about him today. He eyes roamed him greedily. Ah it must be the hair, it was schooled back in sleek wave adding a mean streak to his already striking features. She swallowed trying to find her voice.

“You look-” she was about to compliment him when he spoke in her stead

“Awful I know, you won’t believe I’m reaching for my neck to adjust the neck cloth and I find out there’s none” he laughed nervously. Awful was not at all close to what she had in mind to say

“I was going to say you look-different, you look different in a good way” it suits you. He looked at her and then he smiled. That heart stopping, pulse racing smile and she wanted to reach out and take the smile for herself. She shook herself. Dear God help her poor soul