To Love A Duke

Duty

Song Recommendation: Send my love by Adele

A gentleman’s sense of Responsibility is distinctly different from his sense attraction. Alas the two are mismatched more often than not..

She laughed a little

“It had always been her, I know you Orion, And I know that it has always and will always be her, I never stood a chance” she said and he looked fat her with his head c****d, wishing he could read her mind

He shook his head “you should have let me take care of you” he said

“No” she replied him fisting her hands together

“So tell me whose looking out for you these days, Rourke?” At that She looked at him sharply and then turned to stare out the window, he deserved that but still he wanted to know, he need e to hear her say it. she was quiet, looking out the widow as he looked at her

The carriage moved in silence for a long time and he sat across from her, studying her and realizing he felt no attraction to her. He just felt a mighty responsible.

“You’re with Rourke now then? He couldn’t help but blurt the question, asking again after being ignored the first time

She was still looking out the window when she replied him “that’s none of your business”

He nodded gravely “ I guess so” turning to stare out the other window

“Will I see you again?” He asked and that earned him a look from her, he still looked out the window but he could feel her stare, she looked at him for a while then asked him

“Why?” She asked and he turned to face her his green eyes boring into her brown ones

“I need to see you again cas. To see him.” He almost choked on the words, barely able to get them out.

She nodded but said nothing to assure him that they would run into each other. She hadn’t changed much but there was something about her, she seemed more solemn now, more hard edged and grave.

“Ever Dutiful Orion” she replied with no spite in her voice whatsoever “always wanting to do good by your charges, forgetting your own needs” she smiled that sad smile again.

“Cas-” he started but she cut him short.

What was it with the women in his life and cutting him shot all the damn time.

“You have this misguided sense that you are honor bound to look out for me because we have history together but Orion you have to know that I’m not your responsibility anymore, you have to know that and believe it” the carriage stopped perhaps due to some obstruction on the way,

“All the best in your marriage Your Grace” she said touching him on the cheek, then turned to opened the carriage door and hopped down without so much as a backward glance. The use of his title signifying the end of their familiarity.

By the time he was home that evening haven missed the event proper that took him out of the house, his unexpected encounter with cas hadn’t quite worn off and he had a sour expression on. until he set his eyes in Artemis, somehow she made him remember why he made all the decisions he made, she was in conversation with his butler and housekeeper both of whom had turned on their master for her sake, she paused to met out instructions to a footman carrying flower pots and glass vases. Apparently preparations for the rumored ball was in full swing, it was all the villagers and tenants spoke about, he had ventured into the village to purchase a shawl for her and now he want quite sure HM she would like it. the mansion looked bubbly and everyone was up and about. It reminded him of when ma had just died. He shook his head trying to rid himself of the very gruesome memories. walking towards the entrance holding a shop bag in his hands Artemis almost ran into him

“Oh my!” She exclaimed looking up at him

“Did you really not see me wife?” He asked smiling

“What makes you think I did My Lord?” She asked looking truly puzzled as if she would never think of purposely slamming herself into him for whatever reasons.

“ hmmm..Fancy running into you. Literally. Then by all means carry on with-” he said gesturing around them with a single hand and holding something in the other, she wasn’t quite sure what. He disappeared in, taking the steps two at time with no effort at all, such long legs, she caught herself looking after him and went back to work, there was much to do and too little time to do it.